Mallorca: Formula Car and Buggy combo tour

The unusual part of this Mallorca outing is simple: you drive two different vehicles in one two-hour trip. Start in a manual slingshot or an automatic buggy, follow the coast from Calvia into the Sierra de Tramontana, then swap vehicles before continuing toward Port Andratx.

I like the mix of driving and scenery. The route brings you to Malgratz Island and a high viewpoint near Estellencs, so you get real photo stops rather than two straight hours behind the wheel. I also like the small-group format, capped at 10 people, plus free water and guides in English, German, Spanish, or French.

The main catch is that the slingshot requires manual-transmission skills, and the €30 driver insurance charge is extra. The itinerary also promises two or three stops, but timing and traffic can reduce that to one longer stop, so this is best for people who care more about the road experience than a tightly fixed sightseeing schedule.

Key points to know before you book

• Two vehicles in one tour: You drive both a manual slingshot and an automatic buggy, with the change made during the route.
• A coastal and mountain route: The outing runs from Calvia past Malgratz Island, Estellencs, Port Andratx, and the Camp de Mar golf courses.
• Manual driving is essential: The slingshots have manual transmission, while the buggies are automatic.
• A useful photo stop: The first stop at Malgratz Island lasts about 10 minutes, followed by a longer viewpoint near Es Grau in Estellencs.
• Budget for the extra insurance: Drivers pay €30 at the office, and the vehicle insurance carries a €350 excess.
• Small-group, adult-focused fun: Drivers must be at least 21 with two years of experience, while children from age 6 can ride as copilots.

Why this Mallorca drive is different

Many island excursions let you sit back and watch the scenery. This one gives you the controls. You move through Mallorca in an open, sporty vehicle, then change to a second machine with a different feel before returning through the southwest of the island.

The two vehicles are not interchangeable. The slingshot has a manual gearbox, so you need to be comfortable with clutch work and changing gears. The buggy is automatic and easier to manage mechanically, though you still need a valid driving license to operate it.

That contrast gives the tour its main appeal. The slingshot asks more from you as a driver, while the buggy keeps things simpler. Depending on the group and the starting order, you may begin with either one. The guide provides an explanation before departure, so you can get familiar with the controls and the plan.

I would not book this as a passive sightseeing ride. You need to pay attention to the road, the vehicle, and the group. The reward is a stronger sense of movement through Mallorca, with the sea and mountains forming the backdrop.

From the Formula Tours garage to Malgratz Island

The tour begins at the Formula Tours garage. After the safety and vehicle briefing, you set out along the coast of Calvia. The route passes points of interest on the southwest side of Mallorca before reaching the first planned stop in front of Malgratz Island.

This stop lasts about 10 minutes. It is short, but useful. You can get out, take photographs, and enjoy the view without losing too much driving time. If you want a good record of the day, keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from wind and hold it securely while riding.

Malgratz Island gives the first clear pause in the trip. The stop is not designed as a long walk or a full sightseeing visit. Think of it as a scenic break that divides the driving into manageable sections.

The exact number of stops can change. The planned outing includes two or three stops, depending on traffic and available time. In practice, you may get one brief stop and one longer viewpoint stop, or fewer pauses than expected. That matters if you are booking mainly for photography.

The Estellencs viewpoint is the scenic centerpiece

From Malgratz Island, the route continues toward Es Grau in Estellencs. This is the main scenic stop, with views across the coastline and toward the Sierra de Tramontana.

Here, the stop is less about checking off a landmark and more about taking in the setting. The mountains rise behind the road, while the coast opens out in front of you. After the first driving section, this pause gives you time to look around, take photographs, and prepare for the vehicle change.

The swap is an important part of the tour. You do not simply ride in one vehicle while another person drives. The stated plan is for you to drive both the slingshot and the buggy during the outing. The guide organizes the change at this main stop, then explains the next section as needed.

The stop can also affect how much driving you get. A long break may be pleasant for the views, but it leaves less time on the road during a fixed two-hour tour. If your priority is maximum driving, ask the guide at the start how the group will handle the stops.

Changing vehicles before Port Andratx

Once the vehicles have been changed, you continue toward Port Andratx. This part of southwest Mallorca is known for its attractive setting and upscale feel. The route gives you a chance to see the area from the road rather than only from a waterfront viewpoint.

Port Andratx is not described as a long stop, so you should not expect a separate visit with time for a meal or extended wandering. It is part of the driving circuit. The pleasure comes from following the route through this well-known area in a small open vehicle.

After Port Andratx, the tour heads back toward the Formula Tours office. The return crosses mountain roads and passes views of the Camp de Mar golf courses. This final section rounds out the route, giving you coastal scenery, mountain roads, and a look at one of the island’s polished resort areas.

I like that the circuit does not simply turn around at the first viewpoint. You see several sides of the southwest: the coast near Calvia, the Tramontana slopes, Port Andratx, and the Camp de Mar area. You should still keep your expectations realistic. This is a two-hour vehicle tour, not a full-day exploration of the mountain range.

What the two vehicles feel like in practice

The slingshot is the more demanding choice because it has manual transmission. If you learned to drive an automatic car only, or you have not used a clutch for years, this may not be the right outing. The company specifically requires manual-driving ability, and drivers must hold a valid license.

The buggy has automatic transmission. That makes the second driving section easier for people who are less familiar with manual gear changes. But you still operate a motor vehicle on public roads, so the guide’s instructions and the group’s pace matter.

You may start with either vehicle. That means you cannot count on beginning with the easier option or saving the more challenging one for later. If manual driving is a concern, address it before booking rather than hoping the order will solve the problem.

The tour includes helmets if needed. Sunglasses are mandatory for both driver and copilot, and closed shoes are required for the driver. I would wear practical clothes that can handle sun, wind, and road dust. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

Price, insurance, and what the €69 covers

At $69 per person, the advertised price is reasonable for a two-hour experience that includes two vehicles, fuel, taxes, a guide, water, and several scenic sections. The value is strongest if you want active sightseeing and would otherwise pay separately for a driving activity and a mountain viewpoint excursion.

The price needs one important correction in your budget. Driver insurance costs an additional €30 at the office. The vehicles have full insurance, but with a €350 excess. You also need a credit card, so do not arrive expecting the advertised tour price to be the only possible charge.

This insurance setup is not a minor footnote. If you are comparing this experience with another driving tour, compare the full cost, including the extra driver charge and the potential excess. The supplied information does not state that the €30 applies to copilots, so ask the operator if more than one person in your booking plans to drive.

The booking rules for vehicle use also matter. If two people want to share one vehicle, book two places. If two or more people each want their own vehicle, each driver needs an individual reservation. Clarify this before arrival, since the number of vehicles and drivers affects the whole group.

Group size, age rules, and who can ride

The group is limited to 10 participants. That is small enough for a more personal briefing and easier coordination than a large coach excursion. It also means the driving order and vehicle changes should be fairly manageable, though the timing still depends on traffic.

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have two years of driving experience. A driver’s license is required. The tour is not suitable for anyone who cannot drive a manual car, because the slingshot portion is part of the experience.

Children can ride as copilots from age 6. A child seat is available from age 3, but the stated minimum age for a copilot is 6. Because those details appear together, I would confirm the age requirement directly with Formula Tours before booking for a younger child.

This is a good fit for couples, friends, and small groups who want something more active than a standard island tour. It also suits a pair who want to share one vehicle, provided both places are booked. It is not a good match for a person who wants a quiet ride, dislikes manual gearboxes, or wants a fully predictable sightseeing timetable.

Practical preparation for a windy road trip

Bring your passport or national ID card, driver’s license, sunglasses, a credit card, and closed-toe shoes. Sunglasses are required for both people in the vehicle, not just the driver. That rule makes sense on an open-air route, where wind and sun can be tiring.

Water is supplied, but bring only what you can keep secure. The vehicle information does not specify luggage storage, so I would avoid carrying a large bag. Keep phones and cameras safely put away while the vehicle is moving.

Alcohol and drugs are forbidden. This is a driving activity, not a casual ride where one person can ignore the road. You need to arrive ready to drive and able to follow the guide’s instructions.

Guides are available in English, German, Spanish, and French. The multilingual option is useful, particularly during the initial briefing and the vehicle change. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular guide.

The main weakness: the schedule can feel loose

The tour description allows for two or three stops, but traffic and timing can change the plan. One reported experience included a single 40-minute stop, which reduced the time spent driving. Another complaint was that the buggy portion was not driven as expected.

Those details point to the key risk: the advertised format may not feel identical on every departure. The activity itself can still be enjoyable, but you should ask at the office how many vehicles are operating that day, which vehicle you will drive first, and how the stop schedule will work.

The route is described as a road tour through the mountains and coast. It does not promise off-road buggy driving. If you are hoping to bounce along dirt tracks, do not assume that will happen. The supplied details place the buggies within the same road-based circuit, and one experience specifically noted disappointment that the buggy did not go onto rough paths.

Photography is another area where you should be self-sufficient. The itinerary includes photo stops, but there is no promise of a dedicated photographer. A request for the guide to take photos while on the route may not be possible. Bring a compact camera or use your phone during the scheduled stops.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mallorca plans are still moving around.

The duration is two hours, but starting times depend on availability. Check the time before booking, especially if you have a flight, ferry, restaurant reservation, or another timed activity afterward. Traffic can affect the route, so I would leave a buffer rather than scheduling something immediately after the tour.

The meeting point is the Formula Tours garage. The supplied information does not include a hotel pickup service, so do not assume transportation from your accommodation. Confirm the exact address and arrival instructions with the operator before the day of the tour.

Should you book the Formula Car and Buggy combo?

I would book this if you are at least 21, have a valid license, can drive a manual car, and want a hands-on way to see southwest Mallorca. The best parts are the unusual two-vehicle format, the views near Malgratz Island and Estellencs, the small group, and the route through Port Andratx and Camp de Mar.

I would skip it if you want off-road buggy tracks, a fixed number of photo stops, or a simple all-inclusive price. Add the €30 driver insurance charge to your calculation, and be ready for the possibility that traffic changes the balance between driving and stopping.

For the right person, this is a lively two-hour road outing with genuine mountain and coastal views. Just book it as a driving experience first and a sightseeing tour second. That distinction will help you enjoy what Formula Tours does well and avoid expecting a different kind of excursion.

FAQ

Do I drive both the slingshot and the buggy?

Yes. The tour includes driving both vehicles, with the vehicle change made during the route.

Is the slingshot manual or automatic?

The slingshots have manual transmission. You need to know how to drive a manual car to take part.

Is the buggy automatic?

Yes. The buggies have automatic transmission.

What is the minimum age to drive?

The minimum age for a driver is 21, and the driver must have two years of experience plus a valid driving license.

What is the minimum age for a copilot?

The minimum age for a copilot is 6 years old.

Is insurance included in the advertised price?

Driver insurance costs an additional €30 at the office. The vehicles have full insurance with a €350 excess.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, driver’s license, sunglasses, a credit card, and closed-toe shoes.

How many stops does the tour include?

The tour usually includes two or three stops, depending on traffic and available time. The stops include Malgratz Island and a main viewpoint near Es Grau in Estellencs.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.