Cabo San Lucas Side by Side and Camel Riding Adventure

A side-by-side ride over Baja trails followed by a camel encounter near the Pacific is an unusual pairing, and that contrast is the point. In about three hours at Playa Migrino, you’ll trade a motorized ride for time with camels at a sanctuary, with the ocean nearby.

I like two things here: the private format, which gives your own group room to set the pace on the trail, and the chance to get close to the camels after the ride, including an opportunity to hug and kiss one. Guides John and Chocolate have been praised for making the outing fun, though your guide may be someone else.

The main caution is the extra cost and the return ride. A government fee is not included, collision insurance is optional but requires a card on file if declined, and one participant had trouble understanding how to catch the return shuttle. Confirm both the charges and the pickup and return plan before you go.

At a glance

• Ride Baja race trails on a side-by-side after a safety briefing and gear fitting.
• Visit Playa Migrino’s camel sanctuary to meet the camels and take a ride.
• Keep the outing private for your own group, rather than sharing the tour with strangers.
• Use the on-site locker to freshen up after the rides.
• Budget for the government fee of $25 per person, plus any optional collision insurance you choose.

First comes the side-by-side ride

The outing starts with safety protocols, then you’ll put on the supplied helmet, goggles, and bandana before heading out on the side-by-side. The route uses Baja race trails, which are a key part of the appeal: this is not described as a slow sightseeing loop, and one participant who expected an easy drive found the trails surprisingly fast and exciting.

Your pace and how much you push the vehicle will affect the feel of the ride. Because this is a private tour, the group is your own, and the guide can focus on you rather than a larger mixed party. That does not mean you should expect unlimited speed or ride without direction. Follow the briefing, use the gear, and ask your guide about the route and safety rules before setting off.

The ride also gives you a view of the open Baja terrain as you travel toward the camel sanctuary. The exact route details are not provided, so don’t count on a particular viewpoint or trail length. The tour does, however, make the transition from motorized trail to animal encounter a central part of the experience.

Playa Migrino brings the two activities together

Playa Migrino is the stated stop for the tour, where you’ll visit a camel sanctuary. The camels are not simply a photo prop at the end of a vehicle ride: the plan is to meet them, take a ride, and then spend time close enough to hug and kiss one. If you have never been around a camel, that hands-on contact may be the part you remember longest.

The Pacific setting adds to the appeal. One past outing included a camel ride along the ocean at sunset, a lovely combination of sea views and an unusual animal encounter. But sunset is not promised as part of every departure, so treat that scene as a possibility rather than a booking guarantee. Ask about your scheduled time if a sunset ride matters to you.

The sanctuary visit is a different sort of activity from the trail ride. You move from steering a vehicle over rough ground to meeting an animal at close range, with time to take in the setting and get photos. Keep in mind that souvenir photos are sold separately. If you want pictures from the outing, ask about the price and what is included before you make a purchase.

Why private can be worth paying for

At $162 per person, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for two distinct experiences in one outing, transportation, safety gear, locker access, and a private tour for your group. If you would otherwise book a vehicle excursion and a separate camel activity, combining them can make practical sense, especially if you value having one guide and one outing rather than arranging two separate bookings.

The private format is especially useful for families or friends who want to ride together. A family group with young adult children found the side-by-side portion more lively than expected, and the guide was a major part of their enjoyment. John and Chocolate are names associated with positive experiences, but guides can vary, so don’t assume either will lead your tour.

There is a trade-off: private does not mean every cost is bundled into the advertised price. The tour information lists a $25 government fee per person as extra. One participant described a different amount at check-in, so confirm the current fee with the operator before departure. The provider says the mandatory land fee supports restoration, including planting native plants, rather than going to the tour operator.

Collision insurance is listed as optional. If you decline, you must leave a card on file, similar to a rental-car arrangement. One participant was concerned about a much higher insurance charge, while the provider said only the mandatory park fee was required and acknowledged that insurance had been presented in a confusing way at check-in. To avoid an awkward surprise, ask directly whether insurance is optional, what it costs, and what card-on-file terms apply. Don’t rely on a verbal guess once you are already at the site.

Pickup and the return ride need a little planning

Pickup is offered, but routes change daily. Check your booking email or call the operator for the pickup time. If you are staying at a hotel or resort, the stated arrangement is pickup in front of the lobby about 45 minutes before the activity begins. That is a useful detail for planning your morning, but the route changes mean you should confirm the actual time rather than assume it.

The tour begins at G-Force Adventures on Carretera Cabo San Lucas, Avenida La Paz, Km. 106, and ends back at the meeting point. The return transfer deserves a specific question. One participant reported waiting a long time for a shuttle, and the provider said the guest should have been told to go to the front to catch the shuttle when ready. That points to a simple but important step: at check-in, ask exactly where to wait for the ride back and whether you need to request it.

The activity lasts about three hours, but pickup and transport can add time to your day. Keep your plans after the excursion flexible until you know the return procedure. If you have a dinner reservation or another timed activity, build in a buffer rather than assuming you’ll be back at your hotel precisely three hours after pickup.

Gear, lockers, and photos

Helmet, goggles, and bandana are included, as is a locker. That means you do not need to bring your own riding protection, and you have a place to store belongings during the activities. The locker is also useful if you want to freshen up after the rides, though no additional changing facilities or supplies are specified.

Souvenir photos cost extra. You’ll have a chance to see your pictures after the camel ride, but the price is not given. Decide in advance how much you value a keepsake, and check the cost before agreeing to buy. Your own camera or phone may be useful, but follow the guide’s instructions about when it is safe to use one, particularly while riding the side-by-side.

The tour description calls out “bucket list memories,” but the more practical takeaway is that this is a two-part activity with plenty of chances for photos: dusty trail time, a camel ride, and close contact with the animals. Plan for the extra photo cost if you know you’ll want professionally taken pictures.

Who will enjoy this Cabo outing

This tour is a good fit if you want an active excursion with more variety than a vehicle ride alone. It suits groups of friends, couples, and families with older children or young adults who are keen on both driving trails and meeting animals. Most people can participate, according to the activity details, but no minimum age or specific physical requirements are provided. Ask the operator if you have a concern about suitability.

It is less suited to someone who wants a quiet, purely scenic outing, or who dislikes motorized rides and dusty trails. The side-by-side portion can be exciting, not a gentle drive, and the experience includes required safety gear and instructions. If you are mainly interested in camels, check whether a camel-only option is available before paying for a combined tour.

The outing is offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refundable, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. Those terms matter if your Cabo schedule is still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a private, active half-day that combines Baja trail riding with a close camel encounter. The strongest reasons are the surprising pace of the side-by-side ride, the personal feel of a private group, and the chance to meet and ride the camels near the Pacific. Guides John and Chocolate have been praised, but your guide may vary.

Before you commit, make sure the total cost is clear. Set aside the listed $25 government fee per person, ask about optional insurance and the card-on-file requirement, and confirm the return shuttle procedure. If those details are settled and you like the idea of trading dust for camels in one outing, this is a memorable way to spend a few hours outside Cabo San Lucas.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The activity lasts about three hours. Pickup and transportation may add time, so check your scheduled pickup and leave room in your plans for the return.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The activity is private, and only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

Transportation, a helmet, goggles, a bandana, and locker access are included. Souvenir photos and the government fee are not included.

What extra fees should I expect?

The stated government fee is $25 per person. Collision insurance is optional, but if you decline it, you must leave a card on file. Confirm the current charges and terms with the operator before the tour.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at G-Force Adventures on Carretera Cabo San Lucas, Avenida La Paz, Km. 106, and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, with timing and routes that change daily.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund or change.