Reviewed · CABO ATV & UTV DESERT TOURS

Side by Side Cabo Adventure

★ 4.0 · 4 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $182 Operated by Best Cabo Adventures · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Cabo outing is the chance to leave the hotel zone and take a side by side ride near Playa Migrino. You get a small-group setting, a bilingual guide, safety equipment, water, and round-trip transport, so you do not have to sort out the drive yourself.

I like the hotel pickup and the simple after-ride routine: clean up, check your photos, grab a cold drink, and wait for the ride back. I also like the personal attention that a group of no more than 15 can provide. The main caution is timing. The advertised three-hour experience may not mean two to two and a half hours on the vehicle, since the route uses a set mileage and your driving speed affects how long it takes.

Key points to know before booking

  • Playa Migrino is the main riding area: The route gives you a change of scene from central Cabo San Lucas.
  • Guide Brian receives special praise: A private guide named Brian is described as excellent and helpful.
  • Your total price can rise: The $182.24 rate does not include the $25 Cabo entrance fee, food, drinks, gratuity, or optional collision insurance.
  • Hotel transfers are included: Pickup details are arranged after booking, making this easier than finding your own way to the activity base.
  • Ride time needs careful reading: The full outing lasts about three hours, but the actual driving portion can be shorter.
  • The check-in process may test your patience: One account describes a chaotic group assignment and receiving only half the expected ride time.

What the Cabo side by side trip is really like

Side by Side Cabo Adventure - What the Cabo side by side trip is really like

This is an off-road-style outing built around a side by side vehicle, not a sightseeing bus or a slow beach walk. You begin with pickup from your accommodation in Cabo San Lucas, then ride to the activity location for check-in.

At the base, you receive a locker and meet the guide assigned to your group. Security instructions come before the ride, and safety equipment is included. Water is provided as well, which matters in Cabo’s heat and during a motorized activity.

The experience provider lists the full activity at about three hours. That total includes hotel transport, check-in, safety preparation, the ride itself, cleanup, photo viewing, a cold drink, and the return transfer. You should not automatically read three hours as three hours behind the wheel.

One account gives a useful explanation: the route follows standard mileage, so the speed of the driver affects how quickly the course is completed. A faster rider may finish the route sooner than someone taking a slower pace. If the amount of driving time matters to you, ask about the expected ride duration before you leave your hotel.

More ATV and UTV runs across the desert:

Starting at Playa Migrino

Side by Side Cabo Adventure - Starting at Playa Migrino

Playa Migrino is listed as the first stop and appears to be the heart of the riding portion. The location gives the outing a more open setting than a vehicle tour confined to Cabo San Lucas itself.

The information provided does not describe specific landmarks, terrain features, or beach activities at the stop, so I would not book this expecting a detailed coastal sightseeing program. The focus is the side by side ride and the freedom of operating the vehicle along the set route.

That distinction helps you choose wisely. If you want a motor activity with a guide and a defined course, this fits. If you want long, unstructured time on the beach, swimming, or a full nature tour, those features are not included in the details provided.

Your guide gives the safety instructions before you set off. Pay close attention here, especially if you have little experience with this type of vehicle. The tour is offered in English, and a bilingual guide is included, so you can ask questions during the preparation and ride.

The maximum group size is 15. That is not a private tour by default, but it is still a manageable number compared with a large coach excursion. A smaller group can make it easier to hear instructions and get help when needed. If you book a private guide, Brian is one name to request, though the supplied information does not promise that he will be available for every departure.

Cabo San Lucas and the return routine

Side by Side Cabo Adventure - Cabo San Lucas and the return routine

Cabo San Lucas is listed as the second stop. The details do not explain whether this is a riding section, a transfer point, or part of the return route, so you should treat it as a named stop rather than assume a separate sightseeing activity.

The return routine is practical. After the ride, you have time to clean up and refresh. You can look through your pictures and have a cold drink while waiting for transportation back to your hotel.

That pause is useful after a dusty or active ride. It also gives you a chance to check whether you have all your belongings from the locker before leaving. Food and drinks are not included, despite the mention of tacos as a highlight, so confirm what is offered at the time you book or budget for any purchase separately.

The description says you can refuel with delicious tacos after the tour, but the inclusions specifically list food and beverages as excluded. I would read this as a taco opportunity rather than a meal included in the $182.24 price. Bring money for food, drinks, and any gratuity.

Why the transport matters in Cabo

Round-trip transportation is included, and pickup details are arranged after booking. That is a real convenience in Cabo San Lucas, where a remote activity base can make a self-arranged taxi more complicated and more expensive.

The ride from your accommodation to the activity site is part of the time commitment, though the exact pickup schedule is not provided. Choose a tour time that leaves some room around meals, other excursions, and evening plans.

The return process deserves extra attention. One account describes uncertainty about how long the wait would be after the ride. Staff suggested taking a shuttle to a sister hotel and then using that hotel’s shuttle to reach the original accommodation. That is an unusual solution, and it could be inconvenient if you are tired, wet, or carrying belongings.

Before setting out, ask where the return vehicle will meet you and how long the normal wait should be. Keep your phone available, and do not assume the return transfer will depart immediately when you finish cleaning up. The transportation is still a strong feature, but the handoff needs clearer communication.

A completely different kind of day out of Cabo San Lucas:

The check-in and group issue

The process begins with check-in at the activity base, followed by locker assignment, guide assignment, and safety procedures. On paper, that is a sensible sequence. In practice, one account describes the check-in system as chaotic.

The same account says the rider was placed in the wrong group and did not receive help after asking several times. The result was only half the expected ride time. That is a serious concern when the tour costs $182.24 per person.

You can reduce the risk by checking your booking details as soon as you arrive. Confirm the group, the vehicle assignment, and the expected ride length before leaving the check-in area. If you paid for a specific format or private arrangement, say so clearly at the start.

The small-group limit helps, but it does not guarantee a perfectly organized departure. This is one area where you should be direct rather than wait for staff to notice a problem.

Timing: the detail most likely to surprise you

Side by Side Cabo Adventure - Timing: the detail most likely to surprise you

The experience lasts about three hours from pickup through return, but the ride itself may not match the two to two and a half hours some buyers expect. The route is based on standard mileage, and driving speed affects completion time.

That setup can be fair if the mileage is clearly explained in advance. It can feel disappointing if you assume the advertised duration means a fixed amount of vehicle time. You should ask three simple questions before departure:

  • How long is the actual riding portion?
  • Is the route based on mileage rather than a fixed clock time?
  • What happens if the group completes the route early?

The answers will help you judge the price honestly. A three-hour excursion with transfers, gear, instruction, cleanup, and waiting time is different from three hours of continuous driving.

Several departure times are available, which is helpful if you are fitting the activity around a cruise schedule, beach time, or another Cabo booking. Still, leave a buffer. Pickup, check-in, traffic, cleanup, and the return wait can all affect your day.

What the $182.24 price includes

Side by Side Cabo Adventure - What the $182.24 price includes

At $182.24 per person, this is not a bargain basement activity. The value depends on how much you care about convenience and what is actually included in your chosen departure.

The price covers:

  • Round-trip transportation
  • A bilingual guide
  • Security equipment
  • Water
  • The side by side experience
  • Locker use at check-in, as described in the tour process

It does not cover gratuity, food, beverages, optional collision insurance per vehicle, or the $25 Cabo San Lucas entrance fee per person. Those extras can change the final cost, so compare the full amount rather than the headline rate.

The included transfer is valuable if you do not have a rental car or prefer not to arrange a taxi to the activity base. A bilingual guide is also useful during safety instructions and group coordination. The small-group cap adds some value, though the reported assignment problem shows that group size alone does not solve every operational issue.

For a couple or family budgeting a full day in Cabo, I would put the total price on paper before booking. Add the entrance fee, likely food and drinks, gratuity, and collision insurance if you want that protection. The tour may still be worth it, but you should know the real number first.

Safety gear, insurance, and personal responsibility

Security protocols are provided before the ride, and equipment is included. That gives you a basic safety framework, but you still need to listen closely and drive within your comfort level.

Collision insurance is optional and charged per vehicle. The supplied information does not explain the price, coverage, deductible, or claim process. Ask for those details before deciding. Do not assume optional insurance is included in the listed rate.

The ride is a better fit for someone comfortable following instructions and operating a motorized vehicle than for someone looking for a passive sightseeing trip. The experience provider says most people can participate, but no detailed medical, age, or driving requirements are provided. If you have a concern about participation, ask the provider before paying.

A practical point from the available feedback involves phones. One rider said the group was told not to use cell phones during the ride, while the private guide stopped for photographs. That suggests phone rules may be enforced for safety, but photo stops may still be possible when the guide approves them.

Do not plan to hold your phone while driving. Ask when photos can be taken, and use the locker for anything you should not carry on the vehicle.

Food, photos, and the small comforts

The tour gives you time to view pictures after riding, which is a nice touch if photographs are part of the experience. The details do not specify whether photos are included, purchased separately, or simply available for you to inspect, so ask before assuming you will receive a photo package.

Water is included. A cold drink is available while you wait for transportation, but beverages are also listed as not included. This is another point to clarify on arrival.

Tacos are presented as part of the appeal, yet food is not included in the stated price. Think of the meal as an optional stop or purchase after the ride, not as a guaranteed prepaid lunch. If you have dietary needs, the provided details do not specify menu choices, so ask in advance.

Who should book this Cabo ride

I would recommend this experience to you if you want an active outing, prefer arranged transportation, and like the idea of driving a side by side rather than sitting in a vehicle all day. It also suits people who value a guide and a limited group more than a polished resort activity.

It may work well for a mixed group if most participants are ready for a motor activity and can follow the same route. The English offering and bilingual guide make communication simpler for English-speaking visitors.

I would be cautious if you are booking mainly for a guaranteed two-hour ride. The timing reports do not support that assumption. I would also pause if your schedule is tight, since the return transfer may involve a wait and the pickup arrangements are finalized only after booking.

My practical verdict

This Cabo side by side outing has a good basic package: hotel transfers, safety gear, water, bilingual help, a small group, and a ride near Playa Migrino. Guide Brian is a strong point if you can request him, and the cleanup and photo time make the end of the activity less rushed.

The weak points are clear. The final price is higher than the headline figure once fees and extras are added. The actual riding time can be shorter than expected, and the check-in and return transport need sharper communication.

I would book it if the route and convenience matter more to you than a fixed amount of time behind the wheel. Before paying, confirm the actual ride duration, group assignment, return pickup plan, $25 entrance fee, and collision insurance cost. If the provider gives clear answers, this can be a fun, practical Cabo outing. If they cannot explain those basics, choose a tour with firmer timing and simpler pricing.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the group size is capped at 15.

FAQ

Where does the Side by Side Cabo Adventure take place?

The listed stops are Playa Migrino and Cabo San Lucas. The activity base is reached after pickup from your accommodation in Cabo San Lucas.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, and pickup details are arranged after booking.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately three hours. The actual side by side riding time may be shorter because the route is based on standard mileage and driving speed.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 participants.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A bilingual guide is included, and the activity is offered in English. A private guide named Brian is specifically identified in the available information.

Is safety equipment provided?

Yes. Security equipment and safety protocols are provided before the ride.

Is water included?

Yes. Water is included in the tour price.

Are tacos included?

Food is not included in the price. Tacos are described as an after-tour option, so you should budget separately for them.

What additional fees should I expect?

The $25 Cabo San Lucas entrance fee per person is not included. Gratuity, food, beverages, and optional collision insurance per vehicle are also extra.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.

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