First Time in Cabo: The Adventures to Book First and the Ones to Save

Your first trip to Cabo has more options than days. Every stand at the marina sells twelve things and each one sounds essential. It is not. A first-timer needs one thing on the water, one thing in the desert and one sunset. The rest is a bonus. These are the tours we hand to friends on a first visit, with the price, length, minimum age and rating from our own listings. Every price below is the listed guest price, plus 16% IVA.

Book first: the water

PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Cabo

If you have never dived, this is the door. A PADI-certified instructor teaches you the basics at the surface, then guides you on up to two dives at Pelican Rock, one of the best beginner sites here. No experience needed. Three hours, 8am or 11am from the Cabo San Lucas marina, ages 10 to 60. $129 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.8.

Scuba Diving at Land's End & The Arch

Dive where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, past Neptune's Finger and a playful sea lion colony, with the Arch above you. Sea turtles and rays are regulars. Three hours, two dive sites, 8am or 11am, ages 10 and up. $128 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.8.

4-Hour Luxury Cabo Sailing Boat Tour

The daytime sail. Four hours along the coast past Land's End and the Arch, a snorkeling stop in a protected bay, lunch and a premium open bar. It leaves at 11am from the marina, minimum age 8. $159 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.8.

Book second: the desert

Cabo ATV Tour & Desert Adventure

The off-road run built for beginners. You ride an automatic ATV along the winding Sandy Snake circuit to 360-degree views at the top of the trail, then finish with a Mexican buffet and a tequila tasting. The ranch is 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, with round-trip hotel pickup. Three hours, 9am or 1pm, ages 8 and up, and drivers must be 18 with a license. $130 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.8.

Outback & Cabo Camel Ride

A camel ride from the desert to the Pacific coastline, with a guided nature walk, a tortilla-making lesson and a buffet by the ocean. The afternoon departure adds a sunset bonfire. Three hours, 9am or 1pm, minimum age 5, with hotel pickup from most hotels. $128 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.8. Our pick for a family with young kids.

Camels + ATV + Lunch

Both of the above in one outing: the camel ride, the ATV run, the buffet, and a tequila and mezcal tasting. Three hours, 9am or 1pm, ages 8 and up. $168 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.7.

Electric Biking Beach & Desert Adventure

Fat-tire electric bikes on cactus-lined trails and open beach. The motor does most of the work. It ends at a ranch with a margarita-making class and a buffet lunch. Three hours, 9am or 1pm, ages 8 and up. $129 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.5. Good for a group that wants the scenery without the engine noise.

Book third: the sunset

Los Cabos Luxury Sunset Sail

A small-group sail past Land's End and the Arch as the light goes, with a premium open bar and gourmet appetizers. Two and a half hours from 5pm, minimum age 8. $119 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.9. It is the lowest price on this page and the one people remember.

Private Sunset Sailing Experience

The same sunset, with the boat reserved for your group and a private crew. Three hours from 5pm, minimum age 8. $200 USD plus 16% IVA, and a perfect 5 rating. Made for a proposal or a small celebration.

The bonus: dolphins

Family Cabo Dolphin Experience

A 30-minute guided meeting with bottlenose dolphins, led by marine mammal specialists at a Humane Conservation-certified center by the marina. Groups are small, up to eight people, and the minimum age is 1. Sessions run at 10am, noon and 2pm. $179 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.5.

Save for the second trip

Outdoor Adventure 4x4 + Cabo Zipline + Rappel

A circuit of ziplines that includes one of the longest in Mexico, plus rock climbing, a rappel, a suspension bridge and your own 4x4. It runs 3.5 hours, for ages 8 and up, and it is built for guests in good shape. $149 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.7. Do it once you know how you handle the heat.

PADI Open Water Diver Certification

Three days, four open-water dives, and a license to dive anywhere. Ages 10 and up, $609 USD plus 16% IVA, rated 4.9. A great reason to come back.

Before you go

• Pick mornings. The early departures are cooler and the water is often calmer.
• Peak season is November to April. Book ahead. December to April is also whale watching season.
• Check the ages. Most of these start at 8. The camel ride starts at 5 and the dolphin meeting at 1.
• Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a towel for the boats.

One dive, one ATV run, one sunset sail. That is a first trip done right. See the rest on our adventures in Cabo page.