Maspalomas: Guided Camel Ride in the Maspalomas Sand Dunes

Camelback through Gran Canaria? Why not. This 30-minute camel ride offers a gentle, unusual way to see the rolling Maspalomas dunes, with a comfortable two-person saddle and Saharawi guides beside you. I like the calm pace and the chance to enjoy the dunes without climbing them on foot. The main drawback is the short ride, and the saddle can feel bouncy for some people.

I also like the careful loading and unloading, which matters when young children are riding. The camels appear well cared for, and the guides know them by name, including Raul and Santiago. You should still arrive early, bring water and sunscreen, and remember that this is a simple camel trek, not a full desert expedition.

Key points to know before you ride

• Two people share one comfortable saddle: You sit in a wooden saddle built around the camel, rather than directly on its hump.
• The ride lasts about 30 minutes: That is enough time to pass through the dunes, but not enough for a long desert outing.
• The camels are accompanied by Saharawi guides: Guides help with mounting, dismounting, and keeping the group together.
• The meeting point is easy to miss: From Charca Maspalomas, walk about five minutes along Oceania Street and look for the camel station on the right.
• The activity costs about $21 per person: For a short, distinctive family activity in a famous setting, I consider that fair value.
• There are firm participation limits: The ride is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with vertigo, or anyone over 100 kilograms.

Why ride a camel in Maspalomas?

Maspalomas is known for its broad sweep of golden dunes beside the sea, and a camel ride gives you a different view from the usual walking route. On foot, you feel every soft slope under your shoes. From the saddle, you can sit back and watch the dunes roll past at a steady, unhurried pace.

I would not call this a strenuous adventure. It is closer to a short scenic outing, with the camel train moving through the sand while you take in the sun, silence, and wide views. One especially appealing detail is the quiet. Once you move away from the station, the setting can feel surprisingly peaceful.

The ride is also a good fit for families who want one memorable activity without giving up half a day. Children aged three and older can take part, and children younger than three can ride free with a parent. The guides are used to helping families, including small children, get on and off safely.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not a private ride across untouched desert, and you should not expect long photo stops or a detailed nature talk. It is a short, organized camel circuit in the dunes. For many people, that is exactly the point.

Finding the camel station near Charca Maspalomas

The starting point is at Charca Maspalomas. From there, continue for about five minutes along Oceania Street. The camel station is on the right-hand side, close to the dunes.

The entrance can be less obvious than you might expect. I would use the meeting point details carefully and allow extra time, especially if you are walking from a hotel or arriving by taxi. One useful approach is to ask a taxi driver to take you to the camel ride, then walk the short distance from the drop-off point.

The station itself has a waiting area, and one particularly useful feature is shade while you wait. That makes a difference in strong sun, especially with children. Bring sunscreen and water even if your ride is scheduled early. A scarf, hat, and sunglasses can also help if the wind picks up across the sand.

The ride is first come, first served. That means your booking confirms your activity, but it may not mean you walk straight onto a camel at a precise minute. Arriving around 20 minutes early is sensible. If you arrive late, you may face a longer wait for the next group.

What happens before you mount

At the station, the guides organize the group and prepare the camels. The saddles are made for two people, with a wooden seating structure and padding beneath the equipment used on the animals. You do not sit on the camel’s hump.

Mounting is one of the parts where the guides earn their keep. A camel rises in stages, and the movement can surprise you if you are not ready. Follow the guide’s instructions, hold on properly, and let the staff help you settle before the camel begins walking.

The loading and unloading process is handled carefully. This is especially important for children, who can find the camel’s height exciting but also a little intimidating. The guides stay alert and help riders throughout the process.

The camels are described as calm and well cared for, and the guides know their individual names. That personal attention gives the experience a more respectful feel than a purely mechanical ride. You can also expect the guides to keep an eye on the animals and the riders as the group forms.

There may be an opportunity to feed the camels, but this should not be treated as the central part of the activity. The guaranteed feature is the 30-minute ride itself.

Thirty minutes among the Maspalomas dunes

Once the group sets off, the camel train moves at a walking pace through the dunes. You will pass over gentle rises and sandy tracks, with the camels following one another in an orderly line.

The view is the main attraction. The dunes create changing shapes and shadows, and the ride gives you time to notice the open space around you. In clear weather, the sun and sand produce a strong sense of place, even though you are only a short distance from the resort area.

I like the way the slow pace suits the setting. You are not rushing from one stop to the next. You can watch the camel in front of you, listen to the guides, and enjoy the unusual feeling of moving through Gran Canaria on an animal traditionally associated with desert travel.

The ride does include some bouncing. One useful improvement would be extra foam at the back of the seat, particularly for anyone with a sensitive lower back. The saddle is far more practical than sitting directly on a hump, but it is not a padded armchair.

The route does not seem designed around extended photography stops. You may have time for pictures before or after the ride, and photo opportunities may be offered at the station, but do not count on stopping repeatedly among the dunes. If photographs matter to you, keep your camera or phone secure and ask the guides when it is safe to take pictures.

Some riders have enjoyed purchasing a good-quality photo afterward at a reasonable price. This is optional and not part of the $21 cost.

The guides and the treatment of the camels

The guides are a major part of the experience. They speak Spanish, English, and German, and their role goes beyond leading the animals. They help riders mount, keep watch during the route, assist children, and answer basic questions about the camels.

The Saharawi connection also adds character. You are not simply sitting on an animal for a photograph. The ride is accompanied by guides with a connection to camel-handling traditions, which gives the outing a stronger sense of place.

Animal care is an important consideration for many people. The camels have been described as calm, in good condition, and given breaks before rides. The saddles use padding for the animals, and the guides are attentive to both the camels and the people riding them.

I would still encourage you to watch the animals when you arrive. Look for calm handling, reasonable group organization, and guides who respond to the camels rather than forcing them along. The care shown here has been one of the most praised parts of the outing, and it makes the activity easier to recommend.

The experience is not right for anyone uncomfortable with animal rides. If you already feel uneasy around large animals, the camel’s height and movement may make the 30 minutes feel longer than expected.

Is $21 good value for 30 minutes?

At about $21 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time in Maspalomas. You can walk through the dunes for free, and the ride itself is brief.

Still, I think the price is reasonable for a well-organized, unusual activity in one of Gran Canaria’s best-known settings. You are paying for the camel, saddle, guides, insurance, station staff, and the practical work of moving a group safely through the dunes. For a family, it can be a memorable holiday activity without the cost or time commitment of a full-day excursion.

The value improves if you treat it as one part of a Maspalomas outing. Combine it with time around Charca Maspalomas or a walk near the dunes, and the short ride becomes a pleasant highlight rather than your entire day’s plan.

The cost does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to arrange your own way to the station, either on foot, by taxi, or by local transport that brings you close to Charca Maspalomas. Factor that into your budget and schedule.

Children under three can ride free with a parent, which makes the activity more appealing for families with toddlers. The weight limit is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, and this rule is firm.

The best time and what to wear

The dunes offer little shade once you leave the station, so an early ride can be more comfortable. A morning departure may also give you softer light and cooler conditions. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to sit securely. Loose or delicate items may be awkward in the saddle, and you should avoid anything you would hate to get dusty. Closed, comfortable footwear is sensible for walking on sand and getting on or off the camel.

Bring:

• Sunscreen
• Water
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• A scarf or light cover for wind
• Insect repellent

The scarf is a particularly useful suggestion. Wind can blow sand around the dunes, and a light covering gives you some protection around your neck and face.

Keep phones, cameras, and small belongings secure. The camel’s movement is gentle but not perfectly smooth, and dropped items can disappear quickly into soft sand.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend the camel ride to families, first-time camel riders, and anyone who wants a short activity with a strong visual setting. Children around school age often find the animals and the height exciting, while adults can enjoy the calm pace and unusual scenery.

It also suits people with a limited schedule. Thirty minutes is easy to fit between meals, beach time, and other plans. You do not need to commit to a long excursion or travel far from the Maspalomas area.

The activity is less suitable for anyone with mobility limitations, vertigo, or difficulty sitting for half an hour. The camel’s movement may feel uncomfortable, and mounting requires assistance but still involves getting onto a fairly high animal.

You should also skip it if you dislike organized group activities. The first-come, first-served arrangement can mean waiting, and the ride follows a set group format rather than a private route.

Practical booking advice

The activity includes insurance and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the ride for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Gran Canaria plans are still changing.

Because the ride is first come, first served, arrive early rather than cutting it close. I would aim for 20 minutes before the time you plan to ride. This gives you room to find the station, check in, and settle before the group is called.

Check the language options when arranging your visit. The guides speak Spanish, English, and German. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan the route to Charca Maspalomas before leaving your accommodation.

The overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 3,690 ratings, which fits the character of the activity: simple, popular, and generally well organized, with the short duration and occasional waiting time as the main limits.

Should you book the Maspalomas camel ride?

Book it if you want a memorable 30-minute outing, especially if you are visiting Maspalomas with children. The camels, careful guides, safe mounting process, and peaceful route through the dunes make this more than a quick photo opportunity.

I would book early in the day, arrive ahead of time, and pair it with a longer walk around the dunes. Bring water, sunscreen, and a scarf, and expect some bouncing in the saddle.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, have vertigo, weigh over 100 kilograms, or want a private and lengthy desert trip. For everyone else, the $21 price buys a distinctive Gran Canaria memory without taking over your holiday.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The camel ride lasts about 30 minutes. Check availability for the current starting times.

Where does the camel ride start?

It starts near Charca Maspalomas. Walk for about five minutes along Oceania Street, and the camel station is on the right-hand side.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

Can children ride the camels?

Yes. Children younger than three can ride with a parent for free. The guides also assist families with mounting and dismounting.

What is the maximum weight limit?

The maximum weight allowed is 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The ride is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with vertigo.