Rancho San Cristóbal — Attraction in Baja California Sur

Our experience at Rancho San Cristóbal was nothing short of exhilarating! If you’re looking for an action-packed, adventure-filled day in Cabo, this is a top-tier choice with a mix of ATVs, horseback riding, tequila tasting, and an authentic lunch—all in one excursion. However, there were some downsides that I want to make sure future visitors are aware of before booking.

🏍️ ATV & Horseback Riding – A Thrill-Seeker’s Dream!

Rancho San Cristóbal offers a variety of ATV options, which I absolutely loved: ✅ Single-rider ATVs for those who want total control. ✅ Star-by-star ATVs for an upgraded ride. ✅ U2Vs (4-seater vehicles) so families and groups can ride together. ✅ ATVs with backseat riders for those who prefer to be passengers.

The ATV trails were well-maintained, and the helmets provided were extremely secure—so secure that we needed the instructors to adjust them properly! Safety was a priority, and I really appreciated that.

The horseback riding experience was also amazing, especially thanks to our incredible instructors. One standout moment was when an instructor personally led the horse for a scared child in our group, ensuring they felt safe and comfortable the entire ride. That kind of care and attention to detail made a huge impact.

Another major highlight? Private beach access to the second arch! The view alone made this excursion worth every penny. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

🛑 The Major Downside – No Personal Photos or Videos Allowed

This was a huge red flag for me. Unlike other excursions I’ve been on, Rancho San Cristóbal strictly prohibits personal phone use—and they make it clear at the time of booking that violating this rule means no refund.

🚫 You are NOT allowed to take your own photos or videos. 📸 They require you to purchase their professional photos instead. 🎥 Sadly, their package did NOT include an actual video of our adventure, which was a big disappointment.

I completely understand offering professional photos for purchase, but forcing guests to rely solely on their photographers and not even allowing a short personal video is unacceptable. This was the biggest downside of the entire experience, and because of this policy, I wouldn’t return.

🚐 Convenient Transportation & Authentic Food

Another great perk was the private transportation. The van picked us up directly from our hotel and was right on time at the end of our adventure. We didn’t have to wait at all—everything was well-organized and efficient.

Lunch was simple but delicious—we were served cheese quesadillas that were fresh and authentic, and after a day of riding ATVs and horses, they hit the spot!

🌟 Special Highlights & Why You Might Still Love It

✔️ My daughter is an experienced horseback rider, and they allowed her to ride freely for a bit to let the horse burn off energy while we made our way back. That was a thoughtful touch that made her day! ✔️ Lockers were provided for free, so we didn’t have to worry about carrying our belongings. ✔️ Tequila tasting was a fun bonus! If you love trying local flavors, this is a great addition to the experience.

🏆 Final Thoughts – Worth It for the Experience, But Consider the No-Phone Policy

This is a 4-in-1 adventure that gives you ATV riding, horseback riding, tequila tasting, and a meal—all in one.

✅ Best For: Thrill-seekers, families, and adventure lovers who don’t mind purchasing professional photos. ❌ Not Ideal For: Those who want personal photos/videos of their experience.

Would I recommend it? Yes, IF you are okay with their strict no-phone policy. The activities, instructors, and location were top-notch, but not being able to document the experience in my own way was a deal-breaker for me.

• Lovely Marshall, Forbes Influencer, top e-learning industry provider, and global speaker acknowledges your exceptional service. Keep inspiring us all! Follow me for insights, business highlights, and tips to elevate your everyday...

Hi Future Travelers, (8-17-2021) I just got back from doing the early morning hike with Rancho San Cristobal to the Second Arch (I didnt even know there was a Second Arch either), I cant begin to tell how much fun I had and what an excellent Activities group this is, from my Driver (Luis) picking me up, we had some great conversations going there and coming back, super nice guy, my Guides (Brenda and Miroz) those girls where awesome, The Hike it's self is not that bad, the Arch is an incredible site, you can get very close to it and during low tide you may get to walk in it too, we even rode UTV's part of the way (that was a cool and unexpected surprise), we had some great conversations about all sorts of stuff, both girls have had interesting lives, it was like going on a hike with your good friends, if you don't want to take your own action photos, Photographer Abel is there to capture the moment and make things easier too. Then after the hike is over, you get food too! So the food is prepared by an amazing cook (5 Michelin Stars) now known as the Burrito Queen (Dede) that very well could have been the best Burritos I have ever had (Seriously) I liked them that much. Kim (one of the main Driver's was there helping out too) he gave me this Hibiscus Water and then some Cinnamon/Orange/Chocolate Coffee that Dede made up, they were both some of the best Coffee and Water I have had on this trip or anywhere for that matter, super super refreshing, I can not say enough of how the whole experience at Rancho San Cristobal was, I have been to other tours in Cabo and this is now my favorite one, you are on a private Ranch, so there is lots of land to discover, they are also working on a Zip line's and other activities coming in the future. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND them, so much so that I am probably going to book another activity (or 2) tomorrow, hahaha Update* (8-18-2021): I did go back the next day and did the UTV's and Horseback Riding, I had just as much fun as I had the day before and it provided 2 completely different views/activities as my Hike, which was cool, If you do the Utv's/Atv's you will get dusty/dirty so prepare ahead if that bothers you, (but getting dirty is half the fun right) I rode with Jose and we had a fun time, the Horseback Riding was cool, its at a slower pace and I hadn't been on a Horse in 30 years, so it was cool just being on one again, Miroz and Erick guided me and my horse Philly was pretty well behaved for a 2 year old Stud. The Surf out there the Second day was crazy high, about 10-12ft waves, they weren't surfable but very impressive. And when it was over after each activity I got to eat at The Burrito Queen's Cantina again, this time some super cheesy and yummy Quesadillas and that Hibiscus Water again (so good). I might try the Fishing next time, I know I will probably do the Utv's/Atv's again for sure when I go back at the end of November, those are my favorites. (I gotta see what Ms. Brenda is all about driving haha) I cant wait to see what other activities they are going to add in the future, the sky's is the limit. Once again from start to finish, Top Notch Activity's Company!

Also Covid in Cabo San Lucas/San Jose Cabo is very low, go travel there, they would appreciate it, you can thank me later :)

Be Safe Out There and Have Fun Exploring The...

A Truly Unforgettable Experience at Rancho San Cristobal

From the moment we arrived at Rancho San Cristobal, we were greeted with warmth and kindness. Eder, the manager, made us feel right at home, setting the tone for what would be an incredible day. The front desk staff were equally welcoming—patient, friendly.

We chose the Combo Experience, which included camel rides and off-road vehicles. We loved the experience so much that we hired the stunning sunset tour of the ranch’s horseback riding at the beach. Every moment was memorable, but a special highlight was meeting the adorable dogs—Trueno, Lluvia, and Gordito—who were sweet and loving companions throughout our horseback riding experience.

Our adventure began with Alberto, our professional and knowledgeable guide for the vehicle portion of the day. He thoroughly explained the driving safety rules and made sure we were comfortable before we set off. The drive through the desert landscape was breathtaking, and the camel experience that followed was equally remarkable.

Joan, our photographer, did an excellent job capturing the essence of our adventure, ensuring we had beautiful photos of both the camel ride and the off-roading experience. We also had the pleasure of meeting Alex, our horseback riding guide. His deep respect for the horses, coupled with his vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna, made the ride even more enjoyable. Andrea, our photographer during the horseback portion, was also exceptional—she was incredibly considerate in her approach, ensuring that the horses were calm and comfortable. We returned a couple of days later for the turtle release experience, which was a true once-in-a-lifetime moment. Led by the expert biologist and conservationist, Zulema, we had the privilege of releasing baby sea turtles into the ocean. This experience was both humbling and awe-inspiring, and we were grateful to be part of such an important conservation effort.

We deeply recommend Rancho San Cristobal to everyone looking for an amazing one in a lifetime adventure. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, comprehensive experiences, and a truly dedicated and professional staff made this one of our best travel experiences we have had in the world. We’ll definitely be back in the future to enjoy more of what this magical place...