Puerto de la Cruz: Off-Road Adventure in Quad, Snack and Photos

A quad ride from Puerto de la Cruz into the mountains gives you a side of northern Tenerife that a coach tour cannot reach. You leave paved roads behind, follow dirt tracks toward the high country, and stop for views of Teide and the north coast. The group is capped at eight, which matters when you are learning the route and keeping together.

I like the mix of road riding and off-road time, rather than two hours spent on one type of surface. I also like the practical extras: a drink, photos and videos, a helmet, and an oilskin if the north sends rain your way. The main catch is simple: you need the original physical Class B driving licence, and a photo or copy will not do.

Key points at a glance

• Mountain views from Puerto de la Cruz: Ride toward the high country for views of Teide and northern Tenerife.
• Around 30 minutes off-road: The route includes paved roads, dirt tracks, villages, and mountain sections.
• Small maximum group of eight: A compact group should make instructions and turns easier to follow.
• Guides named Jesus, Carlos, and Manuel: The guide team has been praised for being friendly, professional, and safety-minded.
• Drink, media, and rain cover included: You receive a soda or soft drink, photos and videos, a helmet, and an oilskin.
• Physical Class B licence required: You must bring the original licence. Copies and phone photos are not accepted.

Leaving Puerto de la Cruz on four wheels

The meeting point is Click and Quads at C. Aceviño, 2, in Puerto de la Cruz. The activity returns to this same spot, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point at the end.

The setting is useful for a first or last activity in town. Puerto de la Cruz is well connected by public transportation, and the meeting point is near transit. Still, allow enough time to arrive, complete any preparation, and show your licence. The published duration is about two hours and 30 minutes, so a rushed arrival could spoil an otherwise easy start.

Your ride begins in and around Puerto de la Cruz, then heads toward the northern mountain area. You are not sealed inside an air-conditioned vehicle. That is the point of this outing: you feel the breeze, see the road without a window frame, and get a better sense of how quickly Tenerife changes from resort town to rural hillside.

The small group limit of eight is one of the strongest practical features. Quad tours can feel awkward when a long line of vehicles gets split at every junction. A group this size should be easier to manage, though the exact pace still depends on the people riding that day and on road conditions.

Why the road and dirt-track combination works

This is not presented as a pure off-road trial. You spend much of the outing moving between ordinary roads and dirt sections, with roughly 30 minutes of the ride described as terrain or off-road time. That balance suits first-time quad riders who want some rougher driving but do not want the entire activity to be a technical challenge.

The paved sections connect the stops and let you see more of the north. The dirt tracks add the fun. They also change the feel of the ride: the surface is less predictable, the pace may be more controlled, and you need to pay closer attention to the guide and the quad beneath you.

You should not expect a long, independent exploration. This is a guided group route. You follow the instructor, stay with the group, and ride within the limits set for the outing. That is a good trade for anyone who wants to try a quad without planning a route through unfamiliar mountain roads.

Guides named in connection with this experience include Jesus, Carlos, and Manuel. The strongest praise centers on the guide style: professional, welcoming, and able to keep the mood light while maintaining a sense of safety. That combination matters more here than a long speech about local sights. On a moving group activity, clear instructions and calm decisions make the difference.

The first views around Tenerife’s north

The route is described as passing through Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, and La Orotava. Those stops are not formal sightseeing visits with a set amount of free time. Think of them as the areas and communities connected by the route.

Puerto de la Cruz gives you the coastal starting point. From there, the ride moves inland and uphill toward the rural side of the island. The change in scenery is part of the appeal. You begin near a popular seaside town, then pass into quieter roads and small settlements that you might miss if you spend the day on the main tourist routes.

La Orotava adds a more traditional northern setting. The town and surrounding area are known in the tour description as part of the route, and the ride gives you a quick view of this side of Tenerife rather than a long town visit. You may see local streets, country roads, and mountain views as the quads move through the area.

The useful point is access. You are not merely being driven to a viewpoint and asked to take a picture. You are operating the vehicle between the stops. That creates a stronger sense of place, though it also means you must concentrate on driving. If your main goal is relaxed sightseeing with no work at all, a coach or viewpoint tour will be easier.

Reaching the mountain tracks

The most memorable part should come as the route leaves the regular roads and reaches the mountain area. From there, the views open toward Teide and northern Tenerife. On a clear day, this is the kind of wide view that makes the quad worthwhile.

The route also includes stops at two particularly attractive viewpoints. The exact names are not specified, so I would not book this expecting a known landmark or a long photo session at a particular lookout. Instead, expect brief stops selected by the guide along the route.

Those pauses matter because quad riding splits your attention. You cannot safely admire every view while steering over uneven ground. A stop lets you look properly, catch your breath, and take in the north without a helmet visor, handlebars, and moving traffic competing for your attention.

The mountain section can also bring changing weather. One participant described having a good time even in heavy rain, and an oilskin is included. That does not make wet weather comfortable for everyone, but it does show why rain cover is more than a minor extra in northern Tenerife. Bring a practical attitude and clothing that can handle wind or spray. The supplied information does not promise a weather cancellation policy, so check conditions close to departure if the forecast looks poor.

What the included extras are worth

At $96.75 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two and a half hours in Tenerife. The price makes more sense if you plan to use the whole package: quad rental, guided route, helmet, drink, media, and rain cover are included, along with fees and taxes.

The photos and videos are useful because you cannot safely take your own while driving. The exact number and delivery method are not specified, so do not assume a professional photo package or a particular number of clips. Still, having the operator capture part of the ride means you can focus on the route instead of trying to protect a phone from dust, rain, or bumps.

The included soda or soft drink is a small touch, but it fits the length of the activity. You are out for about two and a half hours, with road riding, dirt tracks, and viewpoint stops. Alcoholic drinks are not included, which is sensible for a motor activity and should not be a surprise.

An air-conditioned vehicle is listed as not included. That is mainly a reminder that this is not a transfer service. You travel on the quad from the meeting point and finish there. If you need hotel pickup or a ride back to another part of Tenerife, that arrangement is not part of the package.

The licence rule is not optional

Bring an original physical Class B driving licence. A mobile image, photocopy, or other reproduction is not accepted. This is the rule most likely to catch an otherwise prepared visitor, so put the licence in your day bag before leaving your accommodation.

The requirement means the activity is designed for licensed drivers, not for someone who simply wants to sit on a quad without driving. The supplied details say most people can participate, but the licence condition remains essential.

The description does not explain passenger arrangements, minimum age, automatic or manual transmission, or the exact safety briefing. Those are sensible questions to ask Click and Quads before booking if they affect your plans. Do not assume that a non-driver can ride as a passenger unless the operator confirms it.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this to you if you want an active way to see the north and like the idea of steering your own vehicle. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who value mountain views but do not want a full-day excursion.

It is also a good choice for people who have already seen Puerto de la Cruz from the promenade and want something more rural. The route reaches roads and dirt tracks connected with La Orotava and the mountain area, so it offers a change from standard town sightseeing.

The ride may be less suitable if you dislike uneven surfaces, wind, rain, or concentrating while sightseeing. You should also think twice if you want a long stop in each town. The route passes through several areas, but the activity is a guided drive, not a series of extended town visits.

Families and mixed-experience groups should confirm the operator’s age and passenger rules before paying. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not give enough detail to promise that every child or non-driver can join.

How the guide affects the experience

A quad route depends heavily on the person leading it. The published guide feedback is unusually consistent on this point: Jesus, Carlos, and Manuel are each singled out for being friendly, professional, welcoming, and reassuring.

That matters in three ways. First, a clear guide helps you understand how to handle the quad before leaving town. Second, a guide who watches the group can keep the ride together on roads and tracks. Third, a good attitude makes a difference when the weather turns wet or someone in the group needs a slower pace.

The tone appears to be friendly rather than formal. You should still expect instructions to take priority over fun. The best way to enjoy the ride is to listen carefully, keep your distance from the quad ahead, and treat the route as a guided activity rather than a race.

A small gift at the end has also been part of the welcome for some participants. It is not listed among the formal inclusions, so treat it as a possible extra rather than something to book for.

Booking, cancellation, and practical value

The activity is commonly reserved about 19 days ahead, which suggests that leaving it until the last minute may not be wise during a busy holiday period. Group discounts are available, so check the final price if you are booking several places.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the experience is offered in English. The maximum group size is eight. The activity starts and ends at C. Aceviño, 2, Puerto de la Cruz.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. That policy is reasonable, but Tenerife weather can change, so check the forecast before the cutoff rather than waiting until the morning of the ride.

At $96.75, the value depends on what you compare it with. You are paying more than you would for a simple viewpoint visit, but you get a guided driving activity, mountain access, off-road time, equipment, refreshments, and media. If you only want photographs of Teide, this is an expensive way to get them. If you want the drive itself to be the main event, the price is easier to justify.

Should you book the Puerto de la Cruz quad tour?

Book it if you have a physical Class B licence, want an active outing, and like the idea of combining northern roads with mountain dirt tracks. The small group, included photos and videos, drink, helmet, and rain cover add useful value, while the views toward Teide give the route a clear payoff.

Skip it if you want a slow sightseeing trip, need hotel transportation, or dislike driving in poor weather. Also skip it if you cannot bring the original licence. For the right person, this is a lively two-and-a-half-hour way to see Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, and the mountain side of Tenerife without sitting behind a coach window.

FAQ

Where does the quad tour start?

It starts at Click and Quads, C. Aceviño, 2, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Puerto de la Cruz.

How long does the quad experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Is a driving licence required?

Yes. You need an essential physical Class B driving licence. Photos and copies are not accepted.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight participants.

What is included in the price?

The price includes all fees and taxes, a helmet, a soda or soft drink, photos and videos, and an oilskin.

Is transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle included?

No. An air-conditioned vehicle is not included. The activity starts and ends at the meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.