Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

Cabo’s camel safari mixes three very different pleasures: a short desert walk, a 20-minute camel ride beside the Pacific, and a Mexican lunch with tequila. The setting is a ranch in a turtle-breeding area, with wide ocean views and possible humpback whale sightings in winter.

I like the hands-on touches, especially the tortilla-making lesson and the chance to learn about local plants and animals rather than simply pose on a camel. I also like that lunch, drinks, a safety helmet, guides, and transportation are included. The main drawback is value: the advertised price is $99, but you also pay a $25 adult park entrance fee, and the camel ride itself is brief.

Key points to know before booking

• The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes: This is a short scenic ride, not a full-day camel trek.
• The park fee is extra: Budget $25 per adult and $12.50 per child, paid separately.
• Lunch is part of the main package: You get a Mexican buffet, drinks, tortilla instruction, and tequila tasting.
• Winter may bring whale sightings: Humpback whales can sometimes be seen off the Pacific shore during the colder months.
• The ride involves desert walking and beach access: Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and expect sun.
• Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride: Bring sunglasses and a hat, but do not plan to photograph the ride yourself.

A camel ride beside Baja’s Pacific shore

The camel portion is the clear headline. You sit high above a broad beach while the animals move along the sand, with sea air and Pacific views around you. It is a scenic photo opportunity in theory, though cameras are not permitted during the ride, and any official photographs are sold separately.

Keep your expectations in check. The ride lasts about 20 minutes, so this is best understood as a short coastal activity within a larger three-hour program. If your main goal is a long camel trek, you may find the ride too limited. If you want a relaxed, unusual way to see the beach, it fits nicely.

A helmet is included, and a safety briefing comes before the ride. Children from 5 to 14 must be with a paying adult. The activity is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

The beach setting also gives the outing a seasonal bonus. During winter, humpback whales may be visible offshore. No sighting is promised, but the open view makes this one of the better parts of the experience for anyone who enjoys watching the sea as much as riding the camel.

The desert walk adds more than a photo stop

Before or around the camel ride, your guide takes you on a short walk through desert terrain. This is not a demanding hike, but it does mean you should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes rather than sandals.

The ranch sits in an area connected with turtle breeding, and the walk introduces you to the local plants and animals. That small nature lesson matters because Baja can look empty at first glance. The desert is dry and spare, yet it supports its own plant and animal life. A guide who points out those details gives the place more meaning than a quick ride from van to beach.

The walk also helps break up the day. You are not sitting in a vehicle or on a camel for the entire outing. I like that the program gives you several ways to experience the ranch: walking, listening, riding, eating, and taking part in a food lesson.

Do not expect a long wilderness trek. The walk is short, and the supplied details do not give a distance or difficulty rating. Still, the terrain and sun can make it tiring for anyone with limited mobility. This is one reason the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What the transportation means for your schedule

Pickup is available in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Look for a white Cabo Adventures van, with drivers wearing light blue polo shirts. Your exact pickup time and place are confirmed by email, so check those details before leaving your hotel.

The program lists a van segment of about 1.5 hours, while a booking note describes the drive as roughly an hour each way. In practical terms, do not treat this as a quick activity right outside your hotel. Allow extra time around the three-hour ranch program, especially if you are staying in San José del Cabo or have plans later in the day.

The longer drive is the tradeoff for reaching a more secluded ranch and beach. You get away from the main resort areas, but the ride reduces the amount of time spent on the actual camel activity. If you are visiting Cabo from a cruise ship, this tour is specifically not suitable for cruise ship guests. The pickup timing and total duration are simply too hard to match with a ship schedule.

Tortillas, buffet lunch, and a proper break

After the beach portion, you walk to a beachfront restaurant for lunch. The meal is presented as an authentic Mexican buffet, with drinks included. You also learn how to make tortillas, which is a simple but useful cultural touch.

I prefer this kind of food activity to another staged performance. Making a tortilla connects the meal to a basic part of Mexican cooking, and it gives the outing a hands-on moment that does not depend on the camel ride. You can expect regional food and a chance to sit down after the desert walk and beach activity.

The lunch also affects the value calculation. At $99 per person, you are not paying only for 20 minutes on a camel. The price includes transportation, a guide, the nature walk, safety equipment, lunch, drinks, tortilla instruction, and tequila tasting. If you would pay for a meal and a separate activity anyway, the package becomes more reasonable.

There is one hygiene concern to keep in mind. A recent complaint described flies around the food area and near the camels, calling the setting unsanitary. That is a serious point, even though other feedback describes the day as excellent. A desert ranch and outdoor restaurant can have insects, but anyone especially sensitive to food-service conditions should consider this before booking.

Tequila tasting with a Baja backdrop

The tequila tasting comes after lunch and gives the day a distinctly Mexican finish. You can sample spirits while enjoying the beachfront setting, and drinks are part of the package.

This is a social, lighthearted part of the activity rather than a formal spirits course. It works well for adults who want to learn a little, taste several pours, and relax after the ride. If you do not drink alcohol, the broader meal and beach setting still give you reasons to join, but tequila is one of the advertised highlights.

Cash is worth carrying. The park entrance fee must be paid separately, and drinks or other purchases beyond what is included may require payment. The adult fee is $25, while children pay $12.50. That extra charge has caused some frustration because it is not included in the $99 headline price. Others regard it as a fee connected with animal care, so decide if the full cost fits your budget before booking.

The real price: $124 for most adults

The listed price is $99 per person. Add the $25 adult park entrance fee and the practical total becomes $124 per adult, before any optional photo purchases or other spending.

For children, the listed child park fee is $12.50, but the supplied information does not give a separate tour price. Children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children under 5 cannot join.

At $124, this is not a bargain if you judge it only by camel time. Twenty minutes is short, and transportation can take about an hour each way. The package makes more sense if you value the whole half-day: a desert walk, ocean views, a meal, drinks, a food lesson, a tequila tasting, and transportation from your hotel area.

Pay attention to the photography policy as well. Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride. One recent booking described photo charges of $50 for a single image and much higher prices for photo packages, with different quoted amounts reported to different people. I cannot treat those figures as a fixed official rate, but you should be ready to decline optional photography if the price does not suit you.

Guides can shape the whole day

The tour operates in English and Spanish. The guide is important here because the value depends on how well the day moves between the desert lesson, safety briefing, camel ride, food activity, and tasting.

Jesus received especially strong personal praise, while Michael was noted for his warm character and good communication. Guide assignments can change, so do not book on the assumption that either person will lead your group. Still, the feedback points to the human side of the experience as one of its strongest features.

A good guide can make the short walk feel worthwhile, explain the turtle-breeding area clearly, keep the camel ride calm, and help you understand what is on the plate at lunch. The best version of this tour feels like a relaxed introduction to several pieces of Mexican life rather than a single animal ride.

Who should book this Cabo excursion?

I would recommend it to couples, families with children at least 5 years old, and first-time Cabo visitors who want several activities bundled together. It suits you especially well if you like animals, casual cultural activities, ocean views, and a hosted lunch.

It is also a good fit for adults who want a tequila tasting without planning a separate distillery visit. The tortilla lesson gives families something to do together, and the camel ride is unusual enough to become a memorable part of a Cabo holiday.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, natural outing with no commercial add-ons. The camera restriction and reported photo prices may feel intrusive. I would also hesitate if you dislike long transfers, have limited mobility, are pregnant, or need a wheelchair-accessible activity.

The tour is not ideal for a strict beach day either. You see the shore from a camel and enjoy a beachfront meal, but the ride is short and the schedule includes walking, transportation, food, and tasting.

Practical advice for a smoother visit

Wear comfortable shoes with closed toes. You will walk on desert ground and around the ranch, so flimsy sandals are a poor choice. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are essential in the open Baja sun.

Bring cash for the park entrance fee and possible purchases. Do not bring a camera for the camel ride, since cameras are not permitted there. The information provided does not say that phones are handled differently, so the safest plan is to follow the same restriction unless staff tells you otherwise.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve without paying immediately. Check the available starting times, then confirm your pickup email carefully. Since the drive can take about an hour each way, avoid booking another time-sensitive activity immediately afterward.

Should you book the Cabo camel safari?

Book it if you want a varied half-day outing rather than a long camel trek. The combination of a secluded beach, desert nature walk, tortilla lesson, Mexican buffet, drinks, and tequila tasting gives you more than the camel ride alone. The friendly guide service, especially the praise connected with Jesus and Michael, is another reason this can become a warm, enjoyable day.

Skip it if $124 before extras feels high for 20 minutes on a camel, or if you need an accessible activity or a cruise-ship-safe schedule. The separate park fee and possible photo sales should be part of your decision from the start.

For the right visitor, this is a fun and unusual Cabo package. Just price it as a full food-and-culture outing, not as a stand-alone camel ride.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo camel safari last?

The ranch activity lasts about 3 hours. The van transfer can add about 1.5 hours, and a booking note describes the drive as roughly an hour each way, so allow additional time beyond the three-hour activity.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes along a tranquil beach.

What is included in the tour 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, paid separately.

Where can I be picked up?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children under 5 cannot join. Children aged 5 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 may be available for purchase.

What should I bring?

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