Camels, tacos, and tequila, minus the crowd. I love the camel ride along a secluded beach and the tequila tasting session paired with lunch. One catch to plan for, the park entrance fee is not included, and extra spending can pop up on-site.

You also get desert time with a guide, including talk about local flora and fauna and the turtle breeding area you pass through. If you’re going in winter, you may catch ocean sightings of humpback whales offshore, which adds a special layer to the scenery.

Pickup runs from either San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, followed by a van ride that takes up a chunk of the 3-hour window. The good news is the tour is tightly focused, so you’re not stuck in transit all day.

Key highlights worth clocking

• Secluded beach camel safari with a no-camera rule during the camel ride, so go in present, not phone-focused.
• Desert walk with real animal-and-plant context, including the turtle breeding area you’ll hear about.
• Tortilla-making lesson that turns lunch from just food into an activity.
• Tequila tasting at a beachfront restaurant, with drinks included along with a full Mexican buffet lunch.
• Seasonal whale-viewing chances in winter from the Pacific side.
• Budget for add-ons like park entry fees, and possibly extra costs for photos.

The van ride to a Pacific-facing ranch

This is one of those Cabo adventures that starts by setting you up for a different mood. You leave from either San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas, then head by van toward a ranch overlooking the Pacific. The transfer time is described as about 1.5 hours, and one guest noted an hour each way, so I’d plan for travel to take real time.

Why that matters: the whole experience is only 3 hours long, so that drive is part of the deal. If you’re hoping to squeeze in Cabo sightseeing, shop stops, and this tour all in one day, you’ll want to keep your expectations realistic.

The tour also includes scenic views along the way. Even if you don’t care about the “drive,” it’s worth arriving ready for sun. Baja light can hit hard fast, so sunglasses and sunscreen are not optional.

Desert walk: short, scenic, and educational

Before you go anywhere near the camels, you’ll get a guided walk through desert terrain. It’s a short one, not a big hiking day, but it’s designed to help you understand what you’re looking at instead of just walking through it.

What you can expect to hear about:

• local plants and animals
• the turtle breeding area you’ll be in and around
• how the land works in this coastal desert region

This is where the experience gets more “Mexico outdoors” and less “theme park photo stop.” A desert walk like this works best when you keep your pace steady, wear closed-toe shoes, and pay attention to the guide’s explanations.

Also, pay attention to what’s offered right before the riding. There’s a safety briefing included, and you’ll likely get instructions on how to handle yourself around animals and the walking portion.

Camel safari on a secluded beach: the main event

The centerpiece is a camel ride along a quiet beach. The timing isn’t long, about 20 minutes total, but it’s memorable because it mixes two things people rarely get in Cabo: a calmer beach setting and a slower, animal-paced ride.

A few practical details matter a lot here:

• There’s a helmet provided for safety.
• Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride.
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes help with footing around animals.

Also, expect the beach to feel breezy and exposed. Sea air sounds romantic, but the sun still works like sun. Hats and sunscreen are your best friends.

Is it perfect for everyone? If you’re comfortable walking and standing with guidance, you’ll likely enjoy it. If you have mobility issues or back problems, this is listed as not suitable, so don’t try to “tough it out.” A camel ride is fun, but it isn’t the kind of activity that can be easily adapted.

Finally, keep the ride in perspective. This is a safari on a schedule, not an all-afternoon camel trek. If you’re shopping for a long ride experience, you may find this feels short.

Tortilla-making lesson and the full Mexican buffet lunch

After the camel ride and a short walk to the beachfront restaurant, the day shifts into food and hands-on learning. You’ll get a tortilla-making lesson, then sit down for an authentic Mexican buffet-style lunch with drinks included.

Why the tortilla part is valuable: it’s not just a meal served to you. It’s a mini skill you can take home, even if you only remember the basic steps and the idea behind the dough. That turns the lunch stop into one of the more “you were really there” moments.

This is also where some travelers have had mixed experiences. One unhappy report complained about flies around the food area and unsanitized conditions around the camels. That’s not something I’d ignore if you’re sensitive to sanitation or bug issues, since this is an outdoor ranch environment where insects can show up. If you’re the type who’s easily bothered by flies near open food, it’s smart to bring a travel attitude that expects outdoor realities.

For everyone else, the lunch break is the energy reset. It gives you a chance to eat, cool down, and rehydrate before the rest of your day.

Tequila tasting: fun, social, and included

Next up is tequila tasting with the lunch experience. You’ll learn as you taste, and you’ll be doing it in a beachfront setting. That combo can be more enjoyable than tasting in a store or bar because the views keep the mood light.

What’s included:

• tequila tasting
• drinks with lunch
• guides and a group-led experience

A big plus from people who rate this highly is the overall “value for what you get.” In other words, you’re not only paying for the animals and scenery, you’re also paying for food and a tasting session that would cost extra elsewhere.

One word of caution: if you are traveling with alcohol-sensitive plans, pace yourself. Tasting is part of the activity, and the schedule is tight, so plan to keep your next steps easy.

Also, guides matter here. Names like Jesus and Michael come up when guests talk about charisma and an engaging day. If you care about the human energy of a tour, this is one where the guide can genuinely change your experience.

Whale chances in winter: hope for it, don’t demand it

Cabo can feel like a year-round postcard, but winter brings another reason to look out at the horizon. The experience includes seasonal humpback whale sightings as a possibility, especially in winter.

Here’s how to think about it:

• you’re not booking guaranteed whale viewing
• you are getting a chance to see whales when conditions line up
• the whale mention is part of why the ocean setting is special here

So go with a mindset of watching, not checking off a box. When whales show up, the whole beach-and-tequila mood gets upgraded instantly.

Even when whales don’t appear, the Pacific views still do the job. You’ll be in a ranch area with ocean sightlines, and the day is set up to keep the scenery front and center.

Price and value: what $99 really covers

The base price is listed as $99 per person for a 3-hour experience. That sounds straightforward until you factor in the add-ons.

Included in the price:

• full lunch and drinks
• camel ride
• safety helmet
• guides
• tortilla making lesson
• tequila tasting
• regional food and a guided tour experience

Not included:

• park entrance fee, $25 per adult and $12.50 per child

That park fee alone can change the real cost quickly, especially for families. One guest also pointed out that they had to pay park entry fees in cash on top of what they already paid, and that aligns with the fact it’s not included in the listing price.

Photos are another possible expense. An unhappy report said they were asked to pay $50 for one photo and $119 for a package. Another complaint cited $70 for one photo and $160 for a package. That doesn’t mean every situation matches those numbers, but it does tell you to be ready.

My value take:

• If you want a single-ticket day that bundles camel time, tortillas, lunch, and tequila, the $99 can feel fair.
• If you’re strict on budget and hate surprise cash costs, it’s smart to budget extra for entrance and possibly photos, or decide in advance you won’t buy them.

Bring cash, because the park fee is listed in cash terms, and an extra photo option can be handled on-site.

Who should book this camel safari, and who should skip

This tour is a good match if you want:

• an animal experience that is short and guided
• a mix of outdoors and food
• something different than the usual Cabo bar circuit
• a tequila tasting plus lunch in one stop

It’s also listed as not suitable for:

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

Children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

If you’re traveling with someone who has mobility limits, you’ll save a lot of stress by choosing a different Cabo activity that’s easier to access. Same goes for anyone whose back can’t handle sitting upright for a ride duration, even if the ride is short.

Practical tips for a smooth day

Do yourself a favor and pack like the day is outdoors from start to finish.

Bring:

• comfortable shoes with grip
• sunglasses
• sun hat
• sunscreen
• cash
• closed-toe shoes (especially for the walk and ranch areas)

Plan around the camera rule:

• cameras are not permitted during the camel ride
• if you want photos, think about what you can capture before and after the ride

Also, watch the schedule expectations:

• pickup is included, but exact times come by email
• you’ll ride in a van with a guide during the transfer
• total time on this activity is only 3 hours, so you should treat it like a tight, focused block

Should you book the Cabo San Lucas camel safari tour with lunch and tequila?

If your goal is a compact, fun Cabo day that combines a secluded beach camel ride, a hands-on tortilla-making lesson, and a tequila tasting with lunch, I think this tour is worth considering. It’s built for people who want to trade crowds for calm desert and ocean scenery, and who like guided experiences that come with food included.

I’d hold back if:

• you hate any extra cash costs, because the park entrance fee is separate
• you strongly dislike flies or open-air food environments
• you need accessibility accommodations, since the tour is listed as not suitable for several mobility situations
• you want a long camel ride, since the camel portion is about 20 minutes total

If you book, go in with two habits: budget a little extra for entrance fees, and skip the camera obsession during the ride. The best part of the experience is the moment, not the screen.

FAQ

How long is the Cabo San Lucas camel safari tour?

The duration is 3 hours.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is available from two locations, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

How much is the park entrance fee, and is it included?

The park entrance fee is not included in the tour price. It is $25 per adult and $12.50 per child.

What is included with lunch?

Lunch is included, along with drinks. The experience also includes the tortilla making lesson.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is included, and you are provided a safety helmet.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride is about 20 minutes.

Are cameras allowed during the camel ride?

No. Cameras are not permitted during the camel ride.

What languages are the guides?

The tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Who should not book this tour?

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

What are the cancellation rules?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.