Beach Camel Ride & Encounter in Cabo by Cactus tours park

The unusual part of this Cabo outing is not simply sitting on a camel. You meet the animals first, hear about Baja California Sur’s cacti and wildlife, then ride along the white Pacific sands with views of the coast. I like the mix of animal encounter and short safari-style drive, and I like that tacos, horchata, Jamaica water, and tequila tasting are built into the day. The complimentary kids club is also useful for parents who want a calmer ride.

The main caution is timing. The advertised experience lasts two hours, but transport alone is listed at about 52 minutes each way, and one poor experience involved long waits, a delayed pickup, and tandem riding. I would confirm the park fee, pickup time, camel availability, and expected total duration before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Meet Choyerito: The camel sanctuary introduces you to Choyerito, described as the first camel born in Baja California.
• Ride beside the Pacific: The camel route brings you across white sand with coastal views rather than keeping you inside a plain riding ring.
• Learn about Baja nature: The guide covers local cactus species, flora, fauna, and the camel’s role in the safari experience.
• Food and drinks follow the ride: Expect Mexican burritos or tacos, horchata, Jamaica water, and a tequila tasting.
• Parents get a practical option: Children can use the complimentary kids club, with games, video games, a theater, and certified nannies.
• Budget for an extra fee: Park entry is not included. The information gives both $20 and $25, so verify the current amount before departure.

A camel ride with a Baja setting

Cabo is better known for boats, beaches, nightlife, and off-road vehicles than for camels. That is the point here. This experience gives you a short introduction to a surprising animal in a distinctly Baja setting, with the Pacific and pale sand providing the backdrop.

The outing begins with a pickup from one of the listed locations: Calle Mariano Abasolo 1356 or Carretera Transpeninsular. From there, you travel by coach to the Cabo area and check in before taking a safari truck toward the Camel Sanctuary.

The sanctuary visit matters. You are not simply placed on an animal and sent off. The program includes an introduction to the camels and an explanation of the local environment. You learn about cacti and native fauna, then meet Choyerito, the first camel born in Baja, before the riding portion begins.

I like this order. It gives you a little context before the activity, and it makes the ride feel more connected to the setting. Still, this is a compact introduction rather than a full wildlife course. The experience is designed for people who want a memorable outing with food and photos, not a long scientific tour.

What happens from pickup to the sanctuary

The listed schedule calls for about 52 minutes by bus or coach in each direction. That is a large share of a two-hour advertised activity, so you should look at the total day rather than assuming you will spend two full hours on a camel.

At the meeting point, arrive early and wait in the lobby five minutes before pickup. Drivers are not expected to wait more than 10 minutes after the planned time. That makes a working phone and a clear understanding of your pickup point important, even though phones are not allowed during the activity itself.

On arrival, you check in, meet your bilingual guide, and receive a safety briefing. A safety helmet is included. The formal briefing is listed at 15 minutes, followed by roughly 30 minutes for the camel ride and game-drive portion.

The safari truck is part of the experience, but the details of that drive are limited. You can expect it to connect the arrival area with the sanctuary and riding route. The coach transfer and truck ride also mean this is not a simple walk from a resort to a nearby beach.

Meeting the camels before riding

The animal encounter begins at the sanctuary. You have time to get familiar with the camels and learn about them before climbing aboard. Choyerito is the memorable detail here, especially for families and animal lovers who enjoy a named individual rather than a purely mechanical ride.

The guide also discusses Baja California Sur’s cactus species and fauna. That is a welcome touch because it helps explain the environment around you. Camels may seem out of place beside the Pacific, while cacti and desert plants make immediate sense. The activity uses that contrast to frame the outing.

You should also understand that the riding arrangement may vary. One account describes a group waiting for more camels and then riding tandem rather than giving every person an individual camel. That may not happen on every departure, but it is a real planning concern. If having your own camel is important, ask before booking.

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back problems. A camel ride involves mounting, sitting, and movement, so you should take those limits seriously rather than treating them as minor fine print.

The 30-minute ride along the Pacific

The actual riding portion is listed at about 30 minutes. That is enough time for a clear taste of the activity, but not a long expedition. You ride along the white sands near the Pacific and have a chance to look toward the coast instead of spending the whole time inside a fenced enclosure.

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to book. The combination of pale beach, open water, and a camel under you creates the kind of odd, memorable picture that makes this outing different from a standard Cabo beach visit. A previous participant who celebrated a 71st birthday on the ride described the views as beautiful and the activity as safe, which fits the appeal for many age groups.

The ride is also promoted as a game drive and guided tour. That suggests the outing is more than a straight line on the sand, but the supplied details do not specify the exact route or how much time is spent looking for animals. Do not book it expecting a full wildlife safari with guaranteed sightings.

You cannot bring cameras or cellphones. That rule may feel restrictive in a scenic place, but it also means you will rely on the tour’s photo service if you want pictures of the ride. I would decide ahead of time if those photos matter to you, because souvenir images cost extra.

Food, drinks, and tequila after the ride

After returning from the camels, the group moves to the food and tasting portion. Included refreshments are Mexican burritos, Jamaica water, and horchata. The overview also describes tacos, so the exact meal may be presented as tacos or burritos depending on the operation that day.

Horchata is a sweet rice-based drink with cinnamon, while Jamaica water is a tart hibiscus drink. Together they offer a nice break from the heat and make the meal feel more local than a generic soft drink stop.

The tequila tasting comes after the ride. A local bar stop is listed with spirits and a whiskey tasting, while the main description specifically promises tequila. Because the details use both terms, ask your guide what will be served that day. The important point is that the tasting is included, while souvenir photos and the park entrance fee are not.

This part adds value to the $109 price because you are not paying only for a short ride. You are also receiving transportation, a guide, safety equipment, food, nonalcoholic drinks, and a tasting. The value is strongest if you want a packaged half-day-style outing and would otherwise pay separately for transport and lunch.

It is less compelling if your main goal is simply riding for a long time. The camel portion is only about 30 minutes on the stated schedule, so the meal, education, transfers, and waiting time are a major part of what you are buying.

The kids club can change the family equation

The complimentary kids club is one of the more useful features for parents. Young children can stay with certified nannies while adults take the camel ride. The space is described as having board games, video games, and a theater.

Children under five cannot take part in the camel ride, but the kids club may give parents a way to enjoy the outing without leaving the youngest child at the resort. You should confirm the exact age rules and how the handoff works before departure, since the available information does not spell out the club’s operating procedure.

For families with older children, the club may still be useful if someone in the group does not want to ride. For everyone else, it is simply a nice extra, not a reason by itself to choose this activity.

Timing problems are the main risk

The experience has a 4.1 rating from 12 reviews, with several strong reactions describing it as safe, beautiful, quiet, and memorable. The clearest praise goes to the scenery, the animal interaction, the explanations, and the overall sense of adventure. One guide named David is specifically associated with excellent explanations, so if he is leading your departure, you can expect a guide who has been recognized for making the animal encounter more informative.

But the negative account is detailed and important. It describes a pickup more than 30 minutes late, long waits at the park, disorganized check-in, an uncomfortable transfer, tandem riding, and a missed sunset promise. That person also reported being left behind on the return ride and spending hours for only a short ride.

I would not assume that every departure runs this way. Other feedback describes a very good experience and strong staff attention. Still, the warning is specific enough that you should build flexibility into your day. Do not schedule a flight, dinner reservation, or paid activity immediately afterward.

The advertised two-hour duration also deserves scrutiny. The itinerary lists two 52-minute coach segments, plus a 15-minute safety briefing, a 30-minute ride, check-in, the sanctuary visit, food, and tasting. Those pieces alone suggest that the full door-to-door outing may exceed two hours, particularly if pickup or park processing is slow.

Price, park fees, and photo costs

The listed price is $109 per person. Park admission is extra, and the information gives two different amounts: $25 in one place and $20 in another. Treat the fee as an additional cost and confirm the current price before you go. Bring cash, as requested.

The photo package is also separate. One poor account found the photo price, reported as more than $100, unreasonable for the images offered. That does not prove every photo package will cost that much, but it gives you a useful rule: ask for the full price before agreeing to pictures.

At $109, the tour can be fair value if you want several pieces in one booking: round-trip transportation, a bilingual guide, helmet, camel ride, food, drinks, and tequila tasting. It is not a bargain for someone seeking a long camel trek. Your value depends on how much you want the complete package and how much you dislike arranging transport and lunch separately.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Cabo plans are not fixed.

Who should book this Cabo outing?

I would recommend it to adults, couples, families with children old enough for the activity, and first-time Cabo visitors who want an easy, organized novelty. It suits people who like a mix of scenery, animals, light education, food, and a tasting rather than a single focused attraction.

It may also work well for a birthday or special occasion. A camel ride beside the Pacific is unusual enough to feel different from a normal resort day, and the included meal gives the outing a social finish.

I would hesitate if you have back problems, are pregnant, have a child under five with no interest in the kids club, or need a tightly controlled schedule. I would also hesitate if your priority is a long ride, individual camel assignment, or guaranteed sunset timing.

Before you go, bring a driver’s license and cash. Wear clothing suitable for sun and outdoor activity, although the supplied information does not give a specific clothing list. Leave cameras and cellphones behind because they are not allowed.

Should you book the camel ride?

Book this experience if the idea of meeting camels, riding beside the Pacific, and finishing with Mexican food and tequila sounds more appealing than a standard beach afternoon. The strongest parts are the setting, the unusual animal encounter, the clear educational angle, and the helpful kids club.

Book with realistic expectations. The ride is short, the day may run longer than advertised, extra fees apply, and camel availability can affect whether you ride alone or tandem. Confirm the park fee, photo cost, pickup time, and riding arrangement before departure. If those details suit your plans, this is a memorable Cabo add-on. If you need precise timing or a long, private ride, choose another activity.

FAQ

How much does the Beach Camel Ride and Encounter cost?

The listed price is $109 per person. Park entry and souvenir photos cost extra.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The itinerary also lists about 52 minutes of coach travel in each direction, so the total time from pickup to drop-off may be longer.

Where are the pickup points?

The listed pickup locations are Calle Mariano Abasolo 1356 and Carretera Transpeninsular.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, with coach travel to and from the activity location.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered with live guides in English and Spanish.

Is food included?

Yes. Mexican burritos are listed as included, while the main description also refers to tacos. Jamaica water and horchata are included as drinks.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. A tequila tasting is included. The activity information also refers to spirits and a whiskey tasting at a local bar.

Can children take part?

Children under five are not suitable for the camel ride. A complimentary kids club is available, with board games, video games, a theater, and certified nannies.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license and cash. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed during the activity.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.