Is the Lanzarote Buggy Tour Worth It? My Honest Take
I sell this activity, so let me be upfront: I’d rather you book knowing everything than leave disappointed. Here’s my honest answer.
The short answer
Yes, if you come for the landscapes and the fun, not for speed or a commentated tour. Most customers come back happy. A minority leave disappointed, almost always because they expected something different.
What you’ll actually get
- A relaxed ride, not a race: automatic buggies, easy to drive, no stunts and no racing.
- The north of the island, starting from Costa Teguise: volcanoes, old cochineal cactus terraces, a terraced valley and the Famara cliffs. Roughly 60 to 70% is dirt tracks.
- A small group: 5 buggies maximum per guide, while other operators run 10 to 15.
- 2 or 3 hours, give or take 10 to 20 minutes depending on the group’s pace.
What nobody always tells you
- Timanfaya is closed to motor vehicles, so you won’t ride there. The route focuses on the volcanoes and landscapes of the north.
- It isn’t a guided tour: the guide leads the convoy and keeps everyone safe, but doesn’t stop to explain the island, and a specific language isn’t guaranteed.
- The route has changed: new Cabildo restrictions closed some tracks. And in peak season the island runs flat out, so the start can feel like a production line.
- A petrol-station stop may be part of the programme so a few buggies can refuel. It’s not a mistake.
- The welcome can be blunt: the local team goes straight to the point. It isn’t hostility.
I say the same on the activity page: today it’s closer to mass tourism than to the small, intimate outing it was at the beginning.
Who it’s for
- You want volcanic scenery without effort, with family, a partner or friends.
- You like driving something fun, without chasing speed.
- You’re fine with a guide who leads the convoy rather than telling the island’s story.
Who it probably isn’t for
- You want to enter Timanfaya National Park.
- You expect a commentated tour in your language, guaranteed.
- You want pure adrenaline: look at the jet ski instead.
- You have serious back problems or you’re pregnant: the activity isn’t recommended.
The conditions to know
The driver needs a licence held for at least 2 years. Prices run from €150 per buggy (2 seats, 2 hours) to €340 for a 6-seater on the 3-hour ride, and that’s per buggy, not per person. Insurance, jacket and goggles are included, and closed shoes are mandatory for the driver.
What’s next
Prices, durations and instant booking: the buggy page. For the full run of events from welcome to return: the complete buggy tour rundown. And if you’re torn between activities, I tell it straight in my guide to choosing between buggy, jet ski and catamaran.