Buggy Tour in Gran Canaria: What to Expect, Which Buggy to Choose and How to Prepare

Dust in your teeth, a big grin and a guide leading the way through the dry hills of the south: that is a buggy tour in Gran Canaria in one sentence. But "buggy tour" can mean very different days, from a fully off-road ride to a relaxed drive in an original 1970s buggy.

Here is how each option feels, which one fits your group and what to know before you go.

Every tour follows a "follow the leader" system. A guide drives at the front and sets the route, and you follow in your own buggy. Before you start, you get a safety briefing and goggles.

All tours start in the south of the island, so there are no departures from Las Palmas. If you stay in the south, between Bahía Feliz and Puerto de Mogán, you can ask for hotel pick-up.

• 2-seater buggy: the most dynamic option, great for couples and friends. You can swap drivers during the tour.

• 3 and 4-seater buggy: the family choice. It is roomier and more stable. One adult drives while the others ride along, and children can join from 6 years old.

The useful part: the 2-seater and the 4-seater follow exactly the same route. The only difference is the vehicle, so choose by group size and nothing else. When you are ready, you can compare all buggy tours on one page.

You don't have to decide when you book. After your purchase you choose the style of your tour, and this choice changes the day more than anything else.

• 100% off-road: dirt tracks all the way. It is all about driving, dust and adrenaline, with fewer reasons to stop.

• Mixed route: off-road sections combined with scenic roads and stops worth getting out for, such as the panoramic view from the Mirador de Pedro González and the landscape of Ayagaures.

If you want to see the island and take photos, the mixed route gives you more to remember. If you only want to drive, go 100% off-road.

Good to know: buggies do not go inside the protected Maspalomas dunes. You ride on mountain tracks, ravines and coastal landscapes, which is why this is often called a buggy safari.

Not sure a buggy is for you? Try one of these:

• Quad tour: a more physical off-road ride (previous experience required, minimum age 12).

• Cabrio tour: drive a classic convertible on mountain and coastal roads, with no dust.

• Can-Am Ryker: a 2.5-hour three-wheeler adventure along mountain and coastal roads. The driver needs a car licence held for at least 3 years, or a motorcycle licence (A2 or A), and must be at least 21. Previous experience with motorcycles is recommended.

• Jeep safari: if you prefer to sit back and let someone else drive.

After a day on the tracks, a calmer day at sea can be a good change: have a look at our dolphin watching tours.

Pick the vehicle, the style and the date on one page.