ENJOY UNIQUE CAMEL RIDE in Puerto Morelos with Transportation

Camel rides in Cancun sound fake. This one actually has the right ingredients: a guided camel safari through jungle terrain and out onto the beach, then a break at a real beach club.

What I like most is the 45-minute camel ride that feels like an activity, not a photo-op stunt, plus the included beach club time at El Dorado Maroma so you’re not just transported, ridden, and dropped. The guides also keep things moving with a clear pre-ride safety talk and ongoing care around you.

One thing to watch: the schedule can stretch your day. Between pickup windows, waiting time, and shuttle timing, the time commitment may feel long for the ride itself.

The Details That Matter Most

• A real 15-minute safety briefing before you get on the camel (helmet is mandatory).
• Small group feel (max 3 travelers), which can make the experience less chaotic than bigger excursions.
• Jungle-to-beach route with professional photographers waiting at key moments.
• Phone/device restrictions during the ride, so your best photos may come from the photo package.
• Beach club access at El Dorado Maroma with facilities and the option to extend your stay for later drop-off.

How the Tour Works at El Dorado Maroma

This excursion is built around one place: El Dorado Maroma, a beach club area where the camels are lined up for your activity. You start with pickup in a sanitized van from select Cancun-area hotels (or a specified meeting point if your hotel isn’t on the list). From there, it’s a straightforward transfer to check-in and get ready.

Once you arrive, you’ll get a brief intro—about 15 minutes—covering safety measures and what to do during the ride. Then you step into the practical part: you follow your guide during the camel caravan and learn a bit about the animals along the way.

The Ride Timing: What You Actually Get for 2.5 Hours

The marketed activity time can look compact, but your full day often depends on pickup and return logistics. The camel portion is 45 minutes, and you’ll have time in the middle for the on-site photo moments.

In real life, you’re not just riding. You’re checking in, listening to instructions, getting positioned on the camel, then transitioning to beach time and back to the shuttle schedule. That’s why you should treat this as a half-day plan at minimum, not a quick afternoon detour.

Step-by-Step Itinerary: From Briefing to Beach Club

Stop 1: Check-In at El Dorado Maroma

You’re collected and taken to the exclusive beach club area where the activity happens. After you check in, you’ll meet the guides and get the short pre-ride talk so you know how to stay safe and comfortable on the camel.

This is also where the vibe sets the expectations. The guides focus on making the handling process calm and predictable, which matters because you’ll be up close to the animals for a sustained period.

The Pre-Ride Briefing and Safety Gear

Safety gear is part of the included package, and a protective helmet is mandatory. The instructions don’t just read like a legal script. The point is to help you handle the camel safely and know how the ride works.

You should also come with a mindset of listening and following directions. Your phone may be restricted during the activity, so don’t plan on documenting every second yourself.

The 45-Minute Camel Caravan: Jungle Views and Beach Time

The ride itself is the headline: you’ll travel through tropical terrain and get views of both the rainforest setting and the beach. Expect a guided, steady pace—this isn’t a fast ride.

One small detail that stuck in the feedback: the camels are treated as individuals. People have even mentioned camel names like Tati and Chey, which makes the whole thing feel more friendly and less like you’re herded through a machine.

Photos on the Beach: Where Cost Starts to Climb

At the beach portion, professional photographers step in to take pictures with your camel. This is one of the main friction points of the tour because your devices may be restricted during the activity, and the photos are sold separately.

If you want a lot of photos, you’ll likely end up paying for the photo package. If you don’t want to pay high photo prices, plan to take a few quick personal shots when allowed off the main activity moments—or come prepared to skip the package and focus on the experience.

Beach Club Time: Relax, Then Time Your Shuttle

After the ride, you’ll have free time at the beach club with access to facilities. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to ask the front desk so they can schedule your drop-off later.

The last shuttle leaves at 4:30 pm, so if you’re thinking of turning this into a longer beach afternoon, you’ll want to clarify your timing early and not assume the shuttle will be available whenever you feel like leaving.

Transportation and Waiting: The Part That Can Make or Break It

The transfer is shared transportation, and pickup times vary by hotel. That flexibility is convenient, but it can also lead to a day that feels longer than you expected—especially if your hotel pickup window is early or if your drop-off schedule doesn’t match how quickly you finish.

Some experiences described huge swings between advertised activity time and total time spent on the road and waiting at the location. I’d handle this the same way I handle any excursion with hotel pickup: plan something forgiving around it.

My practical advice: don’t book this when you have a tight evening plan, and keep your expectations tied to the 45-minute ride, not the overall time window.

Professional Photos and the Phone Rules: Avoid the Surprise

Here’s the core issue: the tour restricts the use of cell phones during the activities. That means your ability to capture moments on your own depends on when and where you’re allowed to use your device.

The photography setup is also a common theme in the feedback. People often like the photos and the photographer’s work—but many felt the pricing is steep once they realize what’s being offered and how frequently photos are taken.

If you go, you have three smart options:

• Decide up front whether you’ll buy the photo package at all.
• If you want photos, set a budget and assume you’ll be offered packages for individual shots and sets.
• If you’re not buying, be mentally ready that your own phone photos may be limited during the ride itself.

A helpful tip from the feedback: the price shock is worse when you learn about costs only at the end. Ask early what the options are and how much the packages cost, so you’re not negotiating emotions while you’re tired.

Included Perks That Add Real Value

This tour does include a few things that actually make it easier once you’re there:

• Helmet and safety gear for the ride
• A bilingual guide
• Local medical insurance
• Transportation at scheduled times between your hotel and the beach club
• Beach club access and use of facilities

It also fits into a common Cancun vacation pattern: you get out of your resort bubble, do something unusual, and still finish with a real place to hang around.

One more note: the highlights mention simple snacks and bottled water to keep you fueled. Even if you’re not making a meal out of it, that kind of small support helps when you’re riding and then relaxing in the heat.

Staff Interaction and Tips: What to Expect

The overall tone from the guides tends to be friendly and safety-focused. That’s a big part of why the ride works—when you trust the people handling the process, you relax, and the camel ride becomes fun instead of awkward.

That said, tips come up. One review specifically mentioned a staff member named Benard asking for a tip. Another described a staff member following them toward the end for extra tipping. I’d treat this as a normal reality in Mexico tourism: have a small amount of cash ready if you think you’ll tip, but don’t feel forced to overspend.

If you’re the type who dislikes tip pressure, decide your tip amount before the end of the ride and keep it simple.

Who Should Book This Camel Ride (And Who Should Skip)

This excursion is best for people who want a short, scenic animal experience without needing intense hiking.

It works especially well for:

• Couples and families looking for a first-time camel activity
• Anyone who enjoys nature moments like jungle terrain and beach scenery
• Travelers who like guided safety instruction and don’t mind photos being a big part of the flow

It’s not suitable for everyone. It’s not recommended for pregnant women, or people with recent surgeries, heart conditions, or back problems. You should also have moderate physical fitness, and there’s a weight limit of 100 kg / 220 lbs per camel.

Age rules matter too:

• Minimum age to participate is 8
• To ride on your own, the minimum age is 16 (with a handling test)
• Minors 6 to 15 ride on a shared basis accompanied by a paying adult

Price: Is $165 Worth It in Cancun?

At $165 per person, the value depends on how you plan to handle photos and the time cost.

Here’s my honest way to think about it:

• The ride itself is only 45 minutes, so the price is really paying for transportation, guidance, safety gear, camel handling staff, and the beach club access.
• The photo package can add a lot if you buy multiple shots, especially when phone restrictions limit your ability to take your own.
• If you’re the type who doesn’t usually buy professional photos on tours, you may feel the price more sharply—because the included ride time is short and the optional extras become a large percentage of what you spend.

If you’re okay with that trade-off—short ride, strong staff support, and a real beach club after—this can be a fun, memorable Cancun-region activity. If you want a full-day adventure with lots of freedom to take your own photos, you might feel this is overpriced for what you control.

Quick Tips Before You Go

• Wear something comfortable and secure. You’ll be seated for a while and then walking around.
• Bring sunglasses and sunscreen, but assume your phone might stay off-limits during the activity.
• Plan your beach club time with an eye on the last shuttle at 4:30 pm.
• If you might tip, bring small cash ahead of time so it feels easy, not last-minute.
• If you’re sensitive to pricing for photos, ask about options before the photo moment pressure starts.

Should You Book It? My Practical Call

Book this camel ride if you want a unique Cancun-area animal experience with a guide, helmet safety, and an easy finish at El Dorado Maroma. It’s especially appealing if you’re okay with professional photography being a major part of the experience and you like the idea of relaxing at the beach club afterward.

Skip or reconsider if you strongly dislike photo markups, hate not having control over your own phone during activities, or if you have a tight schedule where extra waiting would ruin your day. This tour can feel like a long logistical day for a short ride, and that mismatch is the most common reason people feel frustrated.

If you do book, go in with a simple goal: focus on the ride and the setting, not the shopping part. Your best memories will come from being present when the camel caravan starts moving—not from the checkout counter.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride?

The guided camel ride lasts about 45 minutes, with an additional short instruction and briefing before you start.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, round-trip transfers are included with pickup from select hotels at scheduled times, plus a meeting point option if your hotel isn’t on the list.

Where does the tour take place?

The activity starts at El Dorado Maroma, a beach club area where you check in before the ride and then relax afterward.

Are photographs included?

No. Photographs are not included in the price. A professional photo service is available during the experience.

Can I use my phone or take my own photos during the activity?

Cell phones are not allowed during the activities, so taking photos with your phone may be restricted during the ride and key moments.

What ages can participate?

The minimum age to participate is 8. To ride on your own, the minimum age is 16 (handling test required). Minors 6 to 15 must participate on a shared basis with a paying adult.

Is the tour suitable for people with health conditions?

This tour is not suitable for pregnant women, or people with recent surgeries, heart conditions, or back problems.

Are there weight limits?

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

Is there a place to store belongings?

Lockers and a key cost $10 USD, and the key deposit is returned at the end of the tour.