Riding Camels in Cabo San Lucas: What to Expect in 2026

Riding camels in Cabo San Lucas is one of the more unusual things you can do in Mexico. The tour takes you on dromedary camels through the Baja desert — past cardon cacti that stand taller than most houses, through sandy arroyos, and eventually out to a stretch of Pacific coastline that you won't reach by car. The whole route runs along the desert shelf above the Pacific, so you get the dry, rocky Baja landscape on one side and open ocean on the other.

Camel riding in Cabo San Lucas runs year-round and requires no riding experience. The camels are dromedaries (one hump), accustomed to tourists, and led by handlers who walk alongside the group. Most tours run 3–5 hours door-to-door and include hotel transport, a Mexican buffet, and a tequila tasting at the ranch — it's a half-day excursion, not a quick loop. Shorter standalone camel rides (2–3 hours) are also available through some operators.

The tour operates year-round, but the experience varies significantly by season:

• November–April: The most comfortable window. Desert temperatures stay in the 70s–80s°F, and the chance of rain is minimal. This overlaps with whale watching season, so it's easy to combine both in a single trip.
• May–October: Hotter — desert heat can push past 95°F by midday. Sunset tours (departing 3–4 PM) are the better call during summer months. Humidity picks up in August and September during the brief rainy season.

Sunset tours sell faster than morning ones regardless of season. If you have a specific date in mind, book ahead rather than waiting to sort it out in Cabo.

Most camel riding Cabo San Lucas tours are run through a small number of established operators who share the same desert property. What differs is the booking experience, group size, and what's included. Key things to check: animal welfare standards, saddle padding, group size cap, and whether hotel pickup is included.

ℹ️ Information is as of April 2026. Prices and availability may change — always confirm with the operator before booking.

The structure is consistent across most operators:

• Hotel pickup: A van collects you from your hotel in the Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo hotel zone. Drive to the desert staging area is 15–20 minutes.
• Orientation: Guides introduce the camels, show you how to mount and dismount, and explain the basic riding position. This takes 10–15 minutes.
• Desert ride: The main ride covers roughly 3–4 miles through desert terrain. It's a walking pace — camels don't trot or canter on these tours. Saddle time varies by tour: shorter packages run about 45–60 minutes in the saddle; longer full-experience tours give you 2+ hours of riding spread across the desert and beach segments.
• Beach or eco-ranch stop: Most tours build in a stop at a secluded Pacific beach or a working ranch. Longer tours include a full Mexican buffet and tequila tasting at the ranch — this is a proper sit-down meal, not just a quick snack.
• Add-ons: Many tours combine the camel ride with ATVs, ziplining, or a visit to an agave farm on the same property. The top-rated Viator listing includes an eco-ranch cultural experience alongside the ride.
• Return ride: The ride back follows the same trail. Total saddle time across the full tour is typically 1.5–3 hours depending on which package you book.

The pace is slow and the terrain is mostly flat. It's genuinely accessible for most fitness levels and for children from around age 6 upward. Plan for a half-day — the majority of tours run 3–5 hours door-to-door.

Get a feel for what the tour is actually like — the desert terrain, the camels up close, and the Pacific views along the route.

Most camel riding Cabo San Lucas tours fall in the $90–$130 USD per person range for standard packages. Full-day or multi-activity combos run higher — up to $209 for premium ranch experiences that include a private setting, ATV riding, and a full meal. What affects price:

• What's included: Tours priced around $95–$120 typically cover hotel pickup, the camel ride, a Mexican buffet, and a tequila tasting. Bare-bones packages without food or transport start closer to $90. The gap between budget and premium is mostly inclusions, not ride length.
• Group size: The highest-rated Viator tour ($99 entry) runs large groups of up to ~70 and is the most value-for-money option. Smaller semi-private tours (max ~14 riders) cost a bit more but give you a quieter experience.
• Add-on activities: Packages that bundle ATVs, ziplining, or a working ranch visit run $100–$210 depending on the operator. Tierra Sagrada and Cabo Adventures both offer this kind of full-day adventure at the higher end.
• Time of day: Sunset tours tend to cost $10–$20 more than morning departures and fill faster in peak season.

Children's pricing (usually ages 6–12) tends to run 20–30% less than adult rates. Most operators require children under 6 to ride with an adult. Check current prices on Viator to compare what's available on your dates.

Because the camel tour runs for half a day, it pairs well with other Cabo activities on the same day or trip:

• Morning camel ride + afternoon snorkeling: Do the camel ride early, then head out to Pelican Rock or Chileno Bay in the afternoon. Both are accessible from the Cabo marina.
• Camel ride + ATV tour: Some operators run both activities on the same property. An ATV tour in the morning followed by a sunset camel ride is a full adventure day without much transit time.
• Camel ride + whale watching (December–April): A whale watching departure typically finishes by noon, leaving the afternoon clear for a sunset camel ride.

Save yourself the hassle by booking one of our top-recommended airport transfers to and from Los Cabos International Airport. Taxis can sometimes have unclear or inconsistent pricing, which adds unnecessary stress after a long flight.

Instead, enjoy a smooth arrival with pre-booked luxury pickups offering fixed rates, air-conditioned comfort, and experienced drivers—so you can start your trip relaxed and worry-free.

• Budget at least $60 per person above the listed price. An insurance or entry fee is charged separately upon arrival and isn't optional. Some packages carry additional per-person charges on top of that. Read the full confirmation email before you go — it has the exact cost breakdown.
• Read the confirmation email the day before. Pickup is typically scheduled 1.5 hours before the activity start time, departing from your hotel. Missing the van means missing the tour.
• The camel ride runs about 20 minutes along the beach, tethered in single file. It's scenic and a genuine experience — but it's brief. The ATV portion through desert and beach terrain is the longer activity. If the camel ride is your main draw, set expectations accordingly.
• Claim a solo ATV seat early if you want to drive. ATVs can be ridden solo or tandem, but guides don't always proactively offer the switch. Speak up at the start if you want your own vehicle rather than sharing.
• Leave your phone secured — you won't be able to use it during activities. The operator photographs everything and sells packages from around $200. Budget for this if you want photos, or factor in the no-phone policy when deciding.
• Experienced ATV riders should know the pace is slow and convoy-style. The route is a guided trail designed for all experience levels. The desert and beach terrain make it fun regardless, but it's not open riding — lower your expectations on speed and you'll enjoy it more.
• The facility is 30+ minutes from the marina by van. Plan for a genuine half-day commitment — this isn't a quick loop from town.
• Wear long pants. The saddle has padding but inner-thigh chafing is real on longer rides — leggings or lightweight trousers are better than shorts. Bring a neck gaiter if you're prone to dust.
• Closed-toe shoes are required. Sandals and flip-flops won't be allowed on the ATVs or the camel. Sneakers are fine.
• Sunset tours fill faster. In December–April especially, sunset departures book out days ahead. Morning tours have more availability.