Cabo does something funny with camels: instead of dust and desert, you get salt air and Pacific Ocean views. I love the beach-based camel time (pet, feed, ride) because it feels less staged and more scenic than you’d expect, and I like the roundtrip pickup so you don’t burn vacation hours figuring out logistics. The main thing to consider is that the total experience can take several hours on the clock, even when the camel ride itself is around 25–30 minutes.

At Cactus Tours, you’ll spend time at their facility with experienced handlers and a bilingual guide, plus a meal and drinks to keep you comfortable in the heat. Some parts of the add-on ecosystem can feel like a money squeeze, especially around photos and phone rules, so it helps to know what’s optional before you arrive.

Quick takeaways

• Beach ride, not a desert-only ride: Expect camel time right on the waterfront with ocean breeze.
• You’re fed and hydrated: A meal (super burro) plus soft drinks and water are included.
• Phone and camera restrictions are real: Plan for lockers and paid souvenir photography.
• Tequila tasting is part of the package: Offered after the food, with a host guiding the experience.
• Pickup happens in both Cabo and San Jose del Cabo: Your schedule depends on hotel location and routing.
• Small-ish operation: The tour caps at 100 travelers, so it doesn’t feel like an endless cattle line.

Beach camels in Cabo: what makes this setup different?

Most camel rides you see online sound like a desert detour. This one flips the script by putting the action on the beach in Los Cabos, with handlers guiding you while you pet, feed, and ride your camel along the water. That shift matters because it changes the whole vibe: the views are cleaner, the ride feels calmer, and the ocean air makes the heat easier to handle.

You’ll also get the best of both worlds: the camel encounter happens in a controlled, animal-focused setting, and then you get a ride portion that’s designed to be short enough for the animals’ well-being. If your goal is a fun, one-time Cabo memory that’s family-friendly and picture-friendly, this format usually lands well.

Price and logistics: how the $71.25 fare really works

The base price is $71.25 per person, and that includes roundtrip transportation, a camel handler/bilingual guide, the camel encounter, soft drinks and water, and a meal. That’s a lot baked in—so you shouldn’t feel like you’re paying mostly for a dusty ride and nothing else.

But two things can change your final total:

1) The $25 park entrance fee

This is listed as an additional fee at Cactus Tours and should be expected. Multiple experiences also point out that it’s not something you can dodge on arrival.

2) Photos and phone access

Souvenir photos are sold separately, and phone/camera use can be restricted unless you pay for an option. Some guests reported being unable to keep their phone out during the ride, while others describe paying extra to use devices or getting different photo packages.

My practical advice: treat the $71.25 as the starting point, then budget extra for the entrance fee and any souvenir photography you actually want.

Where you start: pickup, timing, and why the day feels longer

You’ll have hotel pickup in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, with morning and afternoon options. You also get a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes at booking.

Even so, the biggest real-world factor is time. The camel-ride portion is relatively short, but the overall experience can stretch depending on your pickup location and how the shuttle routes multiple hotels. I’d plan for several hours out of your schedule, especially if you’re on a tight itinerary.

A few timing patterns that show up in the experience details:

• Some people report being picked up earlier than expected and dropped off later.
• The camel ride itself may be closer to 25 minutes than the idea of a full hour you might picture.

If you’re pairing this with dinner plans or another tour, give yourself breathing room. Cabo runs on heat and traffic, and this tour’s schedule depends on the shuttle.

Cactus Tours facility: the animal interaction part

After pickup, you head to Cactus Tours, where the camel interaction takes center stage. You can expect up-close contact that’s more than just mounting and walking in circles. The program is built around meeting the animals, feeding and petting them, and then going for a ride.

One nice detail: the experience is supported by handlers, not just a guide calling instructions. That matters because camels have their own rhythm, and having someone experienced keeping things safe and calm makes the whole interaction smoother.

Guides’ names that come up often include Billy, Cesar, Solomon, Oscar, and Raul. I’d look at those names as a signal that the operation leans into friendly, English-capable guiding rather than treating the tour as a bare-bones transaction.

The camel encounter and beach ride: what to expect on the camel

Here’s the core payoff: you’ll interact with camels in a safe environment, then ride them on the beach. The ride time is commonly described as about 25 minutes, and it’s framed as a structured segment designed around animal care.

What makes this part enjoyable:

• You get real interaction time: petting and feeding mean you’re not rushed through a photo-op-only moment.
• The beach setting makes the ride feel scenic: you’re riding with an ocean view rather than a dry yard.
• Handlers guide the pacing: you’re less likely to feel like you’re doing something totally unprepared.

What to watch for:

• Phone/camera rules can affect your ride experience. Some guests say devices had to be stored away, and others describe needing paid options to keep phone access. If having your own video is a must, read up carefully and ask what’s allowed on your specific option.
• The ride length is not the whole tour. The ride itself is short. The rest of your time is the encounter, meal, and movement between areas.

Also note: the tour notes that most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The desert safari ride: quick adrenaline, not all day

Your included package also mentions an exhilarating desert safari ride. That’s part of why the experience feels like more than just a camel mount. In practice, this is usually a short add-on segment, not a multi-hour excursion.

How you’ll likely feel during this portion: it’s fun if you like movement and action, but it’s not the main event. Your main event is still the camel encounter on the beach.

Food, soft drinks, water, and the included super burro

Heat + animals + time outdoors can drain you fast, which is why I’m glad this includes a meal. You’ll get a super burro with beef, pork, and chicken, plus soft drinks and water. That combination is practical: you’re not stuck hunting for food while everyone else is done.

Quality can vary by day and by your own taste. Some people describe the buffet food as good with fruit, pastries, yogurt, and options for non-meat eaters. Other notes describe the food as just okay or basic. Either way, at least you’re not going in hungry.

If you’re traveling with kids, there’s also a Kids Club included, which can help parents take a breath while the adult-focused segments run.

Tequila tasting: fun if you’re into it, easy skip if you aren’t

Tequila tasting is included, and it’s typically hosted right after the meal. The point isn’t to turn this into a long tasting seminar; it’s more like a destination-flavored activity that fits the Cabo theme.

In the feedback, tequila hosts like Baltazar are named as excellent hosts, while other notes describe the tasting as mediocre. Translation: you should enjoy the spirit if you’re open to it, but don’t expect a craft distillery deep dive unless the host really goes big.

Also, the tour is not recommended for travelers under the effect of alcohol and/or drugs, and one account notes a breathalyzer as part of safety. If you’re considering alcohol, assume the activity’s rules are strict and designed for safety outdoors.

Souvenir photos and phone restrictions: where costs can creep in

This is the part that can make or break your value for money.

The tour includes souvenir photo availability, and you’ll be able to buy photos taken on top of the camel. At the same time, multiple experiences point to camera/phone restrictions during parts of the ride. Some guests describe having to store phones in lockers, and others say you may be able to pay extra to keep device access.

The most practical move:

• Decide in advance whether you actually want professional photos.
• If you do, budget extra and accept that they may not match your personal style or angles.
• If you don’t, plan to take only what the rules allow, and don’t assume you’ll get your own clean ride video.

If you care about capturing your own footage, ask before you go what’s permitted for your exact option.

Price/value check: what feels worth it and what doesn’t

For $71.25, you’re paying for more than the camel ride:

• transportation from your hotel area
• animal encounter time
• the camel ride segment (around 25–30 minutes)
• a meal plus soft drinks and water
• tequila tasting
• a bilingual guide and camel handler support

That’s solid value if you want a guided, low-stress Cabo activity with no planning headache.

Where the value gets questioned is when the “extras” stack up:

• the $25 entrance fee at Cactus Tours
• optional souvenir photo packages
• paid options around phone access and device rules
• the time cost (you may lose a bigger chunk of your day than the ride duration suggests)

My rule of thumb: if you’re the type who wants a guided experience and you’ll either skip photos or budget for them, this tends to feel worth it. If you hate surprises—especially about phone rules and extra fees—read carefully and set expectations.

Who this camel ride suits best (and who should skip)

This is a great match if you:

• want a family-friendly animal experience without flying to the Middle East
• like guided activities with a clear structure
• appreciate short, well-managed animal time
• can handle the reality that the ride is only part of the overall schedule

It also seems to work well for older travelers. One account from guests in their 70s described no issues getting on and off the camel.

You might rethink booking if you:

• need to document the ride with your own phone/camera and don’t want restrictions
• are trying to squeeze this between other tight timed reservations
• strongly prefer experiences without add-on pressure

And if you’re traveling with alcohol involved, assume the safety process is strict.

My booking advice: how to get the best Cabo day out of this

1) Budget for the $25 entrance fee. Don’t treat it like a surprise.

2) Plan for several hours, not just the ride. Cabo pickup and logistics take time.

3) Decide on photos before you arrive. If you want them, budget. If you don’t, don’t let it pressure you mid-ride.

4) Confirm what you can carry and use. If phones are restricted, understand your options in advance.

5) Choose your timing wisely. If you’re heat-sensitive, pick the slot that fits your energy and hydration needs.

If you’re going with a private upgrade option, some guests describe it as awesome, and Billy is singled out in one private experience as a standout guide. Private can help if you hate waiting around, but it may also come with additional costs. If you’re considering it, clarify what’s included so the total doesn’t creep.

Should you book the Cabo beach camel ride?

Book it if you want an easy, guided camel encounter with Pacific Ocean views, a real meal, and a short ride that’s organized around animal care. The transportation and included food/drinks are the value drivers, especially if you don’t want to plan your own outing.

Skip (or at least think twice) if you’re very photo-dependent on your own phone/camera, or if you have a packed schedule where a late shuttle return would ruin your day. In that case, you’d likely be happier with a simpler beach activity where your timing and device access are more predictable.

If you go in with your expectations set—entrance fee accounted for, photo rules understood, and enough time blocked on your calendar—you can walk away with a genuinely memorable Cabo moment without turning your vacation into a logistics project.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride on the beach?

The camel ride portion is about 25–30 minutes, even though the full experience timing can be longer due to pickup, the encounter, and meal/drinks.

What’s included besides the camel ride?

The experience includes camel encounter time, a camel handler and bilingual guide, roundtrip transportation, soft drinks and water, a meal (super burro), and tequila tasting, plus a Kids Club.

Do I have to pay an extra entrance fee?

Yes. There is a listed $25 per person park entrance fee for Cactus Tours that is not included in the base price.

Are phones and cameras allowed during the ride?

Phone/camera rules can be restrictive. Souvenir photos are available for purchase, and some guests report needing extra options to use phones during parts of the activity.

What areas do pickup and drop-off cover?

Pickup is offered in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Is tequila tasting mandatory?

Tequila tasting is included in the tour. The data doesn’t say it’s optional, but you can always choose not to participate based on your comfort level.