Camel riding experience on the shores of the Pacific Ocean

The draw here is a camel ride beside the Pacific, not a long trek. After meeting the animals at the ranch, you follow a guide across sandy trails and low desert vegetation, with ocean views along the way. The ride itself lasts about 20 minutes, so think of this as a short, unusual outing rather than a full-day adventure.

I like two things in particular: you get time to pet the camels and take photos before riding, and the tour ends with two quesadillas and flavored water. The small group limit of 20 also keeps the outing from feeling like a giant convoy.

The main catch is the extra cost. The $98.63 tour price does not include the ranch admission fee, and photos can add a substantial amount. Your activity is about two hours, but pickup and return make the full outing three to four hours.

Key points before you book

• The ride lasts about 20 minutes: The outing also includes a stable visit, safety briefing, and a meal.
• Expect a separate $15 ranch admission fee per person: It is not included in the advertised tour price.
• Photo costs need a clear check before you go: Past quoted amounts include $56 for a photo package, $20 per photo, and a $150 charge to bring your own camera to the beach.
• Hotel pickup is available in select areas: Pickup times vary by hotel, and San José del Cabo pickup is scheduled an hour before the activity.
• The tour is capped at 20 people: That gives the group a set size, though you will still be sharing the ranch and ride with others.
• The full outing takes three to four hours with transport: Cruise passengers are advised to choose the 9 AM time.

Meet the camels before you ride

The outing starts with a transfer to the ranch, where you check in and receive a locker for your belongings. That is a useful first step: you can put away anything you do not want to carry on the ride, then focus on the animals and instructions.

At the stable, you’ll see the camels up close, have a chance to pet them, and take photos before the ride begins. A guide introduces the animals and explains how the activity works. This part gives you a little time to get comfortable rather than being rushed straight onto a camel.

That contact is a real part of the outing, not just a quick photo stop. If you are booking for a child, the stated child age range is 5 to 11. The available details do not spell out specific rules for children riding, so ask the operator about any age or seating arrangements that matter to your family before booking.

Before you mount up, the guide gives safety instructions. Pay attention, especially if you have never ridden a camel. The tour information does not describe the mounting process or provide details about physical requirements, so it is sensible to ask the operator directly if you have concerns.

A short route through sand and desert plants

Once the briefing is over, you ride along behind your guide on a route lasting about 20 minutes. The trail crosses sand dunes and desert vegetation, with views of the Pacific Ocean. It is a compact ride, which makes it easier to fit into a Cabo holiday than a lengthy excursion, but it may feel brief if the ride itself is your main reason for booking.

The setting gives the experience its particular appeal. Cabo is often associated with beach resorts and boat outings; here, you get a view of the coast from a sandy trail and the back of a camel. You are not signing up for a wilderness trek or hours in the saddle. The route is a guided, short introduction to the animals and the desert edge.

Keep your expectations in proportion. The ride is only one part of a roughly two-hour ranch activity, and the full time commitment rises to three or four hours once transport is included. If you want a long horseback-style excursion, this is not it. If you want a memorable change of pace with an ocean view, the short route may be just right.

Quesadillas make a simple finish

After the ride, you return to the starting point. There is time to use the bathroom, then the ranch serves two quesadillas and fresh water. The drinks are listed as Jamaica or horchata, both traditional flavored waters. This is a modest meal, not a full restaurant lunch, but it gives the outing a satisfying finish and means you are not leaving on an empty stomach.

The food is included in the tour price. That matters when comparing the headline cost with an activity that charges separately for every part of the visit. Still, the ranch admission and any photos are extra, so the meal does not erase those add-ons.

What the $98.63 price really covers

The listed price is $98.63 per person. It includes an air-conditioned vehicle, the camel activity, two quesadillas, and flavored water. Pickup is offered from select hotels in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The group is limited to 20 people.

The $15-per-person ranch admission fee is not included. Add that to the base fare when comparing costs, and check whether any additional charges apply to your preferred photo option. The total can climb if you want professional images or want to take your own camera onto the beach.

Photo pricing deserves special attention. One account described paying $56 for photos, while other details mention $20 per photo and a $150 charge to bring a personal camera to the beach. Those figures do not form one clear, universal price list. Ask the operator what is currently available, what each option costs, and whether you can use your own phone or camera in the areas you care about. Do this before the activity, when you can make a calm choice rather than deciding on the spot.

The photographers and guides can add to the experience. Emiliano was praised for his work as the group’s photographer, while guides Irwin and Billy were singled out for their service. Staff can change, of course, so treat those names as useful references rather than promised assignments. If a particular guide or photographer matters to you, ask whether they are scheduled for your date.

Pickup, timing, and the real time commitment

The activity is listed at about two hours, but the operator gives a total of three to four hours once transport is included. That difference matters if you are planning a meal, another tour, or a cruise return. Build your schedule around the longer estimate, not the ride length.

Pickup is available from select hotels in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. For hotels in San José del Cabo, pickup is scheduled one hour before the activity. In Cabo San Lucas, the time depends on your hotel. The operator provides your pickup point and schedule 24 hours before the activity, so keep an eye out for those details.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, the suggested activity time is 9 AM. That is the recommended timing in the tour information, but you should still make sure the full three-to-four-hour outing fits your ship’s schedule. The tour is not described as a cruise-port pickup, so confirm transport arrangements rather than assuming the hotel pickup covers the port.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. This tour is typically booked about 13 days in advance, a useful planning signal if you are trying to fit it into a busy holiday week. Its cancellation terms are strict: it is non-refundable and cannot be changed. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who is likely to enjoy this outing

I’d consider this tour if you want a light adventure with a distinctive setting, enjoy seeing animals up close, or are looking for a family activity that does not take an entire day. The stable visit, brief ride, and included food create a varied outing without demanding a long stretch in the saddle.

It can also suit a group with mixed interests. Someone keen on the camel ride gets the trail and ocean view, while someone more interested in the animals can enjoy the stable visit and photos. The maximum group size of 20 gives you some sense of scale, though this is still a shared tour rather than a private ride.

You may want to skip it if your top priority is a long ride, a low all-in price, or unrestricted personal photography. The listed base fare is only part of the cost once ranch admission and possible photo charges are added. For some, that is a fair trade for transport, the guided activity, and food. For others, the extras will make the value less attractive.

The tour is recommended by all who have rated it, with a 4.8 average from 12 ratings. That is a promising signal, but the sample is small. More useful for your decision is the consistent emphasis on the guides and photographer, alongside the clear warning that photos can be expensive. Go in with your budget settled and your questions about camera rules answered.

Should you book the Cabo camel ride?

Book it if a short camel ride with Pacific views sounds like a fun change from Cabo’s usual beach-and-boat routine, and you are comfortable paying the ranch fee on top of the tour price. The chance to meet the camels before riding, the guided route, and the quesadilla meal make it more than a quick saddle photo.

Think twice if you expect a long ride or want to take your own camera to the beach without extra charges. Before paying, ask for current photo prices and camera rules, then factor the $15 ranch admission into your budget. If those costs feel reasonable and you have three to four hours to spare, this is a distinctive half-day outing with a manageable ride and a memorable view.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The guided route on the camel lasts about 20 minutes. The activity itself is listed at about two hours, while the total time with transport is three to four hours.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, the activity, two quesadillas, and fresh water in Jamaica or horchata flavors. Ranch admission and tips are not included.

Is there an additional ranch fee?

Yes. Ranch admission costs $15 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Are photographs included?

No. Photographs are not included. Photo costs have been quoted at different amounts, including $56 for photos and $20 per photo, so ask the operator for current prices.

Can I bring my own camera to the beach?

The information provided lists a $150 upcharge to take your own camera to the beach. Confirm the current rule and charge with the operator before your visit.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from select hotels in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The pickup time depends on your hotel, and the operator provides the schedule and pickup point 24 hours before the activity.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.