ENJOY UNIQUE CAMEL RIDE in Puerto Morelos with Transportation

The unusual draw here is simple: you ride a camel from the jungle to the Caribbean shore. At El Dorado Maroma, a bilingual guide handles the safety briefing, then leads a 45-minute caravan past tropical vegetation and toward the beach. You may also feed the camels and stop for posed photographs.

I like the gentle, well-cared-for camels and the chance to combine a short animal experience with beach-club time. I also like the round-trip transportation, which saves you from arranging a long trip south of Cancun. The catch is the value: the ride itself lasts only 45 minutes, and transfers can stretch the outing to six hours.

Key points to know before booking

• The camel ride lasts 45 minutes, with another 15 minutes set aside for instruction and safety equipment.
• The route may include jungle and beach views, but rain can change the path and limit the jungle portion.
• Phones are not allowed during the activity, so the operator’s photo packages are your main way to get ride pictures.
• Photos are an important extra cost, with individual images and packages reported at prices ranging from about $35 to $200.
• Hotel transportation runs on set schedules, and pickup times or return waits have caused problems for some people.
• The experience suits adults and children age eight or older, but riders must meet weight and health restrictions.

What the 45-minute camel ride is really like

The tour begins with a pickup from a selected Cancun-area hotel or assigned meeting point. You ride in a shared, sanitized van to El Dorado Maroma, a beach club south of Cancun. The precise pickup time depends on your hotel, and the operator sends the final details by email or text.

At the beach club, you check in and head to the camel area. Before mounting, the guide gives a 15-minute briefing covering safety rules and the required equipment. A protective helmet is mandatory, and the tour includes local medical insurance.

The camels are led in a line by staff on foot. This is not a fast ride or a private trek through untouched forest. Think of it as a slow, guided caravan with a planned route and a photo stop. The pace makes it manageable for first-time riders, children who meet the age rules, and people who are not comfortable with speed.

The central ride lasts about 45 minutes. The route is intended to pass through tropical vegetation and continue toward the beach. At the shore, photographers take pictures of you beside your camel. You may also have a chance to feed and pet the animals during the stop.

The ride is the heart of the experience, but it is shorter than the total outing. The 2-hour-30-minute estimate includes the activity and general timing, not necessarily every minute spent in a vehicle. Depending on traffic, pickup order, and the return schedule, you may spend most of a half-day on the excursion.

Why the camels are the best part

The most consistently praised feature is the animals themselves. People describe them as calm, friendly, and gentle, which matters when you are climbing onto a large animal for the first time. The guides also explain basic facts about camel behavior and care, giving the ride more substance than a simple photo opportunity.

The camels have names, too. Tati and Chey were remembered by name by one rider, a small detail that helps make the animals feel less like props in a staged activity. The staff also take care during mounting and check that riders are comfortable.

I would consider this a good choice for someone who wants an unusual activity but does not want a physically demanding excursion. You are seated for the ride, but you still need enough balance and mobility to mount, dismount, and remain comfortable for 45 minutes.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with recent surgery, heart conditions, or back problems. The maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, per camel. Children must be at least eight to participate. Ages six to 15 must ride with a paying adult on a shared basis, while riders must be at least 16 to ride alone and pass a handling test.

Jungle paths, beach views, and weather changes

The advertised route combines two settings that make the activity appealing: the Mayan jungle and the beach. The change from tropical greenery to open sand gives the ride its sense of variety. The beach stop is also where the official photography takes place.

Weather can alter that plan. After heavy rain, muddy or wet conditions may prevent the group from entering the jungle. In that case, the ride may feel shorter and less varied than expected. This is worth keeping in mind during the rainy season or after several wet days.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. The route is organized and controlled, not a long wilderness journey. The camels move together in a line, and a handler walks with the group. If you are looking for a lengthy horseback-style trek, this may feel too brief.

The beach setting does add something special. Riding a camel beside the Caribbean is unusual, and the photo stop gives you time to stand beside the animal, feed it, and enjoy the view. For a birthday or family outing, that pause can be more memorable than the ride itself.

The photo policy is the biggest issue

You cannot use your phone during the activity. The operator says this is for security, but it also means you cannot casually take your own picture while riding. Photographers work along the route and at the beach stop, then offer the images for purchase afterward.

This is the part I would clarify before you go. Prices have varied widely. Individual photos have been reported at roughly $35 to $50, while packages have ranged from about $75 for one person to $150 for two people, with one customer reporting a $200 charge for a larger package. The exact offer may depend on the date and package, but you should not assume photography is a minor add-on.

Some people are happy to pay for polished pictures, especially for a birthday or family occasion. Others feel the photo prices are too high after paying $165 for the tour. There have also been complaints about delayed delivery or missing digital files, so keep your receipt and confirm how and when the images will be sent.

If photographs matter to you, ask for the current prices before the ride begins. Also ask what is included in each package, how many people it covers, and whether the files are digital, printed, or both. That short conversation can prevent an unpleasant surprise at the end.

Beach-club time is useful, but not fully included

After the camel ride, you can use the beach-club facilities and relax before your return transfer. The listed tour price includes access to the club, but it does not include food or drinks.

The included refreshments are limited to simple snacks and bottled water. A full meal costs extra, and one account described an all-day buffet at about $70 per person. That price can quickly change the total cost of the outing, especially for a family.

The beach club may be a pleasant place to wait, but it is not necessarily a free-form resort day. Some areas may be reserved for club members or VIP customers, and your access is tied to the excursion. If you plan to spend several hours there, ask the front desk what facilities are available to you and what requires an additional charge.

You can request a later drop-off if you want more time at the beach club. The last shuttle leaves at 4:30 p.m., so do not assume you can remain indefinitely. Confirm the return time at check-in, especially if you have dinner plans or another activity later that day.

Lockers are not included. A locker and key cost $10, with the amount returned at the end according to the tour details. Since phones cannot be used during the ride, a locker is useful for securing personal items before you enter the camel area.

Transportation can make or break the day

Round-trip transportation is convenient, but it is also the tour’s least reliable feature. The drive from Cancun can take about an hour each way, and shared vans may collect people at several hotels. Traffic and pickup order add more time.

Some schedules have involved long waits at the beach club, followed by a slow return. One particularly difficult outing took about six hours in total for 45 minutes on the camels. Other people reported late pickups, changed times, or confusion about the meeting point.

This does not mean every departure will go badly. It does mean you should treat the listed duration as an estimate, not a promise that you will be back in exactly two and a half hours. Keep the rest of your day open.

If your hotel is not on the standard pickup list, the company assigns a meeting point and sends the time by email or text. Check those messages carefully. If anything looks unclear, contact the operator before the morning of the tour rather than waiting at the hotel and hoping the van appears.

You can also drive yourself to the location, but you still need to follow the assigned check-in time. One self-driving schedule involved arriving well before the activity began, so confirm when you actually need to be there.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is not a cheap short activity. The fee covers shared transportation, a bilingual guide, safety equipment, medical insurance, the 45-minute camel ride, the instruction period, and beach-club access.

That bundle can be worthwhile if you are staying in Cancun without a car and want an easy, unusual outing. Transportation alone to a beach club south of town can be a hassle, and the camel ride is a distinct experience that is difficult to duplicate at home.

The value is weaker if you judge the price by time spent riding. You receive only 45 minutes on the camel, and the rest of the outing may involve driving, waiting, checking in, or paying for food. Add photographs, a meal, drinks, and possible locker fees, and the final cost can climb well above the advertised price.

I would compare this with the other things you want to do in the Cancun area. If your priority is a full day of swimming, exploring, or independent sightseeing, $165 may buy more freedom elsewhere. If your priority is the novelty of riding a camel beside the beach, the price may feel reasonable.

Who will enjoy this most

This activity is a good fit for:

• Families with children who meet the age requirements
• Couples planning a birthday or special occasion
• First-time camel riders
• Solo visitors who want a structured activity
• People staying in Cancun who prefer included transportation
• Anyone who values an unusual animal encounter more than a long excursion

It is a weaker fit for people who want independent exploration, a fast ride, a full beach day, or guaranteed personal photography. It is also a poor choice if you have back trouble, heart problems, a recent surgery, are pregnant, or exceed the 220-pound weight limit.

Solo participation is allowed, and the activity has been used by solo riders without a problem. The maximum group size is three people for the activity, though the transfer is shared and may include other passengers.

Practical ways to have a better day

Arrive ready for a slow, steady ride rather than an athletic adventure. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking around the beach club, and bring only what you need into the activity area.

Confirm four things before pickup:

• Your exact pickup point and time
• The return shuttle schedule
• Current photo prices and delivery method
• Which beach-club areas and meals require payment

Do not schedule a flight, dinner reservation, or another fixed activity too close to the return. Shared transportation can run late, and the operator has had occasional scheduling problems.

If the weather is poor, the experience may be canceled. You will then be offered another date or a full refund. Normal cancellation is free when made at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

Should you book the camel ride?

Book it if the camel itself is the reason you are interested. The animals are calm, the guides provide basic instruction, and the combination of jungle paths and beach views gives you a memorable two-part setting. The included transfer is useful, particularly if you are staying in Cancun and do not want to arrange transport.

Skip it if you want a long ride, a low-cost outing, or a relaxed day with no extra charges. The 45-minute ride is short, photography can be expensive, and transportation may take much longer than expected.

My practical advice is to reserve this only when you can give it most of a day and accept the photo policy in advance. If you do that, the experience can be a fun birthday outing or a genuinely unusual family memory. If you are counting every minute and every dollar, choose another Cancun activity.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The guided camel ride lasts 45 minutes. The tour also includes a 15-minute safety and instruction session, while the full outing takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes according to the scheduled duration.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Shared round-trip transportation from selected hotels or assigned meeting points is included. Pickup times vary by hotel, and the exact details are sent by email or text.

Where does the activity take place?

The camel ride takes place at El Dorado Maroma, where you have access to the beach club facilities during the visit.

Can I take pictures with my phone?

No. Cell phone use is not allowed during the activities for security reasons. Professional photographs are taken and offered for purchase.

Are the photographs included in the tour price?

No. Photographs are an additional cost. Food, drinks, and lockers are also not included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age to participate is eight. Children from six to 15 must ride on a shared basis with a paying adult, according to the stated rules. Riders must be at least 16 to ride alone and must pass a handling test.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight per camel is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds.

Is the tour suitable for people with medical conditions?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with recent surgeries, heart conditions, or back problems. Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel the experience.