Exploring Baja California Sur’s desert and cities. By Kirsten Frieze. Los Cabos Magazine Issue #16 Spring 2008.
Los Cabos has earned a reputation for being the place to go for beach vacations and hot nightlife. Without a doubt, these are part of the draw, but there are plenty of things to see and do here that require neither a bar stool nor a bathing suit. With the help of one of Los Cabos´ expert activity companies, an outdoor adventure or an informative city tour can be arranged. Designed to interact with plants and animals of the dessert, or visit some important historical landmarks, there are other aspects of spectacular Baja California Sur that will capture the essence of the area.
If taking a safari through the desert in rugged style is on your vacation agenda, then Cabo Adventures is the company to see. Equipped with sturdy and stable Mercedes Benz Unimog vehicles, this tour ventures through dry streambeds, bumpy terrain, and even villages as it heads to the UNESCO-protected Sierra Mountains north Los Cabos. This five-hour tour departs from the Cabo Dolphin Center daily at 9 a.m. Bottled water and a light lunch are provided. $75 U.S. per person. More tenacious adventure seekers might opt for the Canyon Canopy Tour, another five-hour tour of the desert, including transport time. Instead of through the dessert, these tours are from high above ground. With a backdrop of the Sierra Mountains, a total of three miles of zip lines soar over the canyons below. Participants on this tour will also have access to a suspension bridge, rappel and rock-climbing wall. $88 U.S. per person. (624) 173-9500
Desert Park offers a two-hour, twenty-five mile ATV tour through the Baja desert the way no other company can. As part of the Cabo Real group, only Desert Park has access to areas that allow tourists to visit the untouched desert behind the famous golf course, stopping in a natural garden and canyon along the way. Awe-inspiring views of the Sea of Cortez add scenery that enriches the beauty of this area. First-timers have no fear: all riders will be given important yet simple safety instructions and put at ease by the helpful staff. Protective gear and bottled water included. Tours are located at nearby km 19.5 on the tourist corridor and start at 9 a.m., with the last tour beginning at 3 p.m. $70 U.S. per person. (624) 144-0127.
Tourists wanting to stretch their legs might also enjoy the Hiking in Baja tour around the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, which includes round-trip transportation, snacks, lunch, and non-alcoholic beverages. $95 U.S. per person. Call for all hourly tour schedules and details about overnight hiking excursions. (624) 146-0188.
In keeping with its slogan, “In Touch with Nature,” Rancho Carisuva, just 40 minutes north of Cabo, is for those who want to see what life on a Mexican ranch, right on the beach, is truly like. With domesticated farm animals, forty-three horses, and a fresh-water well, the ecological explorations here find harmony with the nature that is part of this paradise. Choose from a two-hour horseback tour through the desert and then along the beach near El Migriño, or journey along in an all-terrain Yamaha Rhino for two. Round-trip transportation included. Tours begin at 9 a.m., with the last one of the day leaving the ranch at 3:30 p.m. $65 U.S. per person. (624) 105-1046.
Offering a variety of land outings, Transcabo Tours provides day trips to some of the most interesting cities of this part of Baja California Sur. Travel on an air-conditioned bus to major attractions and historical points in Los Cabos (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday); the Pueblo Magico, Todos Santos (Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday); Baja California Sur´s capital city of La Paz (Tuesday & Friday); and even to the enchanted island of Espiritu Santo off the coast of La Paz (Thursday.) Stop by cathedrals, museums, traditional Mexican central plazas, beaches, and important landmarks within each city, having all of your questions along the way answered by the bilingual guide. Tours vary from five to twelve hours, with some including lunch and time for shopping. Tour prices range $55-$170 U.S. per person. (624) 146-0188.
To book a tour or adventure that will allow you to become acquainted with the heart and soul of Baja California Sur, contact one of these or the many other activity companies in Los Cabos. From a slow-paced nature walk or city excursion aboard a comfortable bus to daredevil zip lines and rides that allow you to get dirty in the desert, you’ll find it all here. Experience the land where the dessert meets the sea.
