Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

Camels, cactus, and Pacific views make an odd but memorable mix. This Cabo San Lucas excursion combines a 20-minute beach camel ride with a short desert walk, tortilla-making lesson, Mexican lunch, and tequila tasting. I like the variety, especially the chance to see a quieter side of Baja California Sur instead of spending the whole day in town.

I also like the setting: a ranch near a turtle-breeding area, with wide ocean views and possible humpback whale sightings in winter. The main drawback is value. At $99 per person, plus a separate park fee of $25 for adults, the camel ride itself is quite short, and the long van transfer can take about an hour each way.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes, so think of this as a full ranch-and-food outing, not a long riding expedition.
• The extra park fee is not included: Budget $25 per adult or $12.50 per child, usually paid in cash.
• Winter brings a chance of humpback whale sightings from the beach, though whale watching is never guaranteed.
• Lunch includes local food, drinks, tortilla making, and tequila tasting, giving the outing more depth than a simple animal ride.
• Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride, and photo packages can cost much more than expected.
• The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with back problems, or wheelchair users.

A Baja Ranch With Pacific Views

The day begins with pickup in either San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas. Look for a white Cabo Adventures van and a driver wearing a light blue polo shirt. Your exact pickup time and place arrive by email, so check those details carefully before leaving your hotel.

The ride to the ranch takes time. Depending on your starting point and traffic, plan for roughly an hour each way. That matters because the advertised three-hour activity does not include all the time spent in the van. If you are staying in San José del Cabo, the transfer may feel especially long.

Still, the setting helps justify the trip. The ranch looks toward the Pacific, and the dry Baja terrain gives you a clear sense of the region. This is not a lush tropical outing. Expect sun, dust, cactus, and open desert.

A short safety briefing gets the day moving. You receive a safety helmet for the camel ride, and guides explain how to approach and sit on the animals. Wear closed-toe shoes with a firm sole. Sandals are a poor match for the walk and the ride, while comfortable shoes will serve you well.

Walking Through Desert Turtle Country

Before the camel ride, your guide leads a short walk through desert terrain. The pace is not designed as a serious hike. It is a chance to notice the plants and animals that survive in Baja’s dry climate.

The area is also known for turtle breeding. That gives the walk a useful environmental angle, especially if you want more than a quick photo with a camel. Guides explain the local flora and fauna, helping you understand why this apparently bare ground supports wildlife.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water or another drink. Drinks are included later, but the sun can be strong during the outdoor portions. Cash is also worth carrying for the park entrance charge and any optional purchases.

The walk may be the quietest part of the outing. You get a break from the resort side of Cabo and see a more natural setting. If you expect a long, demanding desert trek, adjust your expectations. This is a short interpretive walk, not a wilderness excursion.

The 20-Minute Camel Ride on the Beach

The camel ride is the headline attraction, and the beach setting is its best feature. You ride along a quiet stretch of coast with ocean air, open views, and the Pacific beside you.

The ride lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the novelty, but it is not enough for a long horseback-style journey. I would book this for the unusual combination of camel and beach, not for saddle time.

The helmets are included, and safety instructions come first. Children from five through 14 must ride with a paying adult. Children under five cannot join, and the activity is also unsuitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and anyone with limited mobility.

Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. This rule may disappoint anyone hoping to photograph the whole experience, but it also means you should not count on using your phone from the saddle. Staff may offer professional photos instead.

Be prepared for sales pressure around those pictures. Reported prices have varied, with single photos costing as much as $50 or $70 and packages reaching roughly $119 to $160. The exact price may change, so ask before agreeing to anything. At those rates, the photos can push the total cost well above the advertised tour price.

Winter Whale Views From the Shore

The Pacific view adds a seasonal bonus. During winter, humpback whales may appear offshore. You could catch a glimpse of them from the beach, but this is an opportunity rather than a whale-watching guarantee.

That distinction matters. If whale sightings are your main goal, book a dedicated whale-watching trip instead. If you are already interested in the camel ride and happen to visit during whale season, the possibility makes the coastal setting more rewarding.

The beach itself also gives you a pause between activities. The open water, dry hills, and quiet shore create a strong contrast with central Cabo San Lucas. Bring a hat and sunglasses, since there may be little shade during outdoor portions.

Tortillas, Lunch, and a Taste of Mexico

After the camel ride, you walk a short distance to a beachfront restaurant. This is where the tour shifts from animal activity to food and local customs.

A tortilla-making lesson gives you something practical to do before lunch. You learn how tortillas are prepared, then sit down for a Mexican buffet. The meal is included, along with drinks, so you do not need to plan a separate lunch.

I like this part because it makes the outing feel less like a quick animal photo stop. You get a simple introduction to Mexican food, a hands-on activity, and time to sit near the water. The menu is described as regional food rather than a fixed list, so expect local buffet dishes instead of a refined restaurant meal.

The food quality can be uneven. One serious complaint described flies around the food area and on the camels, raising concerns about cleanliness. That is not a small issue, and anyone sensitive to heat, insects, or outdoor dining should keep it in mind. Conditions can vary by day, but you should inspect the food area and speak up if something looks unsanitary.

Drinks are included, and the tour information lists beer, coffee, spirits, and other beverages. If you prefer not to drink alcohol, the meal still includes the food and nonalcoholic options listed by the operator.

Tequila Tasting With Lunch

The tequila tasting follows the meal or takes place as part of the restaurant stop. It adds a familiar Mexican touch, but you should treat it as a tasting session, not a full tequila education course.

The guides help make the tasting lively. The strongest praise for the experience centers on friendly, charismatic staff, with Jesus and Michael named as particularly engaging guides in recent feedback. Guide assignments can change, but good hosting makes a noticeable difference here because the tour depends on conversation as much as scenery.

If you are driving yourself, remember that the included tasting can contain alcohol. With pickup and return included from Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo, the van transfer is the sensible choice.

The meal and tasting also help explain the price. The $99 fee covers more than the camel ride: transportation, guides, helmet, lunch, drinks, tortilla making, and tequila tasting are included. Even so, add the park fee before deciding if the total feels fair.

What the $99 Price Really Gets You

For an adult, the basic outlay is about $124 after adding the $25 park entrance charge. A child aged five through 14 pays the child park fee of $12.50, but must still be accompanied by a paying adult.

That price is reasonable if you value variety. In three activity hours, you receive a desert walk, coastal camel ride, lunch, a tortilla lesson, and tequila tasting. It is less appealing if your only goal is to ride a camel, since the actual ride takes just 20 minutes.

The separate entrance charge is the biggest budgeting irritation. It is described as supporting animal care, and one positive account praised the facility’s care standards and mentioned a collection of about 50 camels, along with donkeys and possibly a goat. Even with that explanation, I would prefer the charge to be clearly included in the advertised price.

Optional photographs can change the math again. If you want a souvenir, ask for the complete price list before the ride. You may decide that your own memories, made from the ground before or after the ride, are enough.

Who Will Enjoy This Cabo Excursion

I would recommend the tour to families with children aged five and older, couples looking for a light adventure, and anyone who likes a mixed day rather than one long activity. The combination of animals, food, desert scenery, and ocean views gives different people something to enjoy.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a guided introduction to Baja’s dry coastal setting. You do not need to arrange transport, find a restaurant, or organize a tequila tasting separately.

I would be more cautious if you are short on time. Cruise ship passengers are specifically not accepted, and the long transfers make this a poor fit for a tight port schedule. It is also not a good choice if you have back trouble, mobility limitations, or need wheelchair access.

People seeking serious riding time should choose another activity. The camel portion is short. Likewise, anyone expecting a pristine indoor dining room should understand that lunch takes place near the beach, where flies and outdoor conditions may be an issue.

What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Pack comfortable closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. The shoes matter for both the desert walk and the camel ride. Loose sandals can fill with sand and offer little protection.

Do not plan on bringing a camera for the ride. Cameras are not allowed during that portion of the activity. Ask about photo prices before purchasing anything, since reported charges range widely and can be steep.

You should also bring a patient attitude about timing. The activity itself lasts three hours, but the van ride can add a substantial block to your day. Pickup details arrive by email, and the vehicle should be a white Cabo Adventures van with a light blue polo-shirted driver.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. That makes it accessible to many visitors, but confirm your preferred language when booking if that matters to you.

Booking Flexibility and Practical Limits

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cabo plans are still shifting.

Check availability for the starting time, since pickup schedules vary. San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas both have pickup and drop-off options, but the distance between them affects how much of your day goes to transportation.

The age rules are firm. Children under five cannot participate, and children aged five through 14 need a paying adult. The operator also lists the tour as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users.

My Verdict: A Fun Mixed Day, Not a Long Camel Trek

I would book this tour if you want an easy, varied outing with a memorable setting. The beach ride, desert walk, Mexican buffet, tortilla lesson, and tequila tasting work well together, and the ocean views give the day a strong sense of place.

I would skip it if $99 already feels high, since the $25 adult park fee comes later and optional photos can cost a lot. I would also skip it if you want a long camel ride or have only a few hours in Cabo.

The best way to judge the value is to count the whole package, not just the saddle time. For you, the tour can be worthwhile as a half-day ranch, food, and coastal experience. Just budget for the entrance fee, expect a short ride, and ask about photos before the camels leave the beach.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo camel safari last?

The activity lasts three hours. The van transfer can add roughly an hour each way, depending on your pickup location and conditions.

How long is the camel ride?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full Mexican buffet lunch and drinks are included, along with a tortilla-making lesson and tequila tasting.

How much is the park entrance fee?

The separate entrance fee is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. It is not included in the tour price.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The exact time and location are confirmed by email. Look for a white Cabo Adventures van and a driver wearing a light blue polo shirt.

Can children join the camel safari?

Children under five cannot participate. Children aged five through 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Can I bring a camera on the camel ride?

No. Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. Optional professional photos may be offered, so ask about prices before purchasing.