Fuerteventura: Can am buggy experience Costa Calma

Fuerteventura’s west coast is at its best when you leave the smooth main roads behind. This two-hour Can-Am buggy ride crosses from Costa Calma toward La Pared and Ugán Beach, using tracks, ravines, and rougher coastal roads to show you a wilder side of the island.

I like the small groups, capped at eight people, and the helpful guides, including Edgar and Alejandro. I also like the mix of driving and short photo stops, especially at black-sand La Pared and remote Ugán Beach. The main drawback is speed: vehicles are limited to about 35 km/h, so this is sightseeing with off-road bumps, not a high-speed race.

Key points at a glance

• Black-sand La Pared: Stop for wide coastal views and photographs at one of southern Fuerteventura’s most striking beaches.
• Remote Ugán Beach: Reach a quieter west-coast beach by tracks rather than ordinary roads.
• 75% off-road route: Expect dirt tracks, the Las Hermosas ravine, and some bumpy sections.
• Beginner-friendly Can-Am vehicles: Guides explain the controls and keep the group at a safe pace.
• Hotel pickup: Optional door-to-door pickup is available around Costa Calma, with the exact time sent on the morning of the tour.
• Practical price: The $140 rate covers a group of up to two people, fuel, insurance, goggles, guide service, and transport.

Leaving Costa Calma for the dirt tracks

The trip begins at the operator’s parking area near the Matas Blancas gas station, with hotel pickup available if you choose it. Pickup details arrive by message on the morning of the activity, and the vehicle will not wait more than five minutes at the hotel door, so be ready early.

Before setting off, the guide explains how to operate the Can-Am buggy and goes over basic safety. This matters if you have never driven one. Several first-time drivers found the controls easy to manage after the introduction, and the guide keeps the pace orderly rather than turning the ride into a contest.

The vehicle has four seats, although the booking price is for a group of up to two people. You need a valid driving licence with at least one year of driving experience. Children aged seven and above may join, making this a practical choice for a family with an older child, provided the child is comfortable with a rough, dusty ride.

The tour uses a small group format, with no more than eight participants. That gives the guide a better chance to keep everyone together and stop when the group needs photos or a quick explanation.

Las Hermosas ravine and the first rough roads

The first section follows a track near the facilities before reaching Las Hermosas. From there, the route uses a smaller track through the Las Hermosas ravine.

This is where the ride begins to feel different from a standard sightseeing bus trip. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint. You are handling the buggy yourself, following the guide over uneven ground and taking in the dry, open scenery at ground level.

The route is described as 75% off-road, but you should set your expectations correctly. This is not a rally course. The buggies are speed-limited to roughly 35 km/h, and the guide prioritises control and group safety. You will get bumps, dust, and rough tracks, but not extreme racing.

That balance makes the experience approachable. If you are new to off-road driving, you can learn as you go without being pushed into a high-speed challenge. If you want a powerful machine and a wild ride at full throttle, this will probably feel restrained.

Ugán Beach, the quiet west-coast stop

After the ravine, the buggies take tracks toward Ugán Beach. The approach is part of the appeal, since the route gets you away from the more obvious roads and into a less developed section of the coast.

Ugán is a good place to pause rather than rush through. You can get out, stretch your legs, and take photographs before returning to the buggy. The stop gives the two-hour trip a useful rhythm: drive, pause, enjoy the view, then continue.

Do not expect a long beach day. The timing is built around a guided driving circuit, not swimming or a leisurely picnic. Bring water if you want it, since drinks are not included, and remember that the time at each stop depends partly on the pace of the whole group.

The west coast can also be windy. That is one reason a scarf is recommended, even though it is not included. It helps with dust and wind around your face, particularly when several buggies are moving along the same track.

La Pared and its black-sand views

The route also reaches La Pared, a surfing area and coastal stop known for dark sand and broad views. This is one of the strongest photo points on the ride.

After rain, the tracks can hold water, creating muddy splashes and more dramatic driving conditions. That can make for memorable photographs, but it also means you should wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty or dirty. Dark, comfortable clothing is recommended for a reason.

La Pared is not just a quick roadside pause. The coastal setting gives you a clear sense of Fuerteventura’s exposed western edge, where the scenery feels rougher and less polished than the resort areas around Costa Calma. The guide may also help organise photographs of you driving, a useful touch if you want more than hurried snapshots taken from the passenger seat.

Photo packages are not included. Some guides have offered action photos for an extra charge, including a reported €20 option, but you should confirm the current price directly before setting out. Treat this as an optional extra rather than part of the tour cost.

Matas Bay and the return to Costa Calma

After Ugán and the west-coast section, the route heads back toward the calmer east side. The group reaches the Matas Bay windsurfing club, then takes more tracks toward the starting point near the Matas Blancas gas station.

This return section keeps the experience active instead of turning the final part into a simple road transfer. You get more time behind the wheel and another look at the change between the exposed western coast and the Costa Calma side of the island.

The exact route can change with weather and other conditions. The timing is also an estimate, since the group’s pace affects how long the stops and driving sections take. That flexibility is sensible on rough tracks, but do not book this expecting a minute-by-minute schedule.

What driving the Can-Am is really like

The Can-Am buggy gives you a more open and hands-on view than a normal vehicle. You sit close to the road surface, feel the bumps, and get a better sense of the track under the wheels.

It is still a controlled excursion. The stated speed limit is around 35 km/h, and the guide leads the group at a safe pace. The phrase off-road adventure should not make you picture a racing event. Think of it as a guided scenic ride with rough surfaces, short climbs or dips, dust, and plenty of pauses.

That makes it suitable for beginners who want some excitement but do not want to spend the day wrestling with a difficult machine. Guides have been praised for giving clear instructions, checking safety, and keeping the mood relaxed. Edgar has been singled out for his good humour and clear briefing, while Alejandro has received strong praise for his friendliness, island explanations, and help with photographs.

The ride may suit you less if you are looking for technical driving, high speeds, or a long, demanding off-road course. The appeal is the combination of scenery and simple adventure.

Price, inclusions, and the real value

The listed price is $140 per group of up to two people. That is best understood as a pair price, not a per-person price. For two people sharing the booking, the cost works out to about $70 each before any optional photo purchase.

Fuel, insurance, goggles, the buggy, and a guide are included. Hotel transfer is also included when you use the available pickup service. Those extras matter because a cheaper-looking driving activity can become less attractive once fuel, equipment, and transport are added separately.

The value is strongest for a couple or two friends who want one active outing without giving up most of a day. Two hours is long enough to reach several parts of the coast, but short enough to fit around other plans in Costa Calma.

Solo participants should check the final price carefully. The rate is for up to two people, and one person may still pay the group price. Drinks, scarves, and photographs cost extra or must be supplied by you.

What to wear and bring

Dust is part of the experience. Wear comfortable clothes in darker colours, since pale fabric will show every bit of track dust. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable footwear is the sensible choice for getting in and out at the beach stops.

Bring your driving licence and make sure you have held it for more than one year. A scarf or face covering is strongly recommended, especially if the day is dry or windy.

You do not need to bring goggles, as they are supplied. You should bring water because drinks are not included. A small camera or phone is useful at La Pared and Ugán, though secure it carefully while driving and follow the guide’s instructions.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this ride to couples, friends, and families with children aged seven or older who want to see more than the resort side of southern Fuerteventura. It is particularly good for first-time buggy drivers because the instructions are clear and the pace is controlled.

It also suits people who want photographs. The stops at La Pared and Ugán give you time to take pictures, and guides may help with action shots along the route.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you dislike dust, wind, rough tracks, or shared group pacing. You should also choose another activity if your main goal is speed. The vehicle can be fun without being fast, but that distinction is important.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is offered in English, German, and Spanish. Those policies make it easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule, though you should still confirm the exact pickup time on the morning of the trip.

Should you book the Costa Calma buggy ride?

Book it if you want a compact, well-organised way to reach La Pared, Ugán Beach, and the west coast without renting a vehicle or spending all day on a formal sightseeing tour. The strongest reasons are the scenic route, the small groups, the clear instruction, and the chance to drive rather than simply look out of a window.

Skip it if you want a true racing experience or dislike getting dusty. For most people, the best way to think about this outing is a scenic off-road circuit, not a motorsport event. At $140 for up to two people, it offers solid value when you use the pickup, equipment, fuel, insurance, and guide service.

FAQ

How long does the Can-Am buggy experience last?

The activity lasts two hours. The route time is an estimate because it depends on the pace of the group and conditions on the tracks.

Where does the buggy tour go?

The route begins near Costa Calma and includes Las Hermosas, Ugán Beach, La Pared, Matas Bay, and tracks near the Matas Blancas gas station.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $140 per group of up to two people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is optional and is offered from your hotel door. The exact pickup time is sent on the morning of the activity, and the vehicle will not wait more than five minutes.

What driving documents do I need?

You need a driving licence and more than one year of driving experience.

What is the minimum age for children?

Children under seven cannot join. The minimum age is seven.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guide explains how to use the Can-Am buggy, and the vehicles travel at a controlled speed of about 35 km/h. This is not a racing event.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the buggy ride, guide, fuel, goggles, insurance, and hotel transfer when pickup is used. Photos, scarves, and drinks are not included.