Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

The best part of this Cabo excursion is the setting: you ride a camel beside the Pacific, then sit down to a Mexican lunch within sight of the sea. The camel ride lasts only 20 minutes, but the desert walk, tortilla lesson, tequila tasting, and meal give the outing more substance than a simple animal ride.

I like the secluded beach and the chance to learn a small piece of everyday Mexican cooking instead of spending the whole day on a vehicle. I also like the winter possibility of spotting humpback whales offshore. The main catch is value: the park fee costs extra, transportation takes time, and the camel ride itself is brief.

Key points at a glance

• A 20-minute camel ride follows a desert hike, with Pacific views and a quiet beach setting.
• Tortilla making and a full Mexican buffet add a cultural and food-focused side to the outing.
• Whale sightings are possible in winter, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.
• The $99 price does not include the park entrance fee, which is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.
• Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride, and photo sales have been a point of concern for some customers.
• The tour suits active adults and children five and older, but not people with back, mobility, or pregnancy concerns.

Arriving at the Pacific ranch

Your day begins with pickup in Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. Look for a white Cabo Adventures van and a driver in a light blue polo shirt. The transfer is listed as 1.5 hours, and you should plan for a substantial ride before the actual ranch activities begin. One practical account put the drive at about an hour each way, so this is not a quick add-on between beach time and dinner.

That travel time matters when you compare this outing with other Cabo activities. The advertised activity lasts three hours, but the pickup and return ride make the full commitment much longer. I would not book it immediately before an important dinner, airport transfer, or cruise departure.

At the ranch, you’ll receive a safety briefing before heading into the desert. The setting overlooks the Pacific and sits in an area known for turtle breeding. That gives the first part of the experience some purpose beyond taking photos with camels. Your guide explains the local plants and animals as you walk.

The hike is short, but you should still wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. The ground is desert terrain, and sandals are a poor choice if you want secure footing. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, since shade may be limited.

A short desert walk with useful context

The walk gives you time to get comfortable with the heat, the terrain, and the pace of the group before the camel ride begins. It also helps explain why the ranch charges a separate entrance fee. The operator presents that fee as support for animal care and park operations, and one participant specifically valued the care given to the camels.

Still, the charge can catch you off guard. The advertised tour price is $99 per person, but the park fee is additional: $25 for each adult and $12.50 for each child. Bring cash for this payment. The extra cost makes the total price less simple than it first appears, especially for a family.

The desert walk is also where you’ll hear about the area’s turtle breeding work. That is a worthwhile detail because it connects the excursion to local wildlife rather than treating the ranch as a stage set for a camel photo. You won’t get a long nature expedition, but the short walk gives the visit a stronger sense of place.

The camel ride along the beach

The camel ride is the headline activity, and the Pacific setting does much of the work. You’ll ride along a tranquil, secluded beach with sea air, open views, and the sound of the water. In winter, humpback whales may be visible offshore, especially during the season when they pass Baja California Sur.

Keep your expectations measured. The ride lasts about 20 minutes, so it is a memorable sample rather than a full safari. If you want hours in the saddle, this will feel short. If you want a gentle animal ride paired with food and scenery, the length is easier to accept.

You’ll wear a safety helmet, and guides handle the practical side of getting everyone organized. The experience is not designed for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or pregnancy. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and children under five are not accepted. Children from five through 14 must ride with a paying adult.

Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. This rule may disappoint anyone hoping to capture the beach from the saddle, so take your photos before or after the ride when permitted. Also, be cautious with optional photo purchases. Some customers have reported being quoted prices ranging from $50 to $70 for a single photo and roughly $119 to $160 for a package. Prices may vary, but you should ask for the exact cost before agreeing.

The camel ride has received some of the strongest praise because it feels different from Cabo’s usual boat trips and resort activities. The Pacific view gives the short ride its character. You are not simply circling a fenced area.

Tortillas, tequila, and a proper lunch

After the beach, you’ll walk to a beachfront restaurant. The transition from animal ride to food is one of the better design choices in the tour. You get a chance to sit down, cool off, and turn the outing into a cultural afternoon rather than rushing straight back to the van.

The tortilla lesson is simple but engaging. You’ll learn how authentic tortillas are made, then sit down for a Mexican buffet. The meal is included, along with drinks, and the schedule lists beer, coffee, spirits, ice-cold beverages, and regional food.

I like this part because it gives you something to do with your hands and a bit of local food context. You are not only handed a plate and sent back outside. The lesson may be brief, but it adds a human touch to the excursion.

The tequila tasting follows lunch. Expect a tasting session rather than an in-depth course in agave production. It is a social, relaxed way to sample a famous Mexican spirit, and it works well for adults who enjoy trying regional drinks. If you do not drink alcohol, the rest of the meal and the soft drinks still provide value, but tequila is one of the tour’s central features.

Food quality can be affected by the outdoor setting. One serious complaint described flies around the food area and on the camels, raising concerns about cleanliness. That is not something to ignore. Outdoor ranch dining in a warm climate can have insects, but the operator should keep food covered and serving areas clean. If hygiene is a major priority for you, this is a point to weigh carefully.

Guides make a real difference

The tour is offered in English and Spanish, and the guide stays with you through the hike, camel ride, safety briefing, and meal activities. A personable guide can turn a short walk and a basic tasting into a lively afternoon.

Jesus and Michael have both been singled out for their friendly manner and strong charisma. You cannot assume either guide will lead your particular departure, but their names suggest the company has staff who can make the experience feel warm rather than mechanical.

Guiding matters here because the schedule includes several modest activities rather than one long attraction. The desert explanation, animal handling, tortilla lesson, and tasting all depend on clear instructions and good energy. The best version of this outing feels like a relaxed introduction to Baja ranch life. The weaker version could feel like a series of short stops with extra charges attached.

Is $99 a good value?

At $99 per person, the tour includes a camel ride, guides, a safety helmet, lunch, drinks, the tortilla lesson, and tequila tasting. That is a fair package if you want several activities in one outing and value the Pacific setting.

The park fee changes the calculation. Add $25 per adult, and the listed price becomes $124 before any optional photos. For two adults, that is an extra $50 at the entrance. A family with children pays less for the younger visitors, but the total still rises quickly.

The time commitment also affects value. A 20-minute camel ride is not much on its own, especially after a long transfer. You are paying for the complete combination: desert walk, views, meal, drinks, tasting, and the setting. If you care most about camel riding, you may find the price high. If you want an organized half-day outing with food and a gentle cultural angle, the package is easier to justify.

The strongest value comes for first-time visitors who want variety without arranging separate activities. You do not need to plan lunch, find a camel ranch, organize transport, or arrange a tequila tasting. The tradeoff is less control over timing and a fairly structured program.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Desert ground and beach access call for more support than flip-flops provide. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat are essential, even if the day begins pleasantly.

Bring cash for the entrance fee and any other personal purchases. The information provided does not specify accepted payment methods for every extra, so cash is the safest choice.

Do not bring a camera for the camel ride. Cameras are specifically prohibited during that portion, and you should not count on photographing yourself from the saddle. Ask about any official photo service and its price before purchasing.

The activity is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. It is also not designed for cruise ship guests. That last restriction matters because the drive and fixed schedule may not fit a ship’s departure times.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Cabo schedule is still shifting. Check the confirmed pickup email carefully, since the exact time and location are sent separately.

Who should book this Cabo camel tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and adults who want an easy mix of animals, scenery, food, and drinks. It works especially well if you have already seen Cabo from the water and want a change from boat excursions and resort pools.

You’ll probably enjoy it if you like guided activities with a clear schedule. The staff handles transportation, safety, lunch, and the main logistics. That makes the outing simple to arrange.

I would hesitate if you want a long camel ride, a serious wildlife trip, or a quiet private experience. The ride is short, the group schedule is fixed, and the extra entrance fee needs to be part of your budget from the start.

I would also think twice if you are very sensitive to heat, outdoor insects, or sales pressure around photos. The food-area cleanliness complaint is serious enough to mention, even though other participants described the day as excellent and the animal care as a strong point.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you see the camel ride as one part of a broader Baja afternoon. The beach views, short desert walk, tortilla lesson, buffet, and tequila tasting give you more than a basic animal encounter. Winter visitors also have a chance, though not a promise, of seeing humpback whales offshore.

Skip it if the $99 price already feels high for 20 minutes on a camel. Once you add the $25 adult park fee and allow for transport, this is not a bargain for the ride alone. Go in with the right expectations, bring cash, wear proper shoes, and ask about photo prices before you buy. For the right visitor, it is a fun and distinctive Cabo outing. For a camel-riding purist, it may feel too short.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo camel tour last?

The activity itself lasts three hours. Pickup and return transportation add substantial time, with the transfer listed as 1.5 hours and one account describing about an hour each way.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $99 per person. A separate park entrance fee costs $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. You need to pay the entrance fee separately, and cash is recommended.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The exact time and location are confirmed by email.

How do I recognize the pickup vehicle?

Look for a white Cabo Adventures van. Drivers wear light blue polo shirts.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes.

Can I see whales during the tour?

Humpback whales may be visible offshore during winter. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full lunch is included, along with drinks and a Mexican buffet.

Are children allowed?

Children under five cannot participate. Children from five through 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Can I bring a camera?

Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. Ask about the official photo service and pricing before purchasing any pictures.