UTV and Camel Ride in the Cabo Desert

The unusual part here is the double feature: you get a 45-minute UTV ride through sandy trails, then slow down for a 20 to 25-minute camel ride near the Cabo coast. It is a quick way to see desert plants, dunes, and ocean views without giving up a little motorized fun.

I like the small maximum group of 10, and I like that the package includes hotel pickup, helmets, goggles, two quesadillas, and fresh horchata or Jamaica water. The main catch is the price: the $140.48 rate does not include the $15 ranch entrance, collision insurance, or photographs.

Key points to know

• Two very different rides in one outing: Spend about 45 minutes on a UTV and 20 to 25 minutes on a camel.
• Ocean views from desert trails: The route includes dunes, desert vegetation, and stops for photographs.
• Small groups help: The maximum is 10 people, though the actual group may be smaller.
• The ranch fee is extra: Add $15 per person before comparing the total cost with other Cabo excursions.
• Phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activities: The official photo package is your only way to buy activity photos.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to another date or a full refund, but ordinary cancellations are non-refundable.

From Cabo hotels to the desert ranch

The day starts with pickup from selected hotels in Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. You will ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Baja’s heat and makes the transfer more comfortable than arranging your own taxi.

Pickup timing is not identical for every hotel. From San José del Cabo, the vehicle comes about one hour before the activity. From Cabo San Lucas, the exact time depends on your hotel. You receive the final schedule and pickup point 24 hours before the reservation, so keep an eye on your messages and avoid planning a tight activity before this one.

The transfer brings you to the operating facilities and ranch area. Once there, you check in and receive a locker for belongings. This is useful because phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activities. You can bring a phone for before and after the rides, but plan to store it during the actual route.

After check-in, your guide explains the day’s order and activity instructions. The sequence can change according to daily logistics. That means you might ride the UTV first and visit the camels second, or the order could be reversed.

Getting ready for the 45-minute UTV ride

If the motorized ride comes first, you receive a helmet and goggles, then listen to driving and safety instructions. This is not a free-for-all race. You follow the guide along a set route, so expect a guided off-road outing rather than a chance to choose your own path.

The UTV portion lasts about 45 minutes. The route passes through sand dunes and desert vegetation, with views toward the ocean. That combination gives the ride more variety than a simple dirt-track circuit. You get the excitement of a powered vehicle, but also pauses where you can look around and take photographs.

The vehicles are described as racers or UTVs, and some feedback refers to them as RZRs. If you are comfortable with off-road driving, this will likely be the more active half of the day. If you are new to these vehicles, pay close attention to the briefing and stay with your guide.

The exact riding setup is not fully specified, so ask at check-in how drivers and passengers are assigned. Also ask about collision insurance before you start. It is not included in the listed price, and the operator may offer it as an additional charge.

This is one place where practical caution pays off. The route includes sand, and conditions can feel rougher than a paved sightseeing drive. Wear clothes and shoes you do not mind getting dusty. The supplied goggles and helmet are part of the safety equipment, so use them as directed.

Desert dunes, plants, and Cabo’s ocean outlook

The scenery is a major reason to choose this outing. Cabo is known for its coast, but this ride gives you a look at the dry interior, where dunes and desert plants frame views of the sea.

The route includes planned stops for photographs. Since phones and GoPros are forbidden during the activity, you will need to rely on the tour’s photography service if you want images from the ride itself. You can take your own pictures before or after the activities, but not while you are on the route.

That rule may disappoint anyone who normally records every turn. On the other hand, it keeps the ride simpler and avoids trying to manage a phone while wearing safety gear or driving a UTV. If photos matter to you, ask about the package before leaving the facilities. The photo cost is not included in the tour price.

The scenery is not a long nature walk or a quiet coastal viewpoint. You see the desert from a moving vehicle, with brief stops. I would choose this for a mix of views and motion, not for hours of peaceful scenery.

Meeting the camels at the stables

After the UTV ride, you go to the stables area. You can use the bathroom, prepare for the next activity, and then meet the camels.

The introduction includes time to take photographs and pet the animals before the ride. This pause is important because it gives you a chance to get comfortable around the camels rather than climbing on and immediately moving away.

The camel portion lasts 20 to 25 minutes. The route passes through dunes and includes ocean views, creating a slower counterpoint to the UTV ride. You will not spend most of the day on a camel, but the short ride adds something you cannot get from a standard off-road tour.

If you have a child in your group, tell the guide before the activity begins. Noe has been praised for giving extra time and patience to a group with an eight-year-old. That does not guarantee the same guide or the same arrangement, but it is a useful reminder to explain your group’s needs clearly during check-in.

One negative account raised a serious concern about the camel setup, including missing stirrups and a lack of response when safety equipment was requested. Because that report conflicts with the generally positive experience, I would not ignore it. Before mounting, check that the equipment feels secure and ask directly for help if anything seems wrong. A good guide should take that concern seriously.

Food, drinks, and the ranch fee

After the activities, you return to the facilities to view the photographs and eat the included food. The package provides two quesadillas and fresh waters in horchata or Jamaica flavors.

This is a light snack, not a full restaurant meal. It should help take the edge off after the rides, but do not book this expecting a large lunch. The drinks are a nice local touch, especially after time outdoors in the sun.

The listed tour price is $140.48 per person. The real cost is higher because the ranch entrance fee is $15 per person. Collision insurance is also excluded, and so are photographs. If you want the official photo package and insurance, the final bill can rise noticeably.

At the full base cost, I see the value in the combination of two activities, hotel transportation, safety gear, food, and drinks. You are not paying only for a short camel ride. Still, compare the total with other Cabo outings before booking, especially if you do not care about the camel portion or the photo package.

Why the small group size matters

The maximum group is 10 people. That is a useful limit for a guided activity with equipment, animals, safety instructions, and a moving route.

A smaller group can make check-in less chaotic and may give you a better chance to ask questions. It also helps the guide keep the group together on the UTV route. The listing does not promise that every departure will have 10 or fewer people beyond the stated maximum, but 10 is still a manageable ceiling.

The quality of the guide matters here. Noe and Raphael have both been singled out for friendly service, patience, and enthusiasm. Raphael, in particular, has been praised for making the day fun, while Noe was noted for taking extra time with a young rider. Guide assignments are not guaranteed, so treat those names as a hopeful possibility rather than a promise.

Who will enjoy this Cabo desert outing?

I would choose this for you if you want a short, active excursion with several parts rather than one long, focused activity. The UTV adds speed and movement, while the camels provide the novelty and slower pace. The ocean views keep both sections connected to Cabo rather than making this feel like an isolated ranch visit.

It also suits families and mixed groups, provided everyone can follow safety instructions and tolerate outdoor conditions. The positive feedback from a group with an eight-year-old suggests that a patient guide can help younger participants, but the tour data does not provide a minimum age or detailed child policy.

You should think twice if you dislike dusty rides, animals, or extra charges. You may also prefer another tour if you want to film everything yourself, because personal phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activities.

The outing is listed as suitable for most people, but the information does not spell out accessibility details. If you need specific accommodations, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the UTVs, camel mounting, or ranch facilities will work for you.

Timing, weather, and cancellation risk

The activities take about two hours, not counting hotel transfers, check-in, safety instructions, changing between activities, food, photographs, and the ride back. Plan on more of your day being occupied than the headline duration suggests.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That protection does not apply to ordinary changes of mind: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended for any reason after purchase.

Because pickup details arrive 24 hours before the activity, keep the day flexible. Do not schedule an important dinner, airport transfer, or another prepaid excursion too close to the expected return.

A practical checklist before you go

A few small preparations will make this easier:

• Wear clothes and shoes suited to dust and outdoor activity.
• Bring only what you need, since belongings go into a locker.
• Expect to store your phone and GoPro during the rides.
• Ask about collision insurance before operating the UTV.
• Ask about the photo package before the activity starts.
• Check the camel safety equipment before mounting.
• Keep your schedule open around the two-hour activity and hotel transfer.
• Confirm the pickup message when it arrives 24 hours before the date.

The operator provides the safety equipment, but the information does not list sunscreen, hats, or extra water beyond the included drinks. You may want to prepare for sun and heat without assuming additional supplies are provided.

Should you book the UTV and camel ride?

Book it if you want a compact Cabo adventure that combines off-road driving, camel time, desert scenery, and ocean views. The mix is the main selling point, and the small group limit, hotel pickup, safety gear, quesadillas, and fresh drinks add useful value.

I would be more cautious if your budget is firm at $140.48, because the ranch entrance, collision insurance, and photographs cost extra. I would also ask clear safety questions before the camel ride, especially after the report of missing equipment.

For the right person, this is a fun half-day-style outing packed into roughly two activity hours. Choose it for variety and novelty, not for a quiet nature tour or a low final price.

FAQ

How long does the UTV and camel experience last?

The activities take approximately two hours. The UTV ride lasts about 45 minutes, and the camel ride lasts about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfers, check-in, changing activities, food, and photographs add time.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from selected hotels in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. San José del Cabo pickup is scheduled about one hour before the activity, while Cabo San Lucas timing depends on the hotel.

When will I receive my pickup details?

The tour operator provides your schedule and pickup point 24 hours before the reservation date.

What is included in the price?

The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, safety equipment, two quesadillas, and fresh horchata or Jamaica water.

What costs extra?

The $15 per person ranch entrance fee is not included. Collision insurance and photographs are also extra.

Can I use my phone or GoPro during the rides?

No. Phones and GoPros are not allowed during the activity. You can purchase the tour’s photographs instead.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Ordinary cancellations or requested changes are non-refundable.