Lanzarote: 3 Hour Buggy Tour with views of the Volcano Park

Lanzarote looks best from behind a steering wheel. This three-hour buggy tour leaves Puerto Calero for a lively mix of road driving, dusty tracks, village roads, and volcanic scenery, ending at a wine stop near the Timanfaya area.

I like the mix of driving styles, which gives you more than a short spin around a single dirt track. I also like the route through La Geria, where the black volcanic soil, vineyards, and mountain views make the stop feel tied to Lanzarote rather than added on as an afterthought.

The main drawback is dust. If you are at the back of the group, you may get plenty of it, so bring a face covering and clothes you can dirty. The wind can also make the ride cool, and drivers need a full license held for about 12 months.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuine three-hour outing: You get a full route through Puerto del Carmen, Tias, rural villages, La Geria, and volcanic terrain, not just a brief buggy circuit.
• Automatic Can-Am Maverick buggies: The latest automatic vehicles make the driving easier if you do not want to manage a manual gearbox.
• Two driving surfaces: The route combines public roads with off-road tracks, giving you changing scenery and a more varied pace.
• A stop in wine country: The main break is at the Wine Museum and Bodega, with time for photos, a leg stretch, and refreshments if you wish.
• Small groups of up to 10: This is intimate enough for guide interaction without being a private tour.
• Strong guest satisfaction: The activity holds a 4.8 rating from 78 reviews, with especially high praise for the guides, scenery, and mix of road and off-road driving.

Starting at Puerto Calero Marina

The meeting point is in the pedestrian area of Puerto Calero Marina, near the Submarine Safaris and Catlanza offices. You will find bars and restaurants around the office, which makes the location easy to recognize and useful if you want to arrive early for coffee.

Check-in is handled at the office, followed by a short walk to the departure point. The staff gives you a basic briefing, answers questions, and helps you get settled in the buggy before the group leaves.

The marina setting gives this tour a more polished start than a bare roadside meeting point. After the drive, you can return to the same area and use the discount offered at a restaurant in Puerto Calero. Food and drinks are not included, but the discount gives you a practical place to cool down and clean up after the dusty ride.

The group is limited to 10 people. That matters because the guide can keep an eye on the convoy and speak with you during the stops. It is not a private tour, though, so the pace and route are shared with the other drivers.

Leaving the marina for Puerto del Carmen and Tias

The route first leaves Puerto Calero and heads toward the back of Puerto del Carmen and the town of Tias. This opening section helps you get used to the buggy before the scenery becomes more rural and the off-road sections begin.

The Can-Am Maverick buggies are automatic, which removes one task from the driving. You can focus on steering, road position, and the changing terrain instead of shifting gears. The vehicles are described as top-of-the-range models, and the route is designed for a mixture of road and off-road use.

You may share the driving with your companion. One person can take the wheel on the outward leg and the other can drive later, giving both of you time behind the wheel. This works well for couples and families sharing a buggy, but decide before setting off how you want to divide the driving time.

The first rural roads lead toward picturesque villages. The scenery changes gradually, from built-up resort areas to quieter roads and open views. This is one reason the tour is useful if you want to see more of Lanzarote than the area around your hotel.

Off-road tracks and the first photo stops

The off-road sections add the fun. They are not simply a transfer between tourist sights. You get the sensation of driving across rougher ground, with the buggy handling the route while the guide leads the convoy.

Expect dust, especially if you are following another vehicle. The person at the back can receive the worst of it, so the supplied protective glasses are important rather than decorative. A scarf, buff, or other face covering is also worth bringing. You can buy one from the office if you forget.

Wear closed shoes that you do not mind getting dirty. Sand and fine dust can work into your footwear, and open shoes are not allowed. Flip-flops, sandals, bare feet, smoking in the vehicle, alcohol, and drugs are all prohibited.

The route includes a quick stop for photographs. These pauses are valuable because the scenery is hard to appreciate while steering. You can take in the island’s dark volcanic ground, distant slopes, and rural settlements without trying to aim a phone through a dusty windscreen.

Guides also use the stops to share facts about Lanzarote, its volcanoes, and the surrounding islands. The amount of commentary may depend on the guide and the pace of the group, but the tour is not designed as silent driving.

La Geria and Lanzarote’s volcanic vineyards

The most distinctive part of the route is La Geria, Lanzarote’s wine-growing region. Here, the volcanic ground is not just something to look at. It shapes the way the vineyards are laid out, giving the area a very different appearance from a typical Spanish wine region.

Driving through this part of the island by buggy gives you a close view of the contrast between black earth, low-growing vines, and open mountain scenery. The Timanfaya Volcano Park forms a dramatic backdrop, though the buggy route is described as passing through the surrounding volcanic area rather than as a guided visit inside the park itself.

This is an important distinction. You are not booking a Timanfaya visitor tour with a park presentation or a dedicated volcano excursion. You are getting broad views of the volcano country as part of an active driving route.

The scenery is at its best when the weather is clear. One practical point is temperature. The wind can feel stronger when you are moving through the higher or more exposed areas, and one person found the ride noticeably cooler around the mountain and volcano sections. Bring a light jacket even on a warm day.

The Wine Museum and Bodega stop

The main break is at the Wine Museum and Bodega. This gives you time to stretch your legs after the driving, take more photographs, and sit down at the tapas café if you want coffee or a snack.

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so bring money if you plan to order something. The stop is also a chance to learn more from the guide about the region and its vineyards. Some people have sampled the local wine here, so a tasting may be part of the visit, but you should not book this as a full wine-tasting tour.

The stop works well because it breaks up the three-hour route. Three hours in a buggy can feel long if every minute is spent driving, especially in wind or dust. A pause gives you a chance to remove your glasses, check your belongings, and enjoy the setting without engine noise.

It also creates a useful contrast. The off-road sections are about movement and open terrain. The bodega stop is slower and more connected to Lanzarote’s local produce. That combination gives the tour more range than a straightforward motor activity.

Returning through the volcanic countryside

After the bodega stop, the group returns toward Puerto Calero. You continue to see the volcanic terrain and open island views, with the guide leading the convoy back to the marina.

The return journey gives you another chance to drive if you are sharing the buggy. Couples should make sure both drivers get enough time before the final stretch. The route is long enough for a proper changeover, but the exact timing depends on the guide and group.

The guides are a major part of the tour’s appeal. Mario is specifically praised for being funny, personable, experienced, and entertaining. Other guides are also described as friendly, clear, approachable, and professional. That balance matters: you want enough humor to keep the trip lively, but you also need clear instructions when several vehicles are moving together.

There have been occasional technical delays when a vehicle needs attention. The response in one case was quick, and the group continued after the problem was sorted. Still, anyone booking a motor activity should allow for the possibility of a short interruption rather than expecting a perfectly timed route.

What the $200 price really gives you

The listed price is $200 per group of up to two people. If two people share the buggy, that works out to $100 per person. The value is strongest when both of you drive and you make full use of the three-hour route.

You are paying for more than vehicle hire. The price covers the guided route, the off-road and road sections, protective glasses, the bodega stop, and the guide’s local commentary. You also get a small-group format rather than being placed in a large convoy.

The cost is less attractive if only one person wants to drive or if you are mainly looking for a quick thrill. In that case, a shorter activity might suit you better. This tour earns its price through duration and variety, especially for people who want to see rural Lanzarote as well as enjoy the buggy itself.

The restaurant discount at Puerto Calero adds a small extra benefit after the ride. It does not reduce the tour price directly, and you still pay for any meal or drink, but it gives you an easy way to continue the afternoon at the marina.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would choose this tour if you want active sightseeing. You get to drive, stop for photographs, see volcanic scenery, and visit a wine-growing area in one outing.

It suits couples particularly well because two people can share the buggy and the driving. Families can also enjoy it, and one family used the arrangement with each parent taking one child. Children under five are not allowed, so check the age of everyone in your group before booking.

You should be comfortable with wind, dust, and a little physical jostling. This is not the right choice if you have back problems, heart problems, or are pregnant. It is also not suitable if you want a quiet, polished sightseeing trip with no dirt involved.

Drivers must hold a full driving license for approximately 12 months. If your license is new or you are unsure how the requirement applies to you, contact the provider before paying. Bring the physical license with you.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain the exact transfer arrangements or buggy access. If you use a wheelchair, confirm those details in advance.

Useful packing advice for the three hours

Bring a full driving license, closed-toe shoes, and clothing that can get dirty. A jacket is a smart addition because the wind can make the ride feel cool, even when the island seems warm at the marina.

Protective glasses are included. You should use them, especially on the off-road sections and if you are near the back of the convoy.

A buff, scarf, or other face covering is not included. You can buy one at the office, but bringing your own is simpler. It will also help keep dust out of your mouth and nose.

Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. Leave alcohol and drugs behind, and remember that smoking in the vehicle is not permitted.

The tour lasts three hours, so plan around that fixed block of time. The exact departure time varies, and availability must be checked when booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still changing.

Should you book the Lanzarote buggy tour?

Book it if you want a lively way to see the island beyond the resort roads. The best reasons are the road and off-road combination, the volcanic views around Timanfaya, the La Geria vineyards, and the chance to share the driving.

I especially like that the bodega stop gives the trip a local focus. You are not only racing around for photographs. You also pause in one of Lanzarote’s most distinctive wine areas and have time to ask questions, take pictures, and rest.

Skip it if dust, wind, or bumpy roads sound unpleasant. Also skip it if nobody in your group meets the license requirement, or if you need a gentle sightseeing outing because of a health condition.

For two licensed drivers who want scenery with some engine noise and adventure, the $200 group price is fair. Bring a jacket, cover your face, wear old shoes, and let Mario or the other guides handle the route. That preparation turns a potentially gritty ride into one of the more memorable ways to see Lanzarote.

FAQ

How long is the Lanzarote buggy tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the driving route, photo stops, and the visit to the Wine Museum and Bodega.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Buggies Lanzarote office in the pedestrian area of Puerto Calero Marina, near the Submarine Safaris and Catlanza offices.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $200 per group of up to two people.

What vehicles are used?

The tour uses automatic Can-Am Maverick buggies.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Drivers must hold a full driving license for approximately 12 months. Bring your license with you.

What should I wear?

Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and bare feet are not allowed.

Are protective glasses provided?

Yes. Protective glasses for dust are included.

Do I need a face covering?

A face covering such as a buff or scarf is not included. You can buy one from the office if needed.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though you can purchase refreshments at the tapas café during the bodega stop. A discount is also available at a restaurant in Puerto Calero after the tour.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems.