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

Lanzarote’s volcanic interior is the star here. You drive a Can-Am Maverick buggy from Puerto Calero through Tias, La Geria, and lava country with Timanfaya behind you. I like the mix of road and off-road driving, and I like the stop at a local winery, which adds a taste of Lanzarote beyond the steering wheel. The main catch is dust, wind, and a bit of grit in your shoes.

I also like the small group size, capped at 10 people, and the friendly guiding style. Mario is singled out as a funny, personable guide, while other guides have helped with jackets, explained the volcanoes, and kept the tour moving when a vehicle problem caused a delay. Bring a full driving licence, closed shoes, clothes you can dirty, and a face covering.

Key points

• Volcano Run views: Ride through La Geria and lava fields with Timanfaya Volcano Park as a backdrop.
• Road and off-road route: The tour combines public-road driving with rougher tracks, giving you changing views and driving conditions.
• Puerto Calero start: Check in at the marina, then walk to the buggy departure point.
• Winery pause: Stop at the Wine Museum and Bodega for a leg stretch, photos, and a possible café or wine break.
• Dust and wind: Protective glasses are supplied, but a buff or scarf is strongly useful.
• Good for pairs: The $200 price covers one buggy for up to two people, so two drivers can share the wheel.

A volcanic road trip with a steering wheel

This is not a quiet sightseeing drive. You are in control of a powerful automatic buggy, following a guide through a changing slice of Lanzarote. The route moves from the polished marina to town streets, country roads, off-road tracks, vineyards, and black volcanic ground.

That variety is the tour’s real appeal. A standard coach trip can show you the island’s famous sights, but a buggy gives you a closer feel for the terrain. You notice the wind, dust, bends, and changes in surface. You also get several chances to stop, step out, and take pictures instead of watching the island pass behind glass.

The Can-Am Maverick buggies are automatic and described as the latest top-of-the-range vehicles. That matters if you want the fun of driving without managing a manual gearbox. It also makes the experience easier for pairs who want to swap drivers during the three hours.

Starting in Puerto Calero

Your visit begins at the Buggies Lanzarote office in the Galeria at Puerto Calero. Look near the Submarine Safaris and Catlanza offices, in the pedestrian area lined with bars and restaurants.

The setting gives the tour a pleasant beginning and end. You check in near the marina, meet the staff, and take a short walk to the departure point. The drivers explain the vehicles, answer questions, and help you get settled before the group sets off.

Puerto Calero is a practical base because you can arrive early, find a drink or meal nearby, and return to the same area after the ride. The marina discount is included as part of the experience, so you can use the promotional offer at one of the listed restaurants after getting back.

You should not treat the marina as a place to leave your dusty clothes behind, though. You will return with road dust on your shoes and clothing, especially after the off-road sections. Wear old clothes from the start.

From Puerto del Carmen to the hills above Tias

The first part of the route leads away from Puerto Calero and through the area behind Puerto del Carmen. You then travel toward Tias before reaching smaller villages and higher country.

This section gives you time to get comfortable with the buggy. It also mixes normal roads with off-road tracks, so you are not thrown straight into rougher driving. The route is guided, and the staff provide instructions before departure.

The views begin to open as you leave the resort areas. From the higher points, you can stop for photographs and take in the island from a broader angle. Several people particularly value this part because it shows a side of Lanzarote that is easy to miss if you stay near the main hotel zones.

The route is not simply a race from one stop to the next. The group follows the guide, and the pace is controlled. That keeps the outing manageable for mixed driving abilities, but it also means this is not the place for independent off-road speed or free roaming.

La Geria, where vines grow in volcanic soil

The most distinctive scenery arrives in La Geria, Lanzarote’s wine-growing region. Here, the dark volcanic ground gives the countryside a very different look from the resort areas and coastal roads.

The tour uses the route through this wine country as one of its main scenic sections. You can expect photo opportunities, short stops, and information from the guides about the area and the volcanic setting. Grace, one of the recent participants, found the guide’s explanations about the volcanoes and nearby islands useful, along with the jackets offered when the wind became strong.

Bring a light jacket even if Puerto Calero feels warm when you start. The open buggy leaves you exposed to the air, and the higher or more open sections can feel cooler. Tiffany made the same practical point: driving through the mountain and volcanic areas can bring a noticeable drop in comfort.

The Wine Museum and Bodega stop

The main break comes at the Wine Museum and Bodega. This is your chance to stretch your legs, take more photographs, and pause at the tapas café if you want coffee or food.

Some visitors also sample the local wine, although food and drinks are not included in the tour price. That is important to remember when working out your budget. The stop adds welcome variety to a three-hour drive, but you should carry money for anything you want to buy.

I like this stop because it gives the tour a local connection rather than making the day only about engines and dust. La Geria is one of Lanzarote’s most recognizable agricultural areas, and visiting a bodega helps explain why the region matters. You get time to look around rather than taking a quick photograph from the roadside.

There is also a practical limit. The stop is part of a timed group outing, so it is not a long wine tasting visit or a full winery tour. Think of it as a scenic rest break with the option of coffee, tapas, wine, and more pictures.

Driving near Timanfaya’s volcanic country

After La Geria, the route heads through lava fields with Timanfaya Volcano Park as a dramatic backdrop. This is the visual high point of the tour.

You do not simply view the volcanoes from a distant road. The buggy brings you into the broad volcanic setting, where the dark ground, open views, and rugged surfaces make the drive feel very different from the first part of the route. The scenery is especially strong for photography, so keep your camera or phone secure and ready for the planned stops.

The volcanic route also explains why clothing choice matters. Wind and dust are part of the setting, not a rare inconvenience. The supplied protective glasses help, but they do not cover your mouth and nose. The company can sell a face covering at the office, while a scarf or buff from home is a simple solution.

If you are at the back of the group, expect more dust. Craig found this especially noticeable and advises using the goggles and a face covering. Dust can also get into shoes, so wear closed footwear you do not mind dirtying. Sandals, flip flops, and bare feet are not allowed.

What the driving feels like

The buggies are automatic, which keeps the focus on steering, the route, and the views. You can split the driving with your companion, making the $200 group price more useful for a couple or two friends.

The route includes both on-road and off-road sections. That means you get a proper change of pace, but you also need to be comfortable with bumps, dust, wind, and a vehicle that responds differently from an ordinary rental car. The guides give a briefing and remain with the group.

The experience is best for people who want active sightseeing. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who meet the age rules. Children under five cannot take part, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.

A full driving licence is required, held for approximately 12 months. The wording leaves room for individual questions, so contact the operator before booking if your licence is new or your situation is unusual. Bring the physical licence with you.

Friendly guides and small groups

The staff are an important part of the day. The guides speak English, Spanish, and French, and the group is limited to 10 participants. That is small enough for instructions and questions to feel manageable without turning the trip into a private tour.

Mario receives particular praise for being entertaining, experienced, approachable, and professional. His style seems to add plenty of humor without losing control of the group. Other guides have supplied jackets when the wind picked up and shared facts about Lanzarote, the volcanoes, and the islands nearby.

There was one report of a damaged buggy after some participants ignored instructions. The staff dealt with the problem quickly and continued the tour. That tells you two things: the operator has a practical response when something goes wrong, and you should listen carefully during the safety briefing.

The small-group format also helps with photo stops. You are not trying to move a huge crowd in and out of the vehicles. Still, the experience remains group-based, so the exact pace depends partly on the other drivers.

Price, comfort, and what to pack

The listed price is $200 per group of up to two people. For a couple sharing one buggy, that works out to $100 per person, assuming both seats are used. It is better value for two people than for a solo driver, since the cost is attached to the vehicle rather than each passenger.

The price includes the buggy, guided route, and protective glasses. It also includes a discount at a restaurant in Puerto Calero. Food, drinks, and face coverings are extra.

Pack for an active outdoor outing:

• Full driving licence
• Closed-toe shoes
• Clothes that can get dirty
• Jacket or warm layer
• Scarf, buff, or other face covering
• Water and money for food or drinks

The glasses are useful, but I would not skip the face covering. Dust is part of the off-road ride, and the person behind you may get the worst of it. Do not wear sandals or flip flops, even if the weather looks perfect at the marina.

The company allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the driving requirements and vehicle format mean you should confirm your own needs before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

You should book this if you want to see more of Lanzarote than the resort streets and prefer an active outing to a passive sightseeing trip. It is particularly good for two people who want to share driving and compare the island’s towns, vineyards, and volcanic ground in one half-day.

It is also a good choice if you like guided activities with a social touch. The guides do more than lead the vehicles. They explain the area, manage the route, answer questions, and add humor to the stops.

You may prefer another excursion if you dislike dust, wind, bumps, or group driving. This is not a polished ride in a sealed vehicle. You will get dirty, and the open buggy offers little shelter when the weather shifts.

Should you book the Puerto Calero buggy tour?

I would choose this tour for the combination of strong volcanic scenery, hands-on driving, and a useful winery stop. The route gives you more variety than a simple buggy loop, and the three hours are filled with driving, views, short breaks, and local information.

Book it if you can handle the outdoor conditions and meet the licence rules. Use the supplied goggles, bring a buff or scarf, wear old closed shoes, and pack a jacket. If you want a clean, quiet, luxury outing, skip it. If you want a lively way to reach La Geria and the volcanic country around Timanfaya, this is a good use of half a day.

FAQ

How long is the Lanzarote buggy tour?

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

Where does the buggy tour start?

It starts at the Buggies Lanzarote office in the Galeria at Puerto Calero, near the Submarine Safaris and Catlanza offices in the pedestrian area.

What driving licence do I need?

Drivers must hold a full driving licence for approximately 12 months. Bring your licence, and contact the operator if you are unsure whether yours meets the requirement.

Is food or wine included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can choose to buy coffee, tapas, or wine during the stop at the Wine Museum and Bodega.

What should I wear?

Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip flops, and bare feet are not allowed. A jacket is useful because the route can feel windy or cooler, and a buff or scarf helps protect your face from dust.

Who cannot take part?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm your specific requirements before booking.