Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

The best part of this Cabo excursion is the camel ride beside the Pacific Ocean. You leave the resort zone behind, cross dry desert country, and reach a quiet beach where the sea air and open views do most of the entertaining. In winter, you might also spot humpback whales offshore.

I like the mix of wild scenery and hands-on Mexican food. You get a short nature walk, a tortilla-making lesson, a full lunch, drinks, and tequila tasting rather than a quick animal ride with nothing else attached. Guides such as Jesus and Michael have been singled out for their warm, lively manner.

The main catch is value. The camel ride lasts only about 20 minutes, and the listed $99 price does not include the park fee of $25 per adult or $12.50 per child. Add the long van transfer, and this is best for people who want a half-day cultural outing, not a cheap short ride.

Key points to know before you book

• The camel ride lasts 20 minutes: The beach setting is lovely, but the ride itself is a small part of the outing.
• Expect an extra park fee: Budget $25 per adult or $12.50 per child in addition to the tour price.
• The transfer takes time: The van portion is listed at 1.5 hours, and one participant described roughly an hour each way.
• Lunch is more than a snack: You receive a Mexican buffet, drinks, tortilla making, and tequila tasting.
• Winter can bring whale sightings: Humpback whales may be visible offshore during the colder season, but sightings are not guaranteed.
• This is an active outing: Wear closed-toe shoes, bring sun protection, and avoid booking if you have serious mobility or back concerns.

A camel ride with a Pacific Ocean backdrop

Cabo is famous for its beaches, but most visitors see them from a resort, a cruise stop, or a busy strip of sand. This outing takes you to a quieter beach reached through a ranch and desert setting. That change of scene gives the ride its appeal.

The camels are led along the shore for about 20 minutes. You should expect a gentle, scenic ride rather than a long expedition. The point is the setting: dry Baja terrain behind you, Pacific air around you, and a broad ocean view ahead.

If you visit between roughly late fall and winter, keep an eye on the water. Humpback whales may appear offshore during the season. The tour does not promise sightings, so treat them as a lucky extra rather than part of the value calculation.

You receive a safety briefing and a helmet before riding. Personal cameras are not permitted during the camel ride, so do not plan to film the whole beach journey from the saddle. If photographs are offered separately, ask for the price before agreeing. One participant reported very high charges for individual and package photos, making this an area where a quick question can prevent an unwelcome surprise.

Crossing Cabo’s desert on foot

The outing begins at a ranch overlooking the Pacific, followed by a short guided hike through desert terrain. This walk helps put Baja into context. The region may look spare at first, but the guide points out local plants and animals, including the importance of the area as a turtle breeding zone.

You should not expect a strenuous trek. The hike is described as short, but the ground is still desert ground, so comfortable closed-toe shoes matter. Sandals are a poor choice, especially if the route includes uneven or loose surfaces.

I like this part because it keeps the day from becoming only a staged animal encounter. You get a little sense of the place itself, including its dry climate and coastal ecology. It also gives you time to get comfortable with the guide before the camel ride.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Cabo’s sun can be strong even when the ocean breeze feels pleasant. Cash is also useful, since the park entrance fee is paid separately and optional photos may cost extra.

What the ride is really like

A camel ride can sound like a major adventure, but the timing here is important. The actual beach ride is only 20 minutes. That is long enough for photos, ocean views, and a memorable first camel experience, but not enough for anyone seeking a serious animal trek.

The guides manage the ride and provide the safety equipment. Follow their instructions, especially when mounting, stopping, or moving near other animals. The experience is designed around a calm beach route, not speed or difficult riding.

The animals are part of a broader ranch setting that includes around 50 camels, along with donkeys and at least one goat. That helps explain why the park charges a separate animal-care fee, though you should still count the fee as part of your real cost before booking.

Children from 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under 5 cannot take part. Pregnant people, anyone with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users should choose another Cabo activity.

Lunch, tortillas, and a tequila tasting

After the beach portion, you walk a short distance to a beachfront restaurant. This is where the excursion shifts from desert scenery to food and drink.

The meal is a full Mexican buffet, with drinks included. The exact menu is not specified, so do not book based on hopes of one particular dish. What you can count on is a proper lunch rather than a small plate served after the ride.

The tortilla lesson adds a useful local touch. You learn how tortillas are made, which turns lunch into a small cultural activity instead of a simple stop at a restaurant. It is also a good fit for families with children old enough to take part, provided they meet the age rules for the camel ride.

The tequila tasting comes after or alongside the meal. You can sample the spirit and learn about it in a casual setting. Drink sensibly, especially if you are returning to Cabo by van and still have the trip back ahead.

Beer, coffee, spirits, and other drinks are included in the tour description, but responsible pacing still matters. The tequila is part of the experience, not a reason to treat the afternoon as a drinking session.

The long transfer changes the value

Pickup is available from San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The exact pickup time and meeting point are confirmed by email, and you should look for a white Cabo Adventures van with drivers in light blue polo shirts.

The van portion is listed as 1.5 hours. One participant said the drive took about an hour each way, so your total day may be much longer than the stated three-hour activity. Traffic, hotel locations, and the route can affect the timing.

This matters most if you are staying in San José del Cabo, have evening plans, or are trying to fit the outing into a short port visit. Cruise ship passengers are specifically excluded from this tour, so you should not count on returning in time for ship departure or use this as a shore excursion.

The ride to the ranch is not just wasted time, since pickup is included and you avoid arranging your own transport. Still, I would think of this as a half-day outing once transfers are added, not a three-hour door-to-door activity.

Is $99 a fair price?

The advertised price is $99 per person. That covers the camel ride, guides, safety helmet, lunch, drinks, tortilla lesson, and tequila tasting. On paper, it is a broad package with more substance than a basic camel ride.

But the park fee is separate: $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. For two adults, that adds $50 to the bill. You should mentally price the outing at $124 per adult before optional photographs or any other personal spending.

That can still be reasonable if you want several activities in one booking. A camel ride, desert walk, meal, tequila tasting, and transportation would cost more if arranged separately, and the guide-led format removes much of the planning work.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply riding a camel. Twenty minutes is a short ride, and the transfer may take as much time as the activity itself. I would book this for the complete package and the setting, not for camel time alone.

The extra fee has caused frustration because it is not included in the main price. The park describes it as supporting animal care, and one participant felt the care program was a reason to accept the charge. Even so, clear pricing is better for everyone, so treat the entrance fee as mandatory in your budget.

What guides add to the day

The guide can make or break a compact tour like this. You are moving from a van to a desert walk, then to animals, a beach, lunch, and tequila. Clear timing and a friendly manner matter.

Jesus received especially warm praise for making the day enjoyable from start to finish. Michael was also noted for his strong personality and friendly presentation. Guides speak English and Spanish, so you can request the language that works best for your group.

The guide is not only there to move you between stops. During the desert walk, you learn about local plants, animals, and the turtle breeding area. During the food section, the tortilla lesson gives you a simple connection to Mexican cooking. During the tasting, the guide helps frame tequila as a local product rather than just a shot.

The quality of the day may depend on who leads your group, but the strongest part of the experience is clearly the human touch. A good guide keeps the pace light and helps the separate parts feel like one outing.

Who should book this Cabo excursion?

I would recommend it to families with children aged 5 and older, couples who want something beyond resort time, and first-time visitors who like a mix of animals, food, scenery, and light activity.

It also suits you if you want a guided introduction to Baja without arranging transport, lunch, and activities on your own. The English and Spanish format makes it practical for mixed-language groups.

You should think twice if you dislike animal rides, want a long horseback-style adventure, or have little patience for road transfers. People with mobility limits, back problems, or pregnancy should not book it. Wheelchair users cannot be accommodated.

Sun-sensitive visitors need to prepare well. Closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are not optional extras in practice. The desert walk and beach ride take place outdoors, and shade is not promised at every point.

Practical details that save trouble

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve without paying immediately. Check the available starting times after choosing your date, since pickup timing varies.

Keep your confirmation email available and watch for the pickup details. The white van and light blue shirts help identify the correct transport, but the confirmed email remains the key information.

Do not bring a camera for the camel ride. The stated rules prohibit cameras during that portion, and you should not assume that a phone will be allowed just because it is small.

Bring cash for the park fee. Also ask about any optional photo package before you pose for official pictures. This is a simple way to keep the final bill under control.

The official rating is 4.5 from 44 ratings, with several strong comments about the guides, scenery, and overall enjoyment. The less favorable feedback centers on the extra entrance fee, the short camel ride, long driving time, and concerns about flies around the food and animals. Those points do not make the outing a poor choice for everyone, but they are useful reasons to set realistic expectations.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a varied Baja day with a camel ride as the headline, not the whole show. The best parts are the quiet Pacific beach, the desert walk, the tortilla lesson, the Mexican buffet, and the friendly guide-led format.

Skip it if $99 feels like your upper limit, since the adult park fee raises the real cost. Also skip it if you are visiting Cabo for only a short time, since the transfer can take about an hour each way and the camel ride itself lasts just 20 minutes.

For the right person, this is a cheerful, easygoing introduction to Cabo’s desert coast and Mexican food traditions. Go prepared for the extra fee, the camera rule, the long road transfer, and the possibility that the beach views, rather than the camel time, will be your favorite memory.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo camel safari tour last?

The activity lasts three hours, but the van transfer is listed separately at 1.5 hours. One participant reported about an hour each way, so allow more time than three hours for the full outing.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes and takes place along a quiet beach with Pacific Ocean views.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full Mexican buffet lunch and drinks are included. The experience also includes a tortilla-making lesson and tequila tasting.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee costs $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. This is separate from the $99 tour price.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas. The exact time and location are confirmed by email. Look for a white Cabo Adventures van and drivers wearing light blue polo shirts.

Can children join the camel safari?

Children under 5 cannot participate. Children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride.