Dunes are better on two wheels. This Maspalomas tour mixes an easy, road-only ride on a 2-seater e-scooter chopper with real time in Gran Canaria’s golden dunes reserve, guided by a local team (I found the guide, Lorenzo, especially helpful). You’ll also get a fun extra: an included 30-minute camel ride through the dunes, after you’ve already worked up an appetite for scenery.

I love how the route is built around viewpoints and nature moments, not just driving in circles. You also get a helmet, a soft drink, and a small-group feel that keeps the experience relaxed instead of rushed.

One important consideration: to drive the scooter, you need the required original or digital AM or B driving license. If you don’t have one, you can still join as a passenger on the rear seat, but the main thrill is in getting control of the scooter yourself.

Key things that make this tour work

• Road-only e-scooter riding, paired with stops at major sights so you can keep moving without tiring
• 2-seat chopper format, so you can share the ride without squeezing into a single-person scooter
• Christopher Columbus monuments and the Maspalomas lighthouse, both part of what you’ll see around Meloneras and the area
• Charca lagoon (Oasis) bird life focus, with a guide pointing out why this pond matters
• Camel ride is included for 30 minutes, with a stated 100 kg per person weight limit

Meeting Cita Bike Hire: Where the ride really starts

The tour starts at the bike shop inside the Cita Shopping Center on Avenida de Alemania, 22 in Playa del Ingles. You’ll find it next to a reconstruction of the Tower of Pisa, in front of Bungalows Todoque. If you’re driving, there’s free parking in front of Hotel Santa Monica.

This matters more than you might think. Playa del Ingles can feel spread out, and having a clear, central meeting point makes it easier to arrive calm instead of stressed. Also, there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to build in a little buffer time to get yourself and your group checked in.

Inside, expect a practical start: ID checks, shoe check (more on that below), and getting familiar with the scooter layout. You’ll be given a helmet, and the guide will set expectations so you know what you’re doing before you roll out.

Electric Scooter Chopper basics: driving the two-seat machine

This is a hands-on tour. You’re not just hopping on a sightseeing bus and staring out a window. You’ll ride an Electric Scooter Chopper 2-seater, and the key detail is that the scooter portion operates only on the road.

Before you book, check the license rules carefully:

• To drive the e-scooter chopper, you need the required original or digital AM or B driving license.
• If you don’t have a license, you can still join as a passenger using the rear seat.
• Kids: children minimum 15 years old with the required AM or B license can drive, accompanied by at least one paying parent.
• Children 7 to 17 can participate as passengers (rear seat) if they don’t have the required license, and adults without a license can also ride passenger-style.
• There’s also an age note: people over 70 aren’t listed as suitable for driving, while those without driving license can still join as passengers.

Capacity limits are clearly stated:

• The e-scooter chopper supports a maximum 160 kg total (driver + passenger).
• Weight limits for the camel ride are stricter: the camel can support a maximum 100 kg per person.

Now the practical part: shoes. You must wear closed-toe shoes, and open-toed shoes aren’t allowed. That’s not just bureaucracy. It’s a way to keep your feet secure when you’re stopping, starting, and adjusting your balance during the ride.

Meloneras highlights: Columbus monuments and the old lighthouse

One of the smartest ways to explore Maspalomas is to start with context. This tour does that by weaving in recognizable landmarks while keeping the ride easy.

As you move through the Meloneras gates, you’ll see monuments tied to Christopher Columbus, built in 2002. Nearby, you’ll also visit the old lighthouse of Maspalomas, operating since 1980.

Why I think these stops are a good use of your 2 hours: they give you anchors. When you’re later looking at dunes, lagoons, and bird areas, it’s easier to feel like you’re not just watching nature—you’re seeing how the town and coastline connect to the landscape.

Also, since you’re on a scooter, you’re not waiting in long lines. You’re building momentum. And that’s where the tour’s value shows up: it’s more active than a simple walk, but still calm enough to enjoy the sights with your guide.

Getting panoramic views without the effort: Playa del Ingles and beyond

A big part of the experience is the mix of ride-and-pause. You’ll get panoramic sight lines of Playa del Ingles with a local guide showing you what to look for.

This is where the guide earns their keep. The tour isn’t just about locations; it’s about orientation. A good local explanation helps you understand why one viewpoint feels open and another feels tucked in. Even if you’ve been to the Canary Islands before, the Maspalomas area has a specific rhythm—coastline, dunes, and human landmarks all in the same frame.

There’s also a Botanical Garden stop. If you like nature but don’t want to commit to a long hike, this kind of garden pause is a win. It gives your legs a break while still matching the tour’s eco-education style.

You’ll likely notice how often the route shifts between built areas and natural zones. That balance is the point: the tour is designed to let you experience Gran Canaria without turning your day into a full-on outdoor workout.

Maspalomas dunes reserve and the Charca lagoon bird oasis

The center of the show is Maspalomas itself—the golden sand dunes, identified as a special nature reserve since 1987. Even though the e-scooter is road-only, you still get the key experience: seeing the dunes as a real ecosystem, not just a photo backdrop.

If you’re the type who likes details, the tour’s focus on the dunes and local nature makes sense. The guide is there to explain what you’re looking at and why it’s protected, and that’s a huge difference from a generic sightseeing drive.

Then you’ll visit the Charca, also described as the Oasis: a small lagoon that serves as a destination for wintering or resting birds during migration. The tour info specifically mentions nearly 40 species of birds, with 23 nesting there.

That means you’re not just doing a quick look. You’re getting a birdwatching-friendly stop. Even if you don’t consider yourself a bird expert, this is the kind of place where you can slow down and actually notice movement—birds perched in the lagoon area, seasonal activity, and how the ecosystem supports them.

Practical tip: bring your patience for a quiet moment. Bird activity isn’t constant. If you rush, you’ll miss the best chances to spot something. Let the guide point you to where the action tends to be.

Optional camel safari: 30 minutes on the dunes

Yes, the camel ride is included—just in case you were wondering if this part is an extra upsell. The tour description clearly states a 30-minute camel ride, where you explore the fantastic dunes of Maspalomas aboard a camel.

This is one of those experiences you’ll remember even if you do a lot of tours. A camel ride changes your pace and your body position. It turns you from spectator to participant in the dune environment.

A couple of hard rules to plan around:

• Camel capacity limit is 100 kg per person.
• The camel ride is specifically 30 minutes of tour.

If you’re considering whether to do it, think about what you want from the day. If you love motion and views, you’ll enjoy it. If you’re sensitive to animal experiences or prefer strictly modern transport, you might want to consider whether the camel part fits your comfort level.

Price and value: is $101 per person worth it?

At about $101 per person for a 2-hour small-group experience, the value comes from the combination—not from any single component.

Here’s what you’re effectively getting for your money:

• A guided tour with a local expert
• E-scooter chopper + helmet
• One soft drink per person
• Visits that include major sights (Columbus monuments, Maspalomas lighthouse) plus nature areas (dunes reserve, Botanical Garden, Charca lagoon)
• Camel ride for 30 minutes included

If you price out the day as a mix of transport + guide + entry-type experiences, the camel portion alone can be a major reason this works out. And because it’s limited to 8 participants, you avoid the big-group drag where you spend more time waiting than exploring.

The main “value check” is your ability to drive the scooter. If you have the required AM/B license, you get the full thrill of the chopper ride. If you don’t, you can still join as a passenger, but the experience shifts more toward sightseeing while someone else drives. Still fun—just a different feeling.

Also note: the tour operates on the road with the e-scooter. That means the dunes experience is shared between what you see from the route and what you experience during the camel ride, which is why that 30 minutes matters so much.

Who should book this Maspalomas e-scooter and camel tour

This tour fits best if you:

• Want to see Maspalomas without committing to a long, exhausting hike
• Like guided stops that explain nature and not just the view
• Enjoy active sightseeing—being on a scooter keeps your energy up
• Want a memorable extra activity, since the camel ride is built in

It’s also a great option for couples or friends, because the 2-seat setup makes it simple to ride together (as long as the total weight fits the 160 kg driver + passenger cap).

If you’re traveling as a family, know the split:

• Younger kids (7 to 17) can join as passengers on the rear seat.
• Driving requirements for kids 15+ apply, and they must be accompanied by at least one paying parent.

If you’re older and thinking about physical effort, the scooter helps. Still, check the age suitability notes, especially if you’re over 70 and planning to drive.

Should you book it? My honest take

Book this tour if you want a smart, time-efficient way to experience Maspalomas with both nature and fun transport. The dunes reserve stop plus the Charca lagoon bird focus gives you real substance, and the camel ride adds a sense of occasion that you don’t get from standard city drives.

Skip or reconsider if driving the scooter isn’t possible for you and you’re hoping for maximum independence. The best version of this experience happens when you can actually steer the e-scooter chopper yourself—then the landmarks and nature stops feel like a mini adventure, not a sightseeing lecture on wheels.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the deciding question: do you want a 2-hour guided day that mixes motion with wildlife-oriented stops? If yes, this is a strong fit.

FAQ

Do I need a hotel pickup for this tour?

No. There is no hotel pickup included. You meet at the bike rental shop inside the Cita Shopping Center on Avenida de Alemania, 22 in Playa del Ingles, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Where exactly is the meeting point?

The meeting point is inside the Cita Shopping Center at a bike rental shop on Avenida de Alemania, 22 – Playa del Ingles. The entrance is next to the reconstruction of the Tower of Pisa, in front of Bungalows Todoque.

Can I drive the e-scooter without a license?

To drive the e-scooter chopper, you need the required original or digital AM or B driving license. If you don’t have one, you can participate as a passenger using the rear seat.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is included and lasts 30 minutes.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring your passport or ID card and wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 8 participants.