Honest Review: 3-in-1 Tour (Camel Ride, Sky Bike, UTV) with Nexus & Cactus Tours
I booked the 3-in-1 tour through Osorio from Nexus, and I want to start by saying that both Osorio and his manager were excellent to deal with. Osorio was especially great—friendly, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly. A solid start to what should have been a seamless experience.
Now for the real experience with Cactus Tours, where things went downhill.
The Bad:
The bus arrived over an hour late. No update, no communication, just standing around waiting.
Upon arrival, there was a long, slow-moving line to register.
admission fee Osorio did explain this part—$25 USD per person, not included in the tour price. Would’ve been nice to know upfront.
For the UTV ride, you're pushed into paying $45 USD for insurance per vehicle, or you're forced to put a $750 hold on your credit card. That felt like a trap more than a choice.
You are not allowed to take your phone, camera, or any belongings with you "for safety," but let’s be honest—it’s mainly so they can charge you an arm and a leg for photos afterward.
I ended up paying quite a bit $150 discounted price for 30 photos and 4 videos, and frankly, they weren’t worth it. They cost triple what I paid at Xcaret, and the quality and quantity don’t even come close.
And to top it off—we didn’t even get any photos of our camel ride because by the time we got to that part, it was too dark. Very disappointing.
The Good:
Esteban, our guide from Cactus Tour, was a standout. Friendly, knowledgeable, and his English was perfect. He genuinely tried to make the best of a messy situation, but unfortunately, he couldn’t fix the late bus or the disorganization.
Despite the hiccups, the actual activities—the camel ride, sky bike, and UTV—were fun. No complaints about the experiences themselves, just how they were managed.
Final Thoughts:
If you're booking this tour, go early—the late slot ruins your chance at good photos, especially with the camels. Be prepared for extra costs and a pushy photo system. The tour company felt disorganized, and the upselling was relentless.
Would I recommend it? Yes, for the experience—but manage your expectations and don’t expect value from Cactus Tours. Big shoutout again to Osorio and Esteban—they were the highlights of an otherwise mediocre setup.