Puerto de la Cruz: Quad Tour to Teide or Off-Road Adventure

The best thing about this Puerto de la Cruz quad tour is the choice. You can spend the morning climbing toward Teide through pine forest and lava fields, or choose the North Route for dirt tracks, rocky turns, villages, and a 30-minute off-road run. Both routes show you much more than a quick spin around town.

I like the careful safety briefing, especially for first-time riders, and I like the small groups, capped at eight people. The free photos and videos are another real plus. The main consideration is that the Teide option is entirely on paved roads, while the North Route has the real quad-bike action but less time at high mountain viewpoints.

At a glance

• Choose your riding style: Teide is scenic and entirely on-road; the North Route mixes regular roads with 30 minutes of off-road riding.
• Reach 2,300 meters on the Teide route: Corral del Niño brings wide views of Mount Teide and the volcanic country around it.
• See Tenerife’s north from several angles: The routes pass through La Orotava, Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz, and mountain viewpoints.
• Expect close guidance: You get a full briefing, practice time, helmet, gloves, and help from a professional guide.
• Plan for a snack stop: Both routes include a traditional Canarian snack and a drink.
• Bring the right kit: A driving license and closed-toe shoes are required. Leave sandals and white clothing at the hotel.

Two quad routes, two different Tenerife days

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Puerto de la Cruz. Still, the price covers a guided ride, equipment, insurance, a snack and drink, plus photos and videos sent afterward. The value improves if you want transport-free sightseeing with some driving excitement built in.

The tour is designed for a small group of no more than eight participants. That matters on a quad ride. You spend less time waiting, the guide can watch each rider more closely, and the pace can be adjusted after the practice run.

You can book a single quad or a double quad, depending on the option selected. Drivers must be at least 18 and hold a driving license. Children under seven, pregnant women, people over 350 pounds or 159 kilograms, and anyone without a license cannot take part.

The two schedules are easy to understand:

• Teide National Park: departures at 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., about three hours, all road riding, medium difficulty.
• North Route: departure at 1:30 p.m., about two and a half hours, road riding plus 30 minutes off-road, intermediate to high difficulty.

The morning Teide departure is the practical pick if you want cooler mountain air and a better chance of avoiding the busiest part of the day. The North Route works well as an afternoon activity, especially if you want a livelier ride without giving up views and local scenery.

The Teide route climbs from La Orotava

The Teide outing begins with La Orotava, one of the prettiest towns in Tenerife’s north. Its old center has cobblestone streets and traditional Canarian buildings, giving the ride a cultural start before the route heads into the mountains.

From there, the road winds upward through pine forest and volcanic terrain. This is not an off-road challenge. It is a scenic road journey on a quad, with the extra fun of handling bends, changes in altitude, and open views from the saddle.

At the La Bermeja viewpoint, you may see the sea of clouds spread below the mountain slopes. Cloud conditions can change, so the view is not guaranteed, but this stop gives you a clear reason to choose the morning route: you are riding toward one of Tenerife’s classic high-country views rather than simply circling Puerto de la Cruz.

The route then reaches Corral del Niño at about 2,300 meters. Here, the focus shifts to scale. You look across volcanic ground toward Teide and the surrounding peaks, with the coast far below. Several riders have found the high section especially memorable, but you should also expect cooler air as you gain height.

A snack and cold drink are served at the summit stop. This is a modest break, not a full meal, but it gives you time to get off the quad, take photographs, and warm up if the mountain weather has turned chilly.

The Teide ride suits you best if your main goal is scenery. It is also the better option for anyone who wants a gentler introduction to quad riding, though the route is still rated medium difficulty and includes regular road driving. Raincoats are provided in winter or rainy weather, but you should bring layers.

The North Route adds real dirt-track action

The North Route offers a different kind of day. It moves through the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz, continues toward Tenerife’s last unspoiled beach, and then heads into Los Realejos, an old local town with a more everyday feel than the resort areas.

The beach stop is brief. Do not book this route expecting time for swimming or a long visit. Its value is the change of scenery and the chance to pause at a quieter stretch of coast before the riding becomes more physical.

Los Realejos adds a local-town element to the trip. You pass through its historic center before reaching the main event: a 30-minute off-road circuit on dirt tracks and rocky trails. The circuit has three difficulty levels, so the guide can match the challenge to the group.

This is where the North Route earns its higher difficulty rating. You will deal with rougher ground and more active quad handling than on the Teide trip. The off-road section is not described as an all-day endurance course, but it is enough to leave you dusty and possibly sore. One rider specifically noted lower back pain afterward, so anyone with back problems should think carefully before booking.

The route finishes at El Lance viewpoint, about 800 meters above sea level. You get around 10 minutes to rest, enjoy the view across the Orotava Valley, and have a traditional snack with a cold drink.

The North Route is the better fit if you want a balance of action and sightseeing. It does not offer the Teide route’s extreme altitude, but you get more variety in a shorter time: town streets, coast, dirt trails, rocky ground, and a high viewpoint.

First-time riders are given room to learn

You do not need prior quad-bike experience. The day starts with a full safety briefing and an explanation of how to operate the quad. Guides then use a short practice run to check that everyone is comfortable before the group sets off.

That process is one of the strongest parts of the experience. First-time riders have described feeling nervous at first, especially around turns, but clear instruction and a patient guide helped them settle in. The guides focus on keeping the group together and watching how each rider handles the machine.

Names that have come up often during the tours include Manuel, Carlos, Antonello, David, Mario, and Manu. The guide on your date may be different, but the pattern is clear: expect a guide who explains the route, gives riding advice, and stops at scenic points.

You may also change positions during the ride so different people have a chance to appear in the photos and videos. That is useful on a group outing, since the guide is usually ahead of the group while recording.

The road sections require normal attention. You are not on a closed course for the whole experience, so you need to follow the guide, respect traffic, and ride at a controlled pace. The off-road section offers more freedom, but it still has designated difficulty levels rather than unlimited free riding.

Photos, snacks, and the practical extras

The operator takes photos and videos during the tour and sends them afterward, usually through a download link or QR code. This adds meaningful value at $94, especially if you are traveling light and do not want to manage a camera while steering.

The images are not just one posed group shot. The guide may capture riders on the road, at viewpoints, and during the off-road section. Still, do not expect every rider to receive the same number of individual clips. The group’s size, riding order, and timing affect what gets recorded.

Wear clothing you are willing to dirty. The North Route can leave you dusty, and riders have advised against white clothing or anything you especially like. The guide may use air to remove some dirt afterward, but it will not clean everything.

Closed-toe shoes are mandatory and are not supplied. Sneakers or sturdy walking shoes make sense. Sandals, flip-flops, and bare feet are not allowed. Bring your passport or ID card and your driving license as well.

Helmets and gloves are included. A raincoat is available in winter or wet conditions. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the meeting point can vary by the option booked, so check the exact location before setting out from your accommodation.

The snack is traditional Canarian fare with a drink. It is a welcome pause, but it does not replace lunch. If you choose the 1:30 p.m. North Route, eat beforehand or plan a meal afterward.

How the routes compare for different riders

Choose the Teide route if:

• You want the biggest mountain views.
• You prefer paved roads to dirt tracks.
• You want to see La Orotava and the high volcanic country.
• You like the idea of reaching 2,300 meters.
• You are happy with a scenic ride rather than a technical off-road challenge.

Choose the North Route if:

• You want a clear action element.
• You would enjoy 30 minutes on dirt and rocky trails.
• You want a mix of coast, towns, viewpoints, and rougher terrain.
• You are comfortable with the intermediate to high difficulty rating.
• You do not mind getting dusty.

For couples, the single-quad option gives each person more control and more riding time. A double quad can make sense if one person prefers to ride as a passenger, but the available seating area is limited. Two adults who are both larger-framed may be more comfortable on separate quads.

This is also a good activity for a birthday or a group celebration. The ride gives you something active to do without committing an entire day to a demanding excursion. At the same time, it is not passive sightseeing. You will be concentrating on the machine, the road, and the guide.

Timing, weather, and safety decisions

The company can cancel or change a tour for safety reasons. Mountain weather, road conditions, and events such as forest fires can affect the route. That is frustrating if your plans are tight, but it is the right call for a motorized mountain activity.

The operator has offered alternative plans when conditions forced a change, and full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still moving around.

Weather changes quickly between Puerto de la Cruz and the upper slopes. A warm coast does not mean warm conditions at Corral del Niño. Wear layers, and use the provided raincoat if conditions call for it.

The North Route can be fun in rain, but wet ground may make the dirt section more demanding. The Teide route is simpler in terms of terrain, yet mountain weather can still affect visibility and comfort.

Is $94 a fair price?

I think the price is fair if you use the tour as both an activity and a sightseeing outing. You are paying for a quad, guide, safety equipment, insurance, a snack, and a set of digital photos and videos. The small group also gives the trip a more personal feel than a large coach excursion.

The value is strongest for a first-time rider. You do not need to rent a quad, learn the local roads alone, plan mountain stops, or work out how to reach scenic viewpoints. Someone else handles the route while you focus on riding.

The price may feel high if you are only interested in off-road driving. The North Route includes 30 minutes off-road, not two or three hours. Likewise, the Teide trip is a guided road ride, not a technical trail adventure.

I would compare the cost with what you want from the day. For high views and a distinctive way to reach Teide country, the morning route offers good value. For dirt riding plus local scenery, the North Route gives you more active fun.

Who should book this Puerto de la Cruz quad tour?

Book it if you want to see the north of Tenerife from the road rather than from a coach window. It suits couples, friends, families with older children who meet the age rules, and solo riders who like joining a small group.

It is especially useful for people who have never driven a quad. The briefing and practice run take away much of the guesswork, and the guide stays involved throughout the ride.

Think twice if you dislike dust, rough roads, cold mountain air, or sitting on a quad for several hours. You should also skip it if you do not have a driving license, cannot wear closed shoes, or have a medical reason to avoid this type of riding.

Should you book it?

I would book the Teide route for sweeping views, volcanic scenery, and a calmer road-based adventure. Pick the North Route if the words dirt tracks and rocky trails sound more appealing than reaching the high slopes of Teide.

The experience earns its price through the guide support, small group size, snack, insurance, and free media afterward. Just choose the route carefully, wear clothes that can get dirty, and leave room in your schedule for weather-related changes.

FAQ

Do I need previous quad-bike experience?

No. The tour begins with a full safety briefing and practice time. The experience is suitable for first-time riders, although the North Route has an intermediate to high difficulty rating.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Every driver must bring a valid driving license. Drivers must also be at least 18 years old.

Which route goes to Mount Teide?

The Teide National Park route goes to La Bermeja viewpoint and Corral del Niño, which sits about 2,300 meters above sea level. This route is entirely on paved roads.

How much off-road riding is included?

The North Route includes about 30 minutes of off-road riding on dirt tracks and rocky trails. It offers three difficulty levels.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided quad tour, a single or double quad according to your booking, helmet, gloves, insurance, a traditional Canarian snack, a drink, and photos and videos sent after the tour.

What should I wear?

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get dusty or dirty, particularly for the North Route. Sandals, flip-flops, and bare feet are not allowed. Raincoats and gloves are provided when needed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point can vary according to the option you book.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.