Los Cabos: Camel Ride Safari with Lunch and Tequila Tasting

The Pacific is the star here. You ride a camel near Baja’s open desert and crashing waves, then trade the saddle for a short nature walk, a taco-style meal, and tequila. The setting gives this tour more range than a simple animal ride.

I like the close contact with the camels, including feeding and learning about their anatomy, training, and personalities. I also like the mix of desert plants, wildlife, local food, and tequila rather than one activity stretched across the whole morning.

The main caution is value. At $140 per person, plus a $25 park fee paid in cash, this is not a cheap outing. The camel ride is done with the animal in tandem, and one account described the beach portion as a single circle, so you should not expect a long, free-running ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Pacific views come with the camel ride: Expect ocean air, desert scenery, and dramatic wave breaks rather than a long expedition on horseback.
• The camel experience is hands-on: You can pet and feed the animals while learning about their care, behavior, anatomy, and training.
• The desert walk adds local context: Guides introduce plants such as cholla, Mexican giant cactus, and yuka, along with wildlife including roadrunners.
• Lunch is simple and local: A Mexican burrito or buffet taco meal comes with flavored water and bottled water.
• The group stays fairly small: A maximum of 15 people makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Budget for the extra cash fee: The $25 park entry charge is separate and must be paid on arrival.

A camel ride with the Pacific in view

The unusual part of this Los Cabos excursion is the setting. Camels and Baja may sound like an odd pair, but the dry country near the Pacific suits the experience. You get open desert, salty air, and the steady sound of surf as the animals carry you along the designated route.

Pickup is available in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. You are collected at your hotel’s main lobby entrance, and you should be ready five minutes before the scheduled time. The transport is included, which matters in Los Cabos, where a taxi or private transfer can quickly add to the cost of a half-day plan.

The advertised total duration is 2.5 hours. The itinerary lists the camel ride at two hours, leaving the rest of the time for arrival, the nature walk, lunch, and tequila tasting. In practice, the pace will depend on the group and the order used on the day.

This is a guided outing, with English and Spanish available. The group limit of 15 is a useful middle ground. You are not in a huge bus group, but you also should not expect a private guide focused only on you.

Meeting the camels up close

Before riding, you learn about the animals themselves. The introduction covers their history, anatomy, personalities, keeping, and training. That information gives the ride some purpose, especially if this is your first time around camels.

You can pet and feed them, too. That is likely to be the most memorable part for children old enough to participate, though the tour does not accept children under five. The hands-on contact also gives you something to do before and after the ride instead of simply lining up, sitting down, and moving on.

Safety gear is included, and certified guides lead the activity. Still, a camel ride has a particular rhythm. The animals walk in a controlled route, and you should think of this as a scenic, guided animal experience, not a fast ride through the desert.

One important detail comes from the practical side of the experience: the camels ride in tandem. That means your movement is tied to the group, and the route may feel more organized than adventurous. If you want a quiet introduction to camels with attractive scenery, that structure may suit you. If you want independent riding or a long stretch of beach, adjust your expectations.

The Pacific views help keep the ride interesting. You can feel the ocean breeze and watch the waves break along the shore. The combination of a dry Baja setting and the water is the real visual reward.

What the desert walk adds

After the camel portion, you head into an ecological reserve for a guided nature hike. This is not presented as a strenuous trek. It is a short interpretive walk that helps you notice what survives in Baja’s dry conditions.

The guide points out native plants and explains the local vegetation. You may see cholla, the Mexican giant cactus, and yuka. These names matter because the walk is not just a pause between the camel ride and lunch. It gives you a clearer sense of the plants that shape the region.

Wildlife is part of the discussion as well, including roadrunners. The tour does not promise a wildlife sighting, so treat this as an introduction to native fauna rather than a dedicated animal-watching trip.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You will be outside in a dry desert area, and the combination of walking, sun, and uneven ground makes practical clothing more important than looking polished for photos. Bring cash for the entry fee and other personal spending.

The reserve walk is also where the tour gains some local character. A camel ride could happen in many destinations, but the plants and animals connect this one to Baja California Sur. If you enjoy learning what you are looking at, this section may be more rewarding than you expect.

A straightforward Mexican lunch

Food arrives after the active parts of the outing. You receive a Mexican burrito or buffet taco-style lunch, along with traditional flavored water and bottled water. The meal is included, so you do not need to plan a separate restaurant stop during the tour.

This is a practical meal rather than a full culinary event. It gives you a chance to sit down, eat, and cool off after time outdoors. The flavored water adds a local touch without making the lunch complicated.

The food is one of the stronger value points because it is built into a short tour that also includes transport, the camel ride, the walk, and the tasting. Still, I would not book this solely for the meal. The food supports the outing; the Pacific setting and camel encounter are the main reasons to come.

One account specifically praised the buffet at the end of the route. That makes the meal sound like a welcome finish to the active portion, especially if you arrive hungry. Exact food choices can vary, so you should think of it as a Mexican lunch rather than a fixed restaurant menu.

Tequila explained, not just poured

The tequila tasting closes the experience with a short lesson on the drink’s history and production. You learn how tequila is made and how to enjoy it properly, then taste the spirit as part of the guided session.

That structure is useful for first-time tasters. Instead of receiving a glass with little context, you get a basic explanation of what you are drinking and why the process matters. It also gives you a better way to compare the flavors.

The tasting is included in the price. You should still take it at your own pace, especially after time in the sun. The tour information does not specify the number of pours or the exact brands, so do not book this expecting a formal spirits class with a detailed tasting flight.

If you are not interested in tequila, this part may feel less important. If you like Mexican food and regional drinks, it rounds out the day nicely. The sequence makes sense: ride, walk, eat, then learn about a drink closely tied to Mexico.

Is the $140 price fair?

The listed price is $140 per person, before the separate $25 park entry fee. That makes the real required cost at least $165 per person, assuming the fee is charged as stated. The park fee must be paid in cash on site, so plan for it before pickup.

At that price, you are paying for several pieces at once:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Certified guides
• Safety gear
• A camel ride
• A guided ecological reserve walk
• Mexican food and drinks
• A tequila tasting

The package makes more sense if you value convenience. You do not need to arrange transport, find a camel operator, locate a desert reserve, and organize lunch separately. The smaller group and bilingual guide also add practical value.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply riding a camel. The route is controlled, the animals move together, and the beach section may feel brief to someone expecting a long ride along the shore. One poor account also described the experience as overpriced and suggested spending the money in downtown Cabo instead.

That criticism is useful. This is not a must-do for every visitor. It is best for someone who wants a neatly packaged outdoor outing with several short activities. It is less suitable for someone seeking a low-cost activity or a serious riding experience.

The transport received a strong 92 percent perfect score, and the overall rating is 4.6 from 25 ratings. Those figures suggest that the organized format works well for many people, but they do not erase the price concern. I would compare the cost with other Los Cabos excursions before committing.

Timing, photos, and what to bring

A later start can be appealing. One visitor recommended the 4:00 p.m. departure for sunset views and the chance to see whales. That is a useful seasonal tip, but whale sightings are not guaranteed by the tour details, so treat them as a possibility rather than part of the package.

A late departure may also change the feel of the desert walk and the light over the water. Check the available starting times when you book, then choose based on your preferred temperature and schedule.

Cameras are not allowed. Professional photos are available for purchase, so you can decide on site if you want a record of the camel ride. Since personal cameras are prohibited, do not count on using your phone for snapshots during the activity.

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and cash. Bottled water is included, but outdoor activities in Baja still call for sensible preparation. The $25 park charge is the one required cash payment clearly listed.

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back problems. Camel movement can be uncomfortable if you already have back pain, so take that warning seriously.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those policies help if your Los Cabos schedule is still changing, but they do not reduce the separate park fee or replace the need to carry cash.

Who should book this Los Cabos outing?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want several Baja experiences in one compact trip. The animal contact, nature walk, food, and tequila lesson create a varied afternoon without requiring you to plan each piece yourself.

It also suits people who like guided activities. You will have a set route, safety equipment, transport, and explanations in English or Spanish. The small group helps, though you are still sharing the schedule with up to 14 other people.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced rider, want a private beach ride, or are watching your budget. The camel portion is controlled, and the added park fee pushes the cost higher than the headline price suggests.

Should you book the camel safari?

Book this tour if the combination is what appeals to you: Pacific scenery, a hands-on camel encounter, Baja plants and wildlife, a simple Mexican meal, and tequila instruction. The variety gives you more than a single photo stop, and the included transportation keeps the day easy.

Skip it if you mainly want a long, independent ride or the lowest possible price. The tandem camels, organized route, cash park fee, and premium cost may leave you wanting more.

For the best chance of a memorable setting, check the late afternoon option, pack comfortable shoes, and bring cash. Go in expecting a guided desert-and-coast experience, not an open-ended safari. With that expectation, the tour offers a pleasant and unusual way to spend a few hours near Cabo.

FAQ

How long does the camel safari last?

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours. The camel ride portion is listed as two hours, with the remaining time used for the nature hike, lunch, tequila tasting, and other parts of the visit.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from hotels in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. You should wait at your hotel’s main lobby entrance and be ready five minutes before pickup.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with drop-off available in San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $140 per person. A separate $25 park entry fee must be paid on site in cash.

Is the park fee included in the price?

No. The $25 park entry fee is not included and must be paid at the location upon arrival.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a Mexican burrito or buffet taco lunch, traditional flavored water, and bottled water.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. The guided tasting includes information about tequila’s history, production process, and the proper way to enjoy it.

Can children join the camel ride?

Children under five cannot join this activity. The tour also is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

Can I bring a camera?

Personal cameras are not allowed. Professional photos are available for purchase during the experience.