REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS BOOZY TOURS

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation

★ 4.0 · 4 reviews 4 hours (approx.) From $161 Operated by Altus Tours¡¡¡¡¡ · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Cabo looks best from the water. This four-hour sunset cruise combines a taco buffet with an open bar, music, and views of El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and Cabo’s sea lion colony. I like that hotel transportation is offered across Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor, and I like the generous two-and-a-half-hour boat ride rather than a quick harbor loop.

The main caution is pickup coordination. The tour has a firm no-refund policy, and one serious dispute involved a missed hotel pickup and conflicting information about the scheduled time. You should confirm your hotel and exact pickup time carefully, then wait in the precise spot the operator gives you.

For $161 per person, this is not a cheap boat trip. You are paying for transportation, a meal, drinks, and a long cruise in one package. It makes the most sense if you want an easy evening with food and cocktails, rather than a quiet sightseeing boat or a low-cost ride.

Key points to know before you book

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - Key points to know before you book

  • Two and a half hours on the water: The boat time is the heart of the experience, with views of Cabo’s famous coastal landmarks.
  • Tacos replace the usual basic snack: The buffet includes multiple taco choices, making this a proper meal rather than a few appetizers.
  • Open bar with broad choices: Drinks include beer, wine, tequila, blended cocktails, mixers, sodas, juices, and purified water.
  • Hotel pickup covers a wide area: Transportation is offered from Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor.
  • Pickup timing needs care: Collection can begin at 2:30 pm and run as late as 4:30 pm, depending on your hotel.
  • The group may reach 45 people: Expect a social boat setting, not a private or intimate sailing trip.

What the $161 price actually covers

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - What the $161 price actually covers

The price is easiest to judge when you think of it as an evening package. You receive round-trip transportation, a two-and-a-half-hour boat ride, a taco buffet, and a premium bar. You also get a sunset setting and a sightseeing route around Cabo’s best-known coastal points.

If you booked each part separately, transportation alone could be a nuisance, especially if you are staying outside central Cabo San Lucas. This tour saves you from arranging a taxi back after drinks and keeps the evening in one schedule. That convenience has real value.

Still, $161 is a significant amount for a four-hour activity. Tips and other personal expenses are not included, and the experience is non-refundable if you cancel for any reason. I would choose it when you want a full evening activity and expect to make good use of the food and bar.

I would not choose it if your main goal is simply to see El Arco. A shorter sightseeing cruise would likely suit you better, though no alternate price or shorter option is provided here. This is a food-and-drinks outing first, with sightseeing built around it.

Getting from your hotel to the boat

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - Getting from your hotel to the boat

Pickup is available from Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor. That broad service area is useful, but it also explains why the pickup window is spread out. Collection begins around 2:30 pm and can continue until 4:30 pm, depending on where your hotel sits.

The listed start time is 4:00 pm, but that does not mean every hotel pickup happens at 4:00. The operator confirms the exact time for your property. You should treat that confirmed time as essential, not as a rough suggestion.

If the hotel name is missing from your booking details, you are expected to contact the operator 24 hours before the tour. Without the hotel information, transportation may not be provided. That is an easy detail to overlook, so check it before your arrival day.

The stated central meeting point is Hotel Plaza Los Arcos at Leona Vicario and Revolución in Cabo San Lucas. If you are being collected at a hotel, ask exactly where the driver will stop. The driver is described as wearing khaki trousers and a white polo shirt and carrying a Pez Gato sign.

There has been a serious disagreement over one hotel pickup. One account said the pickup instructions gave a later time and that the party waited in the lobby. The operator said the driver arrived outside and that the party was waiting inside despite instructions. I cannot settle that dispute, but the practical lesson is clear: be outside, arrive early, keep your phone available, and ask the hotel staff where vehicles normally stop.

Because the tour is non-refundable, a missed connection can be costly. Take a screenshot of the confirmed pickup time and location, and make sure the hotel name is correct.

Boarding and settling into the cruise

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - Boarding and settling into the cruise

Once aboard, you have a long period to enjoy the boat rather than a rushed sightseeing circuit. The included ride lasts about two and a half hours, within an overall experience of roughly four hours. The remaining time covers transportation, boarding, and the return transfer.

The group limit is 45 people. That is large enough for music, dancing, and a social mood, but small enough to feel more organized than a huge party vessel. You should expect a shared group outing, not a private charter.

Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice. One direct tip from a past participant was to take seasickness medicine before the cruise if you are prone to motion sickness. The boat spends substantial time on the water, so this is not the place to wait until you feel unwell before preparing.

The mood leans festive. Music, dancing, tacos, and cocktails are central to the experience. If you want a calm ride with quiet commentary, this may not be the right match. If you enjoy a sunset outing with a crowd and a drink in hand, the format should fit well.

El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and the sea lion colony

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and the sea lion colony

The cruise route centers on Cabo’s famous coastal sights, with El Arco de Cabo San Lucas as the headline view. This stone arch marks the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez and is one of the defining images of Los Cabos.

Seeing the arch from the water gives you the angle you cannot get from land. The boat can take you near the rock formations and lets you photograph the arch as part of the wider coastline rather than as a single isolated stop. The tour description promises panoramic views, so the sightseeing value comes from the full route, not only from pausing at one landmark.

Lover’s Beach is another key sight along the way. Its name and position near the arch make it one of Cabo’s best-known coastal stops. Nearby, the sea lion colony adds a touch of wildlife to the route. The exact viewing distance and time at each point are not specified, so you should think of these as cruise-by sights rather than guaranteed, extended land visits.

The itinerary lists El Arco as a stop with admission included, but the experience is described as a boat ride rather than a beach excursion. No separate beach landing is promised. That matters if you are hoping to swim, walk on Lover’s Beach, or explore the rocks on foot.

The best views may come as the light changes toward sunset. The warm evening sky, dark rock formations, and open water give the route its appeal. Weather can affect the quality of the view, and poor weather may lead to a cancellation or a new date.

More open bar trips around Cabo San Lucas:

Taco buffet and the open bar

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - Taco buffet and the open bar

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to select this cruise. The taco buffet offers multiple options, so you are not limited to one filling or a small plate. The available details do not list every taco variety or specific dietary choice, so you should not assume that vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly options are guaranteed.

The food is served in a setting where the boat, music, and views matter as much as the meal itself. You can eat while the boat moves past Cabo’s landmarks, then return to the deck for sunset photos. That combination makes the dinner feel more like an evening event than a restaurant meal.

The bar includes blended cocktails, mixers, sodas, juices, purified water, wine, beer, and tequila. Margaritas receive particular praise in the supplied feedback, while the overall drink selection is described as generous. If you prefer nonalcoholic drinks, water, soda, and juice are included as well.

An open bar can add value quickly, especially if you would otherwise buy several drinks during a sunset outing. It also means you should pace yourself. The cruise takes place on a moving boat, and alcohol plus rough water is an unpleasant combination.

The staff receives strong praise for friendliness and service. The positive comments also highlight the food, drinks, music, and punctual transportation. Those are the features most likely to shape your evening, and they are more important here than formal sightseeing narration.

Sunset, music, and the overall mood

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - Sunset, music, and the overall mood

This is a social sunset cruise rather than a formal dinner boat. Expect dance music, friendly staff, and a relaxed party atmosphere. The music makes the ride feel lively, especially once the taco buffet and drinks are in full swing.

The sunset is the natural climax. You can enjoy Cabo’s rock formations during daylight, then watch the colors change as the cruise continues. Since the precise sunset timing changes through the year, the amount of daylight during the route will vary.

I would recommend this for couples who want an easy date night, families with older children who enjoy music, and groups looking for a shared celebration. It could also suit you if you want to see Cabo’s main coastal icons without booking separate sightseeing and dinner activities.

I would be more cautious for very young children, anyone seeking a quiet atmosphere, or anyone who gets motion sick. The age suitability is not described in detail, although most people can participate. The boat setting, music, and open bar make this feel more like an evening social outing than a child-focused excursion.

What the four-hour schedule means for your evening

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - What the four-hour schedule means for your evening

The total duration is approximately four hours, but your personal schedule needs more room because of hotel transfers. Pickup can occur well before the listed 4:00 pm start, and the return time will vary by hotel location and traffic.

That makes this a good choice for an evening when you have no other fixed plans. I would not schedule a tightly timed dinner reservation, show, or airport transfer afterward. The boat ride itself is set at about two and a half hours, while transport adds a variable amount of time.

The tour is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted. Confirmation is received at booking. The group size can reach 45, so arrive prepared for a shared experience and keep your ticket details accessible on your phone.

The operator may cancel if weather is poor or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. That protection applies to an operator cancellation, not to changing your mind or missing pickup.

Who should book this Cabo cruise?

Tacos buffet & Open Bar Cruise! Los Cabos Round Transportation - Who should book this Cabo cruise?

I would book it if you want these four things in one evening:

  • A long boat ride with Cabo’s major coastal sights
  • A full taco meal rather than light snacks
  • Several included alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink choices
  • Hotel transportation that removes the need to arrange a ride home

The strongest part of the experience is the mix of food, drinks, music, and scenery. The cruise does not ask you to choose between sightseeing and dinner. You get both, with a festive atmosphere and a sunset backdrop.

I would skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet nature trip, a beach landing, or flexible cancellation. I would also think twice if the $161 price is outside your budget or if you are staying somewhere where pickup timing will be difficult.

Is the tacos and open bar cruise worth booking?

For the right person, yes. The food, drink selection, friendly service, music, and long boat ride make this a strong all-in-one Cabo evening. The route includes the places you most want to see from the water, especially El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and the sea lion colony.

Book only after confirming your hotel and pickup instructions. Be outside at the stated meeting point, arrive early, and do not rely on a vague lobby location. If you accept the social atmosphere and strict cancellation terms, this cruise offers a convenient way to turn Cabo’s famous sunset into dinner, sightseeing, and a party in one package.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo taco cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, including transportation and the boat outing. The boat ride itself lasts about two and a half hours.

What landmarks will I see from the boat?

The cruise passes Cabo San Lucas landmarks including El Arco, Lover’s Beach, and the sea lion colony. Panoramic views of the famous Cabo landmarks are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered in Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor. Pickup may begin between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm, depending on your hotel, and the exact time is confirmed separately.

What drinks are included?

The premium bar includes blended cocktails, mixers, sodas, juices, purified water, wine, beer, and tequila.

Is food included?

Yes. A taco buffet with multiple options is included in the price.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you may be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

More like this

Open Bar Experiences, compared.

The full Open Bar Experiences list →
Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 30,518 reviews· from $18

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

Read our review →
Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 21,431 reviews· from $18

Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

Read our review →
Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks
★★★★★★★★★★4.4· 19,847 reviews· from $75

Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks

Read our review →
Sunset Boat Party Cruise with DJ and Open Bar
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 10,378 reviews· from $27

Sunset Boat Party Cruise with DJ and Open Bar

Read our review →
Sunset or Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 6,030 reviews· from $51

Sunset or Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar

Read our review →
Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 5,435 reviews· from $18

Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

Read our review →
Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 4,976 reviews· from $21

Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

Read our review →
Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 4,209 reviews· from $151

Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Choose a kind of night

Boat, brewery, crawl or tasting room.