Camel Riding in Maspalomas Dunes

The unusual part of this outing is the saddle: you sit in a comfortable two-person seat on the camel’s flanks, not on its hump. For 30 minutes, a guide leads you through the sandy world of the Maspalomas Dunes, giving you a slow, high view of the rocky desert around Gran Canaria.

I like the gentle pace and the friendly staff, who help nervous riders and take photos if you want a keepsake. I also like the price, about $21.63 per person, which is fair for a short, memorable family activity. The catch is timing: arriving late can mean a long wait, and the ride itself may feel brief for adults expecting a full desert expedition.

Key points to know before you go

• The saddle is built for two: You ride in a side saddle on the camel’s flank, a more secure setup than sitting directly on the hump.
• The ride lasts about 30 minutes: It is a gentle sightseeing outing, not a long trek.
• Arrive early: Rides begin every 20 minutes from 9:00 to 11:00 am, but busy periods can push your assigned slot much later.
• Maspalomas is the setting: The route passes through the Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas.
• The staff help nervous riders: Several riders found the guides patient, kind, and reassuring.
• Plan for the sun: Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a hat, especially if your slot is near midday.

A slow ride into the Maspalomas Dunes

Camel riding in Maspalomas is a simple experience with a strong sense of place. You are not being whisked from one attraction to another. Instead, you spend half an hour moving slowly through the dunes, looking across pale sand and the rocky desert of southern Gran Canaria from the back of a calm animal.

The pace is the main attraction. A camel’s rolling walk gives you time to notice the changing curves of the dunes and the open views around the reserve. It also makes this a practical choice for families who want something different from a beach afternoon.

The experience begins at the Maspalomas Dunes dromedary point on Calle Oceanía, 13, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. You check in at the meeting point and receive your place in the riding sequence. The activity returns to this same point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

The ride is guided and insurance is included. Service is available in English, which helps if you need instructions before mounting or want reassurance during the ride.

Why the two-seat saddle matters

If the thought of climbing onto a camel’s hump makes you nervous, this setup is worth knowing about. The seats are placed on the camel’s flanks and designed for two people, so you sit beside your companion rather than directly on the animal’s hump.

That arrangement is useful for parents riding with a child and for anyone who feels uncertain around large animals. The camels rise and sit down in stages, so you should pay attention to the guide’s instructions and keep a firm hold when the animal moves.

The camels are generally described as calm and easy to ride. Staff members also help people who are frightened or unsure. One particularly useful feature is the chance to ask the workers to take pictures, letting you keep your hands free during the ride.

This is still an animal activity, so it is sensible to watch how the camels are being handled before you mount. Most of the available feedback describes the animals as well cared for and the staff as attentive. One serious complaint raised concerns about injuries and poor care involving some camels. That criticism is not something to dismiss, and anyone uncomfortable with animal rides should inspect the setting and make their own decision.

Stop 1: Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas

The entire outing takes place at the Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas. The name sounds grand, but the actual visit is focused and compact: you ride through the dunes for around 30 minutes, then return to the starting point.

The setting gives you a different view of Maspalomas than you get from the promenade or beach. From the camel’s back, you can look over broad sandy ridges and the rougher desert-like ground beyond them. The height is modest, but it is enough to change your view and give the ride its sense of occasion.

Expect a quiet, measured route rather than a fast or adventurous one. The camels walk in a line, guided by the staff. You are there for the atmosphere, the animal encounter, and the unusual way of seeing the dunes, not for speed.

The scenery can vary depending on your expectations. Some riders find the dunes beautiful and memorable, while others feel that parts of the route are less scenic than expected. If sweeping natural views are your main reason for booking, keep the short duration and fixed route in mind.

Arrive early, then let the day unfold

The most important practical tip is to arrive early. Rides start every 20 minutes from 9:00 to 11:00 am, but you cannot reserve a precise timetable in advance. Your place is assigned when you check in.

This system can work smoothly when demand is moderate. During busy periods, though, the wait can stretch to 30 minutes, two hours, or even longer. Some people arriving around 11:00 am were given a much later slot, including one assignment for 2:15 pm. The published operating hours run from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, but late arrival can leave you with little control over your day.

The best plan is to arrive before the morning rush, ideally before 9:00 am if you want the earliest possible ride. There have also been occasions when the first outing did not begin until about 9:45 am, so early arrival is not a guarantee of an instant departure. It does, however, give you a better place in the queue.

Bring patience and a backup plan. If you have several hours to wait, the nearby coast, beach, lighthouse, and lagoon can help fill the time. The area around the camel point itself may not offer much to do, so you will be happier if you treat the wait as a chance to explore nearby rather than standing at the entrance.

Finding the meeting point can also take some effort. Signage on the side roads is limited, and the busy surroundings can make the location easy to miss. Allow extra time if you are driving.

Heat, clothing, and the best time of day

The dunes offer little shade during the ride. Comfortable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and water are specifically worth bringing. Morning is the safest choice for comfort, especially during the warmer months.

A midday ride can still be enjoyable, but the heat becomes part of the experience. One family found a 12:25 pm outing hot even though the 30-minute route was fun. The later your assigned slot, the more important it is to carry water and protect your skin.

Wear clothing that lets you sit comfortably for half an hour. You do not need specialist riding gear, but loose, practical clothes are a better choice than anything restrictive. Sand and sun are unavoidable, so dress for an outdoor activity rather than a polished city tour.

The dunes can also be windy. A hat with a secure fit is more useful than a loose one, and sunscreen should be applied before you arrive. These are small details, but they make a short outing much more pleasant.

A family activity with clear limits

This ride suits families particularly well. Children younger than three can ride with their parents for free, and the two-seat saddle allows a child to sit with an adult. The slow speed and calm animals make the outing approachable for children who might not be ready for horseback riding.

The attraction is also suitable for many people with limited mobility because the bucket-style seats make sitting on the camel easier. Still, you should consider the mounting and dismounting process and ask the staff for help when needed. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise that every mobility need can be accommodated.

There is a firm weight restriction. Passengers over 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, cannot take the camel ride because of comfort and safety concerns. Check this before paying, especially if the booking includes several members of your group. One person was unable to ride after arriving, which caused frustration over the unused fare.

The activity can hold up to 70 people. That is a fairly large maximum group, but the camel system spreads riders across repeated departures. The experience may feel personal once you are moving, even if the waiting area is busy.

What the guides add to the experience

The staff are an important part of the outing. Their role is practical: they organize the riding order, help you onto the camel, guide the animals, and assist nervous riders.

That reassurance matters because the camel’s movement can feel strange at first. If you are anxious, tell the staff before mounting. One nervous rider received especially careful support and left feeling pleased with the experience.

The workers also help with photographs. You can ask for pictures as a keepsake, and the photo prices have been described as reasonable. This is useful because reaching for a phone while a camel is moving is not ideal.

English service is available, and the staff have been described as friendly and helpful. Do not expect a long natural-history talk about the dunes. The value here is hands-on assistance and a calm escort rather than a detailed lecture.

Is $21.63 good value for 30 minutes?

At roughly $21.63 per person, the price is reasonable if you see this as a short, unusual activity. You receive the camel ride, a professional guide, and insurance. For a family, the free ride for children under three improves the value.

The price feels less attractive if you have spent hours waiting or if you expected a long route. Several people found the 30-minute ride too short, though they still enjoyed it. The outing gives you a taste of camel riding in the dunes, not a full morning trek.

I would compare it with the cost of other organized holiday activities in Maspalomas rather than with a simple walk through the dunes. You are paying for the animal, staff, organization, and the novelty of seeing the reserve from a camel. If your main goal is to walk across the dunes and take photographs, you can explore the area without booking a ride. If you want a memorable family story and a gentle animal experience, the fee is easier to justify.

The value also depends on your timing. A 30-minute ride after a short check-in is fair. A 30-minute ride after a two-hour wait is a much weaker deal.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can show it on your phone at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Food and drinks are also not included, so bring water and plan your own transport.

The location is near public transportation, but the activity does not provide transfers. If you are coming from a cruise port, allow plenty of travel time. The ride point is in the Maspalomas area, and one person found the distance from the port inconvenient.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. This matters if your plans depend on transport or changing weather.

The activity operates Monday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm during the stated operating period, from January 5, 2025, through March 2, 2027.

Who should book this camel ride?

I would recommend it to families, first-time camel riders, and anyone who wants a gentle half-hour activity with a strong Gran Canaria setting. It is also a good choice if you are curious about the dunes but do not want a strenuous walk across hot sand.

You should think twice if you dislike animal rides, need a tightly fixed schedule, or expect a long route. The uncertain slot system is the biggest practical weakness. You may get a quick morning departure, or you may be asked to return much later.

If you do book, choose the earliest available arrival, carry water, and keep the rest of your day flexible. Ask about photographs, listen carefully when mounting, and check the weight rule before payment.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The camel ride lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts at the Maspalomas Dunes dromedary point at Calle Oceanía, 13, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Can I choose an exact ride time?

No. You cannot book a precise timetable. Rides begin every 20 minutes from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and your riding slot is assigned at the meeting point.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and water. Food and drinks are not included.

Can young children ride?

Children younger than three years can ride with their parents for free.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Camel Riding in Maspalomas Dunes?

Book it if you want a relaxed, family-friendly way to see the dunes and you can arrive early. The calm camels, helpful staff, two-seat saddles, and modest price make this a pleasant introduction to camel riding.

Skip it if your schedule is tight or you want a substantial desert journey. The ride is short, the scenery may feel uneven along the route, and the waiting system can be frustrating. With an early start and realistic expectations, though, this is a fun little Maspalomas experience rather than an all-day adventure.