Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert

A camel ride beside the Pacific Ocean is about as unusual as Cabo sightseeing gets. You will ride along the beach, meet the camels at close range, and hear about their care, training, behavior, and anatomy. It is a playful way to see Cabo’s desert coast rather than another boat trip or resort activity.

I like that the $99 price combines the camel encounter, buffet, tequila tasting, nature walk, and desert ride. I also like the included hotel transport and small maximum group of 15. The main catch is time: pickup stops, check-in, and waiting can eat into the three-hour schedule, and the four advertised activities do not all receive equal attention.

Key points to know before booking

• The camel ride is the star: Expect a short beach ride, with one camel shared by two people unless the combined weight exceeds 650 pounds.
• Four activities share one outing: The package includes a camel encounter, desert ride, nature walk, buffet, and tequila class, though the schedule can feel rushed.
• Bring patience for transport: Hotel pickup may begin 45 to 60 minutes before the selected tour time, with several stops possible.
• Phones may be restricted: A photographer takes pictures during the ride, while photo packages cost extra. Some bookings have required a paid private upgrade to keep personal belongings nearby.
• Budget for extras: The $99 price does not include a $25 Cabo admission fee, tips, or photographs.
• Safety rules are firm: Pregnant participants cannot join, and children ages 5 to 12 must ride with an adult.

Riding a camel beside Cabo’s Pacific surf

The first sight of camels in a Mexican desert setting is wonderfully odd. These animals are not native to Baja California, yet they fit the dry surroundings and make a beach outing feel very different from the usual Cabo menu of snorkeling, fishing, and sunset cruises.

The ride follows a beach near the Pacific, where you can look toward the water and the large waves while seated high above the sand. The route is described as a quick trail ride, so you should not expect a long-distance expedition. The camel portion is reported as roughly 15 minutes by one participant, while another found it a relaxing ride of just the right length.

That difference matters. If you are booking mainly for an extended animal ride, the outing may feel brief. If you want a memorable activity with food and tastings added on, the short ride fits better.

Before or around the ride, the handler explains camel behavior, anatomy, feeding, training, and daily care. You also get the chance to pet and feed the animals. This close contact is one of the better parts of the experience because it gives the camel encounter more purpose than simply sitting on an animal for a photograph.

The guides can make a real difference. Billy has been described as friendly and funny, while Joel has been praised for clear information and courteous service. Your guide may be someone else, but the tour includes an experienced camel handler and a bilingual guide.

What the camel ride is really like

Two people generally share one camel, subject to a combined maximum weight of 650 pounds. If two people together exceed that limit, one person will receive a camel alone. Children ages 5 to 12 must ride with an adult.

This arrangement keeps the base fare reasonable, but it is worth knowing before you pay. Sharing means your riding companion may appear in many of the photographs, and you do not get the same private-animal feel that a solo ride would provide.

The ride is designed for ordinary participants rather than experienced riders. A helmet is included, and most people can take part. The stated safety rules exclude pregnant participants, with no exceptions noted. Service animals are allowed, but the practical details of how they fit into the camel portion are not specified, so it is sensible to confirm before booking.

Personal phones may not be allowed during the ride. The stated reason is safety, and an on-site photographer follows the group to take pictures. This lets you enjoy the ride without holding a device, but it also means you need to decide in advance how much you value the photographs.

Photos are sold separately. Prices reported at the site include about $20 for one image and roughly $100 to $130 for a larger package, with a drone option mentioned in one account. Treat those figures as on-site pricing rather than part of the $99 booking price. If you want pictures, include that possible cost when judging the total value.

The desert walk and ecological reserve

The package calls the walking portion a nature hike in an ecological reserve. Expect a guided walk through dry desert surroundings rather than a strenuous backcountry trek. One account described this element as little more than a walk and shuttle ride, so I would keep expectations modest.

Still, the walk adds useful context. The camel ride shows you the coast from an unusual seat, while the reserve provides time on foot to notice the plants and dry ground around the facility. It is a pleasant change of pace, but it may not satisfy you if you want a serious nature excursion with a long route or extensive wildlife viewing.

The desert safari ride is similarly best understood as a short vehicle-based look at the area, not a full-day off-road adventure. The supplied details do not specify the vehicle route or length. The value here is convenience: the desert ride is bundled into the same outing, so you do not have to arrange a separate excursion.

The four-part format sounds generous, but the activities overlap in practical terms. The camel ride and animal encounter are the main attraction. The walk and safari fill out the day, while the meal and tequila lesson provide the social and cultural side.

Tacos, buffet food, and a tequila lesson

Food is included, with a buffet offering beef, pork, and chicken tacos, soft drinks, and water. The meal is served with views toward the ocean, which gives the lunch stop more appeal than a quick snack between activities.

The food is a mixed point. One group praised the buffet, while another strongly disliked the burrito and felt the meal was not worth the wait. Since the menu is described as tacos and buffet dishes rather than a specific plated meal, your experience may depend on timing, appetite, and what is available when your group arrives.

The tequila portion takes place in a tequila museum. You receive a class and tasting, giving you a chance to learn about the drink rather than simply taking a shot at a bar. That is useful for anyone who wants a small piece of Mexican food and drink culture included with the outdoor activity.

Timing can affect this part of the outing. If the camel ride runs late, you may have to eat quickly or have less time for the tasting. One booking did not reach the tequila session because of delays. I would not choose this tour solely for an in-depth tequila education. Think of it as a short tasting added to a camel and desert excursion.

Pickup, check-in, and the hidden cost of time

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point or returns you through the arranged transport. That removes the need to find the Cactus Tours location at Carretera Federal 19, KM 100, Migriño, outside Cabo San Lucas.

The tradeoff is a longer day on the road. Pickup may begin 45 to 60 minutes before your selected tour time, depending on your hotel. Several pickup stops can add more time, and one account describes about an hour and a half from pickup to the site.

Check-in is normally brief, though cruise-ship days can create a longer queue. The operator has indicated that check-in can take up to 25 minutes on busy days. Build this into your plan, especially if you have dinner reservations, a shore excursion connection, or a fixed cruise departure.

The small maximum group of 15 is a positive feature once the activities begin. It should make the handler’s explanations easier to follow and keep the camel line from becoming enormous. It does not guarantee a private vehicle, however. The shared transportation may include other hotel pickups.

One important scheduling tip: the time you select when booking may not be your hotel pickup time. Ask for the exact pickup time in advance and read the confirmation details carefully. That simple step can prevent a long wait in the lobby or confusion with the driver.

Is $99 a fair price?

At $99 per person, the tour can be good value if you want several modest activities in one booking. You receive transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, helmet, camel handler, guide, food, soft drinks, water, tequila tasting, nature walk, and desert ride.

The value drops if you only care about riding a camel. The ride itself may last around 15 minutes, and the rest of the time includes transport, check-in, group movement, lunch, and tastings. You are paying for convenience and variety rather than a long camel trek.

Add the $25 Cabo admission fee per person. Tips are not included and are appreciated. Photos also cost extra, and clothing accessories such as a turban have been sold separately. These are not necessarily unreasonable charges, but they should not surprise you at the site.

Be cautious with a private upgrade. One account found the additional charge poor value because the ride still involved other people in the vehicle, while the chief benefit was keeping a phone and belongings nearby. If privacy matters, ask exactly what the upgrade covers before paying. Do not assume private means an entirely private vehicle and private facility visit.

Who will enjoy this Cabo outing most?

I would suggest this experience to you if you want a light outdoor activity with a strong photo opportunity and several add-ons. It suits couples, families with eligible children, and groups of friends who enjoy unusual animal encounters more than demanding adventure.

It also works well for a first visit to Cabo when you want one booking to cover transport, food, desert scenery, and a taste of local drink culture. The camel encounter gives the day a clear theme, while the other stops keep it from being only a short ride.

You may want another activity if you dislike waiting, need a tightly timed schedule, or expect a full desert expedition. It is also a poor fit if a long camel ride is your main goal, if you do not want to pay for photos, or if you prefer independent exploration.

The experience is offered in English, and the guide is bilingual. The small group limit helps, but the ride remains a shared commercial activity, not a quiet private meeting with animals.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Wear clothing you can sit and walk in comfortably. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, but the day combines a beach ride, desert walking, food, and transportation. Leave room in your plans after the tour because delays are possible.

Keep your expectations clear:

• The camel ride is short but unusual.
• The animals can be petted and fed.
• The buffet and tequila lesson add value, but may feel rushed.
• Pickup is convenient but can take time.
• Photos are available, but not included.
• The $25 admission fee is extra.
• Pregnant participants cannot take part.
• Children ages 5 to 12 must ride with an adult.

Should you book the camel encounter?

Book it if you want an easy, highly unusual Cabo outing and like the idea of combining a short camel ride with tacos, tequila, and a desert walk. The beach setting, gentle animals, ocean views, and friendly guides such as Billy and Joel are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you need efficient timing or want a substantial safari. The main weakness is not the camel encounter itself, but the amount of waiting and the way four activities are packed into one schedule.

My practical advice is to confirm your pickup time, set aside the $25 admission fee, and decide before arrival if you are willing to buy photographs. With those costs and timing limits understood, this is a fun one-day curiosity, not a full-scale adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo camel experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, though hotel pickup may begin 45 to 60 minutes before the selected tour time and additional stops can lengthen the day.

Where does the activity start?

The listed meeting point is Cactus Tours on Carretera Federal 19, KM 100, Migriño, 23597 Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Hotel pickup is offered.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, using an air-conditioned vehicle. The activity ends back at the meeting point or through the arranged return transport.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

Can two people share one camel?

Yes. Two people generally share a camel, with a combined maximum weight of 650 pounds. If the combined weight is higher, one person receives a camel alone.

Can children join the camel ride?

Children ages 5 to 12 must ride the camel with an adult.

Are pregnant participants allowed?

No. Pregnant participants are not allowed to join the tour for safety reasons, and a reservation made during pregnancy may be canceled without a refund.

Are photographs included in the price?

No. Photographs are offered for sale at the location. Tips and the $25 Cabo admission fee are also separate from the listed tour price.