Camel rides are a rare Cancun story. This Puerto Morelos experience pairs a 45-minute camel safari with views of the Mayan jungle and then time at El Dorado Maroma on the beach.

I like how straightforward it feels: a short safety briefing, a required helmet, then you’re actually moving through rainforest-and-sand scenery. I also like that round-trip transfers take the stress out of the day, plus you get beach club access once you arrive.

One thing to plan for is the day rhythm. Even though the camel part is about 45 minutes, the overall schedule can stretch with vans, check-in, and photo stops, and the no-phone rule during the ride turns the picture package into a bigger decision than you might expect.

Key Things You’ll Remember

• Mayan jungle on camelback, then a beach stop for real scenery variety
• Helmet is mandatory and safety gear is part of the included setup
• El Dorado Maroma beach club access so you can hang out after the ride
• Professional photos are a major part of the experience and cell phones are not allowed during activities
• Small group scale (max 3 travelers) which can make the ride feel less chaotic
• Weather can change how much jungle you actually get, since the route depends on conditions

Puerto Morelos Camel Riding: What Makes It Worth Your Time

If you want something you cannot really recreate back home, this is it. You’re not just sitting on a camel for a quick loop. The format is built around a short guided caravan that mixes rainforest views with the payoff of seeing the coastline once you arrive at the beach.

The guides also make a point of talking through what you’re seeing and doing, and you’ll feel the whole operation is geared toward a smooth routine. In a few reviews, I noticed names like Benard popped up when talking about staff interactions, and one person even mentioned camel names like Tati and Chey, which tells you they try to give the moment some personality, not just a job.

What keeps this experience from being just a novelty is the pairing of ride + surroundings + downtime at a beach club. You’re not stuck driving yourself. You’re not stuck hunting for shade or bathrooms afterward either.

Getting There From Cancun: Pickup, Van Time, and the Real Schedule

The tour includes shared transportation, and pickup is offered from select hotels. If your hotel isn’t on their pickup list, you’re supposed to get guidance on the correct place and time, with the schedule varying by where you’re staying.

Here’s the practical part: the itinerary says around 2 hours 30 minutes total, but in real life you should assume you might spend a longer chunk of your day in transit or waiting at the meeting point. A couple of people described spending much more time than expected compared to the 45-minute camel ride.

So I suggest you book this with a calm mindset. Don’t pair it with another strict timed activity the same day. If you’re staying in the Cancun hotel zone, plan for the van ride and add buffer time before you expect to be back.

Also, since the tour is limited to a maximum of 3 people, you might think it will always be quick and efficient. It can be, but the transport logic is still transport logic: multiple stops, check-in timing, and waiting for the group flow.

El Dorado Maroma Check-In: The Safety Talk and Beach Club Setup

Once you’re picked up, you ride in a sanitized van to the activity beach club area. Check-in happens first, then you’ll get a brief instruction segment about safety measures and the equipment you need.

The most important detail here: a protective helmet is mandatory. You’ll feel silly at first, then you’ll be glad it’s required. The helmet is part of the included package, along with safety gear that sets you up for the handling of the animal.

Then comes the lead-up to the ride: you’ll hear a short announcement and get basic guidance. In the better-rated moments, people emphasized that staff were friendly and the camels seemed well cared for, which matters because you’re not just watching from the sidelines—you’re sitting on the back of a big animal.

After the ride, you’ll return to the same beach club area and get time to relax. That beach club access is included, so you’re not leaving immediately after your camel moment. You get facilities and a place to reset—unless you decide to pay for extra food and services.

The Camel Caravan: 45 Minutes of Jungle Views to Beach Vibes

The heart of the experience is the camel caravan itself: about 45 minutes guided. Before you start, there’s also a short instruction period, usually described as around 15 minutes.

What you can realistically expect:

• A guided walk through areas that can include rainforest-like jungle views
• Then you’ll reach the beach where the whole experience shifts from green shade to coastal light
• There are photo moments scheduled during the flow, including pictures taken with your camel at the beach stop

One honest consideration is route variability. A few reviews pointed out that if conditions are impacted by rain (or recent rain), you may not get the full jungle segment the way you imagined from the description. That can be disappointing if you came for the rainforest angle specifically. Still, it’s consistent with how outdoor animal routes work: when footing or conditions change, the route can change.

On the plus side, multiple reviews described the camels as calm and docile, and that the guides kept the session friendly and safe. I’d take that seriously if you’re new to riding anything tall and slow. The guide interaction is part of the comfort factor.

The Photo Reality: Cell Phone Rules and Pro Picture Pricing

This is where your planning can save your wallet and protect your mood.

During the activity, cell phones are not allowed. That means you can’t just hold your phone out for quick snapshots, even if the moment is perfect. Your photos are effectively handled by the professional photographer team.

The trade-off is that photos are available for purchase. People often note you’re taking in a lot of the ride through the experience itself, not through your camera lens. Then, near the end, you’re shown pricing—and that’s where opinions split.

From the pricing mentioned in reviews, you might see numbers like:

• Around $35 to $50 per photo
• Higher costs for bundles, with some packages reported as $75 for a series for one person or $150 for two people

There are also cases where people felt the pricing was too high for what they expected, especially if they weren’t planning to buy many photos.

If you want photos but don’t want sticker shock, I recommend you do two things:

• Go in with a budget number so you can say yes or no quickly
• Decide before you arrive if you want just one key image or none at all

Also note lockers can have an extra cost (a review mentioned $10 USD for a locker key), and food and drinks are not included. So even if the ride is the main cost, small add-ons can show up during the day.

And for fairness: not all photo experiences went perfectly. A few people reported issues with delayed delivery or missing emails for purchased photos. That’s not something you can fully control, so if photos are a must-have, keep your booking details handy and follow up quickly if anything looks off.

Beach Club Time at El Dorado Maroma: Shade, Facilities, and Food Costs

After the ride, you’ll get free time to relax at the beach club. The access to facilities is included, which is a big part of the value logic: your day doesn’t end the second you get off the camel.

What you can do with that time:

• Rest in shade, freshen up, and take in the beach scenery from a slower pace
• Use club facilities at no extra charge beyond whatever the venue sells on-site
• If you want to stay longer, you can ask at the front desk to schedule a later drop-off

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Reviews mention on-site options that cost extra, including a restaurant buffet with an all-day price referenced around $70 per person in at least one account. Another person described complimentary chips and pop during the waiting stretch, plus they bought guacamole to go when they were ready to leave.

So treat the beach club as a place to reset, not as an all-you-can-eat deal. If you plan to eat, budget for it.

One more practical note: don’t assume you can always get out the moment you want. A couple of reviews described trouble with transport timing right after the camel ride, including drivers being unavailable for a stretch. That’s one reason to keep your schedule flexible.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is built for people who want something unusual and don’t mind a short, structured experience.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You want camel riding specifically and like the idea of a guided ride rather than a self-paced activity
• You’re okay with photos being handled by the team, especially since your phone is restricted
• You can handle moderate physical activity, since you’ll be mounting and riding and walking as part of the guided flow

I’d be cautious or skip it if you fall into the tour’s restrictions:

• Pregnant women
• People with recent surgeries, heart conditions, or back problems
• Anyone above the weight limit of 100 kg / 220 lbs for the camel ride

Age matters too:

• Minimum age to participate is 8
• Minimum age to ride on your own is 16, with a handling test
• Minors aged 6–15 must participate on a shared basis with a paying adult

That shared setup can work well for families, but you should read the rules carefully before you arrive.

Price and Value: Is $165 a Fair Deal?

At $165 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on how you define the experience.

Here’s what you are paying for, in real terms:

• A guided 45-minute camel ride
• A short safety and instruction briefing
• Round-trip transportation from select Cancun-area hotels
• Beach club access at El Dorado Maroma
• Bilingual guidance and local medical insurance
• Safety gear including a mandatory helmet

What can make it feel pricey:

• If the overall day runs long in vans or at the location, the ride can feel like a small slice of the time you spent
• If you buy photos, costs can rise fast since cell phones are not allowed during the ride
• If you were hoping for a longer jungle trek, weather and conditions can change the actual route length or look

What can make it feel like good value:

• If you use the beach club time well after the ride
• If you’re comfortable treating the pro photos as optional rather than a requirement
• If pickup timing matches your expectations and you don’t get stuck waiting

So my rule of thumb is simple: if you want this as a once-in-a-lifetime camel day and you keep expectations anchored to a short ride + beach club, it can make sense. If you want the biggest nature hike possible or you hate surprise expenses, you might end up frustrated.

Should You Book This Puerto Morelos Camel Ride?

I’d book it if camel riding is your goal, you like guided activities, and you’re fine spending part of your day at El Dorado Maroma afterward. The camels are described as calm, the staff tends to be friendly, and the whole event is built around making the ride happen safely and smoothly.

I would think twice if your top priority is taking your own photos throughout the ride, because the phone restriction removes your usual DIY backup. And I’d also avoid locking yourself into tight timing, because the full day can run longer than the advertised ride length.

If you do book, go in with a plan: decide ahead of time whether you’ll buy any photos, bring cash for extras if you want a locker or lunch, and keep your afternoon flexible so the ride doesn’t turn into a schedule battle.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride during this tour?

The camel ride is about 45 minutes, and there is also a short 15-minute instruction and safety briefing before the ride.

What is included in the $165 price?

The price includes safety gear (helmet mandatory), a bilingual guide, local medical insurance, shared round-trip transportation between your hotel and the beach club, the 45-minute guided camel ride plus instruction, and access to the beach club facilities.

Do they offer hotel pickup in Cancun?

Yes, pickup is offered from select hotels. If your hotel is not on their list, you should contact them so they can confirm the correct pickup place and time, with schedules varying by hotel.

What are the age requirements?

Minimum age to participate is 8. Minimum age to ride on your own is 16 with a handling test. Minors aged 6 to 15 must ride on a shared basis with a paying adult.

Is a cell phone allowed during the camel activity?

No. For security measures, cell phones are not allowed during the activities.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight per camel is 100 kg / 220 lbs.

Is this tour suitable for everyone health-wise?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with recent surgeries, heart conditions, or back problems.

What is the cancellation policy if weather is bad?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.