Buggy Tour Gran Canaria

The best part of this tour is the change of scenery. You leave the resort coast and climb into the hills around Ayagaures and Fataga, where winding roads, palm trees, bamboo, prickly pears, and a reservoir replace hotel blocks and beach umbrellas. You drive your own 800cc buggy, with time to stop for photos and trade drivers.

I like the mountain-road route and the friendly, high-energy crew, especially guides such as Sebastian and Carmelo, also called Speedy Gonzales. The main point to understand is that this is a scenic buggy drive with a short off-road section, not a full day of rough trail driving. If you want mud, jumps, and long dirt tracks, this may feel tame.

Key points to know before booking

• 800cc buggies: You drive your own vehicle, rather than simply riding as a passenger.
• Scenic first hour: Most of the route uses paved mountain roads around Ayagaures and Fataga.
• Short dusty off-road section: Expect fun gravel and dirt, but not extended hardcore off-road driving.
• Strong guide team: Sebastian, Carmelo, and the energetic Speedy Gonzales add humor and keep the convoy moving.
• Useful resort pickup: Transport is included from many southern resort areas, but not from Las Palmas.
• Driver’s license required: At least one person in your party must bring a valid Class B car license.

The real appeal: Gran Canaria beyond the beach

Gran Canaria is easy to experience as a sun-and-sand destination. That is also its trap. If you spend the whole visit around Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés, you miss the island’s rough interior, where the road rises quickly from the coast into dry mountain country.

This buggy trip gives you a practical way to see that change. You are not sitting behind a coach window. You are in an open vehicle, following a guide through bends and uphill stretches, with broad views at the Ayagaures Pedro Gonzales viewpoint.

The route begins with paved roads, and that matters. You get time to learn how the buggy feels before reaching the dirt section. You also get a better look at the scenery than you would on a fast transfer bus. The experience is active, but it is not built around extreme driving.

I would call it a scenic driving adventure with a dust-covered finale. That description will help you set the right expectations.

From El Tablero to the Pedro Gonzales viewpoint

The meeting point is Buggy Pirates Outdoor Center on C. Puntarenas in El Tablero. The listed start time is 9:00 am, though your pickup time depends on your resort area.

Once the group has checked in, the team gives instructions before you set off. That briefing is useful because the convoy includes people with different levels of driving confidence. You do not need to arrive as a motorsport expert, but you do need a full Class B car driver’s license for at least one participant.

The first major stretch is on paved roads. You climb toward the Ayagaures Pedro Gonzales viewpoint, a stop that gives the tour its best photographic moment. Bring a phone or camera, but keep it secure in the buggy. The point is not only the view. It is also the feeling of reaching the island’s interior under your own power.

The road sections are winding, so you should be comfortable steering and staying with a group. Drivers from the United Kingdom may need a little time to adjust to driving on the other side of the road, though the quieter roads and guide-led format make this less stressful than driving alone.

The route is not a free-for-all. You follow the guides in a convoy, which keeps the activity organized and makes it easier for the staff to watch the group. That also means you should not expect to race or choose your own route.

Reservoir views, palms, bamboo, and prickly pears

After the viewpoint, the route descends toward a reservoir. From there, the surroundings shift again, with bamboo fields, palm trees, and prickly pears along the way.

This section gives the tour more variety than a simple mountain loop. You move through several types of scenery in a fairly short outing, from paved hills to planted greenery and dry island vegetation. The route helps explain why Gran Canaria is often called a continent in miniature, even though this tour only covers one part of the island.

The scenery is the main reason to choose this trip over a small go-kart-style circuit. You are not only turning laps. You are crossing real roads and seeing a quieter side of the island.

Still, keep the timing in mind. The whole activity lasts about two hours, so the stops are brief rather than leisurely walks. You get a photo break and opportunities to change drivers, but this is not a hiking excursion or a sightseeing tour with long stops.

What the off-road section is really like

The dirt section comes later and is the most misunderstood part of the tour. It is fun, dusty, and more physical than the paved drive, but it is short.

Several accounts describe roughly 10 to 15 minutes of true off-road driving, with loops through a compact dirt area. You may approach parts of it from different angles and repeat sections while the group moves through. That setup is understandable for safety and local access reasons, but it limits the sense of wilderness driving.

You will get dust on clothes, shoes, bags, and probably your face. Wear old clothing and closed shoes if possible. A bandana or face covering is a smart addition, especially when following another buggy. Flying stones are also possible, so keep your hands and belongings inside the vehicle when appropriate and follow staff instructions.

The venue has washing facilities for cleaning off some of the dust afterward. That is helpful, but do not wear anything you would be upset to dirty.

I like the off-road section as a change of pace. It gives you the engine noise, loose surface, and playful driving most people expect from a buggy outing. I would not book this tour solely for off-road mileage, though. If your priority is extended dirt tracks, this route will probably disappoint.

The guides make a big difference

The staff are a major part of the experience. Sebastian receives repeated praise for his organization and warm manner. Carmelo, known as Speedy Gonzales, is remembered for keeping the energy high while moving around the group on a moped and helping with photos and video.

That personality matters during a convoy tour. There can be waiting while drivers change, groups gather, or the next section opens up. A lively guide keeps those pauses from feeling flat.

The team also handles the basic safety work: explaining how to drive the buggies, organizing the group, and guiding everyone along the route. Some departures may include a large convoy, and the check-in process can take longer when many people need to show identification and sign disclaimers.

The advertised maximum is 18 participants, though the actual number of buggies can affect how much time you spend waiting. If the group is full, the off-road area can feel crowded. That is the tradeoff for a popular, structured activity rather than a private drive.

Photos and video worth considering

A photographer and camera operator work around the route, capturing the convoy, the scenic stops, and the dusty driving. You can purchase the finished video and photos separately.

This may be worth considering if you are traveling as a pair and cannot easily photograph each other while driving. One purchase described by a participant included an edited video of about 16 minutes and more than 750 photos, delivered the same afternoon. The exact package can vary, so confirm what is included before paying.

The camera service is also part of the fun. Carmelo’s energetic approach helps produce more lively images than a quick group snapshot at the viewpoint. Just treat the media package as an optional extra when calculating the total cost.

Is $90.70 a fair price?

At $90.70 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transport, equipment, guide support, and access to a part of Gran Canaria you might not see from the resort.

You are paying for about two hours, an 800cc buggy, a guided route, the viewpoint stop, the reservoir drive, and the off-road section. Pickup is included from several southern resort areas, which saves you the cost and hassle of arranging transport to El Tablero.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long off-road session. Much of the route uses public paved roads, and the dirt portion is limited. You should compare this with your actual goal, not with the advertising image you may have in mind.

For a couple or small group looking for a different morning activity, the price makes sense. You get driving time and scenery in one package. For a serious off-road enthusiast, it may be better value to seek a tour built around longer trails, even if that means paying more.

Pickup areas and the return trip

Guaranteed pickup and return are offered in Bahia Feliz, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustin, Sonnenland, and Meloneras. Pickup is also available from Salobre, Arguineguin, Patalavaca, Puerto Rico, Playa de los Amadores, Playa del Cura, Taurito, and Playa de Mogán.

There is an important difference for the second group. Pickup is available, but return transport to those areas is not included. The operator takes you to a suitable nearby bus or taxi stop instead. Factor that into your budget and schedule.

There is no pickup service in Las Palmas or from the port. If you are staying there, you need to make your own way to the meeting point. Tell the operator your hotel when booking, since the pickup time depends on your area.

The activity finishes back at the meeting point for participants using the standard arrangement. Confirm the details for your own hotel before the day of the tour.

Who will enjoy this buggy tour?

This is a good fit if you want:

• A short active outing from a southern Gran Canaria resort
• A guided way to reach the island’s mountain interior
• Scenic roads with some hands-on driving
• A fun activity for couples, friends, and families with older children
• A structured tour where staff handle the route and group flow
• A chance to purchase photos and video of the day

Children can take part when accompanied by an adult from a height of 1.35 meters onward. The activity is also available to people with reduced mobility upon request, so discuss your needs before booking.

You should think twice if you dislike dust, winding roads, convoy driving, or waiting for a large group. You should also skip it if nobody in your party has the required Class B car license.

Practical tips for a smoother morning

Wear old clothes. The off-road section can cover you in dust, and the open buggy offers little protection from flying grit.

Bring a face covering, sunglasses, and secure footwear. Keep loose items under control, since the dirt section is rougher than the paved route. Sunscreen is sensible, though the tour’s conditions depend on the day’s weather.

If two people share a buggy, use the stops to swap drivers. The route includes opportunities to do this, so both of you can enjoy the experience rather than leaving one person behind the wheel for the entire outing.

Arrive ready for a group activity. The convoy format keeps things safer and easier to manage, but it also limits speed and spontaneity. The tour works best when you treat the guide-led structure as part of the day, not as an obstacle to racing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the activity depends on good weather, a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, accessible introduction to Gran Canaria’s interior, with real driving, strong guides, mountain views, and a short burst of dusty off-road fun. The pickup service makes it especially handy for people staying around Maspalomas and the nearby southern resorts.

Do not book it expecting a full off-road expedition. The strongest part is the combination of paved mountain scenery and staff energy, while the dirt section is brief and can feel crowded in a large group.

For most holidaymakers, this is a worthwhile two-hour change from the beach. Bring old clothes, accept the convoy format, and judge the tour as a scenic buggy adventure rather than a serious trail-driving challenge.

FAQ

How long does the Buggy Tour Gran Canaria last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am. Your exact pickup time depends on the area where you are staying.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Buggy Pirates Outdoor Center, C. Puntarenas, 16, 35109 El Tablero, Las Palmas, Spain.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. At least one participant must have a valid Class B car driver’s license to begin the excursion.

Can children participate?

Children accompanied by an adult can participate from a height of 1.35 meters onward.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is guaranteed from Bahia Feliz, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustin, Sonnenland, and Meloneras. Pickup is also available from several other southern resort areas, but return transport to some of those areas is not included.

Is pickup available from Las Palmas or the port?

No. The tour does not offer pickup service in Las Palmas or from the port.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.