A camel ride in Cabo sounds touristy—until you’re on the beach with the Pacific breeze. This 3-hour outing takes you to a ranch setting above the ocean, then mixes a short desert walk, a secluded beach camel ride, and an authentic-style lunch that includes tortilla making and tequila tasting. Even better, in the winter you may spot humpback whales offshore.

I like the shape of the day: it’s not just riding. You also get desert terrain time with a guide-led hike through a Turtle breeding area, plus a hands-on lesson that explains tortillas beyond the usual tourist version.

One important catch: the advertised price isn’t the full cost for everyone. The park entrance fee is not included ($25 adult, $12.50 child), and photo rules can limit what you capture yourself during the camel ride.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Secluded beach camel ride (about 20 minutes): short, scenic, and tied to specific ride rules
• Ranch hike through a Turtle breeding area: a different side of Cabo beyond the resort strip
• Tortilla making lesson + buffet lunch: food is a real part of the experience, not an afterthought
• Tequila tasting session: you’ll learn how it’s presented and served alongside lunch
• Winter whale sightings possible: humpbacks can show up depending on season
• Extra on-site costs can happen: park entry fee and photo options may add up fast

Where the Day Starts: Ranch Views and a Desert Walk

The tour starts with pickup from either San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, then you ride in a van to the ranch area overlooking the Pacific. If you’re timing your whole Cabo day, plan that the driving can take a meaningful chunk of your time. One person noted roughly an hour each way, so this is a tour that fits better when you’re not trying to squeeze in multiple activities back-to-back.

Once you arrive, you don’t go straight to the camel. You first get a short hike through desert terrain. This part matters because it gives context for the land you’re riding through—especially since the area is tied to a Turtle breeding zone. You’ll hear about local flora and fauna, which is the kind of information that makes the rest of the tour feel less like a photo op and more like place-based travel.

You’ll also get a basic safety briefing and the chance to settle in before the animals portion. I like tours that take safety seriously upfront, and this one includes a safety helmet.

What to watch: wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. This hike is short, but desert ground can be uneven, and you’ll be glad you didn’t bring sandals.

The Secluded Beach Camel Ride: Short Time, Big Views

The centerpiece is a camel ride along a quiet beach, with you enjoying sea air and wide ocean scenery. The ride time is listed as about 20 minutes, so manage expectations: it’s memorable, but it won’t be a long scenic “hour on the camel.”

The ride is also where the rules get stricter. The instructions say cameras are not allowed, and specifically not permitted during the camel ride. That means you may need to rely on what the guide/team can capture for you (and that’s where the extra photo spending can come in later).

The ocean views are the payoff. In the winter months, there’s a chance of seeing humpback whales basking off the shore. That doesn’t mean whales are guaranteed, but if you’re traveling in peak season for whale activity, this is one of the few Cabo experiences that builds that possibility into the plan.

Practical tip: if you want photos, ask about what’s allowed during the day and how the photo process works. Don’t assume you’ll be free to shoot everything yourself.

Lunch by the Water: Tortillas You Help Make

After the ride and a short walk to the restaurant, the day shifts into food mode. You’ll get an authentic-style Mexican buffet lunch and ice-cold beverages, served at a beachfront location. This is one of the best parts for me because it turns the outing into a full half-day meal experience rather than a quick “ride and go.”

You’ll also do a tortilla making lesson. That’s not a throwaway activity. Even if you’re only making a few tortillas, you learn the basic rhythm—how dough behaves, what cooking looks like, and how tortillas fit into Mexican meals. If you’ve ever eaten tortillas in Cabo and wondered how they get that flavor and texture, this lesson helps you connect the dots.

Then comes the tequila tasting session. It’s not described as a deep chemistry class, but it is positioned as a fun add-on to lunch. The value here is social: it gives you a structured way to taste and talk without needing to hunt down a separate tequila bar later.

Food note: lunch is included, but it’s not described as a fancy plated meal. You’re looking for hearty, real buffet-style food and the pleasure of eating outdoors with ocean views.

Tequila Tasting: Fun Lesson, Not a Shopping Push (But Know the Reality)

The tequila part of this tour is timed with lunch, so it’s built into your day flow. That’s better than doing tasting after you’re already tired, sunburned, and starving. You’ll get to taste while you’re still in “vacation mode.”

That said, plan for the way tours sometimes handle souvenirs and add-ons. One participant mentioned photo pricing that felt steep for on-site packages. So even though the tequila and food are included, you should still assume the experience may come with opportunities to spend more—especially if you can’t take your own photos during the ride.

How I’d handle it: decide in advance your comfort level with extras. If you’re okay with a souvenir photo set, fine. If you’re budget-conscious, you’ll feel better walking in knowing the “included” experience is the big deal.

Price and Value: The $99 Ticket vs the Real Total

On paper, $99 per person for a camel ride, hike, lunch, tortilla lesson, and tequila tasting sounds like strong value—especially with that short-and-scenic beach component. For a lot of people, the lunch and tortilla lesson make the tour feel more complete than a pure activity ticket.

But you should do the math before you book.

• The park entrance fee is not included: $25 per adult and $12.50 per child
• Cameras are restricted during the camel ride, so you may face additional costs if you want professional photos
• There can be added spending for photos, depending on what you choose to buy

So your “real” day cost can land noticeably above $99 once you add park entry. For some, that’s still worth it because the camel ride is short but special, and the food-and-culture part of the day makes it feel like a complete experience.

My value verdict: If you’re traveling with adults or kids who genuinely want animals, desert scenery, tortillas, and a structured tequila tasting, it can be a good buy. If you only care about the camel ride and you’re trying to keep costs locked down, the extra fees may make it feel tight.

Guide Energy Matters: Jesus and Michael Get Named

A big reason tours like this can feel great (or just average) is the guide. In the details you provided, guides Jesus and Michael are specifically called out for how they show up—carisma, friendly tone, and making the day feel like more than a routine script.

I’m a fan of tours where you feel taken care of, because animal rides and desert walks can be a little intimidating if you’re unsure what’s next. A good guide also helps you enjoy the land and the animals without turning everything into a rush.

What to look for on the ground: watch how the guide explains the ride and the safety rules. That’s where you’ll feel whether the operation is run with attention and calm.

Timing, Pickup, and What to Bring (So You Don’t Hate the Day)

This tour lasts about 3 hours, but the “3 hours” doesn’t mean “3 hours of activity.” Between van time and transitions, your actual hands-on moments are shorter. The hike is short, the camel ride is about 20 minutes, and the rest is the walk over, lunch, tortillas, and tequila.

That’s fine if you go in knowing the shape of the day. It’s not fine if you’re expecting a long horseback-style ride or a long nature trek.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes (closed-toe)
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Cash (important for the park entrance fee)
• If you like to plan ahead: have a small water plan, since you’ll be outside most of the time

One more note: cameras are restricted. So you might want to rely on your phone only for allowed moments and focus your attention on the experience itself—because the best memories from this tour tend to be the ones you’re actually living, not just cropping after the fact.

Who This Is For (and Who Should Skip)

This tour fits best if you want a compact mix of desert + beach + food and you’re okay with a schedule that moves. It’s also a good choice if you’re visiting Cabo and want to get out of the busiest crowd zones.

It’s not suitable for:

• children under 5
• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• wheelchair users
• cruise ship guests

If you have any mobility concerns, think carefully about the hike and the logistics of getting on/off the camel. I’d rather you find a different experience than risk discomfort.

If you’re traveling with kids, note the rule: children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Should You Book Cabo San Lucas Camel Safari With Lunch and Tequila?

I’d book this if you want a short but memorable day that mixes animals, a desert walk, and included food you actually participate in. The tortilla making lesson, beach camel ride, and tequila tasting give you enough variety that the tour doesn’t feel like one note.

I’d pause before booking if your budget is tight or if photo costs and park fees would annoy you. The $99 base price can climb once you factor in the park entrance fee, and the camera restrictions during the camel ride mean you’ll be more dependent on on-site photo options.

My bottom line: for the right traveler—especially one who values included meals and a full “day shape,” not just the camel ride—it can be a great deal in Cabo. If you’re expecting a long camel adventure and an all-in price with zero extras, look closer and do the math first.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo camel safari tour?

The duration is listed as 3 hours.

Is pickup included, and where does it happen?

Yes. Pickup is included, with pickup location options in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Pickup time and location are confirmed by email, and the vehicle is a white Cabo Adventures van with drivers wearing light blue polo shirts.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes full lunch, drinks, a camel ride, guides, a tortilla making lesson, a tequila tasting, and a safety helmet.

Are park entrance fees included?

No. A park entrance fee is not included: $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.

Are cameras allowed?

The instructions state that cameras are not allowed, and specifically that cameras are not permitted during the camel ride.

Who can’t join this tour?

It’s not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and cruise ship guests.