Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

A camel ride on a quiet Pacific beach is the unusual centerpiece of this Cabo outing. You start at a ranch in a turtle-breeding area, walk through desert terrain, then ride along the shore, with a chance of spotting humpback whales in winter.

I like two things in particular: the mix of desert, beach, and local food gives the outing more variety than a ride alone, and tortilla making and tequila tasting add a hands-on taste of Mexican culture. The main catch is that the 20-minute camel ride is just one part of a longer trip, and the park entrance fee is extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Expect a short ride, not a camel trek: The beach ride lasts about 20 minutes.
• The route pairs desert and sea: A guided walk introduces the area’s flora and fauna before you reach the beach.
• Lunch is part of the experience: You’ll have a Mexican buffet, drinks, a tortilla-making lesson, and tequila tasting.
• Budget for the entrance fee: It is listed separately at $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.
• Allow time for the drive: Pickup is offered in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and the transfer can add substantially to your day.
• Check photo costs before buying: Personal cameras are not allowed during the camel ride, and photo packages are not included.

From the pickup van to the Pacific-facing ranch

The tour offers pickup in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Your exact meeting time and location are confirmed by email. Look for a white Cabo Adventures van and a driver wearing a light blue polo shirt.

The transfer matters when you judge the day’s value. The activity is described as three hours, while the transport details list a 1.5-hour van ride. One account describes the drive as about an hour each way. Those figures do not make the total door-to-door timing perfectly clear, so confirm your pickup and return expectations before booking, and keep space in your schedule.

Once you reach the ranch, the setting shifts from resort traffic to open desert and ocean views. The ranch overlooks the Pacific, and the surrounding area is known as a turtle-breeding site. That context makes the opening walk more than a way to pass time before the camels: your guide can point out local plants and animals in a protected coastal area.

Guides speak English and Spanish. The tour’s personal touch can matter on an outing that combines nature, animals, and food, and specific guides have earned warm praise for their energy and friendliness. Jesus and Michael are two names associated with especially well-received tours. Guide assignments can vary, of course, so treat those names as examples, not a promise.

A short desert walk with a reason to look around

Before the ride, you’ll take a short guided hike through desert terrain. Expect an introduction to the area’s flora and fauna, rather than a strenuous trek. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes: even a short walk is less pleasant in sandals when the trail is uneven or dusty.

The desert section gives the experience a useful change of pace. You first see the region as a living habitat, then meet the camels and head toward the coast. The area’s turtle-breeding role also gives the guide an opening to explain why this shoreline matters beyond its scenery.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. The tour includes a safety briefing and a helmet for the camel ride, but you’ll still want to protect yourself from the sun during the walk and meal. Cash is also worth carrying for the entrance fee and any purchases you decide to make.

The 20-minute camel ride along the beach

The camel ride is the clear headline, but it is brief: about 20 minutes along a tranquil stretch of beach. You get sea air, shoreline views, and a perspective that feels quite different from a standard coastal excursion. If you’re booking mainly for a long animal ride, this may feel short. If you see it as the memorable centerpiece of a broader half-day outing, the length makes more sense.

Winter adds a possible bonus. Humpback whales may be visible off the shore during the season, but sightings are not guaranteed. Even without whales, the ocean setting is part of the appeal. Think of the wildlife possibility as luck, not the reason to book.

A safety helmet is included, and the activity begins with a safety briefing. Personal cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. That rule may frustrate anyone hoping to take their own photos from the saddle, so decide in advance whether you’re content to keep your phone or camera away for that part.

Photo sales deserve a little care. They are not included in the tour price, and reported quotes have ranged from $50 for one photo to $119 for a package, with another account describing higher prices. Ask to see the complete price list before agreeing to anything. The practical point is simple: don’t let a surprise photo charge change your view of the tour after the ride.

Tortillas, buffet lunch, and tequila tasting

After the beach, you’ll walk to a beachfront restaurant for a full lunch. The meal is described as a Mexican buffet, with drinks included. You’ll also get a tortilla-making lesson, a small activity that connects the meal to a familiar part of Mexican home cooking rather than making lunch just another stop on the schedule.

The tequila tasting gives the afternoon a festive finish. It is an included tasting, not a separate bar bill, and the tour also lists beer, coffee, spirits, and other drinks. If you don’t drink alcohol, the food, scenery, and tortilla lesson still give you plenty to do. The supplied details don’t specify the number of tasting pours or the exact dishes, so don’t book expecting a particular menu or formal tequila class.

Food and animal settings deserve sensible expectations. A complaint has described flies around both the meal area and the camels, while other accounts describe the outing as enjoyable and the food as part of a very good day. Flies can be an annoyance in an outdoor setting, and the negative account raises a fair hygiene concern. If cleanliness is a deciding factor for you, keep that possibility in mind rather than assuming a polished indoor dining room.

Is the $99 price good value?

At $99 per person, the price covers more than the camel ride. You’re paying for transport, a guide, the desert walk, a helmet, the ride, lunch, drinks, tortilla making, and tequila tasting. For someone who wants a full, varied outing, that package can represent reasonable value, especially when the guide and setting are a big part of the day.

But the base price is not the full cost. The park entrance fee is listed separately at $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. That means an adult should budget at least $124 before any optional photo purchase. One account described paying an additional 500 pesos for entry, which illustrates why it is worth confirming the fee and payment method before departure. The stated fee is in U.S. dollars, but carry cash as requested.

Value also depends on your expectations. If you’re paying mainly to ride a camel, 20 minutes may not feel like enough. If you want a packaged day with beach scenery, a desert walk, lunch, local food activity, and a tasting, the experience has more to offer. The personal guide interaction can also shape the day: particularly warm guides have been singled out, though no particular guide is guaranteed.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I’d consider this tour if you want a light, social excursion that mixes outdoor scenery with food and drink. It suits adults, couples, and families with children aged 5 to 14, provided each child is accompanied by a paying adult. The short hike and ride make it more approachable than a demanding outdoor tour, though it is not suitable for everyone.

The tour is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Cruise ship guests are also listed as unsuitable. If any of these apply, don’t assume the short ride makes the activity manageable; the stated restrictions are clear.

It may also be a poor match if you need to take photos throughout, dislike animal encounters, or want a long ride. No personal cameras are allowed during the camel ride, and optional photos can add a sizeable extra cost. Bring a phone or camera for other parts only if you’re comfortable following the guide’s instructions; the camera restriction is specifically stated for the ride.

Practical details for a smoother day

Wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes, and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and cash. The tour includes a helmet, guides, drinks, and lunch, so you don’t need to plan a separate meal. The exact pickup time and point are confirmed by email, and the van is identified as white with a light blue polo-shirted driver.

The tour guide languages are English and Spanish. Booking offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check available starting times when choosing a date, particularly if you are trying to coordinate the drive with other plans.

Should you book the Cabo camel safari?

Book it if you like the idea of a short camel ride in a striking coastal setting, and value the combination of desert walking, lunch, tortilla making, and tequila tasting. It is a more varied outing than the ride alone suggests, and the guides can make a real difference to the day.

Skip it if you expect an extended ride, need a camera in hand throughout, or are unwilling to pay the extra entrance fee and possibly pay for photos. Before you commit, calculate the full cost, confirm the transfer timing, and ask about photo prices. With those details settled, you can decide whether the whole package, not just the camel ride, is worth your time.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes and takes place along a beach.

How long is the tour?

The activity is listed as three hours. Transportation is listed separately as a 1.5-hour van ride, and pickup accounts describe a substantial drive, so confirm the total timing for your pickup location.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes lunch, drinks, a camel ride, a safety helmet, guides, a tortilla-making lesson, and tequila tasting.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. The listed fee is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup options are listed in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Your exact pickup time and location are confirmed by email.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash.

Can I take photos during the camel ride?

Personal cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. Photo packages are not included in the tour price.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides speak English and Spanish.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under 5 are not suitable for the activity.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility or health concerns?

It is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and cruise ship guests.