Beach Camel Ride and Encounter in Cabo

Riding a camel beside the Pacific is the memorable hook here. At Cactus Tours, you feed and pet the animals, then take a beach ride with the ocean behind you. I like the friendly bilingual guides, especially Billy, Raul, Oscar, Cesar, and Solomon, and I like that lunch, drinks, a tequila tasting, and hotel pickup are part of the package.

The main catch is timing. The camel ride itself is about 25 to 30 minutes, while transportation, check-in, food, photos, and waiting can turn a one-hour listing into a three-to-five-hour outing. You also need to budget the $25 per-person entrance fee, which is charged separately.

Key points to know before booking

• The ride is on Migriño Beach: You get ocean views and a Pacific breeze instead of a standard inland camel track.
• The advertised one hour is not the total outing: Hotel transfers and time at the facility can add several hours.
• The real base cost is higher: The $71.25 tour price does not include the $25 Cactus Tours entrance fee.
• Your phone may be stored away: Personal cameras and phones may not be allowed during parts of the activity, so company photos are the main option.
• Guides make a big difference: Billy, Raul, Oscar, Cesar, and Solomon are specifically praised for making the experience engaging and easy to follow.
• Lunch and tequila are included: Expect a filling Super Burro with beef, pork, and chicken, plus soft drinks, water, and a tasting.

A camel ride beside the Pacific Ocean

Cabo is better known for dramatic rock formations, snorkeling, sailing, and desert adventures than for camels. This outing mixes those dry-country surroundings with a strip of Pacific beach, creating a scene that feels unusual even in a destination full of water activities.

You begin by meeting the camels at the Cactus Tours facility. The encounter includes petting, feeding, and getting close to the animals before you climb aboard. Handlers explain how to approach them and help you settle in, which matters because mounting and dismounting can feel awkward, especially for children or older adults.

The ride follows the beach for roughly 25 to 30 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the ocean air and take in the setting, but not long enough to call this a full morning or afternoon riding expedition. I would treat the ride as the centerpiece of a larger activity day, not as a one-hour standalone experience.

The camels are described as gentle, and the activity is designed for families. Children must remain with an adult. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable climbing onto an animal and sitting upright while it walks.

What happens at the Cactus Tours facility

The setting is more than a loading area for camels. You may spend time around the animal enclosures, walking paths, food service areas, tequila tasting space, and shops. Several visitors have liked the clean facilities and the appearance of the animals, while others felt the extra time at the property became too long.

Your day begins with the camel encounter. You can feed and pet the animal, learn basic facts, and prepare for the ride. The bilingual guide and camel handler are important here. A good guide turns a simple photo opportunity into a clearer introduction to the animals and the way they are handled.

Names worth noting include Billy, Raul, Oscar, Cesar, and Solomon. Billy is repeatedly singled out for his patience, English and Spanish, and ability to keep the group involved. Raul has been praised for explaining camels and making the beach ride feel personal. Cesar and Solomon also receive credit for answering questions and helping families.

The facility may also include a walking tour or time to look around after the ride. That can be pleasant if you enjoy a relaxed schedule. If you have dinner plans, a flight, or another booked activity, it can become a problem.

The beach ride, and what you should really expect

The beach portion is the strongest reason to book. You sit above the sand with the Pacific nearby, and the camel’s steady movement gives you a slow view of the coast. It is a gentle ride rather than an adrenaline activity.

The ocean setting also makes this different from a typical camel ride in a dry interior setting. The combination of cactus, open sand, and water creates the best photo backdrop of the day, at least in theory. Sunset can add warm light, and some visitors have especially liked the view among the cactus later in the day.

Keep your expectations modest. This is not a private horseback-style ride where you choose your own route or stop whenever you like. You follow the group, and the actual time on the camel may be closer to 20 to 25 minutes than the full 30 minutes suggested in some descriptions.

That shorter ride is partly presented as an animal-care measure. The company says the duration is limited to protect the camels’ well-being. I find that a reasonable point, but the tour should make this clear before you pay. If you are booking mainly for a long ride, this is not the right choice.

Lunch, drinks, and the tequila tasting

The included meal is a Super Burro with beef, pork, and chicken. Soft drinks and water are also provided, which is useful in Cabo’s heat. The meal is practical rather than a carefully planned food tour, and some diners have enjoyed it while others found it plain.

If you do not eat meat, the supplied information also refers to buffet choices such as fruit, pastries, and yogurt. That gives you more flexibility than the Super Burro description suggests, though you should still confirm the available meal setup when booking if food is important to you.

The tequila tasting comes after the activity. It is included, and the tasting hosts have earned praise for being friendly and well-informed. You can decline it if tequila is not your thing, but it gives the outing a distinctly Mexican finish without requiring another stop.

Do not confuse the tasting with an open bar. Water and soft drinks are listed as included, while other drinks may cost extra. One visitor enjoyed finishing with a margarita from the bar, but that was not part of the base inclusions.

The food and tasting help explain why the visit may last much longer than the ride. They also explain why some people enjoy the facility as a half-day outing, while others feel they are waiting around between activities.

Transportation can change the whole day

Roundtrip pickup is offered from hotels in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Morning and afternoon departures give you some choice, but you need to allow more time than the advertised one-hour duration suggests.

The facility is in the Migriño area, west of Cabo San Lucas. Hotel pickups can be spread out, and the drive can take at least 30 minutes from some pickup points. Several accounts describe total outings of three to five hours, with a few reporting even longer days because of pickup delays, return transfers, or waiting at the property.

This is the single biggest planning issue. If your booking says 2 p.m., that does not mean you will be back at 3 p.m. A pickup at 1:45 p.m. may still lead to a late return, and a delayed vehicle can push the schedule further. I would leave the rest of the day open.

If you have an international flight, cruise departure, dinner reservation, or another prepaid excursion, choose a different day. Do not rely on the advertised one-hour figure when planning connections.

Transportation has been punctual for some people and poorly organized for others. That difference may depend on hotel location, group size, traffic, and the day’s schedule, but you should still ask for the exact pickup time after booking. The tour can accept up to 100 people, so a large shared group may add stops and waiting.

The $71.25 price is not the final price

The listed price is $71.25 per person. That sounds fair for a camel encounter, beach ride, meal, drinks, tequila tasting, guide, and roundtrip transportation. The value becomes less clear once you add the mandatory $25 Cactus Tours entrance fee.

That brings the basic cost to $96.25 per person before photos, upgrades, bar purchases, or other add-ons. The entrance charge is disclosed in the supplied details, but it is easy to overlook because it is paid separately at the facility. I would calculate the total before comparing this with other Cabo excursions.

A private upgrade can make the outing feel more personal and may help with transportation concerns, but it can also bring a substantial additional charge. Get the complete price in writing before agreeing to a private vehicle or other upgrade. The extra payment and what it covers should be clear.

The value depends on what you want. If you want a distinctive family activity with a meal and a beach setting, the cost may feel reasonable. If you want only 25 minutes on a camel, nearly $100 before photos is expensive.

Photos, phones, and the extra-cost problem

Photography is the most common source of frustration. The company offers souvenir photos for purchase, but prices can be high, and some people have not liked the angles or felt the photo session was rushed.

Phones and personal cameras may be placed in lockers or restricted during the activity. The company explains that some equipment rules are connected to safety, especially on public UTV activities, but the phone policy has not felt clear or consistent to everyone on this camel outing.

That policy matters because the beach ride is exactly the kind of moment you may want to photograph yourself. If you cannot bring your phone, you must decide in advance if the official photo package is worth paying for. Ask about the phone rule, the photo price, and whether you can see the images before buying.

Do not assume you will receive a large personal photo session beside a camel. The supplied details indicate souvenir photos are optional, and some accounts describe only limited posed shots. If your vacation memory depends on pictures, clarify the process before handing over your phone.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a gentle animal activity with an unusual coastal setting. Children can enjoy the feeding and petting, while adults may appreciate the guides, lunch, and tequila tasting as much as the ride itself.

It also suits people who like a planned group outing. You do not need to arrange separate transport, find a meal, or work out where to meet the camels. The bilingual staff can make the process easier, particularly if you are not comfortable navigating activities in Spanish.

Older adults may be able to participate. One couple in their seventies had no trouble getting on and off the camel, but everyone’s mobility is different. You should be ready for the physical movement involved and ask staff for help.

I would not recommend it if you want a quick one-hour activity, full control over your schedule, a long camel ride, or unrestricted use of your own camera. It is also a poor match for a tight flight-day itinerary.

The company operates in all weather conditions. Cabo can be hot, and the beach offers little relief from sun and wind, so bring water beyond the included supply if you need it, wear sun protection, and choose clothing that will be comfortable outdoors. The supplied information says service animals are allowed, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

No alcohol or drugs should be involved before the activity. A breathalyzer or similar safety check may be part of the process, and the company says the tasting happens after the activities.

Booking and cancellation advice

This experience is often booked about 22 days ahead, so morning and afternoon places may fill during busy periods. Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Given the transportation complaints and extra entrance fee, read the final confirmation closely and contact the operator before the day if your pickup information is missing.

Should you book the Cabo camel ride?

Book it if you want the novelty of riding a camel beside the Pacific, enjoy group activities, and have most of a day available. The best parts are the close animal encounter, the beach setting, the included meal, and the guides who make the experience warmer and easier to follow.

Skip it if the $25 fee feels like a surprise, you dislike sales pressure, or you need a precise schedule. The ride is short, the total outing can be long, and photos may cost more than expected.

My practical advice is simple: budget about $100 per person before extras, reserve an open half-day, confirm pickup, ask about phone access, and treat the camel ride as one part of a larger Cactus Tours visit. With those expectations, this can be a memorable Cabo family outing. Without them, the same day can feel expensive and drawn out.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The beach ride lasts approximately 25 to 30 minutes. The full outing takes longer because it includes transportation, check-in, the camel encounter, food, tasting, and time at the facility.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Roundtrip transportation is offered from hotels in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

Is the $25 entrance fee included in the tour price?

No. The Cactus Tours entrance fee is listed separately at $25 per person.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a beef, pork, and chicken Super Burro, soft drinks, and water. A tequila tasting is also included.

Can I bring my phone or camera?

Personal phones and cameras may need to be stored in lockers or may not be permitted during the activity. Souvenir photos are available to purchase, so ask about the current rules and prices before you go.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded.