Costa Calma: Buggy Safari

The best part of this Costa Calma buggy safari is that you do more than circle a purpose-built track. You drive across dry riverbeds and rough dirt paths, moving from the east coast toward the wilder west side of Fuerteventura. The route mixes road sections with proper off-road driving, so you get scenery and a bit of rattling adventure.

I like the small groups, usually no more than seven people, and the guides who keep watch over each driver. I also like the stops at Playa de Ugan, La Pared, and Playa Sotavento, which give the three-hour ride some breathing space. The main drawback is dust. Sunglasses alone may not be enough, and the older buggies can feel rough on paved roads.

Costa Calma Buggy Safari: Key Points

• Three hours from east coast to west coast: The route links Costa Calma with dirt trails, Playa de Ugan, La Pared, and Playa Sotavento.
• Mostly off-road driving: Expect sandy lanes, rocky tracks, dry riverbeds, and some public-road sections.
• Guides lead small groups: A guide normally looks after up to six vehicles, with a maximum group size of seven participants.
• Dust protection matters: Bring sunglasses, a scarf or face covering, and old dark clothing. Goggles are even better if you have them.
• A relaxed café stop: Carry a few euros for a coffee or drink at a small local bar. Food and drinks are not included.
• You must drive legally: Drivers need to be at least 18 and carry their original driving license, not a photograph of it.

What This Three-Hour Ride Is Really Like

This is a driving excursion first and a sightseeing trip second. You sit low in the buggy, follow the guide, and handle the route yourself rather than watching Fuerteventura pass by through a coach window.

The buggies are described as older and somewhat rough around the edges. That is not necessarily a problem on dirt tracks, where the basic machines add to the fun, but it matters on paved roads. One person found the steering loose and the brakes limited during road sections, while another described the buggy as loud and bone-rattling.

That gives you a fair picture. This is not a polished luxury vehicle experience. It is a noisy, dusty ride built around open-air driving and rough ground. If you want a smooth, quiet tour, choose something else. If you enjoy getting dirty and feeling every bump, the basic buggies are part of the appeal.

The guide leads the convoy, explains the route, and watches the group at stops and along the trails. Guides named Jurjen, Jürgen, and Dominique receive particular praise for being friendly, funny, patient, and clear with instructions. Safety briefings are given in several languages, including English, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Several people who were nervous about driving abroad felt more comfortable after the briefing and the guide’s support. That is useful if you have never driven a buggy before. You still need to be alert and follow instructions, but you are not simply sent off without an explanation.

Leaving Costa Calma for the Dirt Tracks

Pickup is available from accommodation in Costa Calma, and the transport service is generally timed to collect and return you without fuss. That makes this easy to fit into a beach holiday, especially if you do not have a rental car.

The route begins with some road driving before moving onto sandy lanes and rougher tracks. This road section may feel like a slow start if you booked mainly for off-road action. It serves a practical purpose, though, linking the resort area with the open country and west-coast routes.

Once the convoy reaches the dirt paths, the character of the trip changes. You steer between dry hills and riverbeds, with dust rising behind the vehicles. The last buggy in line can take the heaviest dose, so prepare your face and eyes before setting out rather than waiting until the first dusty stretch.

You will need a valid driving license in its original form. A photo or digital copy is not accepted for driving. Drivers must be at least 18, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The supplied information does not state a separate minimum age for passengers, so check before booking if you are bringing a child.

Playa de Ugan and the Black Sand

One of the most memorable stops is Playa de Ugan, known for its black sand and large Atlantic waves. This is a useful contrast to the pale sandy beaches usually associated with Fuerteventura.

The stop gives you time to get out, look around, and take photographs rather than spending the full three hours behind the wheel. The waves can be powerful, so treat the beach as a viewpoint and photo stop unless your guide gives other instructions. This is not presented as a swimming excursion.

The time at the beach may feel brief to some people. One useful way to think about the itinerary is that it favors variety over long visits. You see several different parts of the island in three hours, but you do not get a full beach afternoon at any one stop.

Bring clothing you do not mind covering in dust. Light-colored clothes may show the dirt quickly, and a scarf or balaclava helps protect your nose and mouth. A face covering is not a fashion extra here. It can make the ride far more comfortable.

The Café Stop: Carry a Few Euros

The route includes a break at a small local bar, where you can buy a coffee or another drink. Food and drink are not included, so bring cash.

The exact cost can vary, but small purchases have been inexpensive, with two coffees reported at around 2 to 3 euros. Do not rely on a card. The practical advice is simple: carry a few euros in a secure pocket and do not expect a full meal.

This stop helps break up the driving. Three hours on a noisy, bumpy buggy can be tiring, especially in wind and dust. A short drink break lets you stretch your legs and talk with the guide before returning to the route.

La Pared and the West Coast View

The dirt roads continue toward La Pared, a west-coast area associated with surfing and broad views toward the Natural Park of Jandia. This is one of the strongest sightseeing parts of the trip.

The west side of Fuerteventura feels more exposed and rugged than the resort zone. From the higher viewpoints near La Pared, you can look across open country toward the protected area. The tour gives you access to views that are difficult to appreciate from a hotel pool or a standard resort transfer.

La Pared is also where the buggy format makes sense. The ride is not only about speed. You get a changing view as the route climbs and drops across different types of ground, with the guide stopping at places suited to photographs.

The pace is generally laid-back rather than a nonstop race. That will please you if you want time to look around and hear about the island. It may disappoint you if you expect three hours of hard acceleration. The route includes scenic stops and road sections, so the experience balances driving with sightseeing.

Returning Toward Playa Sotavento

The return to Costa Calma includes a stop at Playa Sotavento, one of the area’s best-known sandy beaches. This is a fitting final photo stop after the darker sand and exposed west-coast views.

Sotavento offers a different look again, with pale sand and open coastal space. The stop helps show how much Fuerteventura changes over a relatively short distance. You begin near the resort, cross dry inland tracks, visit the rougher west side, and finish among the beaches that draw people to the southeast.

The tour is designed to return you to Costa Calma after the final photographs. Since the total duration is three hours, do not expect long independent time at each location. You are following a planned route with a guide, not hiring a buggy for the day.

Dust, Wind, and What to Wear

The most repeated practical warning is the dust. Take it seriously.

At a minimum, bring:

• Sunglasses
• A scarf, buff, balaclava, or other face covering
• Closed shoes
• Old, dark clothing
• A light jacket for cooler or windy conditions

Several people found that sunglasses and a scarf helped but did not fully block the dust. If you already own protective goggles, they may be more useful, particularly if you wear glasses. The activity does not state that goggles are supplied, so do not assume they will be waiting at check-in.

A light jacket is also sensible. One person found the breeze surprisingly cold in a T-shirt. Fuerteventura can feel warm in the sun but exposed on open tracks, especially when you are moving.

Expect noise, bumps, wind, and dirt. That is the honest version of this outing. Put your phone and camera in a dust-resistant bag, and avoid bringing anything you cannot clean easily. The guide may help take photographs at the stops, but protect your equipment between them.

Safety, Vehicles, and Guide Support

The package includes a helmet and insurance for the driver, passenger, third party, accidents, and rescue. A guide accompanies the group, with one guide assigned per six vehicles.

The small group setup is important. The guide can keep an eye on the convoy and respond when someone needs help. One nervous driver received extra encouragement and was checked on during the route, while other first-time drivers found the briefing clear enough to build confidence.

Still, you are responsible for driving attentively. Follow the guide’s speed and parking instructions, leave space between vehicles, and stay alert on road sections. One person reported a vehicle ahead with a faulty brake light, and another described steering play and weak brakes on paved roads. These are not reasons to panic, but they are reasons to pay attention and tell the guide immediately if your buggy feels unsafe.

There has also been an occasional mechanical delay. One buggy developed an accelerator problem and needed replacing, creating about an hour’s wait. The group was kept comfortable by the guide and happened to be stopped near a scenic view, but a breakdown can reduce your actual driving time.

The weather matters too. The operator can cancel if conditions are poor, offering another date or a full refund. That is a sensible policy for an open-air activity on exposed tracks.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would choose this safari if you enjoy driving, outdoor activity, and a bit of controlled roughness. It suits couples, friends, and families with adult drivers who want to see more of southern Fuerteventura than the resort roads provide.

It can also work for a cautious first-timer. The guides have been praised for patience and clear explanations, and you drive in a supervised convoy. You do not need advanced off-road skills, but you should be comfortable handling a vehicle on uneven ground.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, dislike dust, or need a smooth and quiet ride. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women, and a moderate amount of walking is involved. It is wheelchair accessible, but confirm your exact needs before booking because the ride itself includes getting into a buggy, stopping on uneven ground, and walking around viewpoints.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The supplied information does not give enough detail to confirm every passenger age rule, so ask the provider if your party includes young children.

Is $117 Good Value?

The advertised price is $117 per group up to one person, though the final charge can depend on the booking setup and number of participants. Check the price shown for your date and party before paying.

Value depends on what you compare it with. You are paying for three hours of driving, a guide, helmet, insurance, taxes, and optional Costa Calma pickup. You also reach several parts of the island without arranging your own route or rental car.

For two adults sharing a buggy or booking as a pair, the cost can make sense because the trip combines transport, activity, and sightseeing. You also avoid the planning required to find legal routes and suitable viewpoints yourself.

The value drops if you want a long beach stop, a highly polished vehicle, or nonstop off-road driving. Some road travel is included, the machines may be rough, and the café purchase is extra. Think of it as a guided island outing with a fun driving element, not a pure motorsport session.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning the rest of your day.

My Practical Verdict

I would book the Costa Calma Buggy Safari if I wanted an active way to see the east and west sides of southern Fuerteventura in one short outing. The best features are the varied route, the black-sand stop at Playa de Ugan, the views near La Pared, and the chance to drive instead of sitting on a bus.

Bring eye and face protection, wear old clothes, carry a few euros, and pack a light jacket. Go in expecting dust, noise, bumps, and basic vehicles. If that sounds like part of the fun, this is a strong-value excursion with helpful guides and plenty of scenery. If you want comfort and calm, spend the three hours at the beach instead.

FAQ

How long does the Costa Calma Buggy Safari last?

The activity lasts three hours, including driving, scenic stops, and the café break.

Where does the buggy safari take place?

It starts from Costa Calma in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, and reaches dirt tracks, dry riverbeds, Playa de Ugan, La Pared, the Natural Park of Jandia viewpoint area, and Playa Sotavento.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup or drop-off at accommodation in Costa Calma is included or available as an option, depending on the booking selected.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Drivers must be at least 18 and bring their original driving license. A photograph of the license is not accepted.

Are helmets and insurance included?

Yes. A helmet is included, along with insurance covering the driver, passenger, third party, accidents, and rescue.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide service is available in English, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The route stops at a small local bar where you can buy a coffee or another drink, and you should carry a few euros.

What should I wear?

Bring sunglasses, a scarf or face covering, and old dark clothing because the dirt tracks can be dusty. A light jacket may help in windy conditions.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women.

Can wheelchair users join the tour?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. A moderate amount of walking is involved, so confirm your specific accessibility needs before booking.