Reviewed · CABO ATV AND UTV DESERT TOURS
Side by Side Cabo Adventure
The best part of this Cabo side by side tour is its simple outdoor formula: hotel pickup, safety briefing, a guided ride toward Playa Migrino, and time afterward to cool off and look through your photos. You get the thrill of driving without having to arrange a vehicle or find the activity site yourself.
I like the included round-trip transfer, especially if you are staying in Cabo San Lucas and do not want to sort out transport. I also like the small-group limit of 15 people and the chance to ride with a guide who can give you direct help. The main concern is timing: some riders received far less driving time than expected, and the advertised duration did not always match the time spent on the route.
Key points before you book

- Playa Migrino is the main riding stop: The route includes Playa Migrino, with Cabo San Lucas listed as another stop.
- Guide quality can make the day: Guide Brian received especially strong praise for his help and attitude.
- Plan for a loose three-hour window: The experience is listed at about three hours, but actual ride time may depend on pace and route mileage.
- Food details need checking: Tacos are promoted as part of the experience, while the inclusions say food and beverages are not included.
- A $25 Cabo entrance fee is extra: This charge is listed separately from the tour price.
- Phone rules may be strict: You may be told not to use a cell phone during the ride, so ask how photos will be handled.
What the Cabo side by side adventure is really like
This is an off-road outing built around a guided side by side ride rather than a long sightseeing tour. You are collected at your accommodation in Cabo San Lucas, taken to the activity location, checked in, assigned a locker, and matched with a guide.
That setup is useful because the tour handles the awkward parts for you. You do not need to locate the site, arrange a taxi, or arrive with your own safety equipment. Once you check in, the staff gives you security instructions and the gear needed to begin.
The tour is offered in English, and the included guide is described as bilingual. That matters during the safety briefing and while you are driving. A side by side is easier to manage than a solo motorcycle for many people, but it is still a motorized vehicle, and you need to listen closely to the instructions.
The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private outing, but it is small enough that you should have a better chance of getting help than you would in a very large convoy. If you want one-on-one attention, ask about the group assignment before you set off.
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From Cabo San Lucas to Playa Migrino

The listed itinerary includes Playa Migrino and Cabo San Lucas. Playa Migrino is the outdoor setting connected with the ride, while Cabo San Lucas functions as the main base area for pickup and the additional stop listed in the program.
The supplied details do not give a precise route map, mileage, or a detailed description of every viewpoint. That means you should think of this as a guided driving activity, not a carefully scripted sightseeing circuit with a long list of named stops.
Your experience of the route will depend partly on how quickly you drive. One important practical point is that the ride is based on standard route mileage. If you drive slowly, the activity can take longer to complete. If the group moves quickly, the actual driving portion may feel shorter than the total three-hour schedule.
That distinction matters. The total experience includes pickup, check-in, locker assignment, safety instructions, riding, cleanup, refreshments, photo viewing, and the return transfer. It does not necessarily mean you will drive for three full hours.
Check-in, lockers, and safety equipment

When you reach the activity location, you check in before riding. You are assigned a locker, which gives you a place to store belongings while you drive. The tour includes security equipment, and the staff provides safety protocols before you start.
This is one area where you should arrive ready to pay attention. Ask about anything you do not understand, especially vehicle controls, spacing between vehicles, stopping rules, and how the group handles photos. The safety briefing is not filler. It sets the limits for the ride and helps prevent confusion once the vehicles are moving.
There is a wrinkle with phones. One account describes being told that cell phones were not allowed during the ride, while the private guide later stopped so photos could be taken. The practical lesson is clear: do not assume you can freely use your phone while driving. Ask before departure if the guide will make photo stops or if the company provides another way to view or purchase pictures.
The tour gives you time after the ride to look at your photos. That suggests photo services may be available, but the supplied information does not say whether photos are included in the price.
The guide can shape the whole outing

The strongest personal praise goes to guide Brian, who was described as excellent. That is worth noting because guided vehicle tours depend heavily on the person leading the group.
A good guide can explain the safety rules clearly, keep the group together, judge the pace, and help when a driver feels uncertain. A less organized guide can leave you wondering where to go, how long the route will last, or when the return vehicle is coming.
The tour promises a bilingual guide, while the activity is offered in English. If you need instructions in English, confirm that when booking. The information does not name the other guides, so Brian is the only guide specifically identified here.
The small-group format should help, but it does not guarantee a private guide. One person described having a private guide, while the general tour allows up to 15 people. Ask exactly what group arrangement you have booked if personal attention is important to you.
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Timing is the biggest point to clarify
The experience is advertised at approximately three hours, and one account refers to an expected two to two and a half hours of riding. Yet the actual route time can be affected by the standard mileage and by how fast the driver travels.
Another account reported receiving only about half the expected time because of a wrong group assignment and problems getting help after asking about it. That is a serious concern if you are booking this specifically for a long ride.
I would treat the three-hour figure as the total activity window, not a guaranteed three-hour driving session. Before you pay, ask these direct questions:
- How much time is spent actually driving?
- Is the ride time fixed or based on completing a set mileage?
- What happens if you are placed in the wrong group?
- When does the return transfer leave?
- Are photo stops allowed?
Those questions may feel fussy, but they protect your limited vacation time. Cabo outings often fit between hotel plans, meals, and other activities. A vague end time can create trouble if you have a dinner reservation or another tour later in the day.
The transfer is helpful, but the return needs clarity
Round-trip transportation is included, and pickup is arranged after booking. This is a real benefit. You can begin the day from your accommodation in Cabo San Lucas without arranging a separate taxi or rental vehicle.
The return process appears less tidy. After the ride, you have time to clean up, refresh, view your pictures, and enjoy a cold drink while waiting for transportation. One account described uncertainty about how long the wait would be and being directed to take a shuttle to a sister hotel before using another hotel shuttle.
That is not necessarily how every departure works, but it is enough to make the return plan worth confirming. Ask for the approximate pickup point and waiting time before you begin the activity. If staff suggests a transfer through another hotel, ask whether that is the normal plan and whether you will pay anything extra.
The transfer is included, but gratuity is not. You should also remember that the food and beverage details are not fully clear.
Tacos, water, and the confusing food details

The experience highlights tacos after the tour, which sounds like a welcome finish after driving in the heat. However, the inclusions state that food and beverages are not included, while water is specifically included.
That is a contradiction you should not ignore. I would ask the operator whether tacos are included in the $182.24 price, available for purchase, or offered only under certain tour arrangements. The same question applies to the cold drink mentioned after the ride.
Water is included, so you should have basic hydration support during the outing. Still, do not assume that a meal or soft drink is covered simply because tacos appear in the tour description. Get a clear answer before booking.
The listed price is $182.24 per person. That can be reasonable if you value hotel transportation, a guide, safety equipment, water, and the convenience of a ready-made activity. It is harder to judge as good value if your main goal is a long driving session and the route takes much less time than expected.
Extra costs to keep in your budget
The $182.24 price does not cover everything. Gratuity is separate, and there is an optional collision insurance charge per vehicle.
There is also a listed $25 entrance fee per person for Cabo San Lucas. Since this is not included, add it to your budget before comparing the tour with other side by side outings.
Food and beverages are also listed as not included, despite the taco reference. Ask for the current total cost, including the entrance fee, insurance options, and any food purchase.
The cancellation policy is fairly flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Confirmation is received at booking, and pickup details are arranged afterward. Keep those details handy, since the exact pickup plan is not fixed in the information provided.
Who will enjoy this ride most
I would recommend this experience to you if you want a short, organized motorized adventure and value hotel pickup. It suits people who prefer a guided outing over renting a vehicle and finding an off-road route on their own.
It also works well for a mixed group, since most people can participate and the activity is not limited to specialist drivers. Still, you should be comfortable operating a side by side after the safety briefing and following the guide’s directions.
This may not be the best choice if you need a precise schedule, guaranteed ride duration, or polished logistics from start to finish. The group assignment issue and uncertain return transfer are important warnings. You should also think twice if phone photography is central to the experience, since phone use may be restricted.
Should you book the Side by Side Cabo Adventure?
Book it if the combination of hotel transfer, guided driving, Playa Migrino, safety equipment, and a small group matches what you want. Guide Brian’s strong showing adds confidence that the right guide can make the ride enjoyable.
Before booking, confirm the true driving time, the food arrangement, the $25 entrance fee, collision insurance, phone rules, and return transportation. If the company gives clear answers, this can be a convenient way to add a side by side ride to a Cabo stay.
If the operator cannot explain the timing or group assignment, I would choose another option. At this price, you deserve to know exactly how much time you will drive and what is included.
FAQ
How long does the Side by Side Cabo Adventure last?
The experience is listed as approximately three hours. The actual driving time may vary because the route is based on standard mileage and drivers may move at different speeds.
Where does the tour go?
The itinerary includes Playa Migrino and Cabo San Lucas. The available details do not provide a full route map or exact stop-by-stop schedule.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, and pickup details are arranged after booking.
Is a guide included?
Yes. A bilingual guide is included, and the activity is offered in English. Guide Brian is specifically identified in the available information.
Is safety equipment provided?
Yes. Security equipment and safety instructions are included before the side by side ride begins.
Is food included?
The information is unclear. Tacos are highlighted after the tour, but food and beverages are also listed as not included. Confirm this with the operator before booking. Water is included.
Is there an extra entrance fee?
Yes. A $25 entrance fee per person for Cabo San Lucas is listed separately.
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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