What to Pack for a
Dirt Bike Trip
The complete checklist — from border documents to trail essentials. What we provide, what you bring, and what most people forget.
Included with Every Rental
- Full-face DOT-certified helmet (fitted to your head size)
- Anti-dust riding goggles
- MX riding gloves
- Chest protector (available on request, no extra charge)
- Trail map with GPS waypoints (self-guided rentals)
- Pre-ride safety briefing
- Roadside support contact number
Essential Packing List
Documents & Money
- Valid passport (required for border crossing — no exceptions)
- Mexican vehicle insurance proof (buy online before you leave)
- Driver's license (for your car — not required for the dirt bike)
- Cash: USD and Mexican pesos (ATMs are scarce in Valle)
- Venmo or Zelle access for ride payment; credit card only as a travel backup
Clothing for Riding
- Long pants — jeans work, MX/trail pants are better
- Boots or sturdy shoes covering the ankle (no sneakers or sandals)
- Long-sleeved shirt (protection from sun, brush, and the occasional cactus)
- Bandana or neck gaiter (keeps dust out of your mouth under the helmet)
- Change of clothes for after the ride (you will be dusty)
Sun & Hydration
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (Valle sun is intense, especially in summer)
- Water — at least 1 liter for a half-day ride, 2+ for full day
- Sunglasses for before/after the ride
- Lip balm with SPF
Nice to Have
- GoPro or action camera (mount available on helmets)
- Small backpack or hydration pack
- Energy bars or trail snacks
- Phone with offline maps downloaded (cell service is spotty in the mountains)
- Ibuprofen (your arms and legs will tell you about muscles you forgot you had)
What People Forget
Mexican vehicle insurance. Your US or Canadian insurance does not cover you in Mexico. If you get into a fender bender without Mexican coverage, your car can be impounded. Get it online before you leave — it takes 5 minutes and costs $15–25 for one day. Baja Bound is the most popular provider.
Cash in pesos. Valle de Guadalupe is not Cancún. Many smaller businesses, including some taco stands and shops, prefer pesos. ATMs in the valley are rare. Get pesos before you cross or at an ATM in Tijuana or Ensenada.
Proper shoes. You'd be surprised how many people show up in sneakers or sandals. You need something that covers your ankle and has a solid sole. Hiking boots work. Work boots work. Motorcycle boots are ideal but not required.
Pack Light, Ride Heavy
We handle the bike, the gear, and the trails. You just show up ready to ride.
Book a RideWhat Most People Forget
Sunscreen. Even in winter, the Baja sun hits different at elevation. You'll be sweating under your helmet, which washes sunscreen off your neck and forearms fast. Apply before you put on gear, and bring the bottle for reapplication at breaks. SPF 50 minimum.
A change of clothes. You will be dusty. Depending on the trail and conditions, possibly muddy. Having a clean shirt and pants to change into after the ride makes the rest of your day much more comfortable — especially if you're heading to a restaurant or winery afterward.
Cash in both currencies. We accept Cash, Venmo, or Zelle only for ride payment; Venmo requires a 1.8% processing fee. Many Valle de Guadalupe restaurants, food trucks, and vendors are cash-preferred, so having both USD and MXN gives you flexibility. ATMs in Ensenada have the best exchange rates — avoid the ones right at the border.
Your passport or passport card. If you're crossing back into the U.S., you need valid ID. Passport card works at land crossings and is easier to carry than a passport book. SENTRI or Global Entry cards also work and get you through faster lines.
Offline maps. Cell signal is spotty in the valley. Download Google Maps offline for the Valle de Guadalupe area before you cross the border. This way you can navigate to restaurants, wineries, and back to the highway even without signal.
What NOT to Wear
Running shoes or sneakers: The single biggest mistake. Running shoes have soft soles that fold on foot pegs, zero ankle support, and no protection if your foot catches a rock. Work boots, hiking boots, or motorcycle boots are all acceptable. The stiffer the sole, the better your feet will feel after 2 hours on the pegs.
Shorts: Even in Baja summer heat, shorts are a bad idea. Your legs will touch the engine (hot), the exhaust (very hot), and possibly the ground (rough). Thick jeans, cargo pants, or riding pants are minimum. If you have motorcycle pants with knee armor, bring them.
Too many layers: People from colder climates tend to overdress for Baja. Even in January, you'll be sweating within 10 minutes of riding. A single long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirt under the provided gear is usually perfect. Bring a jacket for after the ride, not during.
No bandana or neck gaiter: Dust is real on these trails. A simple bandana or buff around your neck that you can pull over your nose makes a noticeable difference in comfort, especially on the Desert Canyon route where the dust hangs in the air longer. This is the one item people wish they'd packed.
What NOT to Wear
Running shoes or sneakers: The single biggest mistake. Running shoes have soft soles that fold on foot pegs, zero ankle support, and no protection if your foot catches a rock. Work boots, hiking boots, or motorcycle boots are all acceptable. The stiffer the sole, the better your feet will feel after 2 hours on the pegs.
Shorts: Even in Baja summer heat, shorts are a bad idea. Your legs will touch the engine (hot), the exhaust (very hot), and possibly the ground (rough). Thick jeans, cargo pants, or riding pants are minimum. If you have motorcycle pants with knee armor, bring them.
Too many layers: People from colder climates tend to overdress for Baja. Even in January, you'll be sweating within 10 minutes of riding. A single long-sleeve moisture-wicking shirt under the provided gear is usually perfect. Bring a jacket for after the ride, but you won't want it during.
No neck gaiter: Dust is real on these trails. A simple bandana or buff around your neck that you can pull over your nose makes a noticeable difference in comfort, especially on the Desert Canyon route. It's the item people most wish they'd brought.