Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

The best part of this Cabo excursion is the unusual mix: you get a 20-minute camel ride on a secluded Pacific beach, then lunch, tortilla making, and tequila at a beachfront restaurant. It feels less like a standard sightseeing loop and more like a short taste of ranch life outside the resort zone.

I like the ocean views and the chance of seeing humpback whales offshore in winter. I also like that the tour includes a desert walk, food, drinks, and a tortilla lesson instead of treating the camel ride as the whole event. The main catch is simple: the camel ride is brief, and the park entrance fee costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• A 20-minute beach camel ride gives you sea air, open views, and a calm route beside the Pacific.
• A short desert hike introduces local plants, animals, and a turtle-breeding area.
• Tortilla making and a buffet lunch add a real Mexican food experience to the outing.
• English- and Spanish-speaking guides, including guides named Jesus and Michael, lead the experience.
• Whale sightings are seasonal, with the best chance in winter.
• The $25 adult park fee is not included, so bring cash in addition to the $99 tour price.

Starting from Cabo, then heading into the desert

The tour begins with pickup in either Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. A white Cabo Adventures van collects you, and drivers wear light blue polo shirts. Confirmed pickup details arrive by email, so I would check that message carefully before leaving your hotel.

The drive can take about 1.5 hours in total, including the journey to and from the activity area. One important detail is that the ride may take about an hour each way, depending on your pickup point and the route. That matters because the advertised three-hour activity does not include all of your time in the van.

I would bring water for the transfer, though drinks are included during the activity. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are the safest choice, especially since the day includes a desert walk and a camel ride. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are not optional in Baja’s strong sun.

The ranch sits above the Pacific Ocean and gives you a quick change of scene from Cabo’s hotel districts. You are not simply taken to a beach for a photo stop. The visit begins with an introduction to the dry coastal terrain, the ranch setting, and the natural area around it.

A short hike through Cabo’s coastal desert

Before climbing onto a camel, you take a guided walk through desert terrain. This is not a long hike, but it adds useful context to the ride. You learn about local flora and fauna, as well as the area’s role as a turtle-breeding zone.

I like this part because it slows the morning down. The desert around Cabo can look bare at first glance, yet a short walk helps you notice how much life exists in a dry environment. The guide also gives a safety briefing, which is especially useful if you have never ridden a camel.

Do not expect a strenuous trek or a full natural-history tour. The walk is short, and the main event remains the beach ride and meal. Still, it gives the excursion more substance than a quick animal encounter.

The footing may be uneven, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. It is also not recommended for people with back problems or pregnant women. Children must be at least five years old, and children from five through fourteen need a paying adult with them.

The 20-minute camel ride beside the Pacific

The camel ride is the image that sells this excursion, and it is certainly the most unusual part. You ride along a quiet beach, with the Pacific beside you and the desert behind you. The route is designed for scenery rather than speed, so expect a gentle outing rather than an adventurous safari.

A safety helmet is included, and you receive instructions before mounting. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that lets you sit comfortably. The ride lasts only about 20 minutes, so set your expectations correctly. If you want a long horseback-style excursion, this will feel short. If you want a memorable activity added to a food-and-sightseeing day, the length works better.

The beach setting is the real reward. You get open ocean views without the usual Cabo marina crowds, and the sea air makes the ride feel cooler than the inland desert. During winter, watch the water for humpback whales. Sightings are possible, not promised, so treat them as a bonus rather than part of the guarantee.

Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride. That rule may disappoint anyone hoping to film the entire route, but it also means you should not plan on taking your own action photos from the saddle. Bring sunglasses and a hat, but secure them well because wind and movement can make loose items troublesome.

Photo packages may be offered separately, and they can be expensive. Some people have paid $50 or more for an individual photo, while package prices have been reported at roughly $119 to $160. I would ask about the price before agreeing to any pictures, and I would not assume photography is part of the $99 booking.

Tortillas, lunch, and a tequila tasting

After the camel ride, you walk a short distance to a beachfront restaurant. This is where the excursion shifts from animal activity to food and drink. A full Mexican buffet is included, along with beverages, so you are not left searching for lunch after returning from the beach.

The tortilla-making lesson is a small but worthwhile touch. You get to see how a basic Mexican staple is prepared rather than simply receiving a plate of food. It gives the meal a hands-on element and helps explain why fresh tortillas are such an important part of everyday Mexican cooking.

The buffet is practical for a mixed group because you can choose what suits you. The supplied information does not list every dish, so I would not book this expecting a specific regional menu. Instead, think of it as a broad Mexican lunch served in a relaxed beachfront setting.

The tequila tasting follows the meal. You can learn about and sample different spirits, with beer, coffee, and other drinks also listed as available during the outing. Pace yourself, especially if you have been in the sun. The combination of heat, food, and tequila can catch up with you faster than expected.

One sanitation concern has been raised about flies around the food area and the camels. That is worth knowing before you book. Conditions can vary, but anyone especially sensitive to outdoor dining or animal areas should keep this point in mind. The experience takes place in an open ranch and beach setting, not an enclosed restaurant environment.

Is the $99 price good value?

At $99 per person, the price covers more than the camel ride. You receive transportation, a guide, the desert walk, safety equipment, the camel ride, tortilla making, lunch, drinks, and tequila tasting. If you want several different activities in one half-day, that package has reasonable value.

The calculation changes once you add the park entrance fee. Adults pay $25, and children pay $12.50. This fee is not included in the advertised price, and you should bring cash. For an adult, the known cost becomes $124 before any optional photos or other purchases.

That extra fee has caused confusion because some people expect every required charge to appear in the headline price. The operator describes it as an animal-care or park charge, but you should still treat it as part of your real budget. I would compare the full adult cost, not just the $99 figure.

The excursion makes more financial sense if you plan to eat lunch anyway and value the included drinks and transport. It is less attractive if you mainly want a camel ride, since the ride itself lasts only 20 minutes. In that case, you are paying for the whole package around the ride, not for a long camel safari.

The strongest praise has focused on the guides and the complete day. Jesus and Michael have been singled out for their friendly manner and good energy, and that matters in a tour built around several transitions. You are moving from van to hike, hike to camel, camel to lunch, and lunch to tasting in a short period.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend this tour to couples, families with older children, and first-time Cabo visitors who want a light activity with food included. It works well for people who like a little nature, a little culture, and a little novelty without committing to a full-day expedition.

Families should note the age rules. Children under five cannot join, and anyone aged five to fourteen must have a paying adult with them. The camel ride is not a long endurance test, but the sun, transport time, and uneven ground still make this better for children who can manage a structured three-hour activity.

This is also a good fit if you want a break from Cabo’s resort areas. The secluded beach, desert setting, and ranch meal offer a different view of Baja California Sur. You get a taste of Mexican food traditions without having to plan separate transport to a rural area.

I would be more cautious if you have back trouble, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or have limited mobility. The experience is not suitable for those conditions. Cruise ship guests should also note that this activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for them, so it may not fit a ship schedule or pickup arrangement.

What to pack, and what to leave behind

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. You will walk on desert ground, mount a camel, and spend time outdoors, so sandals and dress shoes are poor choices.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Cash for the park fee and optional purchases
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes

Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. The rules specifically restrict cameras on that portion, so ask the guide where photography is allowed before taking out your phone or camera. Do not count on capturing your own pictures from the camel.

The best practical tip is to protect yourself from the sun early. The tour includes open beach and desert time, and the ocean breeze can make the heat feel milder than it is. You may not notice the sun until after lunch.

Pickup, language, and timing details

Guides speak English and Spanish. That makes the tour workable for mixed-language groups, and the safety briefing is given before the camel ride.

Pickup is available in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, with drop-off in either place. The exact pickup time and location are confirmed by email. Look for the white Cabo Adventures van and drivers in light blue polo shirts.

The activity itself lasts about three hours, but you should allow more time because of the van ride. A reported drive of about one hour each way can turn this into a much larger part of your day. I would avoid scheduling a tight dinner reservation, airport transfer, or other paid activity immediately afterward.

You can cancel without a charge up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Cabo schedule. Check the available starting times before booking, since pickup windows can affect the rest of your day.

Should you book the Cabo camel safari?

Book it if you want a mixed experience: a short camel ride, ocean scenery, a desert walk, Mexican lunch, tortilla making, and tequila in one organized outing. The friendly guides, particularly Jesus and Michael, add to the appeal, and winter may bring the extra thrill of humpback whales offshore.

Skip it if your only goal is a long camel ride, if you dislike outdoor animal settings, or if the extra $25 park fee bothers you. Also think twice if you cannot manage uneven ground, a long van transfer, or the heat.

My practical verdict: this is a pleasant, unusual Cabo day at a fair price only when you count the meal, drinks, transport, and cultural activities. Budget $124 per adult before optional photos, and view the camel ride as one part of the outing rather than the entire event.

FAQ

How long does the Cabo camel safari take?

The activity lasts three hours. The van ride may add about 1.5 hours in total, and the drive can take about an hour each way depending on pickup details.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes and follows a tranquil beach beside the Pacific Ocean.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full lunch is included, served as a Mexican buffet at a beachfront restaurant. Drinks are also included.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. The fee is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. Bring cash to pay it separately.

Can I see whales during the tour?

You may see humpback whales offshore during winter. Sightings are seasonal and are not guaranteed.

Can children join the experience?

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

What languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak English and Spanish.