Private Todos Santos Jeep

A private Jeep takes you far beyond Cabo’s resort strip, across surf beaches, mountain roads, and dusty back routes to Todos Santos. The day mixes scenic driving with free time, lunch, and a little off-road adventure, so you see a more relaxed side of southern Baja.

I like the small private format, which gives your group its own guide, vehicle, and pace. I also like the route itself: Cerritos offers a wide Pacific beach and strong surf, while the road to Todos Santos brings open views of the ocean and mountains.

The main caution is time at the lunch stop. One guest waited about 40 minutes for food during a busy event and left before the meal arrived. The tour also costs $650 per Jeep, so it makes the most sense when three people share the price.

Key points to know before booking

• Private Jeep for up to three people: Your group rides alone with a guide, rather than joining a large bus tour.
• Cerritos is the beach highlight: You get time near a popular surf beach known for large waves and a peaceful setting.
• Todos Santos adds town time: Browse galleries and craft shops, eat a Mexican lunch, and choose how much time to spend in town.
• The return route leaves the highway: A 4×4 Jeep or Ford Bronco takes you onto back roads with views toward the Sierra Laguna Mountains.
• Carlos and Sol are named guide options: Carlos is praised for his driving and friendly explanations, while Sol is noted for local knowledge and a gentle manner.
• Lunch and transport are included: Fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, vegetarian choices, water, snacks, and hotel or port pickup are covered.

Why this Cabo day trip feels different

Most Cabo outings stay close to the marina, beaches, and resort corridor. This one points west and north toward Cerritos and Todos Santos, giving you a full day away from the familiar tourist circuit.

That change of scenery is the real reason to book. You are not just riding in a vehicle to collect quick photographs. You have time to walk at Cerritos, browse Todos Santos, eat a local meal, and ride a rougher road through the southern Baja hills.

The tour lasts about six and a half hours, including round-trip transportation. The listed schedule adds up to roughly six hours of stops and driving, but you should treat the timing as flexible. This is a private activity, so you can decide not to complete every part if your group is ready to return early.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, but this is still an active day. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel, and suitable shoes. Sandals are listed as acceptable, though sturdy tennis shoes may feel better on uneven roads and beach walks.

From Cabo to Cerritos on the Transpeninsular Highway

The first leg follows the Transpeninsular Highway toward Cerritos. This is not merely transfer time. The road gives you views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, with plenty of open Baja scenery along the way.

Plan to have your camera ready, but do not expect a series of formal photo stops every few minutes. The supplied schedule allows about an hour for this stretch, and the appeal is the broad view from the road rather than a single landmark.

Your guide matters here. Carlos is specifically praised for driving through the desert and mountains, and Sol is noted for explaining the local area and its animals. If you have a preferred guide, you can ask when booking, but guide assignment depends on availability.

The highway portion also helps explain the value of hiring a local driver. You can watch the scenery instead of concentrating on directions, road conditions, and the long return drive. That is especially useful if you are staying in Cabo San Lucas and want a full day outside town without renting a vehicle.

A full hour at Cerritos Beach

Cerritos is one of the most appealing stops because you are given about an hour rather than a quick photograph from the roadside. The beach is known for large waves and attracts surfers, but you do not need to surf to enjoy the stop.

You can walk along the shore, take pictures, and enjoy the combination of sun, wind, and open space. The beach stop is simple, not heavily programmed. That gives you freedom, but it also means you should not expect beach equipment, a guided swim lesson, or a long list of organized activities.

Pay attention to the conditions. The same surf that draws surfers can make the water unsuitable for a casual swim on some days. The tour information calls Cerritos a place to enjoy and walk around, not a supervised swimming excursion.

This is also a good place to use the towel included on your packing list. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential, since there is little reason to stay inside during this part of the day.

Two hours for Todos Santos town and lunch

Todos Santos is the cultural center of the outing. The town is described as a Magic Town, a Mexican designation used for places with a distinct cultural character and local appeal. Here you get about two hours for galleries, craft shops, a meal, and independent wandering.

The free time is useful because Todos Santos is better approached at an easy pace. You can browse handmade goods, step into galleries, and see the town without being pushed from one photo stop to the next. The exact mix of shops and galleries you visit is up to you.

The famous Hotel California is also part of the suggested town experience. Keep your expectations sensible: the attraction is the name and the setting, not a promise of a tour or a special performance. You can choose to visit it if it fits your interests.

The town portion is a good match for people who want more than scenery. It gives the day a human scale, with time to look at local crafts and have lunch rather than spending every minute on the road.

One practical issue is the schedule. The experience lists a restaurant stop in Cerritos for lunch, while the Todos Santos portion also refers to taking a relaxing meal in a local restaurant. The included meal is described as traditional Mexican food, including fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips, and flavored water. Vegetarian food can include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Lunch is included in the price, but it is optional. If you skip it, there is no reduction in the tour cost. Since food is part of the planned day, ask your guide to clarify the exact restaurant and timing at the start.

The lunch stop deserves a realistic warning

The seaside restaurant in Cerritos is valued for its beach location, but service can be slow when a large event is taking place. One reported experience involved roughly 40 minutes of waiting, with three tacos still not served before the group chose to leave.

That does not mean every lunch will run late. It does mean you should not book this outing expecting a fast roadside meal. If you have a tight cruise schedule, tell the guide at pickup and keep an eye on the clock.

The meal itself is meant to be a Mexican lunch, not a gourmet tasting menu. Fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, toppings, beans, rice, guacamole, and chips make it a practical included meal after time outdoors. Vegetarians have a stated alternative, which is helpful for a private group with different food needs.

Alcohol is not included. Personal purchases are also your responsibility, so carry some money if you want drinks, crafts, or other items in Todos Santos.

Back roads through the Sierra Laguna Mountains

After the town and beach portions, the Jeep leaves the main highway for the back roads of southern Baja. This is where the tour earns its name. Depending on availability, the vehicle may be a Jeep or a Ford Bronco, and the route is intended for 4×4 driving.

The appeal is not speed. It is the change from paved highway to rougher rural roads, with views toward the Sierra Laguna Mountains. You get an hour of this type of driving, enough to feel removed from Cabo without turning the day into a full off-road expedition.

If you want to drive, you must be at least 18 and bring a valid driver’s license. Ask your guide about the driving arrangement before setting off. You should also understand that road conditions can affect the plan. Rain or road closures may lead to a route change, a new date, or cancellation.

This section may be the best fit for people who enjoy a little dust and motion. If you dislike rough roads, carsickness, or long drives, the private format helps because you can discuss the pace and take breaks. A guest who often gets carsick reported no problem on the trip, but that is personal experience, not a guarantee.

Punta Lobos and the final coastal view

Punta Lobos is a short stop of about 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not enough for a long walk or extended beach visit.

The stop works as a final coastal pause after the inland back roads. You get another view of the Pacific and a chance to take in a place described as magical by the operator. Keep this stop in perspective: it is a scenic add-on, not a major destination with a long activity schedule.

With a private group, you may be able to spend a little more or less time here depending on the day. Still, the overall route has several moving parts, so your guide must balance beach time, town time, lunch, and the return to Cabo.

What the $650 private price really buys

The $650 price is per Jeep for one to three people, not per person. That includes a private guide, air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle, lunch, bottled water, granola bars, snacks, and pickup and drop-off.

For three people, the cost works out to about $217 each before any additional personal spending. For two people, it is $325 each. For one person, it is an expensive day, since the vehicle price does not shrink with a smaller group.

The value is strongest if you care about privacy and control. You avoid sharing a vehicle with strangers, and you can discuss the pace with your guide. The private setup also helps if your group has mixed interests, such as one person wanting more beach time and another preferring town shops.

A large group tour may cost less per person, but it will usually offer less control over stops and timing. This experience is not the bargain choice. It is the convenient choice for a small group that wants transportation, a guide, food, and off-road driving in one package.

Pickup details that matter in Cabo

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot, in front of the OXXO convenience store, near the Sandos Finisterra hotel. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Cruise passengers should walk from the tender pier through the security gate, turn right along the red sidewalk, and continue to the cruise terminal building marked API. After exiting into the parking lot, look for the OXXO. The guide waits in front of it.

Complimentary round-trip transport covers hotels in San Jose del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Hotel pickup is usually about an hour before the tour, and you should confirm the exact pickup time one day before departure.

Transport is not offered from some hotels outside the tourist zone, including Hard Rock, Nobu, and Four Seasons. If you are staying at one of those properties, use the Plaza Gali meeting point instead.

The advertised end point is also Plaza Gali, though drop-off can be arranged at Plaza Gali downtown or your hotel when covered by the transport service. Confirmation arrives at booking, and most people can participate. The minimum age is six.

Weather, cancellations, and who should book

Good weather is required. Rain and road closures can force a route change, rescheduling, or cancellation. If the operator cancels for weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The cancellation information says you can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and no-shows or late cancellations are charged in full. Since the activity has also been described elsewhere as requiring 48 hours for a full refund, check the final terms shown when you reserve.

I would book this for a group of two or three who want a private day with varied scenery. It suits people who enjoy beaches, local food, small-town browsing, and a bumpy 4×4 ride more than people who want to stay beside a resort pool.

I would think twice if your priority is a long swim, a highly structured history tour, or a guaranteed quick lunch. The day involves considerable road time, and the lunch schedule can be affected by restaurant traffic.

Should you book the Private Todos Santos Jeep?

Book it if you want to trade Cabo’s marina scene for Cerritos surf, Todos Santos shops, Pacific views, and rural mountain roads. The strongest parts are the private format, the route variety, and guides such as Carlos and Sol, who bring friendly driving and local explanations to the day.

Skip it if the $650 group price feels high for your party size or if you need a tightly timed itinerary. For three people sharing the Jeep, the cost is easier to justify. For one person, it is much harder to call good value.

FAQ

How much does the Private Todos Santos Jeep cost?

The price is $650 per Jeep for a group of one to three people. The price is not reduced for fewer passengers.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about six to seven hours, with the stated operating time at approximately six and a half hours including round-trip transportation.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where is the meeting point?

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot in Cabo San Lucas, in front of the OXXO convenience store at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 36.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Complimentary round-trip transportation covers hotels in San Jose del Cabo, the corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area. Some hotels outside the tourist zone are excluded.

What food is included?

Lunch includes Mexican dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips, and flavored water. Vegetarian choices include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Can I drive the Jeep?

You may drive if you are at least 18 years old and present a valid driver’s license. Jeep or Ford Bronco use depends on availability.

What is the minimum age to join?

The minimum age is six years old.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The operator may change the route, reschedule, or cancel the activity because of rain or road closures. If the operator cancels, you are offered another date or a full refund.