REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Camel Ride and UTV Combo Adventure, with Tequila Tasting
Book on Viator →Operated by Tours Mexico · Bookable on Viator
Camels meet Baja speed in one tight 3-hour outing. You get camel time on the sand, then you switch gears to high-powered off-road fun, and you wrap it up with a tequila tasting back at the ranch. The big draw here is variety: animals, ocean views, desert riding, and tequila all in the same stop-and-go adventure.
What I like most is the combo of Migriño Beach scenery and the chance to ride right through that dramatic coastal scenery. I also really enjoy the tequila tasting portion, because you’re not just sipping—you get a quick explanation of how tequila is made and what you’re tasting.
One thing to factor in is that the base price often turns into a higher final tab once you choose vehicle insurance and plan for the Playa Migrino park entry fee and on-site photo rules.
In This Review
- Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Rancho de Migriño: Starting with Safety, Then Desert Reality
- Migriño Beach Dunes and Ocean Views: The Camel Part That Feels Like a Postcard
- Baja Desert UTV/Side-by-Side: Adrenaline Meets Insurance Reality
- Sand Dunes to Ocean Cliffs: Where the Fast Parts Feel Big
- Rancho Tequila Time: Short Tasting, Real Learning
- Price Reality Check: Why the Total Often Costs More Than $108
- Phone and Photo Rules: How to Avoid the Sticker Shock
- Guides Matter: Look for the People Who Make It Feel Like More Than a Ride
- Who This Cabo Combo Fits Best
- Should You Book This Camel-and-UTV Combo in Cabo?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the Camel Ride and UTV combo with tequila tasting?
- How long is the experience?
- Is the Playa Migrino admission fee included?
- Do I need to pay extra for ATV/UTV insurance?
- Can I bring my phone or camera during the tour?
- Where do I meet the tour?
- Is there a weight limit?
Key Things to Know Before You Go

- Camel ride on Migriño Beach with dune-and-ocean views that make the morning feel special
- Side-by-Side or single ATVs for off-road time after the desert safety briefing
- Tequila tasting at Rancho de Migriño with samples and a short, guided explanation
- Park entry is extra (budget $25 USD per person for Playa Migrino)
- Phone/camera restrictions apply during the ride unless you use approved mounts or upgrade
- On-site photographer upsells photo packages, so decide in advance what you want
Rancho de Migriño: Starting with Safety, Then Desert Reality
Your tour begins at Rancho de Migriño, where you get a safety briefing before anyone climbs on a camel. This is not just a formality. It sets the tone for how the ranch handles the off-road day: controlled movements, clear instructions, and guides who watch spacing.
Once the briefing is done, you explore the ranch area and get oriented to the desert environment. The ranch is built around learning the land—mountain-range views and wildflowers when in season. If you like nature stuff but don’t want a long classroom experience, this portion hits a good middle ground.
A practical tip from what I’ve gathered from guide names and guest experiences: pay attention in the first minutes. Multiple guides stood out in recent seasons (people mention Alvero, Toledo, Andres, and Tony), and the difference usually shows up in how relaxed the camel portion feels once you’re on the sand.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Cabo San Lucas
Migriño Beach Dunes and Ocean Views: The Camel Part That Feels Like a Postcard

The highlight for many people is the camel ride along Playa Migrino. You’ll move through white sand dunes with Pacific Ocean views, and the timing tends to make it feel calm—unlike the later ATV portion, which is pure speed.
This is where the tour earns its keep. A camel ride in Cabo isn’t just a novelty; it’s also one of the easiest ways to see a wild coastline without hauling yourself across town and coordinating everything. If you want a photo moment, this is the time to plan for it.
Drawback: this section can also be the moment when rules become most noticeable. For safety, you generally can’t use phones or regular cameras during parts of the ride. If you want to capture the dunes and sea views yourself, you’ll need to do it with the tour’s allowed setup (or consider an upgrade people sometimes describe as enabling phone use).
Also, helmets and goggles can matter. One guest suggested picking a helmet with a wind shield for sand management during the driving parts. It’s not a camel-specific note, but it’s the kind of detail that saves you from having a bad time later.
Baja Desert UTV/Side-by-Side: Adrenaline Meets Insurance Reality

After the camel portion, you switch to high-powered UTVs or ATVs. This is where you drive through the desert of Baja California and tackle rugged terrain for that adrenaline hit and wide panoramic views of mountains and desert.
What you get here is speed plus “we’re actually going somewhere” energy. Instead of a scenic drive, you’re riding over varied ground, and the guides’ job is to keep it fun while staying controlled. Several recent reviews specifically praised guides for helping people go fast but safe, with names like Juan, Rudy, Ventura, Manny, and Shorty coming up often.
Now the part you must read carefully: the insurance and vehicle protection. The tour offers two collision options. One is a credit card hold with no charges if there’s no damage. The other is a non-refundable insurance fee of $45 USD per vehicle for full coverage.
In real life, this decision changes your cost and your stress level. If you’re comfortable with the credit card hold process, you may spend less. If you’d rather avoid holds or you know you want peace of mind, the paid insurance option can be worth it.
Important nuance: you might also face vehicle-type choices. The experience can involve side-by-side vehicles (often described as automatic in some recent feedback) or single ATVs if you booked that option. If you care a lot about automatic vs manual, ask before you show up.
Sand Dunes to Ocean Cliffs: Where the Fast Parts Feel Big

The tour continues toward sand dunes and ocean cliffs at Migriño Beach. This is the “wow” stretch: you get sea views again, but this time you’re approaching them at speed and with a lot more motion.
This portion is ideal if you like your scenery with action. The dunes make the coastal geometry look dramatic, and the cliffs give you that open-water perspective that you can’t really get from a beach chair.
The main drawback is the environment itself. Sand, sun, and wind are part of the deal. If you burn easily, bring sun protection that you can handle during the ride restrictions. And if you’re the type who hates waiting around after being energized, plan for some downtime at the end.
A few guests called out that getting back to hotels can feel slow or disorganized, especially with shuttle timing. That doesn’t ruin the experience for most people, but it does matter if you’re on a tight dinner schedule.
Rancho Tequila Time: Short Tasting, Real Learning

After the off-road portion, you return to Rancho de Migriño for a tequila tasting. It’s around 20 minutes, so think of it as a quick guided intro rather than a full-on tequila course.
You learn some history and production basics, then you sample a variety of tequilas. Even when people said the tasting portion was short, most agreed it’s a good capstone to the adventure day because it brings you back into calmer, ranch-style pacing.
One more realistic note: tequila tastes better when you’re not expecting a big pour-and-go celebration. If you’re planning to drink heavily, don’t build your day around that assumption. For many people, it’s more about flavor and context than volume.
If you do care about the tasting experience itself, keep your expectations tuned to the short format and focus on asking questions when the guide is explaining.
Price Reality Check: Why the Total Often Costs More Than $108

The advertised price is $108 per person, and that’s not nothing. But this is the kind of tour where the final cost depends on three “decision points” that happen at check-in.
First: Playa Migrino park entry is extra at $25 USD per person. That’s a hard add-on, not an optional upsell.
Second: vehicle collision insurance is optional by structure, but in practice you still need to choose one of the provided coverage paths. That’s either a credit card hold or the $45 USD per vehicle fee.
Third: photography and phone rules can drive additional spending. The tour includes a professional photographer, and photos are available for purchase after the tour. Since phones and cameras may be restricted during riding, some guests end up purchasing packages because it’s the easiest way to get a full set.
This is why I suggest budgeting with a “base plus extras” mindset. If you add the park fee and choose insurance without a credit card hold, your total can feel meaningfully higher than what you paid online.
The good news: the day itself often earns the money. Multiple positive reviews called the scenery and the camel-and-UTV combo a once-in-a-while experience, especially when guides keep the pacing lively and safety clear.
Phone and Photo Rules: How to Avoid the Sticker Shock

For safety reasons, cellphone and camera use is restricted during the tour, and you’re generally limited to approved GoPro-type mounts. If you didn’t know this ahead of time, it can feel like a surprise, especially if you were planning to film your ride.
Some guests also described an upgrade path that allows phones in the private version. That can be a big deal if you want real, unedited memories in your own format. But it comes with added cost, so you’ll need to decide if your priorities are: convenience, control, or lowest total price.
Photography is the other decision point. Photos are sold after the tour, and multiple guests reported that pricing can be confusing—some say individual photos weren’t offered the way they expected, while others said packages were available. The takeaway for you is simple: decide what you want before you get handed a price list.
If you’re photo-light, bring your own GoPro-type setup if you already own one, or plan to buy only a small set. If you’re photo-heavy, consider the private option people mention that helps with phone use.
Guides Matter: Look for the People Who Make It Feel Like More Than a Ride

This tour lives or dies on the guide energy. The ranch and vehicles are great on paper, but the day feels smooth when the guide manages the group, keeps you moving, and explains what to do without rushing.
Names that came up again and again in recent feedback include Juan, Alvero, Ventura, Manny, Toledo, Andres, and Rudy. Some guests even singled out a guide named Tony for stepping in after an earlier guide issue. Others thanked Shorty for care during both camel and ATV parts.
What that means for you: if you arrive and the vibe is chaotic, say something early and ask for clarity. If the guide is attentive and friendly, you’ll likely feel like you got your money’s worth even with the extra fees.
And a small but real comfort note: staff helping you stay safe and confident can reduce stress more than any marketing line. The best days are the ones where you stop worrying and start enjoying.
Who This Cabo Combo Fits Best
This adventure fits best if you want a “high variety” half-day with real scenery and real activity.
It’s especially good for:
- People who want both camel time and UTV speed without booking two separate tours
- Thrill seekers who enjoy rugged riding and want ocean views built into the route
- Families or couples who want guided structure and don’t want to handle permits, vehicles, or logistics
It might not be best for you if:
- You’re strongly budget-focused and hate add-ons at check-in
- You want to freely film the entire experience with your phone without restrictions
- You get annoyed by rules about camera use and then photo upsells
Should You Book This Camel-and-UTV Combo in Cabo?
I’d book it if you go in with three expectations set in advance: you’ll likely pay the $25 park entry fee, you’ll need to choose an insurance option for the off-road vehicles, and you should plan for the phone/photo policy.
If those points don’t bother you, the day is one of the better “same-trip variety” options in Cabo San Lucas. The camel ride along Migriño Beach and the Baja desert UTV portion create a nice two-scene story arc, and the tequila tasting gives you a calm landing back at the ranch.
If they do bother you, consider either budgeting for the private upgrade (if phone use matters to you) or choosing a different tour format that doesn’t blend animals, driving, and on-site photo sales in the same day.
FAQ
What’s included in the Camel Ride and UTV combo with tequila tasting?
Round-trip transportation is included, along with a certified-guided camel riding safari and off-road riding in a Side-by-Side (for every two people) or single ATVs (for individual reservations). The tour also includes the tequila tasting and a professional photographer for photos available for purchase afterward.
How long is the experience?
The tour is about 3 hours total (approx.), including the tequila tasting portion (about 20 minutes).
Is the Playa Migrino admission fee included?
No. Playa Migrino requires an additional admission fee of $25.00 USD per person.
Do I need to pay extra for ATV/UTV insurance?
You have collision insurance options for the off-road vehicles. Option 1 is a credit card hold with no charges if there is no damage. Option 2 is a non-refundable insurance fee of $45 USD per vehicle for full coverage.
Can I bring my phone or camera during the tour?
For safety reasons, cellphone and camera use is restricted during the tour, and they’re only allowed with GoPro-type mounts.
Where do I meet the tour?
The meeting point is Cactus Tours, Carretera Federal 19 KM 100 Migriño, 23597 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. Pickup is offered after booking from hotels, villas, and the cruise port in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes. The weight limit is 274 lbs (140 kg) per person.




























