Why Are There Camels in Cabo? The Story No One Talks About
Because if you came to Cabo for tacos and tequila and ended up making eye contact with a camel on the beach… you probably have questions.
Seeing camels in Cabo might feel unexpected — especially when you’re picturing ocean views, not desert animals. But they’re not an accident. There’s a real story behind how they got here, why they’re still here, and what kind of experience you’re actually stepping into when you book one of these tours.
That doesn’t make it any less surreal in the moment though. Because you’re still standing on a beach in Mexico making eye contact with a camel like this is a completely normal Tuesday.
You go to Cabo expecting tacos, tequila, and maybe a mild sunburn you’ll pretend was intentional. What you don’t expect? A camel. On the beach. Looking at you like this is a completely normal Tuesday.
Because apparently… in Cabo, it is.
And if you’re anything like me, your first thought is:
So naturally, I went home and did what I do best: researched the heck out of it so you don’t have to. Because once you see a camel in Cabo, you need answers.
No, Camels in Cabo are not native
Let’s clear this up immediately:
Camels do not casually roam Mexico.
They are not native to Baja.
They did not migrate here.
They did not swim over for spring break.
Every camel you see in Cabo is there because humans put them there.
But why? That’s where it gets interesting.
The wild backstory: America tried to make camels happen
Yes. This is real.
In the 1850s, the U.S. Army launched something called the U.S. Army Camel Corps.
The logic
“The Southwest is hot, dry, miserable… what thrives in that? CAMELS.”
Honestly? Not wrong.
What the Army wanted camels to do
- carry heavy loads
- survive brutal desert conditions
- outlast horses and mules
And honestly? The camels crushed it.
- they were stronger
- they needed less water
- they handled the terrain better
So why don’t we have camel caravans in Arizona today?
Why it fell apart
- horses were terrified of them
- soldiers hated working with them
- the Civil War showed up with bigger problems
What happened next
- some camels were sold
- some were released
- some were scattered across the Southwest
So how did they end up in Cabo?
Fast forward to modern Cabo — and enter Tierra Sagrada by Cabo Adventures.
This is where we went as part of our Todos Santos / Hotel California excursion, and honestly… it deserves more attention than it gets.
What Tierra Sagrada actually is
The setting
Tierra Sagrada — meaning “Sacred Land” — is a private desert ranch on the Pacific side of Los Cabos, surrounded by dramatic Baja landscape, ocean views, cacti, and dunes.
What it is not
It’s not just a random camel stop or a quick tourist photo pull-off. It’s a built-out ranch experience centered on nature, adventure, and a resident camel program.
The camels there today are best described as a mix of:
- rehomed camels from former facilities, including circuses and similar animal programs
- domesticated camels living under structured human care
- camels born on-site as part of the ranch program
So while people sometimes describe Tierra Sagrada as a sanctuary, the more accurate description is: a managed ranch that combines tourism, education, and animal care.
But are they actually treated well?
This is the question people should be asking
Tierra Sagrada has been publicly associated with Global Humane / American Humane certification, which means third-party welfare standards are applied to how animals are housed, handled, and cared for.
That includes things like
- housing and environment
- diet and access to care
- handling and visitor interaction
- species-specific welfare expectations
What that means for visitors
It doesn’t mean everyone will feel the same about animal tourism, but it does mean this is intended to be a structured, rule-based experience — not a random beach setup with zero standards.
What you can do there
Even though I didn’t ride in Cabo, riding is part of what’s offered there.
Typical experience
- guided camel rides through desert trails toward the ocean
- feeding and close-up interaction
- educational talks about the animals
Very Cabo extras
- tequila tasting
- food or cultural add-ons depending on the tour
- a full excursion feel, not just a quick stop
In other words: this is a guided, curated experience — not a wild camel encounter.
Why Cabo actually works for camels
Camels thrive in hot, dry climates with limited water — which makes Baja’s desert environment surprisingly well suited for them.
So while it feels random, environmentally? Not nearly as random as it looks.
The vibe no one explains
Camels are not horses
- expressive
- dramatic
- slightly inconvenienced by your existence
Their energy
They will cooperate… but they will also make it clear this was your idea, not theirs.
Why I’d go back
Because this was part of a larger excursion, we didn’t get to linger and ask every question I had.
I’d go back just to spend more time there.
It’s one of those places that gets more interesting the more context you have.
And since we’re talking about camels…
Cabo was not my first camel encounter.
There was another trip.
Another country.
Another camel situation.
I’ll save that story for another post — but let’s just say there are some very specific things I would not recommend wearing on a camel.
Don’t Be That Tourist takeaway
- camels aren’t native — but there’s a fascinating reason they’re there
- choose a reputable, structured experience
- pay attention to how animals are treated
- understand what you’re walking into
And maybe think through your outfit choices a little more than I did.
Affiliate disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. I only recommend things I genuinely love (or would book myself). Using these links helps keep this content going—at no extra cost to you.
When it comes to animal experiences, quality matters. Not all tours are created equal — and this isn’t something I’d cut corners on. These experiences are run through Cabo Adventures at Tierra Sagrada, a structured, guided environment with established animal care standards — not a random roadside setup. That’s what makes this something you can actually feel good about being part of.
Want to see what the camel experience in Cabo actually looks like? From camel rides through the desert to Todos Santos day trips and ATV combos with tequila tasting, this is where those “wait… camels in Cabo?” moments actually happen. Whether you want something chill or a little more chaotic — this is the way to do it.
I did not know that there are camels in Mexico. So cool!
It’s more or less that they were rehomed from the US but Cabo is a great landscape for them- I would take an ocean view any day! 😉