Cabo San Lucas gets a lot of noise. This tour trades the crowds for a camel ride on a secluded beach plus real Mexican food stops, and I like how the day mixes nature with hands-on culture like tortilla making. The one drawback to plan around: the camel time is brief, and you should budget for an extra park entrance fee that is not included.

There’s also a timing reality check. You’ll spend meaningful time in the van, and one common complaint is that the ride itself is only about 20 minutes total, even though the full outing feels short (about a 3-hour block). Add in the rule that cameras are not permitted during the camel ride, and you’ll want to think through what you want to capture before you go.

Key things to know before you go

• Camel time is short, so go in expecting a taste, not a long ride
• Winter whale sightings are possible from the ocean-view area (check season)
• Park entrance fee is separate, so factor it into your budget early
• No cameras during the camel ride, which changes how you’ll take photos
• Lunch + drinks + tequila tasting are the big value anchors here
• Tortilla-making lesson is a hands-on culture moment, not a quick demo

The best part: a camel safari with real ocean views

This is a “get outside the city” kind of Cabo trip. You start at a ranch setting that looks out toward the Pacific, and even before you reach the animals, the vibe is calmer than the typical beach strip day. If you like scenery that feels a little remote, you’ll appreciate the way the route and stops keep you moving away from crowds.

The camel ride is the headline, but it’s not a long, slow slog. It’s a focused, about-20-minute experience along a tranquil beach with sea air and big horizon views. If whales are in season in winter, there’s a chance you’ll catch sight of humpbacks from the shore area while you’re out there. That whale possibility is one of the reasons this tour can feel extra special during the cooler months.

Getting there: vans, pickups, and why timing feels tight

The tour offers pickup in either San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, with a van transfer built into the schedule. You should assume the road time is real; one review described about an hour each way. Even if the official duration says 3 hours, plan mentally for a compact day where the real action is packed into fewer stops.

This matters because the most common complaint is about expectations. The camel portion is short by design, so if you’re imagining a long ride, you’ll likely feel underwhelmed. If you’re coming for a mix of experiences—desert walk, culture lesson, and food—then the shorter animal time can work in your favor.

The desert walk: quick hiking + turtle-breeding area context

After pickup, you’ll settle in for the ranch portion of the morning and then head out for a short hike on desert terrain. The area is described as a famous turtle breeding area, and your guide will point out local flora and fauna along the way. This is less about strenuous hiking and more about learning how the desert works and what to notice when you’re standing in it.

If you’ve only seen desert from a highway window, this is where the tour gains value. It gives you a guided way to look at plants and animals without needing a specialist background. You’ll also do a safety briefing here, and you’ll get a safety helmet for the camel ride portion.

Comfort note: closed-toe shoes are strongly suggested for a reason. Desert ground can be uneven, and you’ll be standing and walking in a light, outdoor setting before you get on the camels.

Camel ride rules that affect your photos

You’ll be joining the camel ride along the beach, but there’s one important rule: cameras are not permitted during the camel ride. That policy changes how you plan your memory-making.

If you’re a photo person, do the thinking up front:

• Take non-camel photos before mounting and after dismounting
• Use your phone only in parts of the tour where cameras are clearly allowed (the camel ride itself is the no-go)

Also note the rider requirement side of things. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or wheelchair users, and it’s not listed as pregnancy-friendly. If getting on and off animals or sitting through uneven ground could be an issue, it’s worth choosing something else.

Tortilla-making lesson: the culture moment that feels most worthwhile

The tour doesn’t just hand you lunch. It gives you a tortilla making lesson, which is the kind of activity that makes a short day feel more personal. Even if you’ve had tortillas in Mexico before, making them yourself is different—you understand the work behind something you usually just order.

This stop also helps the day feel authentic because it connects food to place. You’ll move from desert to shoreline, then land in a beachfront restaurant setting where the flavors match the region and the rhythm of the day makes sense.

If you’re traveling with someone who cares about food and local customs, this portion can be the highlight that outlasts the camel photos.

Lunch at the beachfront: buffet style with drinks included

After the camel and short walk, you head to a beachfront restaurant where the tour includes an authentic Mexican buffet plus drinks. The description calls out ice-cold beverages, and the general structure is: eat, relax for a bit, then enjoy the tequila portion.

This is a good place to slow down. The day is active outdoors, and the restaurant time gives your body a chance to reset. If you’ve had trouble finding truly local meals during a Cabo shore-day, this stop is one of the stronger reasons the tour is rated well for value.

Diet note: the materials provided don’t specify vegetarian, vegan, or allergy accommodations. If you have serious dietary needs, I’d treat this as something to ask ahead of time before you assume the buffet will work for you.

Tequila tasting: a fun add-on, not just a sales pitch

The tequila tasting session happens with your lunch stop, so it feels like part of the meal—not a separate rushed activity. For many people, this is the moment that turns the day from scenic to celebratory.

The best way to think about it: you’re not just buying a ticket to ride animals. You’re buying a package of small experiences, and the tequila tasting is one of the finishing touches that makes the evening plans easier. If you like sampling spirits in a relaxed setting with good food, you’ll likely enjoy this part.

Whale-viewing chances: what seasonal timing can mean

Winter is mentioned as the season when humpback whales may be seen off the shore. That’s a big draw, even for people who don’t usually chase wildlife tours. If you’re visiting during winter, this tour becomes more than a fun outing; it turns into a possible wildlife moment wrapped in a cultural day.

Of course, “possible” is the keyword. Ocean life is never guaranteed. But the point is this: you’re already near the water during the camel and ranch viewing areas, so the tour gives you a realistic chance without extra travel just to look for whales.

Price and value: the $99 ticket vs the real total

At $99 per person, this tour is positioned as an affordable mix of camel ride, lunch, and guided experiences. The best value is the combination: you get a camel ride, a tortilla making lesson, lunch with drinks, and a tequila tasting. If you compare that to piecing those moments together separately in Cabo, it can feel like a decent deal.

But there’s a catch: the park entrance fee is not included. The materials list $25 per adult and $12.50 per child. Multiple reviews echo that you’ll need cash on hand for access, and that’s worth planning for. One review also described very high photo add-on costs at the end, including prices for photo packages, and another report flagged a concern about sanitation around the food area and animals.

So here’s how I’d evaluate the price fairly:

• If you budget for park entry and you’re okay with brief camel time, the $99 can feel reasonable
• If you expected the price to cover everything end-to-end and you’re not prepared for potential extra costs, it can feel more expensive than it looks

Photo packages and the end-of-tour upsell reality

This is not a criticism of the tour overall, but it’s important info for your budgeting brain. One negative review reported being asked to pay substantial amounts for single photos and photo packages. Since you can’t use your camera during the camel ride, it’s understandable the company offers official photos—but the pricing can swing the total cost fast.

If you want to control your spending, go in with a plan:

• Decide ahead of time whether you want official photos
• If pricing is shown at the end, be ready to say no without awkwardness

That simple mindset can protect the value you came for.

Guide quality: when names like Jesus and Michael pop up

A lot of the day depends on the guide, because you’re doing a mix of desert walking, camel safety, and culture explanations. In the feedback, I saw names like Jesus and Michael tied to memorable guiding. One review called Jesus amazing, and another praised Michael’s carisma.

I can’t promise you’ll get the same guides on your date, but I can tell you what to look for: you want a guide who keeps the group moving, explains what you’re seeing in the desert, and runs a calm, clear camel process. If your guide is strong, the short camel ride can still feel like more than a quick gimmick.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This works well for:

• People who want a one-stop mix of nature + culture + food
• Travelers who like short, guided outdoor moments rather than long hikes
• Couples and small groups who want ocean views and a fun tequila tasting without planning multiple stops

It may not work well for:

• Anyone who can’t handle getting on a camel or uneven outdoor footing
• People with back problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone who is pregnant (not listed as suitable)
• Cruise ship guests, since it’s not designed for that schedule pattern
• Families with kids under 5, and kids aged 5–14 must be accompanied by a paying adult

If you’re unsure, choose based on comfort first. The tour is short, but the animals and outdoor movement are still real physical elements.

What to bring so the day feels easy

The basics are simple, but they matter:

• Comfortable shoes
• Sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen
• Cash (for the park entrance fee)
• Closed-toe shoes

And because cameras are restricted during the camel ride, don’t rely on one device plan. Think about your phone usage before you mount the camel, and accept that you may be “present” more than you are “documenting” during that moment.

Should you book the Cabo San Lucas camel safari?

If you want a short, guided day that combines camel time, a desert walk with local context, tortilla making, lunch, and tequila tasting, this is a strong candidate for Cabo. The best reason to book is the structure: you don’t just do animals. You also do food and culture, and you get ocean views (with a winter whale chance).

I’d book with extra care if you hate surprise add-ons or you’re sensitive to rules like no cameras during the camel ride. Also take the park entrance fee seriously in your budget, since it can change what the day costs in the real world.

If you’re going in with the right expectations—short camel ride, planned extra fee, and a culture-forward meal stop—you’ll probably walk away feeling it was good value for what you actually did.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo camel safari tour?

The tour duration is listed as 3 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The included items are a full lunch, drinks, camel ride, safety helmet, guides, a tortilla making lesson, and a tequila tasting.

Is the park entrance fee included?

No. The park entrance fee is not included, and it’s listed as $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.

Are cameras allowed during the camel ride?

No. Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. Closed-toe shoes are required.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and cruise ship guests. Children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.