Cruising to Cabo San Lucas and trying to pick the right shore excursion can feel overwhelming. Cabo has everything from camel rides to historic plazas to famous beaches, so knowing what to expect before you book is a huge help. Here is my honest review of two popular Cabo shore excursions, what my family thought of them, what I chose to do instead, and which option might be best for you.

We were on the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas, and were in port at Cabo overnight, so we had two days to explore.

Cabo Sightseeing Tour

• Duration: Three and 1/2 hours
• Activity Level: Mild

We booked a bus tour that took us through Cabo San Lucas and out to San Jose del Cabo. Our guide was a lifelong local who told stories about the region growing up, pirate history included. He even passed around a stack of his personal photos from decades ago so we could compare the Cabo of 1970 with the Cabo of today.

The bus was air-conditioned, comfortable, and a very welcome break from the heat. Cabo itself is bustling and busy. You will see construction sites, tourist shops, fishing boats, and lots of people selling tours right at the port. Once the bus pulled away from the main marina area, the scenery shifted to dry desert landscape and clusters of high-end resorts along the coastline.

In San Jose del Cabo we were dropped off near the historic center and given one hour to explore. At first this sounded like too short of a time, but it ended up being just right to take some pictures, have a late lunch and look in a shop or two.

The square is flat, very walkable, and easy to navigate. We popped into the church, wandered the shops, and grabbed the ice cream our guide insisted we try. My kids rated it a solid thumbs up. Bathrooms were available in the square and were clean enough for a quick stop.

You're steps away from little souvenir stalls with fans, hats, pottery, magnets, embroidered dresses, and jewelry. I bought a sparkly pink fan for one dollar and proceeded to fan myself nonstop for the rest of the day. The heat is no joke in this region, especially in the afternoon. If you are visiting anytime outside of winter, bring a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water.

We had lunch at a cute restaurant clearly partnered with tour groups. Set menu. Friendly staff. Cold drinks. Really good air-conditioning. My margarita hit the spot. No complaints.

After our late lunch we re-boarded the bus for the drive back to the tender port. I loved the sunset on the ride back to the ship. Beautiful orange and pink views across the water.

My Verdict

I was glad I booked this. It gave me a simple overview of Cabo and San Jose without requiring a lot of walking or decision-making. It is great for all ages and mobility levels. If you want an easy day with history, AC, and a little bit of shopping, this is a solid choice.

If you have already been to Cabo before, I would skip this and book a beach day, water activity, whale watching, or a sunset cruise instead.

Would I recommend it for solo travelers over 50

Absolutely. You stay with a group, you always have a guide nearby, and everything feels very structured and safe. The square in San Jose felt comfortable and easy to wander.

Day 2: Camels vs. Solarium

My kids and my brother and sister-in-law signed up for a camel ride on the beach. The tour pairs riders two to a camel. I did not want to risk being assigned as a stranger’s camel partner so I chose a different plan.

I stayed onboard and enjoyed the blissfully quiet, uncrowded ship while 95% of the other passengers were off visiting shore. I lingered in the Solarium for hours, dipped in the pools, and caught up on reading. Honestly, this might have been my favorite part of the trip.

Camel and Mexican Outback Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

• Duration: Five and 1/2 hours
• Activity Level: Listed as Strenuous
  (Reality: It is mostly getting on and off a camel with help, plus a short nature walk.)

The gang reported back on the Camel riding excursion, and all really enjoyed it for the novelty.

They took the tender into Cabo, then boarded an air-conditioned bus for a 45 minute drive to Rancho Tierra Sagrada. The ranch provides helmets and keffiyeh headscarves for everyone. Each person is assigned a camel. My kids shared one. My brother and sister-in-law each got their own. They aren’t sure why. It sounds like the staff arranges the pairings on the fly.

The ride lasts about 25 minutes along a wide, sandy beach with ocean views. There are plenty of photo stops. Professional photographers take photos which you can purchase later in different packages. The ranch also supplies drinking water.

After the ride there is a short nature walk ending at a shaded picnic area where everyone is served tortillas, rice, beans, and tequila shots (included in the tour). My peeps said the food was tasty and the setting was pleasant. Expect sun, sand, and some wind. You will definitely want sunglasses and sunscreen.

My Verdict on the Camel Tour (based on their experience)

This is a fun once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, especially if you like quirky bucket-list activities. It is less strenuous than advertised, although you do need to be able to climb onto the camel with staff assistance. There is a fair amount of waiting around between activities so bring water and something for the heat.

If you are a solo traveler who does not want to be paired with a stranger, you may want to skip this one. The pairings are out of your control.

If you love animals, the beach, and unique experiences, this will be memorable.

If you hate heat, dust, hats, helmets, or the idea of balancing on an animal, stay on the ship and enjoy the quiet Solarium.

Final Thoughts

Cabo is a lively and popular cruise stop, and both excursions gave different views of the area. The sightseeing tour is easy, comfortable, and great for first-timers. The camel ride is a novelty with great ocean views and fun photos. The Solarium day is a dream if you like a quiet ship.

If I return to Cabo on a future cruise, I’ll skip the structured tours and try one of the beaches or a sunset cruise instead. But as a first-time visit, I was happy with what we chose and I feel like I got a good sense of the area.