REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting
Book on Viator →Operated by Best Cabo Tours, LLC · Bookable on Viator
Camel meets Cabo on a Pacific beach. I love the way you cover more ground than you could on foot, with Pacific Ocean views part of the ride the whole time.
You’ll also get a hands-on camel experience that mixes gentle handling time with a short, scenic beach ride. The whole outing runs about 2 hours and keeps things moving.
The best payoff for me is the food-and-drink rhythm. You get a taco/fajita-style lunch (plus soda or water), and then a tequila tasting at a nearby tequila museum.
My main caution: plan for phone and photo restrictions and factor in extra on-site fees like the $25 government entry fee. If you hate photo pressure, bring a GoPro or plan to take your own shots only when your group setup allows it.
In This Review
- Key Points Before You Go
- Pacific Beach Camel Ride: Why This Feels Different in Cabo
- The 2-Hour Flow: Pickup, Camel Time, Lunch, Then Tequila
- Meeting the Camels Up Close: What You’ll Actually Do
- The Camel Ride Itself: Ocean Views, Wind, and Ride Comfort
- Packing and Clothing: What to Wear When Sand Is Part of the Deal
- Lunch With Tacos/Fajitas: A Simple Meal That Actually Helps
- Tequila Museum Tastings: Fun Samples, Not a Full Bar Party
- Photos, Phones, and the Real Cost of Keeping Memories
- Price, Fees, and Value: Is $95 Worth It?
- Who Should Book This Camel Encounter (and Who Should Skip It)
- Booking Tips: How to Make This Day Run Smooth
- Should You Book This Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the camel encounter and safari ride tour?
- Where does pickup happen, and is transportation included?
- What is the price per person?
- Is lunch included?
- Is tequila or alcohol included?
- How big is the group?
- Is there a weight limit?
- Are phones and cameras allowed?
- What should I wear for the camel ride?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key Points Before You Go

- Pacific beach camel ride with ocean views, not a quick photo stop
- Up to 15 people in the group, which helps the camel time feel less rushed
- Taco/fajita lunch plus soda or water included, so you’re not hungry after the ride
- Tequila tasting at a tequila museum adds a second activity in the same tour
- Phones and photos are managed (often locked up), and professional photo packages cost extra
- 250 lb weight limit and safety equipment are part of the operation
Pacific Beach Camel Ride: Why This Feels Different in Cabo

Cabo San Lucas has plenty of ways to spend an afternoon, but a camel ride along the Pacific beach hits a different nerve. It’s one of those rare activities where you don’t just watch a view—you’re moving through it, slow enough to take it in, close enough to feel the sand under your boots and the ocean air in your face.
I like that this isn’t marketed as a fancy, long lecture. You’re learning enough about camel personality and handling to feel comfortable, then you get to do the thing: pet, feed, and ride. And because the ride happens on a beach, the ocean views aren’t an afterthought—they’re the backdrop from start to finish.
There’s also a practical advantage. Even if you could walk around Cabo, you’d never get the same “beach access + camel time + ocean scenery” combo without booking an organized experience.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Cabo San Lucas
The 2-Hour Flow: Pickup, Camel Time, Lunch, Then Tequila
This tour is designed as a tight loop. You’ll start with round-trip transportation, and pickup timing can vary daily. If you’re staying at a resort or hotel, pickup usually happens about 45 minutes before the start time from in front of the lobby.
Once you arrive at the camel facility, the pace shifts quickly into meet-and-handle mode. You’ll spend time with a camel handler and bilingual guide, plus time learning the basics of camel anatomy and behavior—how they’re trained, how their “personality” shows up, and what to expect when you’re close.
Then comes lunch. You’re not just handed a snack. You get a taco/fajita-style plate with soft drinks and water, which is especially helpful because Cabo heat plus sand can make you feel worn out fast.
Finally, you head to a nearby tequila museum for an alcohol tasting. It’s built to fit the overall time window, so you’ll get samples without it turning into a full-length night-out.
Meeting the Camels Up Close: What You’ll Actually Do

The camel portion isn’t just “stand here, get on.” You’ll get structured camel interaction time that makes the animals part of the experience.
Expect to:
- Learn camel basics from your guide and handler
- Spend time getting up close—including petting and feeding
- Get instruction on how to act around the animals so everyone stays calm
One reason this works so well is that camels don’t behave like horses. They’re strong, deliberate, and very “you’re in my space” about it. The guidance helps you avoid the common rookie mistake of trying to rush the moment.
A few guide names have shown up in people’s stories, which is useful if you’re thinking of asking who you’ll get. You might meet folks like Alfa and Ali, Raul, Billy, Fernando, Alex, or Dario. You can’t count on any one guide, but it’s a good sign that different guides have been praised for keeping the tone friendly and the session organized.
The Camel Ride Itself: Ocean Views, Wind, and Ride Comfort

The ride happens along a white-sand beach with the Pacific Ocean nearby, so you’ll be looking outward as you move—not staring at a path or a fence line.
A heads-up based on real pacing you may feel in the moment: the actual time on the camel can feel short to some people, even though the overall tour runs about two hours. Plan for a ride that’s likely measured in minutes, followed by the time you spend interacting, listening, and transitioning between stops.
The beach can also be a little unpredictable. One solo rider noted it may be windy, so if you hate flying sand in your face, bring the right head coverage and keep your eyewear in mind.
Comfort matters more than you’d think. A camel ride can feel a bit awkward for your body at first, and the sand plus getting on and off takes balance and patience. If you’ve never done anything like this, wear footwear that you don’t mind getting gritty.
Packing and Clothing: What to Wear When Sand Is Part of the Deal

Old shoes are not a suggestion here—they’re the difference between a tolerable experience and spending the rest of the day feeling gross.
Based on feedback from people who learned the hard way, wear old tennis shoes rather than sporty sandals. Sand clings to footwear differently, and sandals can make your feet feel filthy fast once you’re walking over loose sand.
Also consider a head wrap. One person specifically recommended it because the sun can beat down during the time you’re on the beach and moving between areas.
If you’re sensitive to friction or your skin doesn’t love heat, wear clothing that covers without trapping sweat too badly—but stick to what you already know is comfortable for you. The tour provides safety equipment, but what you wear affects everything from comfort on the ride to how quickly you cool down afterward.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cabo San Lucas
Lunch With Tacos/Fajitas: A Simple Meal That Actually Helps

This is not a tiny add-on snack. You get a taco/fajita-style plate as part of the included lunch, along with soda or water.
Why it matters: camel rides can make you hungry, and Cabo can make you dehydrated. Having both food and water built in means you’re less likely to hunt for a meal after you’re done, when you might be ready to stop touring and just relax.
A couple of people also suggested that the lunch and tasting portions can feel a bit rushed compared to the camel time. Translation: don’t expect a slow, multi-course food experience. This outing is built around the animals and the tequila component, with meals as fuel.
Tequila Museum Tastings: Fun Samples, Not a Full Bar Party

The tequila museum stop is where the experience turns from animal time to Cabo adult-fun time.
You’ll do an alcohol tasting at a nearby tequila museum as part of the same tour flow. In practice, think of it as a tasting session with samples rather than a long, drink-at-your-pace event.
A few people felt the tequila tasting was only marginal or that it didn’t get much time. If you love tequila and want more explanation or more pours, you might still enjoy this, but it may not satisfy you as a standalone tequila education class.
Photos, Phones, and the Real Cost of Keeping Memories

This is the area where you can save money—or spend it fast—depending on your expectations.
Here’s what you should plan for:
- Professional photos are not included. You can buy them for an additional fee.
- Some sessions require you to lock up your phone and retrieve it later, since phones/cameras can be restricted.
- In some situations, people report that they could use their phones during private setups but were still required to buy official photos/videos.
That’s why the “photo pressure” issue shows up in the feedback. If you want to remember the day without spending a lot, consider using a GoPro or similar camera strategy that matches the rules you’re given on arrival.
Also, don’t be surprised if you see photo packages presented at the end. Even positive experiences often come with frustration about the prices, so go in expecting that photo sales are part of the model.
Price, Fees, and Value: Is $95 Worth It?
The listed price is $95 per person, and then there’s an additional $25 government fee per person (government land entry/restoration fee). That puts your realistic starting point around $120+ before any optional add-ons like photo packages.
Is it worth it? For the right person, yes—because you’re not just paying for a camel ride. You’re paying for:
- Guided camel handling time (including petting and feeding)
- A beach ride experience
- A lunch meal that’s included
- Transportation
- A tequila tasting stop
Where it can feel expensive is if you expected a longer ride or a more generous tasting and instead you feel the camel time is the main event and everything else moves quickly. If your budget is tight, be honest with yourself: if photos are a must-have and you don’t like lock-up rules, this can feel like it adds up fast.
For good value, I’d focus on what’s included rather than what you might buy. If you can take your own photos when allowed, skip the professional packages and treat the tour as the experience, not the souvenir.
Who Should Book This Camel Encounter (and Who Should Skip It)
This tour is a great fit if you want:
- A unique Cabo activity that’s different from beach clubs and big-van excursions
- An animal experience with hands-on interaction
- A combined plan: camel ride plus lunch plus tequila tasting
You might consider skipping or switching tours if:
- You strongly dislike photo restrictions or the idea of storing your belongings
- You want a long, leisurely tequila experience
- You’re looking for a longer camel ride time rather than interaction and instruction
There’s also a 250 pound weight limit, so check that first. And because it depends on beach conditions, good weather matters.
The tour size is capped at 15 travelers, which usually helps keep it personable. If you hate crowded group chaos, this one’s relatively controlled.
Booking Tips: How to Make This Day Run Smooth
If you’re going in peak season, book early. This one is typically booked about 10 days in advance on average, so you don’t want to wait until the last minute.
Also, plan your expectations around the photo rules. If you want your own footage, bring a strategy that fits what you’ll be told when you arrive.
Finally, wear the right footwear before you even think about sandals. Old tennis shoes and a head wrap are small choices that make a noticeable difference once you’re in the sand and sun.
Should You Book This Tour?
Book it if you want an animal-and-beach experience that feels like a Cabo one-off: camel handling, ocean views, lunch included, and a tequila tasting stop without needing extra tickets.
Skip it if you’re photo-sensitive, hate the idea of phones being locked away, or you’re chasing a long, slow ride or an extended tequila session.
If you do book, go in expecting a tight two-hour loop with the camels as the main event. That mindset turns the day into what it’s best at: a fun, memorable Cabo beach adventure that you’ll actually remember for the right reasons.
FAQ
How long is the camel encounter and safari ride tour?
It runs about 2 hours (approx.).
Where does pickup happen, and is transportation included?
Round-trip transportation is included. Pickup typically happens in front of your resort or hotel lobby about 45 minutes before the start time.
What is the price per person?
The price is $95.00 per person, and there is also a $25.00 government fee per person.
Is lunch included?
Yes. You’ll get a light Mexican lunch with a taco/fajita plate, plus soft drinks and water.
Is tequila or alcohol included?
Yes. The tour includes an alcohol tasting at a nearby tequila museum and alcoholic beverages as part of the tasting.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes. There is a 250 pound weight limit.
Are phones and cameras allowed?
Phone and camera rules can be restrictive during the experience. Some groups require phones to be locked up. Professional photos are offered for an additional fee.
What should I wear for the camel ride?
Wear old tennis shoes rather than sandals, since you’ll walk on sand. A head wrap can help with the sun.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.































