Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

The camel ride is the hook, but the setting does much of the work. You ride for about 20 minutes along a quiet beach beneath a desert ranch, with Pacific views and a chance of seeing humpback whales in winter. I like the mix of desert wildlife and Mexican food, plus the tortilla lesson gives the outing more local flavor than a simple animal ride.

I also like that guides such as Jesus and Michael have earned warm praise for their humor and care. The main catch is value: the ride itself is short, the drive can take about an hour each way, and the $25 adult park fee is extra. Add possible photo charges, and your final bill may be higher than the advertised $99.

Key points to know before booking

• A 20-minute camel ride: The beach ride is scenic, but it is not a long safari.
• A Pacific ranch setting: You’ll hike through desert plants and a turtle breeding area before reaching the beach.
• Food is part of the tour: Lunch, drinks, tortilla making, and tequila tasting are included.
• Winter whale views: Humpback whales may be visible offshore during the cooler months.
• Bring cash for extras: The park entrance fee is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child, and photo packages may cost much more.
• Not for every body: Children under five, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and cruise ship guests should choose another outing.

A camel safari with a Mexican lunch attached

Cabo is better known for dramatic coastlines, nightlife, and boat trips than for camels. This outing changes the pace. You leave the resort zone, reach a ranch looking toward the Pacific, and spend part of the morning or afternoon on foot before climbing onto a camel for a beach ride.

That mix matters. If you want a full-day animal expedition, this is too short. If you want a half-day break from pool chairs and shopping, the combination works well. You get an unusual photo opportunity, some desert scenery, a proper meal, and a few hands-on Mexican activities without committing to a long, demanding excursion.

The advertised price is $99 per person. That is fair only if you use most of what is included: lunch, drinks, the camel ride, a guide, tortilla making, and tequila tasting. The additional park fee changes the calculation. An adult should budget $124 before any optional photographs, and families need to add $12.50 for each child from age five through 14.

The ride from Cabo to the Pacific ranch

Pickup is offered in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. You’ll look for a white Cabo Adventures van, with drivers in light blue polo shirts. The pickup time and exact meeting point are confirmed by email, so check those details carefully rather than relying only on the broad city name.

The transfer is important when judging the tour. The schedule assigns 1.5 hours to the van portion, and the drive has been described as roughly an hour each way. That means a large part of your three-hour outing may be spent getting to and from the ranch. I would not book this if you dislike road transfers or want three full hours of activity time at the beach.

The upside is that the ranch setting feels separate from the main resort strip. The tour is not simply a quick camel loop beside a hotel. You reach a Pacific-facing area with desert ground, open views, and a quieter beach. The downside is simple: the short camel ride feels even shorter after the transportation.

The tour returns you to Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. Cruise ship passengers are specifically excluded, so do not count on fitting this neatly around a ship departure or port schedule.

Walking through a turtle breeding area

At the ranch, your guide begins with a safety briefing and a short walk through the desert. This is not a strenuous trek, but you should wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and expect sun, uneven ground, and heat.

The walk adds useful context. You learn about local plants and animals in an area known for turtle breeding. That makes the camel ride feel connected to the place rather than dropped into a random attraction. The guide may point out how the dry terrain supports life, though the supplied details do not promise a specific list of species or a set walking distance.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and water-friendly patience. Drinks are included later, but you should still arrive ready for direct sun. Closed-toe shoes are required in the practical packing advice, and comfortable shoes will help during both the hike and the ride.

People with back problems should skip this outing. A camel’s walking motion can be uncomfortable even when the ride is brief, and the activity is also unsuitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users.

What the 20-minute camel ride is really like

The camel ride is the center of the outing, but set your expectations correctly: it lasts about 20 minutes total. That is enough time to enjoy the novelty, feel the animal’s rolling gait, and take in the ocean view. It is not enough for a long journey or a remote wilderness safari.

The route follows a tranquil beach. You’ll have sea air, sand, and a broad Pacific view, with the desert behind you. During winter, humpback whales may be visible offshore. Whale sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed, but the possibility adds a nice reason to keep your eyes on the water.

You receive a safety helmet, and the staff gives instructions before you mount. Follow them closely, especially if you have never ridden a camel. The supplied information does not specify the group size, exact camel handling rules, or how much time you spend mounting and dismounting, so ask the staff if those details matter to you.

Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride. This rule may disappoint anyone expecting to take phone pictures from the saddle. Staff photography is available, but you should ask for the current prices before agreeing. One set of pricing information reports $50 for one photograph and $119 for a package, while another account reports figures of $70 per photograph and $160 for all images. That is a large extra charge, and the changing figures are a good reason to confirm the price in writing or at the sales point.

You may want to enjoy the ride without a camera. The beach and ocean are the main visual reward, and you can take photographs at permitted points before or after the ride.

Making tortillas, then eating lunch by the beach

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

The tortilla lesson is a small but worthwhile touch. You learn how tortillas are made instead of simply receiving a plated meal. For many people, this hands-on stop will be more memorable than a generic buffet because it connects lunch to a basic part of Mexican cooking.

A full Mexican buffet is included, along with drinks and ice-cold beverages. The exact menu is not provided, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. The meal is best understood as a convenient, filling part of the package, not a dedicated food tour.

There is one hygiene concern worth taking seriously. A very negative account described heavy flies around the food area and on the camels, calling the setting unsanitary. That is not consistent with the many positive comments about the outing, but it is specific enough to mention. Conditions can vary by day and season. If cleanliness is a high priority, inspect the serving area before filling your plate and raise any concern with the staff immediately.

The beachfront location still gives lunch a clear advantage over eating inside a van or returning to a resort. You can sit near the ocean, cool down after the walk, and make the meal part of the scenery rather than a rushed stop.

Tequila tasting without losing the Mexican character

The tequila tasting follows lunch and is included in the price. It gives the outing a social finish and lets you compare the drink with the food and tortilla activity.

You do not need to be a tequila expert to enjoy this part. Listen to the guide, taste slowly, and avoid treating the tasting as a drinking contest. Beer, coffee, spirits, lunch, and other drinks are listed among the available inclusions, but the exact serving sizes and brands are not specified.

If you do not drink alcohol, the meal and other parts of the outing still provide value. You should tell the guide if you prefer not to participate in the tequila tasting. The supplied details do not promise a specific nonalcoholic tasting alternative, so do not assume one will be offered.

Guides can make or break the short schedule

The tour depends heavily on its guides because the activity itself is compact. Jesus received especially strong personal praise, while Michael was singled out for his charisma and friendly manner. That matters here. A guide who keeps the desert walk lively, explains the animals clearly, and handles the group well can make a 20-minute ride feel like part of a complete outing rather than a quick photo stop.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. You should confirm your preferred language when booking, especially if clear safety instructions and food explanations matter to your group.

The staff also handles the helmets, riding instructions, lunch flow, and tasting. Be ready to follow a set schedule. This is a guided package, not a free-form visit where you decide how long to stay on the beach.

The extra fees and the real cost

At $99, the outing looks reasonably priced for a three-hour package with lunch and drinks. The value becomes less clear once you add the park entrance fee of $25 per adult or $12.50 per child. This fee is not included, and you should bring cash.

For one adult, the base cost plus the park fee is about $124. For a family of two adults and two children, the added entrance charges would be $75, before any photo purchase. That may still be acceptable if you value the meal, guide, and unusual beach ride, but it is not an all-inclusive $99 day.

Photo sales can raise the total sharply. Reports include single images priced from $50 to $70 and packages priced from $119 to $160. These figures are not consistent, so ask for the current price before posing for the official photographer. You are not required to buy photographs, and the camera restriction means you should decide in advance how much those images matter to you.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Cabo schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to budget for the entrance fee.

Who will enjoy this Cabo excursion

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several light activities bundled together. It suits couples, families with children aged five and older, and first-time visitors who want desert scenery, an animal ride, Mexican food, and tequila without planning each piece separately.

Children from five to 14 must have a paying adult with them. Young children under five cannot join. The ride may also appeal to a family looking for something different from a standard beach day, provided everyone is comfortable with the transfer and the camel’s motion.

I would be more cautious if you are buying the tour mainly for the camel ride. Twenty minutes is brief, and the extra park fee makes the cost harder to justify for that feature alone. You should also skip it if you need wheelchair access, have a mobility limitation, are pregnant, or have back trouble.

The outing is also a poor fit for anyone on a tight cruise schedule. Cruise ship passengers are not accepted, and the transfer time leaves little room for delays.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

• Bring cash for the park fee and any optional purchases.
• Wear closed-toe shoes that are comfortable for a short desert walk.
• Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat before pickup.
• Keep your camera and phone expectations realistic because cameras are forbidden during the camel ride.
• Ask about photograph prices before taking part in the photo session.
• Confirm your pickup email and watch for the white Cabo Adventures van.
• If whale watching matters to you, choose a winter date, but treat sightings as a possibility rather than a promise.
• Do not assume the $99 price covers the park entrance.

Should you book the camel safari?

Book it if you want a cheerful, varied half-day with a short camel ride, a Pacific beach, a tortilla lesson, lunch, drinks, and tequila tasting. The guides, especially Jesus and Michael, appear to be a major strength, and the ranch setting gives you a different side of Cabo than the usual resort circuit.

Skip it if you want a long camel trek, a low-cost outing with no surprise charges, or a polished food setting with no chance of flies. Add the $25 adult park fee to the real price, treat the photo service as optional, and remember that transportation takes a large share of the schedule.

For the right person, this is a fun memory-making package. Just book it for the full mix of activities, not for the 20-minute camel ride alone.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo camel safari tour?

The activity lasts three hours, although the van transfer is listed as a separate 1.5-hour segment. The camel ride itself lasts about 20 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The $99 price includes lunch, drinks, the camel ride, a safety helmet, guides, a tortilla-making lesson, and tequila tasting.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. The fee is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child, and cash is recommended.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The exact pickup time and location are confirmed by email.

Can children join the tour?

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

Are cameras allowed during the camel ride?

No. Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. Optional photographs are available, but prices should be confirmed before purchase.

Who should not book this activity?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, cruise ship guests, or children under five.