San José del Cabo

Longing to drive a Hummer? Go for it with Baja Outback (624/142-9215. www.bajaoutback.com). They have a variety of drive-yourself trips (with a guide in the passenger seat) that range from four hours to several days long. The routes run through Baja backcountry, where you have the opportunity to explore the Cape's rarely seen back roads while learning desert lore from a knowledgeable guide-cum-biologist. One option takes you to a remote mountain ranch before lunching and snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo. Day trips range from $165 to $220 per person. They also offer multiday tours exploring cave paintings and whale-watching at Magdalena Bay.

The folks at Baja Wild (Km. 28, Carretera Transpeninsulas, s/n Local 5, Plaza Costa Azul. 624/172-6300. www.bajawild.com) have developed a number of adventure packages which includes the "Seven Day Inn-to-Inn Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Surfing, and Whale-Watching Adventure" that will put you back around $1,645. They also expose you to the natural side of Cabo, with hikes to canyons, hot springs, fossil beds, and caves with rock paintings. Backcountry jeep tours run from $95 to $125. Full-day kayak tours at Cabo Pulmo run $95 to $125. ATV tours in the desert with rappelling cost $85. Diving and rock climbing round out the options.

The World of Cactus

Another place not to be missed is the Cacti Mundo,botanical gardens in San José. With nearly 6,000 species of plants from all over the world including many rare cacti endemic to Baja, the displays are beautifully landscaped in pleasing patterns. Cacti Mundo is open every day from 8 AM to 6 pm, and admission costs $3. 624/146-9191. Open every day from 8 am to 6pm.

The Corridor

Baja Bora (624/105-1812 or 866/422-0130. www.bajabora.com) offers challenging tours in two-passenger jeeps for 1½-, 2½-, and 4-hour trips. They are billed as "the ultimate off-road adventures" and cost from $150 to $325.

Cabo San Lucas

Another sports-and-adventures operator with a wide variety of unusual activities is Cabo Adventures (Blvd. Paseo de la Marina, Lote 7a, Marina Cabo San Lucas. 624/173-9500 or 866/393-5255. www.cabo-adventures.com and www.cabodolphins.com). Along with their popular Dolphin Encounters program are the Desert Safaris, which take you into the Sierra Mountains by Unimog; half the fun here is jaunting along in these Swiss vehicles. Four-hour Desert Safaris cost $75 per person.