UTV and Camel Ride in the Cabo Desert

The best part of this Cabo excursion is the odd but memorable pairing: a fast UTV run through desert dunes, followed by a quiet camel ride with the ocean in view. You get two very different ways to see the Baja terrain in about two hours, with time for photos, a snack, and a ride back to your hotel.

I like the small maximum group of 10, since that should make check-in and guide instructions easier to manage. I also like the mix of sand trails, desert plants, and sea views, plus the included quesadillas and horchata or Jamaica. The main drawback is the added cost: ranch entry, collision insurance, and photographs are not included, and phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activities.

Key points to know before you book

• Two activities in one: Spend about 45 minutes driving a UTV, then 20 to 25 minutes riding and meeting camels.
• Ocean views from desert trails: The route combines dunes, native desert vegetation, and broad views toward the sea.
• Small group size: The tour accepts no more than 10 people, though the exact group size on your date can vary.
• Guides can make a difference: Noe received praise for his patience with an eight-year-old, while Raphael was singled out for making the outing fun.
• Extra charges matter: Ranch admission is $15 per person, and collision insurance and photo packages cost extra.
• Hotel pickup is available: Transfers serve selected hotels in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Cabo’s desert meets a camel ride

This is not a quiet sightseeing trip. It is a short, active outing built around contrast. First, you may be seated behind the wheel of a UTV, following a guide over sandy tracks. Later, you slow down for a camel ride lasting about 20 to 25 minutes.

The desert portion gives you movement and dust. The camel portion gives you a closer look at the animals and the ranch setting. Between the two, you get a useful taste of Cabo beyond its hotel pools and beach clubs.

The route includes sand dunes, desert vegetation, and views of the ocean. That combination is the real reason to book. The terrain is not just a flat road from one stop to another, and the ocean provides a strong visual payoff during the drive and camel ride.

The total duration is about two hours, but you should allow additional time for hotel pickup, transfer, check-in, changing activities, and the return ride. This is best treated as a half-day block on your schedule, especially if you are staying in San Jose del Cabo and have an early pickup.

Arriving at the ranch and getting organized

A vehicle with air conditioning picks you up from selected hotels in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo. If you are staying in San Jose del Cabo, pickup is scheduled about one hour before the activity. For Cabo San Lucas hotels, the timing depends on your property.

The operator sends your exact pickup time and meeting point 24 hours before the reservation. Keep an eye out for that information, since the general tour description does not give one fixed time for every hotel.

At the facility, you check in and receive a locker for your belongings. This matters because phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activities. You can store loose items before heading out rather than worrying about them in the UTV or on the camel.

You then meet your guide for instructions and a rundown of the day. The order of the UTV and camel activities can change according to the day’s logistics. If you are assigned the driving portion first, you receive a helmet and goggles before hearing the driving and safety instructions.

That opening briefing is not a formality. You need to understand how to follow the guide and handle the vehicle before entering the sandy route. One of the strongest practical points here is that the tour provides the basic safety equipment, but collision insurance is not included.

The 45-minute UTV route

The UTV section lasts about 45 minutes. The description also uses the term racer, and some customer comments refer to an RZR, so you should expect an off-road vehicle rather than a standard road-going car. The exact vehicle arrangement is not specified, so ask the operator if you need to know whether you will drive alone or share.

Once the instructions are complete, you follow your guide along the marked route. The ride takes you through sand dunes and desert vegetation, with ocean views along the way. Stops are planned for photographs, giving you a chance to take in the setting rather than spending the whole 45 minutes focused on the track.

I like this format because the route seems designed for both motion and scenery. You are not simply driving in circles in a dirt lot. At the same time, you should not expect a long expedition into remote Baja. Forty-five minutes is enough for a lively introduction, but it is not a full-day off-road trip.

The driving portion will suit you best if you enjoy active outings and are comfortable following instructions. The tour is rated as suitable for most people, but the information does not spell out every physical restriction or driving requirement. If you have concerns about operating the vehicle, ask before booking.

The UTV route can also work for families, with an important qualification. Noe was praised for showing extra patience with a group that included an eight-year-old. That suggests the guide may be able to help younger participants understand the activity, but it does not replace checking the operator’s age rules before you pay.

Bring a light attitude toward dust and heat. The transport vehicle is air-conditioned, but that does not mean the outdoor portions are. The supplied information does not list a clothing requirement, so practical outdoor wear and secure footwear make sense without assuming a specific dress code.

Meeting the camels at the stables

After the UTV ride, you go to the stables area. There is time to use the bathroom and prepare for the next activity. Then you meet the camels, take photos, and pet them before the ride.

This stop gives the outing a softer rhythm. You have time to look at the animals up close instead of climbing on and immediately moving off. For many people, especially children, the meeting and petting portion may be as memorable as the ride itself.

The camel ride lasts about 20 to 25 minutes. The route passes through dunes and includes good views of the ocean. It is short, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a long horseback-style trek.

One complaint in the available feedback raises a real safety concern: a participant said there were no stirrups or safety harness and that a request for them was ignored. The tour description confirms safety equipment for the driving portion, but it does not promise a harness or stirrups for the camel ride.

That means you should ask staff to explain how riders are secured before setting out. You should also listen carefully to the instructions and speak up if you feel uncomfortable. The negative account is only one experience, but it points to a detail worth clarifying rather than brushing aside.

The description also says that the order of activities may change. If the camels come first on your date, the same basic pattern applies: check in, receive instructions, meet the animals, ride through the dunes, and later prepare for the UTV section.

Food, drinks, and the photo rules

At the end of the activities, you can view the photographs, eat the included food, and take transportation back. The snack includes two quesadillas, along with fresh horchata or Jamaica.

That is a modest meal, not a full lunch. I would use it as a welcome snack after the outdoor portion, not as the reason to skip breakfast. The drinks add a nice local touch and are more useful than a small bottle of water after time in the sun.

The photo policy needs careful attention. Phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activity, and photographs are not included in the price. You can take photos during the designated stops or at the camel meeting area only if the operator permits it, but the supplied details specifically say personal phones and GoPros cannot be used in the activity itself.

A photo package is available for an extra charge. Raphael’s positive feedback specifically encouraged signing up for it, and another customer said the pictures came out well. If having action shots matters to you, budget for the photo package before you arrive.

The separate ranch entrance fee is $15 per person. Add that to the advertised $140.48 price, then consider collision insurance and photos. The advertised price is therefore not the final cost if you want the common extras.

Is $140.48 a fair price?

At $140.48 per person, this is not a bargain outing. The value comes from combining hotel transportation, safety equipment, a 45-minute UTV route, a 20 to 25 minute camel ride, drinks, and a snack in one compact package.

The price makes more sense if you want variety. Booking separate desert driving and camel experiences could take more time and create extra transport planning. Here, the two activities are arranged at the same facility, with a guide and transfer included.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long UTV ride. Only about 45 minutes is devoted to the vehicle, and the full experience lasts roughly two hours before accounting for transport. Likewise, if you have already ridden camels elsewhere, the camel portion may feel brief.

Remember the extra charges. The $15 ranch entrance fee is clear. Collision insurance is not included, and the price of that coverage is not stated. Photos also cost extra, and personal recording equipment is not allowed during the activity.

I would compare the final total, not just the headline price. For a first-time Cabo visitor who wants an active outing with a built-in animal encounter, the package can be reasonable. For a strict-budget schedule, the add-ons may push it beyond what you planned to spend.

Guides and group size

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is small enough to feel more controlled than a large bus-based excursion, although the actual number on your date can be lower or close to the limit.

The guide matters here because you are operating an off-road vehicle and moving between two different activities. Noe was praised for taking extra time with a group that included an eight-year-old. Raphael was praised for keeping the outing fun and making the experience memorable.

Those guides may not be assigned to your departure. Still, the comments give you a useful standard: clear instruction, patience, and help with younger participants are important parts of a good outing. If the briefing feels rushed, ask questions before driving.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. The information does not provide detailed accessibility guidance, so contact One Way Mexico directly if you need a specific accommodation or want to confirm participation requirements.

Booking, weather, and cancellation rules

This experience is booked an average of 13 days in advance. That is a useful planning clue, particularly during busy Cabo periods. If this is a priority for your trip, avoid leaving it until the last day.

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

Your own cancellation terms are much stricter. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. If you cancel or request an amendment, you do not receive your payment back.

I would only book once your hotel, dates, and plans are settled. The strict policy makes this a poor choice for a loose itinerary that may change.

Who should book this Cabo adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact, active introduction to Cabo’s desert side. It suits couples, families who meet the operator’s participation rules, and small groups who like combining driving with an animal encounter.

It is also a good fit if you value hotel pickup and do not want to organize a rental car or separate transfer. The air-conditioned vehicle is a practical comfort, especially when your hotel is in San Jose del Cabo and pickup starts well before the activity.

I would think twice if you dislike dust, outdoor heat, animals, or safety procedures. The tour is not ideal if you want to film everything yourself, since phones and GoPros are prohibited during the activities.

You should also consider the short duration. This is a brisk experience, not a slow day in the desert. The appeal is the range of activities packed into one outing, with the ocean views tying the route together.

Should you book the UTV and camel ride?

Book it if you want two contrasting Cabo activities in one organized trip and you are comfortable paying extra for ranch entry, insurance, and photos. The UTV route, ocean views, camel encounter, included snack, and small group limit give the tour a clear appeal.

Before paying, ask about the collision insurance price, photo package cost, vehicle setup, age rules, and how camel riders are secured. Those details will help you judge the final cost and comfort level.

I would call this a good choice for variety rather than depth. You get a lively 45-minute ride, a short camel experience, and a taste of the Baja desert without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the UTV and camel experience last?

The activities last about two hours in total. The UTV portion takes about 45 minutes, and the camel ride lasts about 20 to 25 minutes, with additional time for check-in, preparation, photos, food, and transportation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from selected hotels in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. San Jose del Cabo pickup is scheduled about one hour before the activity, while Cabo San Lucas timing depends on the hotel.

When will I receive my pickup time?

The operator provides your schedule and pickup point 24 hours before the reservation date.

What safety equipment is included?

Safety equipment is provided for the driving portion, including a helmet and goggles. Collision insurance is not included.

Can I bring my phone or GoPro?

No. The activity does not allow the use of phones or GoPros. Photographs are available for purchase separately.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes two quesadillas and fresh horchata or Jamaica.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Your own cancellation or amendment request is non-refundable.