Cabo does camel rides for real. This Cabo San Lucas experience blends a beach camel ride with a desert safari, a nature hike, a buffet lunch, and a tequila tasting stop.

I especially like the one-ticket convenience of stacking multiple activities into a single morning or afternoon, instead of chasing separate tours. I also like that the group is capped at 15 travelers, so the day feels less chaotic than the big-bus style excursions.

The main thing to plan for is time, including possible waiting after pickup and before activities start. If you care about carrying your phone the whole time, note that phone rules can be strict on the camel portion.

Key things to know before you go

• Four activity blocks in one package: camel encounter, desert safari ride, ecological reserve nature hike, and tequila tasting.
• Beach camel ride with close-up camel time: you get hands-on petting and feeding, plus a handler who teaches you as you go.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off help a lot: you do not need to figure out a meeting place on your own.
• Small group max of 15: easier logistics, better pacing, and more personalized attention.
• Extra costs can pop up: Cabo San Lucas admission fee is $25 per person, and photo packages are sold on site.
• Clear safety rules: no pregnancy, children 5 to 12 must ride with an adult, and there is a weight limit per camel.

Cabo San Lucas by Camel, Desert, and Tequila

If your idea of a great day in Cabo includes something a little left-field, this tour fits the bill. You are basically getting a full mixed bag: ocean-side camel time, desert riding, a short hike in an ecological reserve, then food and tequila education to wrap it up.

The best part is the variety. A camel ride on the Pacific shoreline feels completely different from a desert safari ride, even though both are on the same tour day. Add in the camel handler teaching you the basics, and you get more than just a sit-and-posing moment.

Hotel pickup, check-in, and how to handle the timing

This is a pickup-and-drop-off tour from your hotel area, and that alone saves energy. You do not need to chase a minibus around Cabo, and you avoid that awkward “where is the meeting point?” scramble.

That said, timing is the one area where people can feel burned if they expect everything to run on the dot. Even with hotel pickup, check-in can feel slow on busier days, and shuttle timing can vary depending on where everyone is staying. One clue from real-world experience is that on cruise ship days, check-in and getting moving can take longer because there are more clients being processed.

My practical advice: plan for a relaxed day. Bring patience. If your plan is dinner reservations at a hard time, give yourself buffer. You want your day to feel fun, not like a schedule test.

The beach camel ride and encounter: what it feels like

This is the star attraction, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a camel ride along the beach with the ocean nearby. You will also get the encounter portion where you meet the camels up close, learn about camel culture, and get hands-on time like petting and feeding.

You should expect a guided pace, not a fast thrill ride. The camel handler and bilingual guide are there to manage the camels safely and explain the basics like anatomy and behavior, plus how these animals are kept and trained. One guide name that comes up is Billy, described as friendly and funny, and another name you might hear is Joel, noted for being informative and courteous.

Here is the balance to keep in mind: the ride portion can be relatively short compared to the total time you spend on site. A timing note from one visitor put the actual camel time around 15 minutes. That does not mean it is not enjoyable. It means you should go for the experience, photos, and the hands-on calm of the camel encounter, not for a long riding session.

Phone and photo reality during the camel portion

Safety rules can affect your phone. On the camel portion, you may not be allowed to keep your phone out, and instead there is a photographer who takes pictures for you. Several people reported a setup where the photographer follows and captures shots so you can enjoy the ride hands-free.

There is also an optional private upgrade mentioned in feedback that can change phone and belongings handling, but it comes with an extra cost. If you care about capturing your own video, plan for the chance that you will not be able to.

Desert safari ride and the ecological reserve nature hike

After the camel time, the tour shifts gears into land-based activities. You get a desert safari ride, and you also have a nature hike in an ecological reserve.

A realistic expectation helps here. This tour is about stacking experiences, and travel from one activity area to the next takes time. Some people felt that the “four activities” pitch could be interpreted more broadly, because you may spend time moving, waiting, and resetting between parts of the day. The positive side is that you are still getting multiple “settings” in one go, and the variety is a big reason the tour works.

If you like nature, the ecological reserve hike is a nice change of pace from the camels and the desert ride. You are on foot for that portion, and you get a guided feel for the area you are in, not just a photo stop.

If you dislike waiting and prefer nonstop activity, this is where you need to decide if the structure works for you. For many people, the camel ride and tequila stop make the waiting feel worth it. For others, the waiting stands out.

Mexican buffet lunch with ocean-view vibes

Included lunch is a buffet with soft drinks and water. The food is described as tacos with options like beef, pork, and chicken. This is not gourmet fine dining, but it is a solid, practical way to fuel up after riding camels and being out in the sun.

One of the most praised parts was the overall lunch setting. People talked about the buffet lunch overlooking the ocean, which matters because food always tastes better with a view and a low-pressure atmosphere.

The key practical point is to eat when it is served. When the schedule runs behind, you can end up feeling rushed. If you have a sensitive stomach, keep it simple with tacos and water, then pace your tequila tasting responsibly.

Tequila museum class and tasting: what you actually get

After lunch, you move into tequila education at a tequila museum. You get a tequila class and tasting, which makes this more than just a sip-and-go moment.

The tasting is often described as good, and it is one of the main reasons people feel the tour is worth the price. You also get structure, which helps if you do not already know how tequila categories and flavor profiles are discussed. Even if you are not a tequila expert, a guided format keeps it fun and informative.

One small caution: timing matters. If the day runs long on the front end, the tequila class can feel like it is on a clock. If tequila is a priority, make sure you keep your expectations flexible about pace.

What $99 buys you, plus the extra fees that matter

The headline price is $99 per person, and it includes a lot of moving parts. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a helmet, an experienced camel handler and bilingual guide, the camel encounter, the desert safari ride, the nature hike, and the buffet with soft drinks and water. You also get the tequila class and tasting in the tequila museum.

That is the value argument: it is a packaged half-day that bundles attractions plus transportation. If you tried to book these separately in Cabo, you would likely spend more time coordinating and more money overall.

However, you should plan for two things that can change your final cost:

• Cabo San Lucas admission fee is $25 per person, and it is not included.
• Tips are not included, and they are appreciated. This is standard for guided experiences in Mexico, and it is best to budget something rather than panic at the end.

Photos can also be a budget surprise. People reported photo packages sold on site, with pricing around $20 per photo or about $130 for a fuller package that may include extras like a drone set. If you know you want your own set, bring cash or card readiness.

Also, if you want a costume touch like a turban, some feedback mentioned an optional $17 add-on. That one is completely elective, but it is part of the reality of many camel-photo experiences.

Cleanliness note, handled with a grain of salt

One negative note raised cleanliness concerns, while the tour operator response emphasized cleanliness and customer care. You should not ignore warnings, but you also should not assume one bad moment defines the whole experience.

My take: this is a hands-on animal experience, outdoors in sun and sand. So you are smart to be prepared for dust and outdoor conditions. If you are very sensitive to cleanliness, pay attention when you arrive and decide on the spot if you feel comfortable.

Who should book this Cabo camel and desert combo?

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• A “variety day” in Cabo where you do not want to plan multiple separate activities
• A short, memorable camel encounter with guided teaching and close-up animal time
• Food plus tequila education in the same package, with hotel pickup

It is also a decent fit for first-time Cabo visitors because the day covers a mix of ocean, desert, and culture elements, without requiring you to rent anything or drive.

This tour may be less ideal if:

• You hate waiting and need a tightly packed, minute-by-minute schedule
• You want long riding time, because the camel ride portion can be short relative to total time
• You expect to use your phone freely during the camel ride, because safety rules and a photographer setup can limit your ability to record on your own

Should you book this camel ride and encounter tour?

I think it is worth booking when you want a playful Cabo story that mixes ocean camels with desert riding, plus tacos and tequila education, all with pickup and drop-off.

Book it if $99 feels comfortable to you and you are okay with a day that has some downtime between activity blocks. Pass or consider another option if you are the type who gets stressed by schedules, because time on the ground can feel uneven.

If you do book it, your best move is simple: set flexible expectations, bring extra patience, and plan your photo budget up front so you do not feel surprised later.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo San Lucas camel ride and encounter tour?

The tour is about 3 hours, approximately.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What activities are included besides the camel ride?

You also get a desert safari ride, a nature hike in an ecological reserve, a tequila class and tasting at a tequila museum, and a buffet meal.

Is the Cabo San Lucas admission fee included in the $99 price?

No. An admission fee of $25.00 per person is not included.

Is a phone allowed during the camel ride?

Phone rules are not listed in the core tour details, but feedback indicates phones may be restricted for safety during the camel portion, and a private upgrade may change that for an extra fee.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children ages 5 to 12 must ride the camel with an adult.

Are pregnant travelers allowed?

No. Pregnant travelers are not allowed, and reservations booked by pregnant travelers will be canceled with no refund for safety reasons.

What is the weight limit for riding a camel?

The maximum combined weight (for 2 people on one camel) is 650 pounds. If you weigh more than the combined limit, you will be assigned a camel on your own.