Buggy Safari Adventure 700cc

The best part of this Tenerife buggy tour is the change of pace. You leave the coast behind and climb through mountain roads toward Teide National Park, driving an open-air 700cc Articat rather than sitting in a coach. I like the mix of winding roads and a short off-road section, and I like that the route includes Vilaflor, one of Tenerife’s traditional Canarian villages.

The main caution is that the stops and food tasting may not always match the advertised plan. One account praised the driving and views, while another said there was only one viewpoint stop, no cheese tasting, and very dirty buggies. I would confirm the day’s route and vehicle condition before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• A 700cc Articat provides the main thrill: You drive an open-air buggy on mountain roads, with a short off-road section for extra excitement.
• The route climbs toward Spain’s highest point: The tour passes Vilaflor, Pino Gordo, Mirador de Ucanca, and Teide National Park.
• Southern Tenerife pickup is included: Hotel pickup and return transport are offered from destinations in the south.
• The food stop needs checking: Homemade wine and cheese are part of the stated plan, but this has not happened consistently.
• A driving licence is required: Children must travel with an adult, and the activity allows a maximum of six people.
• Plan for about three hours: The listed start time is 1 p.m., and the tour ends back at its meeting point.

Leaving the coast in a 700cc Articat

Tenerife is often sold through its beaches and resort strips, but the island changes quickly once the road rises. This tour takes you inland in a 700cc Articat, with the wind, engine noise, and open views making the journey feel more active than a standard sightseeing trip.

You are not simply being driven to Teide. You take part in the route, following a guide through mountain roads and selected off-road sections. That makes the tour a good fit if you want scenery with a little driving challenge rather than a quiet half-day in a minibus.

The vehicles are described as unique to the Canary Islands, and the open-air design is central to the experience. You should expect dust, road spray, and a vehicle that feels built for outdoor use rather than comfort. Wear clothes and shoes you do not mind getting dirty.

The tour has a reported rating of 4.2 from five ratings, so the overall picture is positive but not settled. The strongest praise is for the winding mountain roads, off-road driving, and broad views. The main criticism concerns the condition of the buggies and whether all promised stops take place.

The climb through Vilaflor and Pino Gordo

The route heads toward Vilaflor, a traditional Canarian village high above the southern resorts. This is one of the more appealing parts of the trip because it gives you a taste of Tenerife away from the coast, where the island feels quieter and more rural.

You also pass toward Pino Gordo, a notable point on the mountain route. The exact length of the stop is not specified, so think of these places as part of a moving scenic route rather than a village walking tour. If you want time to explore Vilaflor on foot, ask the guide before departure.

The road itself is part of the attraction. Winding mountain driving tests your steering and attention more than a flat resort road would. A previous participant described it as a good test of driving ability, which is useful context if you are considering this mainly for the views but do not usually drive recreational vehicles.

The route can also be tiring for anyone who dislikes curves, engine noise, or open vehicles. You may want to choose a calmer island outing if motion sickness is a concern, though no formal health restrictions are provided.

Mirador de Ucanca and the Teide high country

Mirador de Ucanca is one of the named viewpoints on the route. It offers the kind of open mountain scenery that makes the climb worthwhile, with Teide National Park as the larger goal. The tour is designed to give you several chances to pause for views, though the actual number of stops should be confirmed.

Teide is Spain’s highest point, and reaching the national park gives the excursion a clear sense of destination. You are not booking a cable-car visit or a summit climb, however. The supplied details describe a drive through the park, not an ascent to the peak or a separate national park walking program.

That distinction matters. If your priority is seeing Teide from the road while driving a buggy, this outing fits. If you want a long walk, cable-car tickets, or time at several park sights, this three-hour route may feel too brief.

The tour includes a professional photographer, according to the description. The details do not explain how many photographs are supplied or whether they cost extra, so ask about the photo arrangement before you book. It is a useful feature for anyone who wants pictures without stopping to manage a phone or camera.

The off-road section and what it feels like

The off-road section adds the tour’s clearest burst of adrenaline. You leave the main mountain road for a rougher stretch, giving you a chance to handle the buggy on a different surface. The duration and exact location are not stated, so do not assume this is a long, technical off-road expedition.

I would treat it as a short adventure element within a scenic drive. That balance suits people who want a taste of rough-track driving without committing to a full-day motorsport outing. It also means the tour can work for mixed groups, provided everyone meets the driving requirements.

You must have a driving licence. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity has a maximum of six participants. The information does not specify a minimum age, passenger arrangements, licence type, or whether every person can drive, so those are sensible questions to ask before paying.

Helmets are included. The open design still leaves you exposed to sun, wind, dust, and cooler mountain air, so bring sun protection and an extra layer. The weather can feel different at altitude than it does at your southern Tenerife hotel.

The promised wine and cheese stop

A stop for homemade wine and cheese is part of the stated route. On paper, this is a nice touch because it adds a local food break to a vehicle-based trip. It could turn a scenic drive into a small taste of Canarian rural life.

But this is the part I would treat most carefully. One account said the food tasting did not happen and that the tour included only one viewpoint stop. The provider said the matter would be investigated, but there is no firm guarantee here that wine and cheese will be served on every departure.

Ask directly when you check in:

• Is the wine and cheese tasting running on today’s tour?
• How long is the stop?
• Is it included in the price?
• Will there be several viewpoints or only one main stop?

This does not automatically make the tour a poor choice. The mountain drive and off-road section may be the real value for you. It simply means you should not book solely for the tasting.

Vehicle condition and comfort

The most serious practical complaint concerns very dirty buggies. An off-road vehicle will naturally collect dust, but there is a difference between an adventure vehicle being dusty after a route and one being poorly cleaned before the next group.

Because the vehicles are open-air, cleanliness affects your clothes, comfort, and enjoyment more than it would on a normal enclosed bus. If you are particular about dust or are wearing a good outfit for dinner later, plan accordingly and ask to see the buggy before departure if possible.

The 700cc engine suggests a more substantial vehicle than a small entry-level buggy, but the supplied information does not give speed, passenger capacity, transmission details, or driving restrictions. Do not assume the vehicle will feel the same as a road car or a standard quad bike.

The guide is another important part of the day. Michael is praised by name in one account as friendly and helpful. Guides can shape the pace, explain the route, and manage the off-road section, so a good briefing at the start matters.

Pickup, timing, and group size

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with service offered from southern Tenerife destinations. The general meeting location is Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Confirm your exact pickup time and location because the listed start time is 1 p.m., while hotel transfers may require an earlier departure.

Three hours is a useful length for this kind of outing. It is long enough to reach the mountain route without taking over your whole day, and short enough to pair with another evening plan. You should still avoid booking a restaurant reservation too close to the stated finish, since pickup and mountain-road timing can vary.

The maximum group size is six. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach tour, though the details do not say how many buggies are used or how many people ride in each one. If you are traveling with friends, ask whether you can drive separate vehicles or share.

The price is listed as $231.52 per group of up to one person. That wording is unusual, so check the final booking total carefully. If the price truly applies to one person or one vehicle, the value depends heavily on whether you prize the included transport, guide, helmet, and vehicle time. If additional riders or vehicles change the cost, get that clarified before confirming.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing to a confident driver who wants to see inland Tenerife in an active way. It suits people who enjoy winding roads, open vehicles, mountain views, and a short rough-track section more than people looking for a relaxed sightseeing transfer.

It can also work well for a small group that wants something different from beach time. The six-person maximum keeps the outing from becoming a large organized spectacle, and hotel pickup removes the need to arrange a separate ride to the starting point.

Families need to read the conditions closely. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but no minimum age or child seating rules are provided. Ask the operator for those details before booking for a child.

I would be more cautious if you want a tightly timed sightseeing itinerary. The number of stops, length of each stop, and food tasting are not fully dependable from the information available. The tour’s strongest promise is the drive itself.

What to bring and what to confirm

A driving licence is essential. Without one, you may not be able to operate the buggy, and the details do not say that a licence can be substituted by another document.

Bring:

• Closed shoes suitable for driving
• Sun protection
• A jacket or extra layer for the mountain
• Clothes that can handle dust
• Water and any personal medication you need

Before booking, confirm the exact pickup zone, the number of people per buggy, and the rules for changing drivers. Ask about the wine and cheese stop, the number of viewpoint breaks, and how the photographer’s service works.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. For your own cancellation, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Tenerife buggy safari?

Book it if your main goal is a lively mountain drive with Teide views, an off-road burst, and a small group setting. The winding roads and inland route are the strongest reasons to go, and the three-hour length works well for a half-day plan from southern Tenerife.

I would not book it solely for the ecological farm, several viewpoint stops, or the homemade wine and cheese. Those elements are described as part of the route, but they may not happen exactly as expected. The vehicle cleanliness concern also deserves a quick check before you commit.

For the best value, confirm the unusual per-group pricing, ask what is operating that day, and arrive ready for dust and changing mountain weather. If the operator confirms a clean buggy and the full route, this can be a spirited way to see more of Tenerife than the coast alone.

FAQ

Where does the buggy tour take place?

The tour takes place in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, with a route toward Teide National Park.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 1 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with transport offered from southern Tenerife destinations.

Does the tour visit Teide National Park?

Yes. The route goes toward and into Teide National Park, passing places such as Vilaflor, Pino Gordo, and Mirador de Ucanca.

Do I need a driving licence?

Yes. A driving licence is required.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmet use is included.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The supplied details do not state a minimum age.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of six participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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