ENJOY UNIQUE CAMEL RIDE in Puerto Morelos with Transportation

A camel caravan beside the Caribbean is not an everyday Cancun outing. At El Dorado Maroma, you spend about 45 minutes on a guided ride, moving from the property’s wooded interior toward the beach, with a stop to feed the camels and pose for photographs. The animals are gentle, and the guides explain how to handle them before you mount.

I like the friendly, calm camels and the chance to see a less usual side of the Riviera Maya. I also like the convenience of round-trip hotel transportation, bottled water, simple snacks, safety gear, and beach-club access included in the package.

The main caution is value. The ride itself is short, transport can take much of the day, and phone use is not allowed during the activity. That leaves you dependent on the photographer, whose picture packages can be expensive and have occasionally caused problems.

Key points to know before booking

• The actual camel ride lasts 45 minutes, preceded by about 15 minutes of safety instruction.
• The route combines wooded areas and beach views, but rain can change or shorten the jungle portion.
• You cannot use your phone during the activity, so personal photos depend on the paid photography service.
• Hotel transfers are convenient but not always quick, with changing pickup times and occasional reports of long waits.
• The camels are the strongest part of the experience, described as gentle, calm, and well cared for.
• The $165 price is high for a short ride, so this works best as a bucket-list activity rather than a bargain excursion.

A camel ride with a Caribbean finish

The unusual part is obvious: you are not riding a horse through a ranch or taking a standard ATV tour. You are seated high on a camel, moving in a slow line through the grounds of El Dorado Maroma, then heading toward the beach.

The setting gives the activity its appeal. You get tropical vegetation, a glimpse of the Mayan jungle, and a final stretch with the beach in view. It is not an expedition into untouched jungle, and the route can be affected by recent rain, but it offers a memorable contrast to Cancun’s usual boat trips and resort activities.

The camels receive much of the praise for good reason. They are described as sweet, docile, and gentle, which matters if you have never ridden one before. You also get time to pet and feed them, adding a personal moment that is more engaging than simply sitting on an animal while it follows the group.

The pace is slow. That is part of the charm, but it also means you should not expect a fast-moving adventure. The experience is better understood as a short animal encounter with scenic views than as a long safari.

What happens at El Dorado Maroma

With transportation, the day begins at your Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel, or at an assigned meeting point. Pickup times vary by hotel, and the exact schedule is sent by email or text. If your hotel is not on the standard pickup list, you need to contact the company for the correct meeting place.

At El Dorado Maroma, you check in and walk to the camel area. A guide gives about 15 minutes of instruction covering safety rules and the required equipment. The protective helmet is mandatory, and local medical insurance is included.

This briefing is important, especially for first-time riders. The camel’s height can feel surprising when it rises, and the guide needs to explain how to sit and hold on. Riders under 16 cannot ride alone. The published information says the minimum age to participate is 8, while also stating that minors aged 6 to 15 must share with a paying adult. Because those rules do not match perfectly, families should confirm the age requirement before paying.

The advertised group size is very small, with a maximum of three people. That can make the guide’s attention more personal, although the exact arrangement may depend on the day’s bookings and transport schedule.

The 45-minute route through woods and toward the beach

Once mounted, you join a camel caravan for about 45 minutes. The route is guided, and the camels move in a line rather than roaming freely. A handler leads the group on foot, so this is a controlled ride rather than an independent trek.

The route is described as passing through rainforest or jungle before reaching the beach. Keep your expectations measured. Recent rain has sometimes made the wooded section impractical, and one account described a much shorter route than expected. Weather and ground conditions can change what you see.

The beach section is the visual payoff. This is where the professional photographer takes pictures with the camels, and where you get the clearest combination of animal, sand, and Caribbean scenery. You may also stop along the way to feed and pet the camels.

The camels’ gentle nature makes this suitable for many first-timers, but you still need a moderate level of physical fitness. You must be able to mount, sit upright, and handle the movement of the animal. The maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, per camel.

This activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with recent surgery, heart conditions, or back problems. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously. A camel ride is not physically demanding in the way a long hike is, but the mounting and motion can put stress on your back and joints.

The photo rule changes the experience

The most important practical detail is also the one most likely to surprise you: cell phones are not allowed during the activity. The stated reason is security, but the result is that you cannot simply take your own pictures as you ride.

A professional photographer takes pictures during the route and at the beach stop. This can produce better posed images than a quick phone snapshot, particularly when you are trying to photograph two people with the camel. Some people have been happy with the results and purchased the full set.

The pricing, however, has been a sore point. Reported examples include about $35 to $50 for one image, $75 for one person’s set, and packages around $150 to $200 for two people. These figures may change, so ask for the current price before agreeing to anything.

I would treat the photo purchase as an optional extra, not part of the value calculation. If the images matter to you, ask exactly what you will receive, how it will be delivered, and when. There have been reports of delayed or missing digital photos and difficulty contacting the photo staff afterward.

Also, do not assume that a tip replaces the photo charge or that a staff member taking pictures means the images are included. If a photo package does not fit your budget, decide that before the ride begins. The no-phone rule leaves you with limited alternatives.

Beach-club time sounds better than it may be

After the ride, you can relax at the beach club and use its facilities. This gives you a chance to cool down, look over the photos, and spend time near the beach instead of returning to the van immediately.

The operator says you may request a later drop-off, with the last shuttle leaving at 4:30 p.m. Confirm the schedule at the front desk before settling in. Transportation is shared and runs at specific times, so you may not be able to leave whenever you wish.

The included refreshments are simple snacks and bottled water. Food and drinks beyond that are not included. One account described the restaurant as an all-day buffet costing about $70 per person, while another mentioned buying guacamole after finding the included chips and soft drink insufficient. These details make the beach-club access less valuable if you do not want to pay for a meal.

There is also a practical locker charge of $10, with the key deposit returned at the end of the activity. You should ask where to store your belongings, especially since phones are not permitted during the ride.

The beach-club stop works best if you already want an easy resort-style afternoon. It works less well if you imagine a lively, open beach day included in the camel price. Access and available areas may be limited by resort operations, and one account found that parts of the club felt reserved for VIP use.

Transportation can make or break the day

Round-trip pickup is useful, especially if you are staying in Cancun and do not have a rental car. You do not need to navigate unfamiliar roads or arrange a taxi back from the beach club.

But the listed activity time of about two and a half hours does not tell the whole story. Pickup and return are shared, and drive times depend on your hotel, traffic, and the number of stops. Some people have spent several hours in transit or waiting for a return shuttle for a ride that lasted only 45 minutes.

The pickup schedule can also change by hotel. Make sure you receive the exact time and place by email or text, then check the message again the night before. If the driver is late, contact the operator promptly rather than waiting without information.

There have been isolated reports of missed pickups, changed times, and long waits. Poor weather or a failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a cancellation or a new date. The operator’s cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. If the company cancels for weather or an insufficient number of people, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

If you are staying at or near El Dorado Maroma, the experience makes more sense because you avoid the long transfer. If you are in central Cancun and have only one free day, carefully weigh the drive against the short ride.

Is $165 a fair price?

At $165 per person, this is a premium outing. The price includes the 45-minute camel ride, 15-minute instruction, bilingual guide, safety equipment, local medical insurance, shared transfers, beach-club access, bottled water, and simple snacks.

That bundle has real convenience value. You do not need to arrange transport, and the setting is more memorable than a basic animal encounter. The small advertised group size is another plus.

Still, the ride itself is short. Once you subtract instruction, check-in, transport, waiting, and the beach-club period, the camel portion is a modest slice of the day. Photos, lockers, food, and drinks cost extra, which can push the total higher.

I would call it reasonable only if riding a camel is high on your personal wish list. If you are simply looking for the best use of $165 in the Cancun area, you may find longer activities with more included. The value improves for a birthday, a special celebration, or a family member who has always wanted to ride a camel.

For a budget-conscious couple, the photo policy is especially important. Two people could pay a substantial amount for images after already paying for the excursion. Decide in advance how much you are willing to spend.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour suits you if you want something unusual, prefer a gentle pace, and like the idea of an animal encounter with beach scenery. It is also a good match for solo visitors, couples, families with eligible children, and anyone marking a birthday or another special occasion.

You will probably enjoy it more if you are comfortable with a structured group activity. The camels follow a set route, the phone rule is strict, and the guide controls the pace. You do not get the freedom of an independent horseback ride or a private beach day.

It is a weaker fit if you dislike waiting, have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or want a full day of active sightseeing. It is also not ideal if you need to keep your phone with you or want guaranteed personal photographs without paying extra.

The strongest part is the animal interaction. You get to feed and pet the camels, hear about them from the guide, and see them up close. The weakest parts are the uncertain transfer time, extra photo cost, and the gap between a short ride and a full-day commitment.

My practical verdict

I would book this only after confirming four things: your pickup time, the expected total time away from the hotel, the current photo prices, and the age and weight rules for everyone in your group.

Book it if the camel ride itself is the point. The calm animals, beach setting, feeding stop, and friendly guides can create a memorable afternoon. Skip it if you are mainly chasing value, want a long jungle ride, or have limited time in Cancun.

At $165, this is a specialty experience, not a bargain. Go in expecting a carefully managed 45-minute camel ride with scenic views, not an extensive safari. With that clear expectation, you are much more likely to enjoy the unusual parts and avoid the most common frustrations.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride?

The guided camel ride lasts about 45 minutes. The activity also includes approximately 15 minutes of safety instruction, check-in, transportation, and possible beach-club time.

Where does the activity take place?

The camel ride takes place at El Dorado Maroma, with a route through wooded areas and toward the beach.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Shared round-trip transportation is included from selected hotels or assigned meeting points. Pickup schedules vary by hotel, and the exact time and place should be confirmed by email or text.

Can I stay at the beach club after the ride?

Yes. You can request a later drop-off from the front desk, but the last shuttle leaves at 4:30 p.m. Confirm the return time before staying.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and simple snacks are included. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Can I take pictures with my phone?

No. Cell-phone use is not allowed during the activities. Professional photography is available to purchase separately.

How much do the photographs cost?

The price is not included and can change. Reported prices have included roughly $35 to $50 for one photograph and higher-priced packages. Confirm the current rates and delivery method before purchasing.

Who should not ride the camels?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with recent surgery, heart conditions, or back problems. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the maximum weight is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, per camel.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the operator to cancel, you should be offered another date or a full refund.