Classic buggies make Gran Canaria feel wilder. This 70s-style ride in the south mixes time-warp VW driving with sea-and-canyon scenery, guided the whole way and topped off with a stop for drinks in Cercado de Espino. If you like road feel, wind in your face, and turning a day trip into an event, this one fits.

I especially like the small group setup. It’s limited to 2 travelers per vehicle, so you’re not trapped in a big pack. I also love the human touch from the guides, including Phillipe and Simon, who both show up like they want you to have fun and feel safe, not just follow a script.

One thing to consider: the route and the vehicles are part of the charm, but they also mean this isn’t a smooth, modern-car experience. The mountain roads are curvy, and the classic engines can be a bit temperamental, even though the guides and mechanic handle it.

Key Points You’ll Actually Care About

• 70s VW buggy feel, not a theme-park ride: you’ll be driving classic-style machines with that old-school responsiveness
• Guided safety plus freedom: you get instructions and then you’re on the road through the south’s dramatic roads
• Cercado de Espino bar stop: drinks are included, and one stop is described with sangria and tapas
• Sea and canyon scenery in one outing: you’ll spend real time outdoors, not just scenic glances from a bus
• Cruise-friendly with a pickup option: if you’re on a cruise, pickup can include a drive to the sunnier side
• Weather matters: the experience requires good conditions, and it can be rescheduled or refunded if poor weather cancels it

Why This 70s VW Buggy Ride Feels Different Than Usual Tours

This is one of those activities where the payoff is immediate. The moment you’re in the buggy, you’re not watching scenery from behind glass. You’re in it. Gran Canaria’s south can feel sun-drenched and wide open, and the buggy format lets you feel that change in the air and light as you move between sea areas and higher terrain.

I like that the day is set up as an adventure with structure. You get instructions, you’re guided with safety in mind, and you still get that hands-on driving time that makes photos look more real. The guides also seem to understand how to pace things, breaking up the day with stops so you’re not rushing from one viewpoint to the next.

The best part is the “old friend” vibe you can feel in the way it’s run. In reviews, Phillipe and Simon come up repeatedly, and their English and friendliness get called out. That matters because when you’re driving classic vehicles on curvy mountain roads, you want a guide who can quickly answer questions and keep the mood relaxed.

The Route: Sea Views, Canyons, and a Mountain Climb

The tour is built around time outside, with at least a 3-hour walk component described alongside the buggy experience. Think of it as a mix: some of the time you’re behind the wheel, and some of it you’re on foot moving through the canyons and near the sea to see the area up close.

You’ll also be aiming for higher ground. The driving includes a ride to a mountain top, and the roads are described as very curvy. If you like roads that feel alive, you’re going to enjoy this part. If you get stressed by twisty climbs, plan for a little adrenaline and keep your focus on the guide’s instructions.

One reviewer who came from a cruise noted that pickup can include a drive of about 45 minutes to the other side of the island where the weather is sunnier and nicer. That’s a huge practical detail. Gran Canaria weather can vary by area, and being flexible about where you start helps you actually enjoy the day instead of fighting rain or low visibility.

Phillipe’s VW World: Driving a Classic, Not a Modern Machine

This is a buggy tour with real character. The vehicles are described as 1960s and 70s VW engines, and the reviews call out how they can be a little temperamental. That sounds worrying, but the takeaway from the experience is that the operator and mechanic look after you. If something needs attention, it’s handled so the day keeps moving.

Here’s the kind of driving experience you should expect:

• You’ll feel the road more than you would in a modern SUV.
• You’ll notice the engine character, especially when the terrain gets steep or winding.
• You’ll likely have more “hands-on” attention than on a typical guided van tour.

The upside is that it’s fun in the way a classic car is fun. You’re not just transported. You’re participating. One review calls out the very nice sensations of driving these buggies, which matches the overall vibe of this outing.

If you’re the type who wants a perfectly predictable, totally maintenance-free vehicle, this may not be your choice. But if you’re there for the experience and you’re okay with classic quirks, you’ll probably grin more than you worry.

Safety and Pace: How the Guides Keep It Fun

The tour description emphasizes that guides give instructions and make sure everything stays safe while you have fun. That’s exactly what you want to hear before you start. With curvy mountain roads and classic mechanical feel, the best tours don’t just say safety words. They actually set you up for success with a briefing and ongoing guidance.

From reviews, Phillipe and Simon are the names that show up most. Simon gets mentioned with high praise for how the day is run, and Phillipe gets praised for taking care of people, especially in the cruise pickup context.

I’d also treat the pacing as part of the value. There are stops along the way that break up the drive, and one review highlights that these stops made the day feel perfectly structured. That matters because after an hour or two of scenic driving, the brain starts to blur everything together. Stops give you time to reset, stretch, take photos, and enjoy the views without rushing.

Cercado de Espino Stop: Drinks and Tapas With Local Flavor

A key part of the experience is the break at Cercado de Espino, in a typical Canarian bar. The tour description says drinks are offered there, and one review specifically mentions sangria and delicious tapas at the top of the mountain with wide views.

This stop is valuable for three reasons:

1. It gives you a real local pause, not just a quick water break.
2. It helps you slow down and appreciate the scenery you worked for.
3. It’s an easy social moment, especially since the group is limited to 2 per vehicle.

Also, the bar stop is a great check-in point. If you’re riding and walking in sun and heat, you’ll want a moment to cool down and refuel. Drinks plus tapas make that practical, not just decorative.

Timing That Fits Your Day: Start Any Time Between 9 and 5

You can start anytime between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, which is a big deal for planning. If you’re traveling with other parts of your day trip schedule, this kind of flexibility often saves you stress.

The total duration is listed as about 3 hours, and since the experience includes driving plus time outside (including at least a 3-hour walk component described), I’d treat it as a half-day adventure in practice. Plan for it to take up a meaningful chunk of your morning or afternoon, including time to travel to the start area and to make stops.

One more practical point: the average booking time is 41 days in advance. That suggests this isn’t a “wait until the last minute” type of plan. If your dates are set, it’s worth booking earlier so you can get the start time you want.

What to Wear and Bring for Canyon Roads and Warm Weather

This is outdoor time in the south of Gran Canaria, with walking and driving. So dress for heat and sun, but also for uneven terrain when you’re on foot.

A smart packing mindset:

• Wear shoes with grip for walking sections.
• Bring sun protection because you’re exposed as the day moves between sea areas and higher roads.
• Plan for classic-vehicle dust or wind exposure, especially when you’re driving.

If rain is in the forecast, don’t assume everything will automatically work out. One cruise reviewer advised asking before canceling because weather differs on different sides of the island. Since the experience requires good weather, you may be offered a different date or a full refund if it gets canceled due to poor conditions. (More on this in the FAQ.)

Who This Buggy Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip)

This tour is ideal if you:

• Want to drive, not just watch
• Like classic-car energy and road feel
• Enjoy scenery on the move, including sea-and-canyon areas
• Prefer smaller groups (2 travelers per vehicle)
• Want an activity that includes food and drinks rather than only sightseeing

It’s also a strong choice for cruise passengers because pickup can be offered, and at least one cruise experience described pickup with a drive of about 45 minutes to the sunnier side of the island.

Where you might think twice:

• If you get motion or adrenaline stress on very curvy roads, this could feel intense.
• If you strongly prefer brand-new vehicles with zero mechanical character, the classic VW engine personality may not match your comfort level.

Value for Money: How $270.79 Per Group Makes Sense

The price is listed as $270.79 per group, up to 2. The value here comes from how many “tour components” you get in one go:

• a guided driving experience with classic VW buggies
• time outdoors with sea and canyon scenery
• drinks offered at a Canarian bar in Cercado de Espino
• a format that keeps it small (max 2 travelers per vehicle)
• pickup offered (including cruise pickup in some situations)

If you go with a travel partner and share a vehicle, the cost per person becomes much easier to justify. Even if you’re traveling alone, the small-group nature suggests you may still get more attention and flexibility than you would in a larger tour format, though the vehicle limit is still 2.

In short: you’re paying for participation and access, not for a long checklist of passive viewpoints.

Should You Book the 70s Buggy Ride? My Decision Guide

Book it if you want a hands-on, character-heavy day in Gran Canaria’s south. The biggest reasons to commit are the small group feel, the classic VW buggy experience with enthusiastic guides like Phillipe and Simon, and the practical payoff of drinks at Cercado de Espino (with one stop described as sangria and tapas).

Skip it if you want ultra-smooth roads, predictable modern vehicles, or you’re dealing with comfort limits on curvy mountain driving and walking time.

My best advice: if you’re excited by the idea of classic buggies and dramatic roads, this is the kind of outing that gives you stories for years, not just photos. If you’re more risk-averse or sensitive to curving climbs, consider a less twisty style tour instead.

FAQ

What’s included in the experience besides buggy driving?

You’ll get guided instructions, time outdoors that includes walking near the sea and through canyons, and drinks are offered at Cercado de Espino in a typical Canarian bar.

How many people can be in a buggy?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 2 travelers per vehicle.

How long is the tour?

It’s listed as approximately 3 hours.

Do you have to pick a fixed start time?

No. You can start any time between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered, and there are mentions of cruise port pickup in reviews.

What language is the tour conducted in?

English is offered.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.