ENJOY UNIQUE CAMEL RIDE in Puerto Morelos with Transportation

Camels on a Caribbean beach? That is the hook. This 2.5-hour outing from Cancun takes you to El Dorado Maroma, where you ride a camel through a Mayan jungle setting and along the beach. I like the gentle, well-cared-for camels and the guides who explain the animals and safety rules clearly. I also like the simple convenience of hotel transportation, bottled water, snacks, and beach-club access.

The catch is value. At $165 per person, the actual ride lasts about 45 minutes, and transport can take much longer than the advertised activity time. You also cannot use your phone during the ride, so photos are sold separately. That policy has caused real frustration, especially when photo packages cost as much as $150 to $200 for a couple.

Quick take: what matters most

• A rare beach camel ride: You ride through a jungle area and toward the beach, making this very different from a standard Cancun boat or ATV outing.
• The camels are the star: They are described as calm, friendly, and gentle, with time to feed and pet them during the stop for photographs.
• Only 45 minutes in the saddle: The full outing lasts about 2.5 hours on paper, but pickup delays and waiting can stretch the day.
• Phones are not allowed during the activity: Professional photos are taken, but buying them is optional and can be expensive.
• Strict riding rules apply: The minimum age is 8, solo riding starts at 16 after a handling test, and the maximum weight is 220 pounds per camel.
• Beach-club time is less appealing than it sounds: You may stay later, but some facilities and food options cost extra, and the last shuttle leaves at 4:30 p.m.

Reaching El Dorado Maroma from Cancun

The day begins with shared transportation from a select Cancun hotel or assigned meeting point. Pickup times vary by hotel, so do not assume the time shown during the initial booking is the final word. You receive the exact schedule by email or text, and it is worth checking that message carefully.

This is where the experience can lose some of its shine. Most of the positive experience happens at the beach club, but several poor outings involved late pickups, unclear meeting points, or long waits for the return shuttle. One reported day stretched to six hours, with only 45 minutes spent with the camels. That is a serious concern if you have a tight vacation schedule.

The vans are described as sanitized, and round-trip transport is useful if you do not have a rental car. Still, shared transport is not the same as a quick private transfer. You may wait for other people, and the drive from the Cancun hotel zone can take roughly an hour each way, depending on your hotel and traffic.

If you are already staying near El Dorado Maroma, this excursion makes much more sense. Driving yourself can also reduce the time lost on hotel pickups, but you must still arrive at the stated meeting time and follow the local check-in instructions.

Safety briefing before the camel caravan

After checking in, you go to the camel area for a 15-minute safety talk. An expert guide explains how to sit, handle the equipment, and behave around the animals. A protective helmet is mandatory, and local medical insurance is included.

The safety briefing is more than a formality. A camel’s height and rolling gait can surprise you, especially when it rises or kneels. You should expect a gentle but unfamiliar ride rather than a fast animal excursion. The pace is controlled, and a guide leads the group on foot.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to climb onto the camel, stay seated for about 45 minutes, and handle the movement without leaning or shifting too much. This experience is not suitable for anyone who is pregnant or has recent surgery, heart trouble, or back problems.

The maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, per camel. This rule is important and should be checked before you pay. Children from 8 to 15 must share a camel with a paying adult, while participants 16 and older may ride alone only after passing a handling test.

Forty-five minutes through jungle and beach scenery

The main ride lasts about 45 minutes. The advertised route passes through a Mayan jungle setting before reaching the beach, where the camel caravan pauses for photographs.

I like the contrast here. The ride is not only sand and sea. You get a short change of scenery between tropical vegetation and the open coast, which gives the outing a stronger sense of place than a simple animal photo stop. Conditions can affect the route, though. Heavy rain may make the jungle section unusable, leaving you with a shorter or less scenic path.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is a guided caravan, not a long desert trek. The camels move in a line, and the guide controls the pace. One account described the route as a short distance rather than a major expedition. For many people, that is enough: the appeal is sitting high on a camel, watching the animal move, and reaching the beach for the unusual photo opportunity.

For others, the short ride will feel thin for the price. If you want a full-day adventure with lots of riding, this is not it. If you want to try a camel once, see the coastline, and enjoy a controlled first experience, the format works better.

Feeding, petting, and meeting the camels

The most warmly praised part of the activity is not speed or distance. It is the contact with the animals. During the break, you can pet and feed the camels with treats, and the guides explain details about their care and behavior.

The camels are repeatedly described as calm, sweet, and gentle. That makes this suitable for first-time riders who may feel nervous. Families also seem to appreciate the patient staff, particularly when children need help getting comfortable.

The guides add value when they explain the animals rather than simply lead the line. Several participants praised their friendly manner and clear information. Some even remembered individual camel names, including Tati and Chey, which gives the encounter a more personal feel.

The camel welfare comments are encouraging, but the supplied information does not provide a formal animal-care policy or veterinary details. I would enjoy the interaction while still following every instruction, avoiding sudden movements, and treating the animals with care.

The photo stop and the phone restriction

When the caravan reaches the beach, photographers take pictures of you with your camel. This is likely to be the most memorable visual moment of the trip, but it is also the biggest source of dissatisfaction.

Phones and other personal devices are not allowed during the activity for security reasons. That means you cannot simply ask a companion to take a picture while you ride. The professional photographer may take frequent photos throughout the outing, and you decide afterward if you want to purchase them.

The trouble is the pricing. Individual images have been reported at roughly $35 to $50, while packages for two people have reached about $150. One group paid $200 and then had trouble receiving the files. Another person paid for a photo that was never emailed. These problems are not universal, but they are serious enough to plan around.

Before the ride begins, ask exactly what each photo or package costs, how the files will be delivered, and when you should receive them. If you do not want to buy photographs, accept that you may leave without a good personal image of the ride. That is a major consideration for anyone who values vacation photos or social media posts.

Beach-club access after the ride

After the camel ride, you can use the beach club and relax before returning to Cancun. This gives you a chance to cool down, sit by the coast, and let the activity settle into a pleasant afternoon.

Do not treat the beach-club access as an all-inclusive resort day. Food and drinks are not included. Simple snacks and bottled water are provided, but a proper meal costs extra. One option was described as an all-day buffet priced at $70 per person, which can change the value calculation quickly.

Some people found the post-ride period enjoyable. Others felt the facilities were limited for excursion participants and that certain areas were reserved for VIP use. If your main reason for booking is the beach club, ask what areas and services are included before you go.

You may request a later drop-off, but the front desk must arrange it. The last shuttle leaves at 4:30 p.m. If you do not want to pay for lunch or wait around, request an earlier return as soon as you finish. Shuttle availability may not be immediate, so do not leave this decision until the last minute.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is a premium short excursion. The price covers shared hotel transportation, a bilingual guide, safety gear, local medical insurance, the 15-minute instruction session, the 45-minute camel ride, and access to the beach club.

That package can be fair for someone who places a high value on novelty and convenience. Riding a camel beside the Caribbean is unusual, and the transport removes the need to arrange a taxi or rental car. The calm animals and friendly guides also make the activity feel more approachable than an aggressive adventure tour.

The value weakens if your day includes long waits. You may spend two hours in transit each way, depending on your hotel and pickup schedule, for less than an hour on the camel. Add lunch, drinks, locker rental, tips, and photographs, and the final cost can climb quickly.

A locker and key cost $10, though the key deposit is returned at the end. Food, drinks, photographs, and tips are not included. I would budget the tour as a $165 base price, not as the final amount you are certain to spend.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend it to couples celebrating a birthday, families with children old enough to ride, and solo visitors who want an unusual experience without joining a high-speed activity. The friendly guides and calm camels are especially helpful if this is your first time riding one.

It also suits people who are happy with a short, carefully managed activity. You do not need advanced riding skills, but you do need moderate fitness and comfort with climbing onto an animal.

I would be cautious if you dislike organized transport, hate waiting, or want control over your schedule. It is also a poor fit if you expect a long jungle safari, free personal photography, or an all-day beach-club experience.

Book at least a few weeks ahead if the dates matter to you. The experience is often reserved more than a month in advance, with an average booking lead time of 37 days. Confirm your pickup point, weight limit, ride time, and return shuttle before the activity date.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. A late cancellation or change is not refunded, and bad weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Final call: book it for the camels, not the extras

I would book this camel ride if riding a camel on a Caribbean beach is high on your personal wish list. The animals are the real reward, and the guides generally add warmth, patience, and useful information. Feeding the camels and stopping for beach photographs make the short ride feel more complete.

I would skip it if you want the best value for a full day in the Cancun area. Transportation delays, extra charges, strict phone rules, and costly photographs can turn a simple 45-minute ride into an expensive, time-consuming outing.

My practical advice is simple: confirm the pickup in writing, ask about the route and photo prices, bring money for the locker or food, and do not count on your phone for pictures. With those expectations set, this can be a memorable novelty. Without them, the price may feel out of proportion to the ride.

FAQ

Where does the camel ride take place?

The activity takes place at El Dorado Maroma, an exclusive beach club near Puerto Morelos, with pickup offered from select Cancun hotels and meeting points.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The camel ride itself lasts 45 minutes, followed by optional time at the beach club.

How long are the safety instructions?

The safety briefing lasts about 15 minutes before the camel ride begins.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Shared transportation is included from the hotel or assigned meeting point to the beach club and back, with schedules varying by hotel.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Bottled water and simple snacks are available, but food and other drinks are not included in the price.

Can I take photos with my phone?

No. Cell phones and other devices are not allowed during the activity. Professional photographs are available to purchase separately.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age to participate is 8. Children aged 6 to 15 must share with a paying adult according to the supplied conditions, while solo riding begins at age 16 after a handling test.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, per camel.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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