REVIEW · TENERIFE
Camel Riding Tour at El Tanque, Tenerife
Book on Viator →Operated by VIMOTIONS · Bookable on Viator
The camels here move at just your speed. This is a short, friendly camel riding stop in El Tanque that trades busy sights for quiet farmland and animal time.
I love that it feels like you’re actually in working countryside, not just looping around a souvenir set. I also like the real animal variety you can see up close—Canarian goats, Pelibuey sheep, donkeys, and ponies.
One thing to keep in mind: the ride is short, and a few people note the route can feel less scenic than expected, so go in with the right expectations.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is an easy win. The staff interaction seems to land well for families, and you can spot how much care goes into keeping the animals comfortable.
Still, don’t book if you’ve got back issues, and check rider limits—there’s a max weight of 120 kg and the ride isn’t recommended for participants with back problems.
In This Review
- Key things I’d pin to your map
- Camel riding in El Tanque: what makes it worth your time
- The ride itself: what you’ll see on the farmland route
- Optional costume and the reality of extra selling
- Animals and animal care: what to pay attention to
- Timing, group size, and what it feels like with kids
- Meeting point at Camello center: the easiest way not to get lost
- Price and value for $18.07: what you’re really paying for
- Optional pickups and tastings: where they help, where they don’t
- The bottom line: should you book this camel tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the camel riding experience in El Tanque?
- Where is the meeting point for the tour?
- Is pickup included?
- Can kids join the camel ride?
- What is the maximum weight per rider?
- What if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?
Key things I’d pin to your map
- Short ride, clear timing: about 20 minutes on camel back, with the option to dress up
- Farm country, not city vibes: trails through cultivated land and protected areas near the La Rambla de Castro
- Animals included in the experience: goats, Pelibuey sheep, donkeys, and ponies to spot along the way
- Extra value depends on your add-ons: optional tastings and photo purchases can change the final spend
- Small group feel: a maximum of 20 travelers keeps it manageable
- Watch your meeting point: the Camello center is listed on TF-82, km 10.2 in El Tanque
Camel riding in El Tanque: what makes it worth your time
El Tanque is one of those Tenerife stops that feels refreshingly unshowy. It sits on the north/northwest side of the island and runs on agriculture—potatoes, cereals, grapes, and everyday farm life. That context matters, because the camel ride is built around farmland trails rather than a view deck.
You get a ride of about 20 minutes, and that short length is part of the appeal. It’s not a half-day mission, so you can fit it between beaches, a hike, or dinner without dragging everyone’s energy down.
The best part is the animal element. You’re not just sitting on a camel and leaving. You’ll see native species like the Canarian goat and Pelibuey sheep, plus donkeys and ponies. Several people also pointed out that the animals look healthy and calm, which is exactly what you want for a family-friendly animal experience.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
The ride itself: what you’ll see on the farmland route
The route runs through farmland trails with native flora and protected natural spaces. If you like Tenerife when it’s quiet—bananas, palms, and fields doing their thing—this is your kind of outing.
As you move along, you’re in and around the area described as La Rambla de Castro. People can spot palm trees and banana plantations, and you may also pass by farm buildings tied to the local heritage, including La Hacienda de los Castro. The old water lift of La Gordejuela is also mentioned as part of the wider area you’ll see from this locality.
Now, the honest note: a small handful of reviews say the experience can feel short or less scenic than expected, and one person mentioned the route being on a non-scenic area. So I’d treat this as an animal-and-fun stop first, and scenery second. If you’re looking for dramatic coast views from your seat, you might end up wanting more.
Optional costume and the reality of extra selling
Costume is optional, which is a fun perk. Some visitors talked about getting dressed up in outfits like robes and turbans, and that turn-the-moment-into-a-memory factor is real with kids.
But here’s where you should stay smart. Multiple reviews mention that after the ride there’s a push to buy photos, and a few people felt it was too aggressive or simply overpriced. That doesn’t mean you’ll hate it. It just means you should decide in advance how you feel about photo upsells.
If you want a quick keepsake, it can be worth grabbing one. If you don’t, you can treat that part like optional shopping: you don’t have to say yes to every pitch, especially when the ride itself is the core value.
Animals and animal care: what to pay attention to
This kind of activity lives or dies on animal well-being, and the vibe here is generally positive. Several reviews praised how well cared-for the animals look and how healthy they seem.
You can also learn a lot just by observing the handling. I like it when staff look attentive around saddles and movement, and when the animals seem calm rather than stressed. A few people specifically thanked staff who were friendly and attentive, including names like Daniella and Marcelo from different experiences—small details like that often show an operation that takes its role seriously.
If you want to check things quickly on arrival, look for:
- Animals that appear relaxed and alert, not frantic
- Handlers who keep things orderly and don’t rush the animals
- Clean, safe seating and proper support while you ride
Also remember the safety basics. The max weight per rider is 120 kg, and the activity isn’t recommended for people with back problems.
Timing, group size, and what it feels like with kids
This is one of the easier family activities to plan on Tenerife. The ride is about 20 minutes, and you’re not stuck in a long waiting chain for hours.
One review described arriving around 10:45 with no queue and getting on quickly, which tells me the flow can be smooth when you hit it at a quieter moment. There’s also a maximum of 20 travelers, which helps keep it from feeling like a factory line.
If you have kids, that short ride length is often perfect. It’s long enough for laughs and memories, short enough that attention doesn’t die in the middle. And the animal focus helps kids buy into the experience fast.
Meeting point at Camello center: the easiest way not to get lost
The meeting point is listed as Camello center (paseos en camello y restaurante), on Carretera General, TF-82, km 10.2, 38435 El Tanque, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
This is one of those tours where getting there matters more than you’d expect. A few people said they had trouble finding the meeting place, and there was network trouble so they couldn’t rely on Google Maps.
My practical tip: screenshot the address and pin the location before you go. Also leave a little extra time so you can find the Camello center without stress.
The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not dealing with complicated drop-offs.
Price and value for $18.07: what you’re really paying for
At about $18.07 per person for a ride that runs roughly 20 minutes, the price feels right if you want a quick, fun animal experience in Tenerife. This isn’t a multi-stop excursion with lunch and a packed itinerary, and the operator doesn’t include pickup service or lunch in the standard package.
So the value equation is simple:
- You’re paying for the camel ride time plus the animal viewing
- You may pay extra on top for costume add-ons, tastings with optional pickup areas, or photos
A couple of unhappy reviews complained about how short the ride can feel compared with what people expected, and one mentioned the ride being closer to 10–15 minutes. That lines up with the idea that the experience is short by design.
If you go in wanting a fun family activity with animals, it likely feels like a good deal. If you expect a long scenic trek, you may feel like it’s not enough.
Optional pickups and tastings: where they help, where they don’t
Some options mention pickup in La Quinta, Turquesa, and Teneguía, and those options can include tastings. Highlights also mention trying wine with tapas such as honeyed cheese, sauces, and potatoes.
That can be a nice add-on if you’re already staying in those areas and want a snack-and-sip moment tied to the activity. But if you don’t get pickup, you’ll just go straight to the Camello center.
Check what’s included with the exact ticket or add-on you book. The standard ride ticket itself is just the camel ride and entrance.
The bottom line: should you book this camel tour?
I’d book this if you want a short, low-effort family outing in El Tanque’s farm country, and if animals are the main event for your group. The biggest strengths here are the calm animal experience, the friendliness people describe from staff like Daniella and Marcelo, and the fact that it’s a manageable, about-20-minute ride with a small group size.
I’d skip or be cautious if you’re chasing big scenery from horseback, because a few people felt the route can be less scenic than expected and the ride can feel short. Also skip if you have back problems, and keep in mind the max rider weight is 120 kg.
If you do go, decide before you arrive how you feel about photo and souvenir selling, so the ride stays the focus.
FAQ
How long is the camel riding experience in El Tanque?
The camel ride is approximately 20 minutes.
Where is the meeting point for the tour?
You meet at the Camello center (paseos en camello y restaurante) on Carretera General, TF-82, km 10.2, 38435 El Tanque, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Is pickup included?
Pickup service is not included. There are optional pickup options mentioned for La Quinta, Turquesa, and Teneguía with tastings.
Can kids join the camel ride?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
What is the maximum weight per rider?
The maximum weight per rider is 120 kg.
What if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?
This experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
