Cabo San Lucas: Beach & Desert Horseback Riding Tour

The Pacific meets the desert on horseback. This two-hour outing takes you from Cabo San Lucas to El Migriño Beach, where sandy dunes, coastal cliffs, mountain views, and huge Pacific waves share the same frame. I like the mix of beach and desert riding, and I like that you can choose a beginner or advanced group before setting out.

The main caution is the extra cost: the advertised price is $97 per person, but a $25 entrance fee is not included. The outing also bans cameras and cellphones, so you will need to enjoy the scenery without snapping photos from the saddle. For families, the free kids club is a useful touch, especially if younger children are not ready to ride.

Key points to know before booking

• El Migriño Beach provides the setting: Expect dunes, Pacific surf, coastal cliffs, and mountains rather than a simple riding arena.
• You choose your riding level: Beginner and advanced options help place you with a group that matches your comfort.
• Bruno has earned strong praise: One family credited guide Bruno with making the outing the highlight of their Cabo trip.
• The pace can be lively: One rider especially liked the fast-moving trail and the chance to run on the beach.
• Children five and older may ride alone: A free kids club is available for younger children who are not riding.
• Budget for the entrance fee: The $25 per-person fee is extra, along with drinks and optional souvenir photos.

From Cabo San Lucas to El Migriño Beach

The experience begins with pickup from one of two locations on or near Carretera Transpeninsular: Calle Mariano Abasolo 1356 or the highway pickup point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which saves you from arranging a separate taxi or rental car.

You should wait in your hotel lobby five minutes before the scheduled pickup. The driver will wait no longer than five minutes after that time, so this is not the moment for a leisurely search for sunglasses or a last-minute coffee.

The first stage includes about 15 minutes of safety instructions in Cabo San Lucas. This is where you learn the basic riding rules, get fitted with a helmet, and prepare for the outing. You also receive goggles and a bandana, useful protection when the Baja wind lifts sand from the beach or dunes.

A short transfer of about 10 minutes takes you toward the riding area. The advertised activity lasts two hours, while the schedule also includes transfers, pickup, and drop-off. In practical terms, plan for more time away from your hotel than just the saddle time, particularly because the return transfer is listed as about 54 minutes.

Choosing between the beginner and advanced groups

The choice between beginner and advanced riding is one of the tour’s best features. You do not have to pretend to be an expert, and you do not have to slow down a group if you already ride with confidence.

If you are new to horseback riding, the beginner option should help you focus on balance, control, and comfort. The safety briefing comes before the trail, and professional guides escort the group throughout the ride.

The advanced option is better suited to riders who want a quicker pace. A rider named Sara particularly enjoyed that the outing moved fast and described running along the beach as a highlight. That detail matters: this is not necessarily a slow, nose-to-tail walk for the entire time.

Still, you should be honest about your experience when choosing. Beach riding can look easy, but sand, uneven ground, and changing pace require attention. If you are unsure, the beginner group is the sensible choice. A pleasant ride is better than proving a point to a horse.

Riding through dunes, desert, and coastal cliffs

The main ride lasts about 105 minutes according to the schedule. Its appeal comes from variety. You move through sandy dunes and desert terrain while mountains rise in the background and the Pacific opens in front of you.

El Migriño Beach is the star of the outing. The beach is known for broad sand, dunes, and coastal cliffs, with large Pacific waves breaking along the shore. The ride gives you views that are hard to get from a standard Cabo resort area, where the focus is usually the marina, nightlife, and built-up beachfront.

I like the way this setting combines three Baja scenes in one trip. You see the dry interior, the rugged mountain edge, and the ocean at close range. The contrast is especially appealing if you have already spent time around central Cabo San Lucas and want a more open, natural setting.

The itinerary also includes a desert walk. That means you are not in the saddle every minute, which can be welcome for beginners or anyone unused to riding. The walking portion gives you a chance to take in the dunes and nearby terrain at a slower pace, though cameras and cellphones are not allowed.

The Pacific shore here is for viewing rather than swimming. The information provided emphasizes waves, beaches, and clear Baja water, but it does not promise a swimming stop. You should treat this as a scenic riding experience, not a beach day with guaranteed water time.

What the professional guides add

Guides matter on a horseback outing, and this experience puts them at the center of the ride. They lead the group, provide the safety briefing, and help keep the beginner and advanced options organized.

Bruno receives especially strong praise from one family who booked a private outing combining horseback riding with side-by-side ATVs. Their group included a 77-year-old mother-in-law and a 13-year-old daughter, and they credited Bruno with making the experience a highlight of their Cabo visit.

That story does not mean the tour is suitable for everyone with mobility or medical concerns. The activity specifically excludes people with back problems, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. It does show that the guide can help create a memorable outing for a mixed-age family when the participants meet the safety requirements.

The ride is offered in Spanish and English. If language support matters to you, both are available through the live guide.

A useful option for families with young children

Children aged five and older can ride their own horse. That makes the outing workable for families with school-age children, particularly those who want an activity that feels more adventurous than a standard sightseeing bus.

The free kids club is an unusual and useful inclusion. Certified staff look after children while they play board games, use video games, or watch movies. It is available with adult bookings, so younger children do not have to sit out in the hotel or attempt a ride that is not suitable for them.

The kids club also helps mixed-age groups. Parents can ride while a child under five stays with supervised staff. The activity is not suitable for children under five as riders, but the club gives families another option.

You should still consider your child’s comfort around horses, sand, and open outdoor conditions. The supplied information confirms the age rule and the club activities, but it does not specify the club’s capacity or exact location. Ask the operator if those details are important for your family.

Tequila tasting after the ride

After the riding portion, the experience includes time at a local restaurant and a tasting of blue agave tequila. This gives the outing a relaxed finish after the physical activity.

The tasting is included, but other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase and are not part of the price. If you are driving, you will not need to arrange that yourself because hotel transportation is included. Still, drink responsibly, especially after spending time in the sun and on horseback.

The restaurant stop is best viewed as a tasting break rather than a full meal unless you confirm otherwise. Food tasting is listed in the schedule, but a complete lunch or dinner is not listed among the inclusions. Bring that distinction into your planning so you are not expecting a large meal at the end.

Is $97 a fair price?

At $97 per person, the price is reasonable for a guided outdoor activity that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a two-hour ride, safety equipment, a professional guide, a kids club, and tequila tasting.

The transportation adds real value. El Migriño Beach is outside the central Cabo resort area, and arranging your own transport could add cost and hassle. Having the ride, the guide, and the equipment handled in one booking makes this easier than building the same day from separate pieces.

The value is less clear if you are focused only on riding time. A $25 entrance fee is extra, bringing the known minimum cost to $122 per person before drinks or souvenir photos. That is a meaningful addition for a family of four.

The tour also does not include alcoholic drinks beyond the tasting, and souvenir photos cost extra. Since cameras and cellphones are not allowed, you may be tempted to buy the photo package if you want a record of the ride. Ask about the photo price before committing.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Bring a passport or ID card, as required. Wear practical clothing suited to riding and sand, although the supplied details do not specify a dress code.

The operator provides a helmet, goggles, and a bandana. Those items are helpful in a dry, windy setting and reduce the amount of gear you need to pack.

You cannot bring cameras or cellphones on the activity. This rule may disappoint anyone hoping to photograph the dunes or record a beach run, but it also means you can concentrate on the horse, the guide, and the terrain. If photos matter to you, ask about the available souvenir photos and their cost.

Arrive early for pickup. The five-minute driver waiting limit is strict enough that a small delay could turn into a missed ride.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a short, active excursion with strong scenery and a clear sense of place. It suits confident beginners, experienced riders, families with children aged five and older, and anyone who prefers desert and coastline to a standard resort activity.

It is especially appealing if you want several settings in one outing: dunes, beach, cliffs, mountains, and a desert walk. The two-hour format also works well when you have other Cabo plans and do not want to spend an entire day away.

You should think twice if you dislike horses, have back problems, are pregnant, or have a pre-existing medical condition. It is also not a good match if your main goal is swimming, snorkeling, or taking lots of photos.

The ride can be fast-paced for the advanced group, so choose your level carefully. Sara’s experience suggests that experienced riders may enjoy the chance to move quickly and run along the beach, while a first-time rider may prefer a calmer introduction.

Should you book the El Migriño horseback ride?

Book it if you want a scenic, active Baja outing and are comfortable paying the extra $25 entrance fee. The combination of Pacific beach, desert dunes, mountain views, professional guides, and a blue agave tequila tasting gives you more variety than a basic horseback ride.

It is also a smart family choice when children are different ages, thanks to the free supervised kids club. Bruno’s strong praise from a mixed-age family adds confidence in the guiding experience, though your own ride will depend on the group and selected pace.

Skip it if you need phone photos, want a full meal, or prefer a relaxed beach day with swimming. For the right rider, this is a memorable way to see the rougher, quieter side of Baja California Sur, with enough speed and sand to keep the outing from feeling like a slow circle around a corral.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The activity is advertised as two hours. The schedule includes about 15 minutes for the safety briefing, a 10-minute transfer, and about 105 minutes for the guided visit, walk, and ride.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Calle Mariano Abasolo 1356 or a location on Carretera Transpeninsular. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

How early should I wait for pickup?

Wait in your hotel lobby five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Drivers will wait no longer than five minutes after the scheduled time.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. You can choose between beginner and advanced options before the ride, so you can select the group that best matches your riding comfort.

Can children ride their own horses?

Children aged five and older can ride their own horse. Children under five are not permitted to ride.

Is there childcare for children who do not ride?

Yes. A free kids club is available with adult bookings. Certified staff supervise children who can play board games, use video games, or watch movies.

What equipment is included?

A helmet, goggles, and bandana are included. A professional guide also accompanies the ride.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. The experience includes a tasting of blue agave tequila. Other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at an additional cost.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card.

Are cameras and cellphones allowed?

No. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed during the activity. Souvenir photos are available for purchase.

Is the $25 entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is $25 per person and is not included in the listed price of $97.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.