REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Camel Ride and UTV Combo Adventure, with Tequila Tasting
Book on Viator →Operated by Tours Mexico · Bookable on Viator
Camel meets ATV in Cabo. You get a camel ride on Migriño Beach plus high-powered UTV/ATV desert driving in one 3-hour hit, and you end with a tequila tasting back at the ranch. The big catch is that the base price is only part of the story—plan for park entry and vehicle insurance on site, and note the phone/camera restrictions.
I also like how this tour is built like a real working ranch day: you start with a safety briefing, get time on dunes and ocean cliffs, then unwind with tequila while your group is still buzzed. If you land a great guide (some favorites from recent groups include Alvero, Juan, Ventura, Shorty, and Tony), the day feels smooth, even when you’re bouncing over desert sand.
The main drawback to keep in mind: for safety, your phone and camera are restricted unless you’re using GoPro-style mounts, and the on-site photo upsell can get expensive.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you go
- Rancho de Migriño: where the day actually starts
- Camel Ride at Playa Migríño: dunes, ocean cliffs, and strict photo rules
- Baja desert driving: UTV or Side-by-Side in real off-road terrain
- Tequila tasting back at the ranch: the real vibe and what to expect
- Price and the reality of on-site extras (insurance, park entry, photos)
- Getting there and how the day times out near the end
- Guides and safety: the difference between a fun day and a frustrating one
- Who should book this camel + UTV combo, and who should skip
- Final call: should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the camel ride and UTV combo adventure with tequila tasting?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Is pickup offered?
- What parts of the tour are included?
- Is the Playa Migriño admission fee included?
- Do I need to buy insurance for the off-road vehicles?
- Can I bring my phone or camera?
- Are photos available for purchase?
Quick hits before you go
- Migriño Beach dunes + Pacific views make the camel portion feel like more than a tourist ride
- Side-by-Side for two or single vehicles means you can pick the driving style that fits your group
- UTV/ATV insurance options (credit hold or paid coverage) can change your final cost
- Tequila tasting is built in after the ride, not at a random store stop
- Professional photos are sold after the tour, and phone rules affect what you capture yourself
Rancho de Migriño: where the day actually starts

Your adventure begins at Rancho de Migriño near Cabo San Lucas, with a safety briefing before anything moves. That first briefing matters because you’re switching from a calm camel walk to off-road driving where footing is uneven, dust is real, and everyone needs to follow the guide’s cues.
You then explore the ranch setup and get oriented to the desert environment. If you’re lucky with timing, the ranch area can include seasonal wildflowers, plus views of different mountain ranges—nice because it gives the day a “why this place” moment before the action starts.
One practical note from how this experience runs: even though the day is about 3 hours total, you should assume you’ll spend time lining up, getting gear, and waiting your turn at transition points. That’s normal for a tour with multiple vehicles and two different activity styles.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Cabo San Lucas
Camel Ride at Playa Migríño: dunes, ocean cliffs, and strict photo rules

The camel ride portion is about an hour and is scheduled along Migriño Beach. Expect white sand dunes, wide-open sky, and big Pacific Ocean views—so yes, it can feel scenic even when you’re focused on staying balanced.
This is also where you’ll learn camel basics in a way that actually helps you enjoy the ride. The guide will explain camel anatomy, history, and personality—useful because camels have their own rhythm. It’s not a thrill ride, but it is a genuine change of pace, especially if you’ve never done camel riding before.
Now the part that can surprise people: the tour has a phone and camera restriction for safety. You’re only allowed to use a camera/phone if it’s mounted in a hands-free GoPro type setup during the activity. Some groups report that a private tour upgrade may allow phone use, but the default is strict.
So if you care about capturing this yourself, plan smart:
- Bring a GoPro-style mount you can wear or clip, rather than hoping to hold your phone
- Expect sand. Even with goggles, it can get into annoying places
A tip from guides-of-the-day stories: if you’re offered equipment, pick a helmet setup that blocks wind as much as possible. One rider specifically recommended choosing a helmet with a wind shield because goggles don’t always stop sand from finding its way into your mouth.
Baja desert driving: UTV or Side-by-Side in real off-road terrain

After the camel portion, you jump into the adrenaline part: ATVs or Side by Side vehicles. Your exact vehicle experience depends on your reservation, but the tour description is clear that Side-by-Side is used for every two people, and single ATVs are available with individual reservations.
What you’re really paying for here is driving time across the Baja California desert—rugged ground, rocky textures, and wide scenic stretches. The route includes panoramic views of mountains and desert, then it pushes toward sand dunes and ocean cliffs at Migriño Beach.
Speed and safety can coexist here, but only if you pay attention to the guide and follow instructions. Several riders mentioned feeling safe, and many credited their guides for letting them go fast while still keeping things controlled. If you get a host who’s good with pacing (people singled out guides like Alvero and Juan for energy and care), the whole section feels more fun and less like a line of rules.
One more thing to watch: some guests report different starting vehicle types. In some cases they got automatic setups at no extra cost; in other cases they were told the option they had included a stick shift and an upgrade was available for a fee. Translation: if you’re picky about automatic vs manual, ask before you sign in so there are no shocks mid-day.
Tequila tasting back at the ranch: the real vibe and what to expect
The day ends at Rancho de Migriño with a tequila tasting. It’s short—about 20 minutes—but it’s included, and it’s designed to be a calm cooldown after dust, speed, and sand.
You’ll learn about tequila history and how it’s produced, then you sample a selection of tequilas. One of the best parts is that it happens at the same place as the activities, so you’re not bused across town to a generic stop.
That said, don’t expect a long sit-down tasting. Some riders found the pours smaller than they hoped, describing it as more like a quick sample than a big tasting event. So if tequila is your primary goal, you may still want to plan another tequila stop later that has longer pours.
Also keep in mind: the ranch area is where the tequila happens, and a bar can be part of the facility atmosphere. But since off-road safety is the priority, expect rules around alcohol and physical readiness if anyone in your group is affected.
Price and the reality of on-site extras (insurance, park entry, photos)

On paper, the tour price is $108 per person and it runs about 3 hours. In real life, this is one of those Cabo activities where your final total depends on add-ons you only learn about at check-in.
Here are the on-site items that matter most:
1) Playa Migriño entrance fee
The tour lists an admission fee for Playa Migríño as $25 USD per person. Multiple riders called out this extra cost, so I’d treat it like part of your base budget, not an unexpected surprise.
2) Off-road collision insurance
There are two insurance paths:
- A credit card hold, with no charges if there’s no damage
- Or paying a non-refundable insurance fee of $45 USD per vehicle for full coverage
Some reviews mention credit holds in the rough neighborhood of $750–$1,000. The exact amount can vary, so don’t count on only paying the $45. Either way, you should be ready with the right payment method so check-in doesn’t stall your day.
3) Photos after the tour
A professional photographer is part of the experience, and photos are available for purchase after. But this is where expectations can clash: some people felt the photo packages and pricing were steep, and there are reports of price changes once you see the photos. If you’re not ready to spend extra, treat photos as optional and rely on GoPro-style hands-free setups instead.
If you add just the known items, your practical budget often looks like:
- Base tour price
- Plus $25/person for park entry
- Plus insurance choice (credit hold or $45 per vehicle)
- Plus optional photos and souvenirs
Is it still good value? For the right person, yes—because you’re combining camel + beach dunes + serious off-road driving + tequila in one structured day. But if you need a true all-in, no-supply-list trip, this one will test your patience.
Getting there and how the day times out near the end

Pickup is offered in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, including hotels, villas, and the cruise port area. After booking, you confirm the pick-up schedule with the supplier, and the meeting point is Rancho de Migriño area (Cactus Tours on Carretera Federal 19 KM 100 Migriño).
Plan for transit time plus the typical “Cabo timing” reality, especially if you’re coming from a cruise ship. One cruise-focused comment warned it can be 45 minutes each way from the port area, with additional tender time before you even start moving. If you’re on a ship schedule, I’d build slack into your morning and not assume you’ll be first in line.
On the way back, the most common complaint is wait time. Some riders reported a hot, fly-filled delay for the shuttle back to their hotel, around 30–45 minutes. It doesn’t ruin the day, but it’s the part you can’t control—so bring water, shade if you have it, and a little patience.
Guides and safety: the difference between a fun day and a frustrating one

The tour runs with certified guides, and guide quality clearly matters. In recent experiences, people highlighted guides such as:
- Alvero: friendly, plant-knowledge, and good pacing on the UTV
- Juan: energetic host with a great vibe around the sand dunes
- Ventura: fun group energy and strong host presence
- Shorty, Toledo, Andres, Rudy, Manny, Eddie: all praised for camel guidance, ATV safety, and keeping things moving
This isn’t just “nice to hear.” Better guiding improves your ride quality. It helps you go at the right speed, understand where to look, and not lose time during transitions.
Safety rules are real, too:
- There’s a weight limit of 274 lbs (140 kg) per person
- Phones and cameras are restricted to GoPro-style mounts during the ride
And one overlooked point: you’re doing two different activities back-to-back (camel, then off-road). That means you should dress for both. Closed-toe shoes and something that handles dust are your friends.
Who should book this camel + UTV combo, and who should skip

This tour is a great fit if you want:
- A combo day with camel + beach dunes + desert driving
- Something hands-on and visual, not just sitting on a bus
- A tequila finish that feels tied to the ranch setting
It can also work well for first-timers. Camel riding is often a bucket-list try, and the desert driving gives you a second “wow” moment after the calm ride.
But I’d skip it if:
- You hate add-ons and want one price that covers everything
- You don’t want to deal with insurance or credit holds
- You need phone access during the activity (the default rules are strict)
- You’re sensitive to being asked to follow safety checks if anyone in your group is affected
If you’re the type who likes being prepared, this can become a standout Cabo day: thrilling driving, gorgeous dunes, and a desert-ranch atmosphere.
Final call: should you book this tour?

I’d book it if you look at this as a value-for-activity day and you’re willing to plan for the on-site extras. The combination—camel on Migriño’s sand, then UTV/ATV speed on Baja terrain, then tequila at the ranch—hits the Cabo highlights in one compact block.
I would not book it if you want a relaxed, all-in experience with zero friction. Between the $25 park entry, the vehicle insurance choice, and the photo/phone restrictions, your day can feel like a series of small payoffs unless you’re mentally ready for it.
If you do book, do three things: bring a GoPro-style mount if you care about photos, come with a payment method ready for insurance, and budget a little extra for the end-of-day add-ons.
FAQ
How long is the camel ride and UTV combo adventure with tequila tasting?
The tour is approximately 3 hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Cactus Tours on Carretera Federal 19 KM 100 Migriño, 23597 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico and ends back at the same meeting point.
Is pickup offered?
Yes. Pickup is offered for guests at hotels, villas, and the cruise port in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. You confirm the pick-up schedule after booking, or you can make your own way to the starting point.
What parts of the tour are included?
Included features are round-trip transportation, camel riding with certified guides, side-by-side vehicles (for every two people) or single ATVs for individual reservations, tequila tasting, and a professional photographer.
Is the Playa Migriño admission fee included?
No. There is an admission fee of $25.00 USD per person for Playa Migrino.
Do I need to buy insurance for the off-road vehicles?
Insurance options are required for safety reasons. You can use a credit card hold (no charges if no damage) or pay a non-refundable insurance fee of $45 USD per vehicle for full coverage.
Can I bring my phone or camera?
For safety reasons, cellphones and cameras are only allowed with GoPro type mounts during the tour.
Are photos available for purchase?
Yes. A professional photographer is included, and photos are available to purchase after the tour.


























