Beach Camel Ride and Encounter in Cabo

Cabo’s camel ride trades the expected desert scene for a walk along the Pacific coast. You meet the camel up close, feed and pet it, then ride beside the water with a handler. It is an unusual way to spend time on the beach, and a good fit if your Cabo plans could use one memorable, family-friendly activity.

I like two things about this outing: the chance to interact with the camels before riding, and the coastal setting, which gives the ride a different feel from a standard ranch visit. The included food and tequila tasting also make the visit more than a quick photo stop.

The catch is time and cost. The advertised activity lasts about an hour, but hotel transfers, waiting, and the $25 entrance fee can turn it into a much longer and pricier outing. Confirm pickup details and phone rules before you go.

• Expect a beach ride, not just a camel photo: The camel encounter includes time to pet and feed the animal before riding along the shore.
• Budget an extra $25 per person: This Cactus Tours entrance fee is not included in the $71.25 tour price.
• Keep your schedule open: The ride itself is roughly 25 to 30 minutes, but the full outing may take three hours or more.
• Guides can make the day: Guides named Billy, Raul, Cesar, Solomon, and Oscar have been singled out for their friendly, informative approach.
• Plan for photo restrictions: Some outings have restricted personal phones or cameras. Ask the operator what applies to your tour.
• Food and tequila are part of the outing: The stated meal is a beef, pork, and chicken SUPER BURRO, with soft drinks and water, plus a tequila tasting.

Meeting the Camels at Cactus Tours

The activity takes place at Cactus Tours, outside the central Cabo hotel zone. Once there, you meet the camels with an experienced handler and bilingual guide. The encounter is meant to be hands-on: you can pet and feed the animals, and the activity description also includes giving a camel a kiss. If that sounds like a little much, you can enjoy the encounter at your own pace.

The close-up time matters. A camel ride alone might last only a short stretch, but meeting the animal first gives you a chance to get comfortable and hear guidance before climbing aboard. The tour is presented as suitable for families, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Most participants can take part, though the supplied information does not spell out specific mobility requirements.

The guides are a strong part of the experience. Billy has been praised for making the tour fun and patient, while Raul has been noted for sharing information about the animals. Cesar and Solomon have also been described as engaging and responsive. Guide assignments can vary, of course, but a good handler and guide can help a first-time rider feel at ease and make the camel encounter more than a photo opportunity.

Riding Along the Pacific Shore

The main event is a ride on the beach, with the Pacific as your backdrop. The listing gives a 30-minute camel ride, while the operator has described the ride as approximately 25 minutes. Set your expectations around that range rather than imagining a long trek. Some riders have found the actual ride shorter, closer to 15 or 20 minutes, so this is best viewed as a brief, unusual experience rather than a substantial horseback-style excursion.

The terrain and scenery are part of the appeal. You are not simply circling a pen: the ride is intended to follow the beach, with ocean air and coastal views. That setting makes the activity especially attractive if you want a vacation photo with a different angle on Cabo. It also means the ride is an outdoor activity, and the operator says tours run in all weather conditions.

Getting on and off a camel can feel uncertain if you have never done it. One older couple in their seventies reported no trouble, but that is not a promise about everyone’s comfort or mobility. Listen to the handler’s instructions, and tell the staff if you have a concern before mounting. The safest approach is to treat this as a guided animal activity, not a free-form ride.

Understanding the One-Hour Listing

The advertised duration is approximately one hour, but that is not a reliable estimate for the full trip from your hotel and back. Pickup points are available in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and driving to the site takes time. Hotel pickup routes, traffic, waiting at the facility, and return transport can stretch the outing to three hours or more. Some accounts describe a five-hour day, and one reports an even longer delay.

That difference matters if you have dinner reservations, a cruise departure, or another excursion planned. I would leave at least three hours free, and more if you are staying farther from the site or booking a shared transfer. Morning and afternoon departures provide some flexibility, but a selected time does not eliminate possible pickup delays or waits once you arrive.

Communication about pickup has not always been smooth. To avoid a last-minute scramble, contact the operator if you have not received a pickup time, and get the time and meeting point confirmed in writing. If your plans are tight, ask how long the shared transfer typically takes and whether a private option is available, including its full cost.

What the Price Really Covers

The listed price is $71.25 per person, but the mandatory $25-per-person Cactus Tours entrance fee is extra. That brings the known starting cost to $96.25 per person before optional photos or upgrades. Check the booking details for the amount due on arrival, and bring a payment method the operator confirms they accept. One account reports being told that payment had to be cash, so it is sensible to ask in advance rather than assume cards will work.

At the base price, you are paying for the camel encounter and ride, round-trip transportation, a bilingual guide and handler, the stated meal, soft drinks, water, and tequila tasting. The package also lists an exhilarating desert safari ride and a kids club, but the exact format or timing of those elements is not explained in the information provided. Ask what is included in your specific booking, especially if you are comparing packages.

Photos are not included. Souvenir photos are offered for purchase, and the price can be a sticking point. Some accounts describe photo packages as expensive, while others liked having the option. If a picture is important to you, ask the staff how the photo process works and what it costs before the ride, rather than deciding under pressure afterward.

Personal phone and camera rules deserve special attention. Some accounts say devices had to be left in lockers or that personal photos were not allowed, while the operator has explained that phone restrictions apply on public UTV tours for safety. That explanation does not clearly establish the rule for every camel outing. Confirm directly whether you can bring your phone on your particular tour. If not, decide ahead of time whether paid souvenir photos are worth the added expense.

Food, Tequila, and Time at the Facility

The stated food inclusion is a beef, pork, and chicken SUPER BURRO, accompanied by soft drinks and water. A meal can be welcome after time outdoors, but it is not a reason by itself to book the excursion. Food experiences have varied, and some accounts describe a buffet with options such as fruit, pastries, yogurt, and other choices, while others found the food plain. If you have dietary needs, ask what will be available for your date rather than counting on a particular menu.

The tequila tasting adds a distinctly Mexican note to an outing that might otherwise feel like a novelty activity. It is optional in spirit, and you can decline it. Since the activity is outdoors and participation requires attention, do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; the operator says the tour is not recommended for anyone in that condition.

There may be time at the facility beyond the ride itself. The longer schedule can feel like welcome breathing room if you want to eat, browse, or take part in the tasting. It can feel like wasted time if your only aim is a short camel ride. Be clear about your priorities and schedule before booking, and ask how much time is typically spent waiting between parts of the outing.

Who Will Enjoy This Cabo Excursion

This is a good choice if you want an animal encounter that is easy to add to a Cabo holiday and appealing to a range of ages. Children may enjoy feeding and petting the camels as much as the ride, and adults who are curious but slightly apprehensive can benefit from having a handler close by. The outing can also make a memorable shared activity for a couple or family.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, independent beach ride, need a tightly timed excursion, or dislike paid add-ons. The group limit is 100, so this is not necessarily an intimate outing. The destination is described as a desert facility near the coast, not a private, secluded stretch of beach, and the broader experience may include group transfers and waiting.

If animal care is a priority, pay attention to the way the staff handle the camels and answer questions. Positive impressions of the grounds and animals have been part of the appeal, but the best choice is to ask your handler about the animals and follow the instructions given. Respectful interaction is better for both you and the camel.

Should You Book the Camel Ride?

Book it if the idea of meeting a camel and riding beside the Pacific genuinely appeals to you, and you can give the outing several hours. The strongest elements are the close animal encounter, coastal setting, and guides who help make the activity welcoming. For many people, that unusual combination is worth the trip.

Skip it if you expect a one-hour door-to-door excursion, want to take unrestricted photos, or are unwilling to pay the additional entrance fee and possibly more for pictures or upgrades. Before booking, confirm the total price, pickup time, phone policy, and expected return time. Those four questions will tell you whether this is a fun Cabo detour or a frustrating interruption to a tightly planned day.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $71.25 per person. There is also a $25-per-person Cactus Tours entrance fee, which is not included in that price. Souvenir photos and any upgrades cost extra.

How long should I allow for the outing?

The camel ride is advertised as about 30 minutes, and the tour listing gives an approximate one-hour duration. Hotel transfers and waiting can extend the full outing to three hours or more, so keep your schedule flexible.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, with round-trip transportation included. Confirm your pickup time and meeting point with the operator.

What food and drinks are included?

The stated meal is a beef, pork, and chicken SUPER BURRO. Soft drinks and water are included, along with a tequila tasting.

Can I take my phone or camera on the ride?

The rules are not clear for every camel outing. Some accounts describe restrictions on personal phones or cameras, while the operator has explained device restrictions for public UTV tours. Ask Cactus Tours what applies to your specific booking before you go.

Can children take part, and what is the cancellation policy?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most participants can take part. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.