Cabo San Lucas: Camel Safari Tour with Lunch and Tequila

The camel ride is the hook: you sit high above a quiet beach while the Pacific rolls beside you, then trade the saddle for a short desert walk, lunch, and tequila. It is a full Mexican-themed outing rather than a long riding expedition. The actual ride lasts about 20 minutes, so you should book it for the setting and mix of activities, not for hours in the saddle.

I like the ocean views and winter whale-watch chance, and I like that the day adds tortilla making and a tequila tasting instead of stopping after the camel ride. The main drawback is the extra park fee, which is not included, plus the long drive and short riding time. A $99 tour can feel fair with lunch and drinks, but less so if you expected a half-day safari.

Key points to know before booking

• The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes: Expect a scenic beach outing, not an extended trek.
• The Pacific is the star setting: Winter visitors may spot humpback whales offshore.
• Lunch is part of the experience: You’ll make tortillas, then eat at a beachfront restaurant with drinks.
• The $25 adult park fee is extra: Children’s admission is listed as $12.50, so bring cash.
• Guides can shape the day: Jesus and Michael received especially warm praise, though your guide is not guaranteed.
• Cameras are not allowed during the ride: Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable closed-toe shoes, and cash instead.

A camel ride with a Pacific Ocean backdrop

This outing begins at a ranch near Cabo San Lucas, set above the Pacific rather than in the center of the resort zone. That change of scene matters. Cabo can feel polished and busy, while this excursion gives you open desert, ocean air, and a quieter beach setting.

You start with a safety briefing and a short walk through desert terrain. The area is also known for turtle breeding, and your guide explains local plants and animals along the way. This is not a strenuous hike, but you should still wear shoes that can handle uneven ground and sand.

The camel ride follows. At roughly 20 minutes, it is brief enough for first-timers and families with older children, but too short for anyone seeking a serious riding experience. You’ll follow the beach with the sea beside you, which gives the ride its sense of place. The point is the view and the novelty, not speed or distance.

During winter, humpback whales may be visible offshore. Sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed, but the chance adds a welcome bonus to the coastal setting. Bring sunglasses and a hat, since the sun can be strong and the open shore offers little shade.

What the desert walk adds to the outing

The desert walk keeps the tour from becoming a simple photo stop. Baja California Sur is dry and rugged, and the short hike gives you a closer look at the plants and animals that manage to live there.

Your guide leads the walk and provides the local context. That can be useful if you are not familiar with the region’s ecology. The mention of turtle breeding also gives the area a purpose beyond scenery. You are not just looking at sand and thorny scrub; you are visiting a place connected to wildlife protection.

Still, keep your expectations in check. This is a short guided walk, not a long nature excursion. If you want a major hike, this tour will not fill that role. I see it as a good middle ground for people who want a little movement before lunch without turning the day into a demanding outdoor activity.

Tortillas, buffet lunch, and a taste of local life

After the beach ride, you walk to a restaurant by the water. The tortilla lesson is one of the better details in the schedule because it gives you something to do with your hands and connects lunch to Mexican food traditions.

You learn how tortillas are made, then sit down to a full buffet lunch. Drinks are included, with beer, coffee, spirits, and other beverages listed as part of the experience. The meal is not an add-on you need to arrange later, so the $99 price covers more than transport and a camel ride.

I like this part because it slows the pace. You have already had the desert walk and beach ride, and now you can eat while taking in the ocean view. For many people, that combination will feel more satisfying than a quick animal encounter followed by a return to the hotel.

There is one practical concern. A recent complaint described flies around the food area and near the camels, raising concerns about cleanliness. That is a serious point, and I would not ignore it. Conditions can vary, but anyone sensitive to insects or concerned about food presentation should keep this possibility in mind. Ice-cold drinks, lunch, and a seaside setting sound appealing, but the meal area is still part of the value calculation.

Tequila tasting with a clear-eyed approach

The tequila tasting follows lunch and adds a social, distinctly Mexican touch. You can sample spirits and learn about them in a relaxed setting rather than treating the tour as only a beach ride.

If you do not drink alcohol, the outing still includes the camel ride, hike, tortilla lesson, buffet, and nonalcoholic drinks. You should not feel that the tasting is the only reason to go. If you do enjoy tequila, though, it helps round out the food portion of the day.

Use some restraint if you plan to ride or spend more time in the sun afterward. The tour includes spirits, beer, and lunch, and hot weather can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. The practical move is to eat first, drink slowly, and keep water in mind.

The drive from Cabo and San José del Cabo

Pickup is available in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. A white Cabo Adventures van handles the pickup, and drivers wear light blue polo shirts. Your exact pickup time and location are confirmed by email, so check those details before leaving your hotel.

The drive is important to the value question. The schedule lists van transport, and one customer found the trip to the activity took about an hour each way. Another itinerary figure gives 1.5 hours for the van portion, so you should plan for a substantial transfer rather than a quick ride nearby.

That means the advertised three-hour duration refers to the organized activity, not necessarily the entire time from hotel pickup to return. Add the drive when planning your day. If you are staying in San José del Cabo, the transfer may take a meaningful part of your morning. If you are arriving by cruise ship, this experience is specifically not suitable for cruise ship guests, so do not try to squeeze it around ship timing.

The van ride is worthwhile only if you want the full combination of desert, beach, food, and tequila. If your priority is a quick camel photo near your hotel, the transfer may feel excessive.

Is $99 a good value?

At $99 per person, the tour includes quite a lot: transport, a guide, the camel ride, lunch, drinks, a tortilla lesson, a tequila tasting, and a safety helmet. That is a reasonable package when you want a simple day with several activities bundled together.

But the price needs one important adjustment. The park entrance fee is not included and is listed as $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. Bring cash. The extra charge can make the final cost feel noticeably higher, especially for a family.

One customer described paying an additional 500 pesos to enter, while another specifically said the fee was for animal care. The supplied price information gives the official dollar amounts, so use those figures when budgeting. Either way, the fee should be made clear before you commit.

Photo costs can also affect the final bill. Cameras are not allowed during the camel ride, and a complaint described photo packages priced as high as $119 or $160, with single-photo prices also reported at different amounts. Prices may change, so ask about photo costs before posing or agreeing to a package. If you do not want the expense, make that clear at the start.

My value judgment is simple: the tour works best if you count the food, drinks, scenery, and cultural activities along with the ride. If you count only saddle time, $99 plus the park fee is steep.

Who will enjoy this Cabo excursion most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several easy activities in one booking. It suits couples, families with children aged five and older, and first-time Cabo visitors who want a little desert, a little beach, and a Mexican meal without arranging separate tours.

Children from five to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under five cannot join. The camel ride is short, which can be helpful for a child who is curious about camels but may not want a long session.

The tour also suits people who enjoy guided experiences with food included. You do not need to plan a separate lunch, find a tequila tasting, or arrange a ride to a remote beach.

I would think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or have a mobility impairment. The experience includes a van ride, a desert walk, a beach ride, and movement around a restaurant. It is not designed for those needs.

I would also skip it if your main goal is whale watching. You may see humpback whales in winter, but whale sightings are only a seasonal possibility, not the central activity.

Guide quality can shape the day

The guide is important here because the experience moves through several parts: safety instruction, desert ecology, camel handling, tortilla making, lunch, and tequila. A friendly guide can make those transitions feel natural.

Jesus received especially warm praise for making the day enjoyable, and Michael was noted for his strong personality and helpful presence. Those names are useful when you are checking your booking, but there is no promise that either will lead your group.

Guides speak English and Spanish. If you want more detail about the plants, turtle breeding area, food, or tequila, ask questions as you go. The short format means the guide has limited time, so speak up rather than waiting for a formal lecture.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. The advice to bring both comfortable shoes and closed-toe shoes is worth taking seriously because you will walk through desert terrain and spend time near the beach.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Cash for the park fee and optional purchases
• Comfortable clothing for a warm outdoor setting

Do not plan to use a camera during the camel ride. Cameras are not permitted at that part of the experience. You may also want to confirm how any official photos are priced before purchasing them.

A helmet is included, along with guides and the safety briefing. That is reassuring, particularly for children and first-time riders, though you should still follow instructions closely when mounting, riding, and dismounting.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Cabo schedule is still changing.

Check availability for starting times, then watch your email for the confirmed pickup details. Look for the white Cabo Adventures van and a driver in a light blue polo shirt.

The experience lasts three hours according to the advertised activity time, but your day will be longer once pickup and return are added. I would avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward, especially if you are staying in San José del Cabo.

Should you book the Cabo camel safari?

Book it if you want a well-filled, easygoing outing with a short camel ride, desert scenery, lunch, drinks, tortilla making, and tequila. The Pacific views give the activity a real sense of place, and winter may add humpback whales offshore.

Skip it if you want a long camel trek, a serious hike, guaranteed whale watching, or a low final price with no extras. The ride is only about 20 minutes, the transfer can take about an hour each way, and the $25 adult park fee is separate.

My call: this is a good fit for a first Cabo visit or a family looking for variety, provided you budget for the entrance fee and keep photo costs under control. Go for the complete Baja day, not for the camel ride alone.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo camel safari tour?

The organized experience lasts about three hours. Pickup and return add travel time, and the drive can take about an hour each way depending on your pickup location.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 20 minutes. It takes place along a quiet beach with Pacific Ocean views.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full lunch at a beachfront restaurant is included, along with drinks.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a tequila tasting session after the meal.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. The listed fee is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. Bring cash for admission.

Where does pickup take place?

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

What languages are available?

The live guides speak English and Spanish.

Can children join the tour?

Children under five cannot join. 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.