Review · CAMEL RIDES & DESERT CAMPS

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting

★ 4.0 · 22 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $95 Run by Best Cabo Tours, LLC · Seats sold through Viator
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A camel ride beside the Pacific is one of Cabo’s more unusual outings. You’ll ride along a white-sand beach, look out over breaking waves, and learn about camel care, anatomy, behavior, and training. Guides have included Raul, Fernando, Dario, Alex, and Billy, with several praised for their care and good humor.

I like the ocean views and the chance to meet the camels before riding, including petting and feeding them. I also like the useful combination of a light taco lunch, drinks, and an alcohol tasting. The main drawback is value: the ride can feel short, and a $25 government fee, possible photo charges, and strict phone rules can raise the final cost.

Key points to know before you book

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - Key points to know before you book

  • The camel ride is beside the Pacific Ocean, on a white-sand beach near Cabo San Lucas.
  • The advertised price is $95 per person, but a $25 government fee is extra.
  • The full outing lasts about two hours, while the actual camel ride may feel closer to 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Tacos, soft drinks, water, and alcohol tasting are included, though the tasting may be modest.
  • Camera rules need careful checking, since group participants may have to lock phones away and buy professional photos.
  • The group limit is 15 people, and hotel pickup is offered roughly 45 minutes before the activity.

Meeting the camels beside the Pacific

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - Meeting the camels beside the Pacific

The appeal here is simple: you get to ride a camel on a beach in Baja California, with the Pacific rolling beside you. It is an odd pairing of desert animal and ocean shore, and that is exactly why the outing feels different from the usual Cabo boat trip or ATV ride.

The setting near Migrino is expansive, with a facility spread along the coast. You are not simply dropped onto a camel and sent down the sand. The experience includes time with the animals before the ride, including petting and feeding, plus an introduction to camel culture, anatomy, personality, care, and training.

That extra time matters if you have children or if you are curious about the animals themselves. You can see how the handlers work with them and get close enough to notice their size and temperament. A baby camel has even been part of the welcome for some groups.

The ride itself is not a long trek. Several people found it lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, even though the complete outing ran close to two hours. The rest of the time may include animal introductions, walking through the facility, food, the tasting, photo stops, and waiting.

I would set your expectations correctly: this is a short, scenic camel ride wrapped in a larger activity, not a half-day safari across the Baja desert.

More Camel Ride Safaris in Mexico:

What the two-hour schedule feels like

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - What the two-hour schedule feels like

Pickup routes change each day, so your exact start time comes by email or phone. If you are staying at a hotel or resort, pickup is generally in front of the lobby about 45 minutes before the activity begins. Round-trip transportation is included, and the outing returns to the original meeting point.

At the property, you may wait while the group is organized and safety arrangements are handled. Waiting has been a repeated weakness, so do not book this immediately before a dinner reservation or another timed activity.

The animal introduction comes before the ride. You can pet and feed the camels and hear about their care and behavior. The bilingual guide and camel handler lead the session, and the group size is limited to 15 people. That is small enough for the guide to give some personal attention, although the experience can still feel organized around a fixed group schedule.

Next comes the beach ride. You will use the provided safety equipment and ride across white sand with views of the Pacific. The shore is the scenic payoff, especially if the day is clear. Wind is possible, and the open beach offers little relief from the sun.

After the ride, the program moves toward lunch and the alcohol tasting. The exact order can vary, but the food is part of the package rather than an optional restaurant stop. Plan on a light Mexican meal, with beef, chicken, and pork tacos or a fajita-style plate, along with water and soft drinks.

The final tasting takes place at a nearby tequila museum or tasting area. It is a short introduction rather than a serious tequila seminar. The included samples may be limited, so people booking this mainly for the alcohol portion could find it underwhelming.

The camel ride: scenic, unusual, and short

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - The camel ride: scenic, unusual, and short

I like the ride for its setting more than its length. Cabo has no shortage of water activities, but sitting above the sand on a camel while looking toward the Pacific gives you a different view of the coast.

The movement can be awkward at first. Getting on and off requires care, and one person described the ride as uncomfortable and a little painful. That does not make the activity unsuitable, but you should not expect the smooth, relaxed feel of a horseback ride.

Guides can make a large difference. Billy was especially careful with a participant who had a disability, helping with mounting and dismounting. Raul was praised for making sure people were comfortable, while Fernando was noted for explaining local plant life as well as the camels. Dario and Alex also received warm praise for their attitude and explanations.

Those individual guides are not guaranteed, so I would not book based on a particular name unless the operator confirms who will lead your departure. Still, the pattern is useful: good handling and a patient guide can turn a brief ride into a memorable one.

You should also wear practical shoes. Old tennis shoes are a better choice than sporty sandals because you will walk through sand, and fine grit can collect around your feet. A head wrap or hat is sensible since the sun can beat down during the ride.

Tacos, drinks, and the tequila stop

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - Tacos, drinks, and the tequila stop

The meal helps make the price easier to accept. You receive a light Mexican lunch with beef, chicken, and pork options, or a taco and fajita-style plate, plus water and soft drinks. Several people singled out the tacos, burrito, or general meal as tasty.

Do not picture a long restaurant lunch. The food and tequila stop can feel rushed, especially when the group is working through a tight schedule. If you want a slow meal with several courses, this is not that kind of outing.

The tequila tasting is also best treated as a small extra. It is included, but the number of samples may be limited to two small pours. That is enough for a quick comparison and an introduction, not enough for anyone seeking a full tasting flight.

The tasting takes place near a tequila museum, which adds a little context to the drink. Still, the main reason to book this experience is the camel and beach setting. The food and alcohol are supporting acts, not the main event.

Phones, lockers, and professional photos

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - Phones, lockers, and professional photos

This is the detail I would clarify before paying. Camera rules have caused the most frustration.

On some group departures, participants have been required to place phones and belongings in a locker before the camel ride. A few people were unhappy that they could not take personal photos at scenic spots, while other activity participants nearby appeared to have their phones.

The operator has allowed personal photos on some departures or private arrangements, but rules and upgrades have varied. One group paid an additional $150 for a private tour so they could use their phones. Another reported a private upgrade of $35 per person. These details may not apply to every booking, so confirm the current policy in writing.

Professional photographers are available, but photo packages can be expensive. Even when phones are permitted, guides may not be able to take your pictures, leaving you to buy the official photos if you want group shots. Ask three questions before you go:

  • Can I bring my phone on the group ride?
  • Is a private upgrade available, and what is the current price?
  • What do the photo packages cost?

If you care strongly about recording the ride, these answers may decide whether the outing is right for you. If you are happy to put your phone away and enjoy the moment, the restriction will matter less.

The real price is closer to $120 per person

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - The real price is closer to $120 per person

The listed price is $95 per person, but the $25 government fee is extra. That brings the known cost to about $120 per person before any optional photo package or private upgrade.

The fee is connected to access and restoration work at the activity area, according to the operator. It is charged for activities at Migrino and applies regardless of the provider. Even so, it should be part of the headline price in your own budget.

At $120, the outing is not a bargain for a short camel ride. It becomes more reasonable if you value the included transportation, lunch, drinks, animal encounter, bilingual guide, and tequila tasting. It is also a useful choice for someone who wants one organized activity rather than arranging transport, food, and a beach visit separately.

The value drops if you mainly want a long ride. In that case, the 10 to 15 minute riding time may leave you disappointed. The experience makes more sense as a two-hour package with a short ride at its center.

Who will enjoy this most

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - Who will enjoy this most

This suits families, couples, and first-time Cabo visitors who want something unusual and easy to arrange. The activity is also a good fit for anyone who likes animals and wants more contact than a simple photo stop.

Most people can participate, but the stated weight limit is 250 pounds. The ride also involves walking through sand, mounting, and dismounting, so consider your mobility before booking. The guides may provide hands-on help, as Billy did for one participant, but the listing does not promise special accessibility arrangements.

It can work for solo participants as well. The group setting gives you company, and the maximum of 15 people prevents the outing from becoming a huge crowd.

I would skip it if you dislike organized stops, waiting, heat, or strict control over personal belongings. I would also choose another activity if your priority is photography. The beach is scenic, but the phone policy may keep your own camera out of reach.

Practical tips for a better outing

Camel Encounter and Safari Ride with Lunch and Alcohol Tasting - Practical tips for a better outing

Wear old closed-toe shoes or sturdy tennis shoes. Sand gets everywhere, and sandals are a poor match for walking around the facility.

Bring sun protection that is allowed by the operator, and consider a hat or head wrap. The beach can be windy, but that does not reduce the sun.

Keep your booking email handy. Pickup times change daily, and the meeting point is G-Force Adventures on Carretera Cabo San Lucas, Avenida La Paz Km. 106. The activity ends back there.

Ask about the $25 government fee, phone storage, personal cameras, and photo prices before departure. These are not small details. They affect both your budget and how you experience the ride.

The tour is offered in English, with a bilingual guide and experienced camel handler. English ability can vary by guide, so if detailed explanations are important to you, mention that when confirming the booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather can also cancel the activity, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Cabo camel ride?

Book it if you want a memorable, family-friendly novelty with Pacific views, a short camel ride, tacos, and a small tequila tasting in one organized package. The strongest parts are the beach setting, the chance to handle the animals before riding, and the guides who take care with mounting and comfort.

Go in with clear expectations. The camel portion may be brief, waiting can stretch the schedule, the tequila samples may be small, and the final cost is closer to $120 per person once the government fee is added. Confirm phone and photo rules before you pay.

If those conditions work for you, this is a fun one-off Cabo experience. If you want long riding time, full control of your camera, or the lowest possible price, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

How long does the camel experience last?

The full activity lasts about two hours. The camel ride itself may feel closer to 10 to 15 minutes, with the remaining time used for animal introductions, the beach setting, lunch, tasting, photos, and group organization.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $95 per person. A separate $25 government fee is charged per person, making the known total about $120 before optional photos or private-tour upgrades.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, and pickup is generally in front of your hotel or resort lobby about 45 minutes before the activity. Routes and pickup times change daily, so check your booking email or call ahead.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a light Mexican lunch with beef, chicken, and pork tacos or a fajita-style plate. Water and soft drinks are included, along with an alcohol tasting.

Can I bring my phone on the camel ride?

Phone rules can vary. Some group departures require you to lock phones and belongings in a provided locker, while private arrangements may allow phones. Confirm the current policy before booking if personal photos matter to you.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The stated maximum weight is 250 pounds.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

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