5 Activities to Get Your Heart Racing – LCM 50 Winter 2019

5 Activities to Get Your Heart Racing

Adventure’s calling. Answer the call

By Fernando Rodriguez

More than 1.2 million people visit Los Cabos every year. Many for rest and relaxation. And still many others for seeking thrills and ways to explore this warm and beautiful desert landscape and beach paradise. The natural splendor of this year-round summer vacation getaway beckons; there’s deep-sea fishing, world-class golf, and off-road adventure tours, as well as whale watching, swimming with dolphins, aerial tours, and more.

In Los Cabos, there are (at least) 16 wonderful beaches. The crystal-clear Sea of Cortés makes for a fantastic snorkeling, kayaking, underwater diving, and swimming experience. The tranquil San José del Cabo estuary is another serene, kayaking escapade not to be missed. And for those that seek a get-your-heart racing adventure, there are several Los Cabos tours that most assuredly satisfy that thirst for ultra-excitement.

Listed here are five recommendations that would thrill even Evel Knievel. We’re talking all-terrain vehicles in the rolling sandy dunes, zipping along cables high and above the mountainous canyons, and plunging out of the sky in a free falling bungee jump leap or from a small plane.

Take to the Skies

Cabo Sky Tours owner-operator-pilot Ernesto Magaña has three decades of flying experience and more than 7,800 hours of flight time. All of that adds up to an exhilarating and thrilling adventure for any who board his small two-person, single-engine ultralight hang glider. Once the little glider takes off, passengers can sit back and settle in to thoroughly enjoy the breathtaking views from on high. The minimum flying age is 5 years old, and the oldest guest was an 87-year-old gentleman. “Flying with Ernesto was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! It’s indescribable! I felt like I could fly!” said one reviewer, and we couldn’t agree more.

The sensation of flying through the sky—dipping to get closer looks at sea turtles and whales, soaring toward the clear blue of the morning—is as close to having wings as anyone can get. I’m not the only one to consider it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What’s even better? The adventures are sky high, but the prices are not. The 10-minute tour for one passenger is priced at $100 U.S., while a 30-minute experience costs  $250 U.S. Longer flying options include a 45- and 60-minute tour available from $350 U.S.–$450 U.S. Note: There are weight restrictions, which should be considered before booking flights.

The ultralight gliders have the unique advantage of being able to glide without any power if necessary, so there is never any worry about getting back to the ground safely. The high-definition camera mounted to the right wing, offers photos or video of the entire adventure. Cabo Sky Tours is located in a field next to the main highway, directly across from Villa del Arco Resort and Cabo San Lucas Bay. For more information, contact its office at (624) 144-1294, by cell phone (624) 150-1000, via email caboskytours@yahoo.com.mx, or visit the website www.skytourscabo.com/index.php.

Take a Dive

Now that you’ve explored the friendly skies of Los Cabos, now it’s time to take a flying leap. The locally owned Cabo Skydive provides tandem dives distinguished by the company’s focus on safety and professionalism. While there’s no specific age restriction, everyone younger than 18 years old must have a signed consent form from a parent or guardian. There’s also a weight restriction; participants must weigh 225 or less. Cabo Skydive offers adventures daily, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Each dive is a 40-second free fall before the parachute opens. After that, it’s a five-minute spiral flight down toward a safe and fun landing. For more information, contact (624) 110-8635 or visit https://caboskydive.com.mx.

Jump for It

In-the-know thrill seekers are very familiar with Wild Canyon, the eco-friendly adventure park that specializes in zip lining, off-road racing, camel rides, and more. One surefire way to get the blood flowing is the park’s famous Bungee Bombers tour, a four-hour adventure that includes jumping from a glass-bottom gondola 300 feet above the ground. Adventurous visitors and guests are given the choice of having the safety jump harness—which surpasses industry safety standards—attached to their waist or ankles by the bungee jump tour’s bilingual staff. You’ll know this is a total one-of-a-kind experience; there’s no other glass gondola bungee course in México. For more information, visit www.wildcanyon.com.mx.

Zip Zip

Wild Canyon is also home to our favorite zipline course in Los Cabos. The company picks guests up right from their respective hotel resort and drives them out to the park, located in a more remote area with, you guessed it, canyons. The Wild Canyon course consists of six separate lines, each with different lengths. The longest and final zipline is more than a half-mile long, and people on it can pick up speeds as high as 55 miles per hour. Hiking is part of this adventure, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as you go from one zipline to another during the enjoyable two-and-a-half-hour excursion. Water is available along the trails, and there are restrooms and lockers located at the entrance starting point area. Cameras and cell phone photographs are not allowed, but a CD of professional images is offered at the end of the tour for $30 U.S. Tours are offered three times daily: at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. They cost $110 U.S. per person plus $15 U.S. park entry fee. For more information, visit www.wildcanyon.com.mx.

Hit the (Off) Road

Los Cabos is known for its beaches, but there is plenty of land to explore…and what better way to explore than a top a fast-speed vehicle. We’ve already mentioned the ATVs available at Wild Canyon. You can also try your hand at a motorcycle with a tour through Baja Dirt. Tours range from three hours to multiple days, and there are ones that are sure to keep your adrenaline going! Learn more at www.loscabosguide.com.