Tenerife: Go Karting Adventure

Tenerife’s Karting Club puts you on a 1,200-meter circuit with wide bends, track kerbs, and electronic lap timing. You can choose between several adult and youth karts, then race without the stop-start feel of a fairground ride.

I like the free shuttle from Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, and I like that children get their own 250-meter circuit with age-specific karts. The main catch is the short 12-minute session, and the fastest kart may cost extra once you arrive.

Key points at a glance

• A proper 1,200-meter senior track: The circuit is at least 8 meters wide, with enough room to work on cornering lines and overtaking.
• Three junior kart choices: Children can use a two-seater, Pony Kart, or Cadet Kart according to age.
• Lap timing on an LED display: You can compare individual times and track your progress during group races.
• Free south-coast shuttle: Pickup and return are available on request from Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos.
• A fast, direct session: The 12-minute run starts from the pits and keeps you moving, with no long sightseeing stops.
• A useful price warning: The advertised $41 covers the activity, but the fastest karts may require an extra payment.

Racing on Tenerife’s 1,200-meter senior circuit

This is go-karting as a focused activity, not a full-day attraction. You arrive, choose your kart, receive the basic instructions, and head onto the circuit for a 12-minute run. That short format makes it easy to fit into a day at the beach, but it also means the driving time matters.

The senior circuit measures 1,200 meters and is at least 8 meters wide. Those dimensions give you more than a tiny loop. You have long sections to build speed, bends that reward a clean line, and enough width for the race to feel active rather than cramped.

The circuit has kerbs that can help you position the kart through corners. If you already enjoy racing games or karting, you will probably spend the session chasing better lines and faster laps. If you are new to karting, your first few laps will be about learning the brakes, steering, and track layout.

The experience moves quickly. One useful detail from the feedback is that the session begins straight from the pits, with no repeated stopping and starting. You are not left waiting through a long introduction once you get on the track. For a 12-minute booking, that efficient start makes a real difference.

Still, 12 minutes is not a long race. One participant described roughly 11 laps and found that enough time to tire the forearms. Another wished for a longer session. I would treat the advertised duration as a single compact race, not an afternoon of motorsport.

Picking the right kart

The available kart depends on age and circuit. On the senior circuit, the choices listed are the 400cc Super Kart Especial, the 270cc Super Kart, and a Competition Kart for young people aged 15 to 17.

The 400cc Super Kart Especial is the one to ask about if outright speed matters most. The booking price may not include the fastest kart, so confirm the cost before you pay at the venue. One useful warning is that the wording can make it sound as if the fastest karts are included, while an extra charge may apply on arrival.

That detail does not ruin the activity, but it affects the value. At $41 per person, the standard session is reasonable for a dedicated circuit and timing system. If you want the top kart, budget for a possible supplement rather than assuming the headline price covers every option.

The 270cc Super Kart offers a more moderate choice. It may suit adults who want speed but do not need the most powerful machine. The Competition Kart is listed for drivers aged 15 to 17, giving teenagers an option beyond the youngest junior equipment.

The supplied information does not give exact speed figures. You should therefore judge the karts by engine class and suitability rather than by a promised top speed. The important point is that there are several choices, not one standard kart for every driver.

A proper junior circuit for younger drivers

Families get a useful setup here because children do not simply share the full senior circuit with faster adult drivers. The Junior Circuit measures 250 meters, is 8 meters wide, and is described as suitable for all children.

The age-based kart choices are:

• The 160cc two-seater is for one adult and one child up to 5 years old.
• The 120cc Pony Kart is for children from 6 to 9.
• The 180cc Cadet Kart is for children from 10 to 14.

This arrangement gives parents a clear starting point. A very young child can ride with an adult, while older children have their own smaller kart. The junior circuit is shorter than the senior track, but the 8-meter width still gives it a proper circuit feel.

I especially like this split because it lets a family choose an activity without putting a small child into an adult race format. The junior area is described as having high technical and safety conditions. That does not mean you should ignore the instructions or age limits, but it does make the setup more practical for families.

Check the age category carefully when booking. A 14-year-old belongs with the Cadet Kart, while a 15-year-old is listed for the senior circuit’s Competition Kart. The supplied information does not state height restrictions, so ask the provider if a child is close to an age or fit boundary.

Timing screens make 12 minutes count

The LED display and timing system add purpose to a short session. You can see your laps and compare times between participants. That changes the activity from simply driving around the track into a small race challenge.

For a group of friends, the timing system gives everyone a target. You can compare your fastest lap, monitor individual performance, or create a friendly competition between participants. This works especially well for birthday groups, family pairs, and stag parties.

The track itself also gives you something to work on. You can try braking later, take a tighter line, or carry more speed through a bend. With only 12 minutes, you will not become a polished racer, but you can feel the difference between your early and later laps.

The session may feel longer once you are driving. One participant said the concentration made time seem to slow down, while another found the 12 minutes enough to leave tired forearms. That is a fair description of the format: short on the clock, busy behind the wheel.

Free transport from Tenerife’s south coast

If you are staying in Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos, ask for the free shuttle when you book. Pickup and drop-off are provided from those areas on request.

This is a strong practical benefit. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi for a short activity, and you can leave the driving to someone else before and after your race. The information only confirms service from the two named areas, so do not assume the shuttle covers every resort in southern Tenerife.

Allow time to meet the shuttle and follow the instructions given at booking. One group found the transfer easy to use for a stag outing, including the return to Playa de las Americas. That makes the activity easier to add to a resort holiday, especially if no one in the group wants to navigate transport.

The venue has a bar area, according to one detailed account, but meals and drinks are not included. Water and drinks can cost more at the counter, so bring your own water if permitted and practical. Comfortable shoes are required, and large bags or luggage are not allowed.

What the session feels like from arrival to finish

The first step is transport or arrival at the karting venue. If you request the shuttle, you collect it in the south-coast pickup area and continue to the track. Once there, you need to sort out your kart category and helmet before your session.

The helmet process may not be perfectly clear to everyone. One participant had trouble working out where to collect the helmet and which session was next. I would arrive with enough time to get oriented instead of walking in at the last minute.

After the equipment and instructions, you move to the chosen circuit. Drivers on the senior track get the full 1,200-meter layout, while children use the 250-meter junior course and the appropriate kart. The instructors speak English and Spanish.

Then comes the main event: 12 minutes on the track. You can watch the LED timing display and use the session to improve your lap times. The run is direct, with the action beginning from the pits rather than being broken up by frequent pauses.

After driving, you can check the timing results and, if available, spend a little time in the bar area. Photos are also available, according to one participant, which may appeal to groups wanting a record of the race. Photos are not listed as included, so treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the $41 price.

Safety, comfort, and small practical warnings

The circuits are described in terms of their width and technical safety conditions, especially the junior course. That is reassuring, but karting remains a physical activity. You should not book if you are pregnant or have heart problems.

Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid arriving with luggage or a large bag, since those are not allowed. Loose belongings are best left elsewhere, though the supplied information does not specify storage arrangements.

Helmet visors may be limited. One recent participant was concerned about not having enough visors, particularly because debris or dust in the eye could be uncomfortable at speed. I would ask about visor availability before setting off, especially if you wear glasses or are sensitive to wind.

The track can also work your arms. Eleven laps in 12 minutes may not sound demanding, but repeated steering through bends requires effort. If you are planning another active excursion immediately afterward, give yourself some recovery time.

Staff impressions are mixed but mostly favorable. Several accounts describe friendly, helpful, and professional support. At least one person found the staff less helpful when trying to find the correct helmet and session. I would expect a functional operation rather than a highly polished theme-park presentation.

Is $41 good value?

The $41 price is best judged against the type of outing you want. You are paying for a dedicated circuit, a timed race, a choice of karts, and possible shuttle transport from two major resort areas. For someone who specifically wants fast karting, that is a fair package.

The value is weaker if you expect a long session. Twelve minutes can pass quickly, especially if you have traveled a distance just for this activity. You may want to book more than one session if availability and pricing allow, but the supplied details do not confirm repeat-session discounts or costs.

The free shuttle improves the deal for people staying in Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos. It removes a transport expense and makes the activity easier to fit into a resort day. Meals and drinks are not included, and drinks at the venue may be expensive, so bring that extra cost into your planning.

The biggest price question is the kart upgrade. Ask specifically whether the 400cc Super Kart Especial is included in your booking. If the fastest kart costs extra, decide before arrival how much speed matters to you.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to adults who want a short burst of speed rather than a full-day excursion. It also suits groups of friends, stag parties, and families with children old enough to use the junior equipment.

The junior circuit makes the experience more appealing for families than a single adult track would be. A parent can share a two-seater with a child up to age 5, while children from 6 to 14 have their own age-based options.

It is less suitable for anyone wanting a relaxed sightseeing activity, a long race, or a carefully guided motorsport lesson. The emphasis is on driving, lap times, and fun. You may receive basic instruction, but this is not presented as a technical driving course.

The activity also makes sense for people staying in the south of Tenerife. The shuttle is a real advantage there. If you are elsewhere on the island, check the transport details before booking, since free service is only specified for Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos.

Should you book Karting Club Tenerife?

Book it if you want fast, simple fun with a real circuit, lap timing, and a free south-coast shuttle. The 1,200-meter senior track, separate junior course, and choice of kart classes give the activity more substance than a small amusement-park ride.

Before paying, confirm which kart your price includes and ask about any extra charge for the fastest model. Bring comfortable shoes, avoid large bags, plan for drinks to cost extra, and ask about helmet visors if that matters to you.

I would book this as a compact group activity, especially for families, teenagers, and friends staying near Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos. I would skip it only if 12 minutes feels too short for the price or if you are looking for a long, guided racing session rather than a quick, competitive run.

FAQ

How long is the go-karting session?

The driving session lasts 12 minutes. The senior circuit is 1,200 meters long, while the junior circuit measures 250 meters.

Where can I get the free shuttle?

A free shuttle is available from Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos on request.

Which karts can adults use?

The senior circuit lists the 400cc Super Kart Especial and the 270cc Super Kart. A Competition Kart is listed for young people aged 15 to 17.

Which karts are available for children?

Children can use a 160cc two-seater with one adult and one child up to 5 years old, a 120cc Pony Kart for ages 6 to 9, or a 180cc Cadet Kart for ages 10 to 14.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included in the activity price.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and pregnant women or people with heart problems should not take part.