Camel Ride in the Canyon + Thrilling Water-Slides & Snacks

A camel ride through El Tule canyon is the unusual centerpiece here. Your specially trained camel carries you into a green desert oasis, with Sea of Cortez views along the way, then you return to the sanctuary to feed and interact with the animals. I like the family-friendly mix of riding, animal care, and simple games. I also like that the park entry fee adds water slides, a pool, and other activities.

The main catch is cost and timing. The advertised price is $110 per person, but park entry adds $25, and transportation costs extra. The camel ride itself may feel short if you expect a long trek, so this works best as a broad half-day outing rather than a dedicated camel expedition.

Key things to know before you go

• El Tule canyon gives the camel ride a real sense of place: You are not simply circling a paddock. The route passes through dry canyon country toward a greener sanctuary.
• The animals are the heart of the visit: You can feed your camel, kiss it, and learn about its odd habits and friendly nature.
• The $25 park fee adds useful extras: Water slides, a pool, lounge chairs, the canyon bridge, bikes, Eurobungy, and climbing walls are included.
• The outing suits families with children: The minimum age is four, and guides such as Miguel, Jose, and Victor are praised for keeping children comfortable and engaged.
• Pack for sun, dust, and water: Bring closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a bathing suit, a towel, and your own refillable bottle.
• Plan around the restrictions: The maximum weight is 220 pounds, and people with certain medical conditions or who are pregnant cannot participate.

Starting at Wild Canyon near San Jose del Cabo

The meeting point is Wild Canyon Adventures on the Transpeninsular Highway, at kilometer marker near Cabo Real, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Pickup is offered, but transportation is not automatically part of the base price. You can arrange a shuttle at check-in, with an added charge for rides from the Tourist Corridor and a $10 per-person charge for the Diamante Zone or Puerto Los Cabos.

That distinction matters when you compare prices. The advertised $110 looks straightforward, but your real cost is at least $135 once the park entry fee is added, before any shuttle charge or souvenir photos. I would budget for those extras ahead of time so the check-in bill does not surprise you.

The experience lasts about four hours and ends where it begins. The group is limited to 10 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and get help mounting, feeding, and handling the camel. Confirmation arrives when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.

Meeting your camel and learning the basics

The first memorable moment comes when you meet your mount. These are specially trained, gentle camels, and the activity is designed around contact with the animals rather than speed or athletic riding. You can learn about camel behavior, hear about their quirky personalities, and get close enough to feed one afterward.

The ride has a distinctive rolling motion. A camel’s gait sways more than a horse’s, so hold on and expect a ride that feels different from a standard trail outing. Personal cameras are not allowed during the ride, partly because you need both hands for safety. Free lockers are available for phones and other belongings.

That rule may disappoint anyone hoping to film the whole trip, but it keeps the ride simpler. You can buy a souvenir photo package, and pictures with a camel are available after the riding portion. If photos matter to you, ask about the photo option at the start rather than assuming your phone will be available during the ride.

Riding through El Tule canyon

The route leads into El Tule canyon, where the dry Baja setting changes into a greener sanctuary below. The contrast is the point. You get the stark desert around the canyon, then a more sheltered area with plants and rescued animals.

The ride is not presented as a long-distance trek. Several accounts describe it as short and sweet, with enough time to enjoy the camel and the setting without turning the outing into a demanding endurance ride. I see that as a plus for families with young children, first-time riders, and anyone who wants a memorable activity without spending hours in the saddle.

You also get views toward the Sea of Cortez. The combination of canyon walls, desert air, and open water gives the ride more visual interest than a flat enclosure. Still, set your expectations correctly: this is an introductory camel experience, not a wilderness expedition.

The heat is another practical concern. Wear light, comfortable clothing, cover your head, and use sunscreen before you arrive. Closed shoes are required, and sunglasses help with both glare and dust. If another activity at the park involves off-road vehicles, bring something to cover your face because the road can get dusty. A face covering can also be purchased in the gift shop.

Feeding, kissing, and meeting rescued animals

After the ride, you have time to feed your camel and take photos with it. The chance to interact on the ground is important, especially for children who may be more interested in the animal’s face and personality than in the ride itself.

Kissing the camel is part of the fun. It makes a good family photo and gives the activity a playful finish. The animals are described as sweet and calm, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions when feeding or touching them.

The sanctuary also cares for rescued animals. This part gives the outing a broader purpose than a simple ride. You can learn about the animals and see how the park combines a wildlife area with adventure activities. Miguel is singled out for making the animal sanctuary especially engaging, explaining the animals clearly and keeping the visit friendly.

For families, this can be the most rewarding part of the day. The children get an animal encounter, while adults get context about the sanctuary and the animals in its care. The setting at the bottom of the canyon also offers a break from the more active parts of the park.

Water slides and snacks after the ride

The $25 Park Entry Fee includes access to the Wild Canyon water park. You can use the pool, water slides, fountain, and lounge chairs after the camel activity. This changes the value calculation quite a bit. If you planned to spend time at the water park anyway, the entry fee buys more than access to the camel area.

Bring a bathing suit and towel if you want to use the slides or pool. You will also want dry clothes for the ride home. The water park is a useful release for children who still have energy after the camel ride, while adults can take a break in the lounge area.

The included food is simple but welcome: cheese quesadillas, chips and salsa, plus one drink choice from a smoothie, tequila shot, daiquiri, or margarita. Water refill stations are available at no charge, but you need to bring your own bottle or container.

I would choose the smoothie for children and anyone planning to use the water slides. Adults can select one of the alcoholic options, but remember that heat, sun, and physical activities do not mix well with heavy drinking.

Bridge, bikes, Eurobungy, and climbing

The park entry fee also covers several other activities, although not all are guided. The Los Cabos Canyon Bridge is billed as the country’s longest vehicle and pedestrian wooden bridge, making it a natural photo stop. It gives you another way to see the canyon and break up the animal portion of the visit.

Bikes are available for non-guided rides on mountain or electric bikes, with pump and trail tracks. This is a good add-on for active families, but it is not part of the camel guide’s route, so do not expect a planned bike tour.

Eurobungy and the climbing wall provide more physical options. Eurobungy has weight restrictions, and the climbing setup includes horizontal and vertical walls. These extras make the park feel more like a compact adventure center than a single-purpose animal attraction.

The tradeoff is focus. If you try to fit in every activity, the day could feel rushed. I would prioritize the camel ride, sanctuary, food, and water park, then add the bridge or climbing wall if you have time and energy.

Guides, group size, and family comfort

The small maximum group of 10 is one of the better details here. A smaller group makes animal handling less chaotic and gives the guide more room to answer questions. It also helps when children need reassurance around a large animal.

Miguel, Jose, and Victor receive especially warm praise for looking after children, answering questions, and keeping the mood relaxed. Miguel is also noted for his work in the animal sanctuary. Guide quality matters on an animal activity, since clear instructions make feeding and mounting safer and more comfortable.

The minimum age is four. Most people can participate, but the tour does not accept anyone with back, neck, or heart problems, vertigo, or a pregnancy. The maximum weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. These rules are firm enough that you should check them before booking, especially for a mixed-age family group.

What to pack and what to leave behind

The best clothing is comfortable, sun-protective, and easy to move in. Closed shoes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a bathing suit, and a towel are specifically useful. Add a refillable water bottle because the park provides free refill stations but not a personal container.

Leave your camera and personal items in the free lockers during the camel ride. Since you need to hold on, the no-camera rule is practical even if it limits your photos. You can take pictures later with the camel, use the bridge as a photo stop, or purchase the park’s souvenir photo package.

If your wider day includes an ATV or UTV trip, cover your face for the dusty road sections. That advice comes directly from the practical side of the experience, not from the camel ride itself, but it is useful if you are combining activities at Wild Canyon.

Is the $135-plus cost a fair deal?

At $110, the experience is already priced as a full attraction rather than a quick animal photo stop. Add the required $25 park fee, and you are at $135 before transportation. The included quesadillas, chips, salsa, drink, water refills, and water park access help justify the total.

The value is strongest if you use several parts of the park. A family that rides camels, visits the sanctuary, swims, uses the bridge, and tries another included activity gets a fuller day for the money. If you only want a brief camel ride and plan to leave immediately, the price feels less appealing.

The rating is 4.8 from 188 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the experience. That matches the strongest features: friendly staff, gentle camels, solid child appeal, and a good mix of animal and water activities. The main caution is not quality but expectations. The ride is reportedly short, and transportation and entry fees are separate.

Who should book this camel tour?

I would recommend it to families with children aged four and up, first-time camel riders, and anyone looking for a light adventure with several backup activities. It is also a good choice if one person in your group wants animals while another wants water slides or climbing.

You should think twice if you want a long, quiet ride through remote country. The sanctuary and adventure park setting mean this is a packaged attraction with a range of activities, not a private expedition. The camel portion is the highlight, but the water park and other extras are part of the overall value.

Final call: a strong family half-day with extra costs

Book this if you like the idea of feeding and kissing a gentle camel, seeing rescued animals, and then cooling off on water slides. The canyon setting and Sea of Cortez views give the ride character, while the small group and attentive guides make it easier for children to enjoy.

Before paying, add the $25 entry fee and any shuttle cost to your budget. Bring a towel, refillable bottle, sunscreen, and closed shoes, and accept that the actual ride may be shorter than you imagine. For a family-friendly Los Cabos outing with plenty to do after the camel ride, it offers good value when you use the whole park.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately four hours. The camel ride itself may be shorter than the total visit because the experience also includes the sanctuary, animal interaction, food, and access to park activities.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Wild Canyon Adventures on the Transpeninsular Highway near San Jose del Cabo. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included in the base price, but round-trip shuttle service can be paid for at check-in. There is an additional $10 per-person charge for the Diamante Zone and Puerto Los Cabos.

How much is the required park entry fee?

The Park Entry Fee is $25 per person. It includes the water park, canyon bridge, bicycles, Eurobungy, and climbing wall.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive cheese quesadillas, chips and salsa, and one choice of smoothie, tequila shot, daiquiri, or margarita. Free water refill stations are available, but you need to bring your own bottle or container.

What is the minimum age and maximum weight?

The minimum age is four years. The maximum weight is 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

Can I bring my camera on the camel ride?

No. Cameras and personal items are not allowed on the tour itself. Free lockers are available, and souvenir photos can be purchased.