Horseback Riding on the Beach

Horseback riding along a remote Pacific beach is one of those bucket-list Cabo experiences that older kids and teens remember for years. Several ranches operate beach and desert horseback tours near Cabo San Lucas, but Rancho Carisuva at Playa Migriño is the standout for families — they use private, uncrowded beaches about 30-40 minutes west of Cabo, well away from the tourist zone.

The typical tour lasts 1-2 hours and follows a route through desert terrain dotted with giant cardon cacti, down sandy trails, and out onto a wide, empty Pacific beach. The landscape is stunning — barren desert hills meeting the ocean in a way that feels cinematic. Guides are bilingual, patient with beginners, and know the horses' personalities well enough to match nervous first-timers with the most gentle animals.

No riding experience is required. The horses are well-trained trail horses accustomed to carrying tourists of all skill levels. Guides walk alongside beginners and keep a careful eye on the group. The terrain is mostly flat (beach and desert sand), so there's no technical riding involved — it's about the scenery and the experience rather than equestrian skill.

The minimum age is typically 10 years old, which is a safety decision related to the size of the horses and the terrain. Some operators like Cuadra San Francisco in the Tourist Corridor offer riding lessons that accept younger children in a controlled arena setting — an alternative if your kids are under 10 but horse-crazy.

Sunset rides are the premium option and worth the slight price increase if your schedule allows. Watching the Pacific sun drop below the horizon from horseback, with waves crashing beside you, is genuinely magical.

Most tours include round-trip hotel transportation, a bilingual guide, water, and 1-2 hours of riding time. Expect to pay $68-90 per adult and $60 per child (10-12). A family of four with two adults and two older kids will spend $250-350. Book directly with the ranch rather than through hotel concierges to avoid markup.

Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes — shorts and sandals will leave you sore and uncomfortable. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a secure camera (phones in pockets tend to fall out of the saddle).