Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert

REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS

Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert

  • 4.015 reviews
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • From $99.00
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Operated by Cabo Paradise Tours · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 4.0 (15)Duration3 hours (approx.)Price from$99.00Operated byCabo Paradise ToursBook viaViator

Camels on the beach in Cabo. This tour strings together camel time, a desert safari, eco hiking, and tequila tasting in one 3-hour block—so you don’t spend your vacation hopping between separate bookings. You also get hotel pickup/drop-off, which matters in Cabo where distances add up fast.

I especially like the built-in mix of animal encounter plus nature-and-culture stops. You get hands-on time (petting and feeding), a guided experience with an experienced camel handler and bilingual guide, and a buffet lunch with soft drinks and water.

One thing to plan for: the day can feel longer than the headline 3 hours because pickup/check-in and shuttle routing can add waiting. Also, the camel ride portion can be short, and phone policies can be strict unless you pay for a private-style option.

Quick take: what’s most worth your attention

Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert - Quick take: what’s most worth your attention

  • Beach camel ride by the Pacific Ocean with petting and feeding included, plus a helmet for the ride.
  • Four activities in one (camel, desert safari, eco hike, tequila museum tasting) without stitching together multiple vendors.
  • Small group cap of 15 and an English-speaking guide with an experienced camel handler.
  • Hotel pickup/drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle, which can save time versus navigating on your own.
  • Budget for extras: Cabo San Lucas admission fee ($25 per person) and tipping are not included.
  • Photo and phone rules can affect your experience, depending on how your day is scheduled and any upgrade options.

Why this Cabo camel, desert, and tequila combo makes sense

Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert - Why this Cabo camel, desert, and tequila combo makes sense
Cabo San Lucas tours usually fall into one of two camps: either you do animals and photos, or you do nature and food. This one tries to do both, and it does it with a single ticket and organized routing.

That matters for your time. If you’re on a tight schedule—maybe only a couple days in Cabo—you’ll like not having to coordinate separate reservations, separate meeting points, and separate transportation.

You’ll also like that the tour is structured around guided moments. The camel portion isn’t just you walking up to a mount. You get instruction on camel culture and basic handling, plus the kind of “what you’re looking at” guidance that turns a photo stop into a real encounter.

The main caution is pacing. Even when a tour is labeled 3 hours, Cabo pickup routes and on-site check-in can stretch the experience. If you’re the type who hates waiting, show up with patience and water.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cabo San Lucas.

Camel Ride by the Pacific: what you’re really buying

Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert - Camel Ride by the Pacific: what you’re really buying
Let’s talk camel time, since that’s the headline. You’ll ride along the beach with the Pacific Ocean nearby, and you’ll get up close with the animals. The tour also includes interaction like petting and feeding, guided by an experienced camel handler.

A couple details here can change your expectations:

  • This is not an all-day camel trek. The ride is a contained segment inside a longer tour flow.
  • Phone use may be restricted for safety reasons. One account noted that you can’t bring your phone with you on the ride unless you upgrade to a private option (and that upgrade came with an extra cost).

Instead, the tour leans on photography support at the site. A photographer follows you and captures images during the camel experience. Photo packages are sold after, and pricing can vary—one person reported paying around $20 per photo or about $130 for the full set (including a drone), but you should treat that as a ballpark.

If your goal is to enjoy the moment without constantly holding your phone up, this setup can actually be a plus. If your goal is to control every photo yourself, plan for the trade-off.

Desert safari ride and eco reserve hike: nature parts in plain terms

Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter on Beach and Desert - Desert safari ride and eco reserve hike: nature parts in plain terms
Beyond camels, you’re getting two outdoorsy elements: a nature hike in an ecological reserve and a desert safari ride. In practice, these parts are usually about getting you out of the main resort zone and into different environments—coastline feel, then desert terrain—so your day doesn’t feel like one long queue.

What’s included:

  • A nature hike in an ecological reserve (you’ll be walking, and you should expect uneven ground).
  • A desert safari ride as part of the adventure block.

What to keep in mind:

  • Weather can change timing and comfort. Since this is an outdoor tour, hot sun, wind, and dry conditions can make short segments feel longer.
  • If your tour day runs behind schedule, these parts can get tighter. One account said the timing got rushed later in the day, which can mean you’ll want to move smoothly between activities when staff call your group.

If you’re booking for “nature vibes,” this tour delivers enough variety to feel like more than just a beach photo shoot. If you’re expecting a long hard hike or a full-day desert expedition, you may feel it’s more of a sampler.

Tequila museum tasting and buffet lunch: how the food slot fits in

Included with your ticket is a buffet meal plus a tequila class and tasting at a tequila museum. The food portion is described as a buffet with soft drinks and water, and the menu includes tacos—beef, pork, and chicken—so it’s not trying to be fancy. It’s meant to keep you fueled while you bounce between stops.

The tequila component is a structured break in the middle of the day. You’ll get a class and tasting tied to a museum setting. Even when timing gets imperfect, this is one of the easier parts to enjoy because it’s indoor and slower-paced compared with walking outdoors.

That said, pay attention to day-of flow. If your camel and photo time runs long, you might feel pressure to keep moving through lunch and tasting without lingering. So if tequila tasting is a big priority, do your part: arrive on time, listen for group calls, and don’t disappear when the group starts shifting.

Getting picked up in Cabo: timing, shuttle routing, and check-in reality

Hotel pickup and drop-off are a big selling point here, and it’s one of the reasons this feels “easy” compared with DIY plans. You also travel by air-conditioned vehicle.

But Cabo logistics can be messy:

  • Your selected time might not match your pickup time exactly. One report noted check-in taking about 45 minutes, and pickup windows were different depending on where you stayed.
  • Shuttles can make multiple hotel stops before you reach the starting location. If you’re waiting and you don’t know why, it can feel like the tour is dragging.
  • On a cruise ship day or busy day, check-in can take longer due to the number of clients.

Here’s how to make this easier on yourself:

  • Plan to be ready earlier than you think you need to be, not right on the dot.
  • When you receive your confirmation details, read them closely so you understand what time is check-in and what time is actual activity start.
  • Bring sun protection and a little patience. Waiting in the heat is what turns an okay tour into a bad mood.

If you want minimal stress, treat this as a morning-to-early-afternoon style excursion even though the duration is listed as about 3 hours.

Small group feel, guide energy, and the names you may hear

The tour caps at 15 travelers, which is comfortably small for a combo day. Smaller group size helps keep instructions clear and can reduce the “everyone is yelling over each other” problem.

Two guide names came up in accounts tied to this experience: Joel and Billy. One gets mentioned for being informative and courteous, and the other for being friendly and funny. You can’t guarantee the exact guide, but you can reasonably expect a lively, hands-on style—especially during the camel handling portion.

For many people, that guide energy is the difference between a ride you barely remember and a story you can tell later. This tour tries to do that with the handling talk, the camel culture notes, and the way the photographer supports your group.

Safety rules you should know before you book

This tour includes a helmet, and there are clear rules designed to keep things safe.

Key constraints from the tour details:

  • No pregnant travelers. If you’re pregnant, the reservation is canceled with no refund for that reason.
  • Children age 5–12 must ride the camel with an adult.
  • Maximum weight combined per camel is 650 pounds for two people. If you exceed the combined limit, you’ll be assigned your own camel.
  • Service animals are allowed.
  • Most travelers can participate, assuming they meet the above safety constraints.

From a comfort standpoint, you’ll want closed-toe shoes and clothes that handle sun and dust. And if you’re heat-sensitive, schedule your day so you’re not doing another long beach walk right after.

Price and value: $99 is the start, not the full number

At $99 per person, this tour is priced like a bundled experience: transportation, camel interaction, desert and eco elements, a tequila tasting, and a buffet lunch.

But there are add-ons you should budget for so the total doesn’t surprise you:

  • Cabo San Lucas admission fee: $25 per person (not included).
  • Tips are not included and are appreciated.
  • Photos are sold on-site. If you want the full set, it can cost a chunk of change.
  • If phone access matters to you, be aware that some accounts indicate a private upgrade can be required to carry your phone (and that upgrade wasn’t cheap).

So how do you judge value?

  • If you want camel + nature + tequila without juggling bookings and transportation, the bundled price often feels fair.
  • If you only care about one component—say, just camels—then you might feel you’re paying for extra steps and waiting.
  • If you’re photo-focused and want total control with your phone, plan for either restrictions or paying for an upgrade and/or the photo package.

In other words: this is best when you’re open to being part of a guided flow, not when you want a fully self-directed outing.

Practical tips to make your camel day feel smooth

A few small choices can make a big difference on a camel-and-desert day:

  • Arrive early enough to handle check-in. Don’t plan tight connections right after.
  • Decide your photo plan before you go. If you hate photo package pressure, you can still enjoy the ride with the photographer’s shots without buying everything.
  • Pack the basics for heat. Water is provided, but sun protection and a hat help.
  • Wear shoes you trust on rough ground. You’ll move between camel areas, desert ride areas, and the eco reserve hike.
  • Listen for the group calls. When tours get behind, the staff moves fast to catch up. If you’re not paying attention, you can miss the tequila slot or lunch rhythm.

If tequila tasting is your must-do, keep your momentum steady. If camels are your top goal, treat the ride segment like the main event and accept that the rest supports it.

Should you book this Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter?

Book it if you want a one-ticket day that combines beach camel riding, desert adventure, and a tequila museum tasting, all with hotel pickup. It’s a solid pick for couples, friend groups, and first-timers to Cabo who want variety without planning every step.

Skip or look for a different option if:

  • You’re very sensitive to waiting and tight schedules.
  • You need to use your phone during the ride and aren’t interested in paying for any private-style alternative.
  • You expect a long, in-depth desert expedition or a marathon-style hike. This tour is structured as a sampler, not an all-day outdoor mission.

If you go in with realistic expectations—camel time as a highlight, outdoors as shorter segments, tequila and lunch as a guided reset—you’ll likely find it an unusual, memorable Cabo day.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo San Lucas Camel Ride and Encounter tour?

The tour is listed as about 3 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle.

What’s included in the price?

Your ticket includes a buffet with soft drinks and water, a tequila class and tasting at a tequila museum, a nature hike in an ecological reserve, an experienced camel handler and bilingual guide, a desert safari ride, hotel pickup/drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle, and a helmet.

What extra costs should I expect?

Tips are not included. Photos are sold separately at the location. Also, there’s an admission fee for Cabo San Lucas of $25.00 per person.

Are there age or health restrictions?

Yes. Children ages 5–12 must ride the camel with an adult. Pregnant travelers are not allowed, and reservations can be canceled with no refund if you book while pregnant. There is also a maximum combined weight per camel of 650 pounds for two people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. The tour can also be canceled due to poor weather, in which case you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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