Getting dusty in the desert

By Rhea Heggaton
On February 18, 2006. 06:37 PM.

A couple of weeks ago I found myself with some time on my hands in Cabo San Lucas, not really a surprise since I was on vacation. While sitting poolside I thumbed through a tourist guide and found a two hour ATV tour with Desert Park ATV and was able to make a reservation for that afternoon. Perfect.

The tour was set to depart at 2:00pm and I was told to arrive 15 minutes early. I checked in and was issued a helmet (mandatory), goggles, and a bandanna (were we going to rob banks?) After everything was in place, I was asked the million dollar question, “Have you driven an ATV before?” My reply was less than confidence instilling “Sure, once, years ago. And I drive very, very slow.” I was put to do practice rounds for ten minutes before we set off, after a brief explanation of how the gears worked.

Finally it was time for the real deal! We were off to explore the 25 miles of trails in the private Cabo Real nature preserve. For me, what made this tour great is that you never drive on the street. You go from the base camp onto the desert trail. It was a small group of five riders, with a lead guide and one in the back. I never felt pressured to go faster despite always bringing up the rear.

During the two hour journey I was mesmerized by the varieties of cacti and flowers present in the Baja desert. Even more startling was stop at Los Tules beach, where the golden desert meets the azure Sea of Cortez. It was the perfect place to rest, take some pictures and have a drink of water.

After the stop at the beach it was off to the oasis! Could this be, a city girl was actually in the middle of the desert and going to an oasis? Holds on, what is an oasis? Well, a quick explanation by the guide told us that an oasis is an isolated area of vegetation in the desert that has a year round water source. The spring that fed this oasis was not large, more of a trickle, but I was assured that there is a lot more water at other times of the year.

On the trip back to base camp it was a challenge to keep my eyes on the trail, the vista was spectacular. The contrast of the cloudless blue sky, with the golden desert, and the ancient green cacti, words cannot describe it.

When we got back to base camp the guide blew the dust off me with a Shop Vac. Talk about service! I would definitely go back!

If you go: wear pants, long sleeve t-shirt if you go in the early morning, sunscreen, and close toed shoes.

Desert Park ATV
Carretera Transpenninsulara Km 19.5
Tourist corridor
+52 (624) 114-0127

$70.00 US for single riders
includes water and all equiptment

← Back to News and Features