This buggy tour feels like time travel. You’ll ride real 1970s VW buggies with nonstop horizon views, and I love how the day mixes driving fun with short stops for photos and drinks. One heads-up: the buggies are manual, so stick-shift comfort matters.
I also like the scale of this trip. You’re capped at 4 people, so the guides can actually teach you how to handle the turns and hills instead of rushing everyone through.
Expect a little personality from the crew. Guides such as Philippe and Simon come across as real petrolheads, and that shows in how they explain what you’re seeing and how to drive safely. The tour is listed at about 2 hours 30 minutes, but you should keep a small buffer in your day just in case the pace runs a touch long.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about
- Price and what it really buys: $169.31 for up to 4
- What the ride is like: manual buggies, open-air thrills, real roads
- Starting point near Meloneras: easy to find, easy to return
- Stop 1: Arguineguin viewpoint and the coast-horizon moment
- Stop 2: Cercados de Espinos canyon village and the included drink break
- Stop 3: The Province of Soria segment for wide-open scenery breaks
- Stop 4: Mogan village, a windmill stop, then the seaside descent
- Guides who feel like car people: Philippe and Simon’s teaching style
- What’s included (and what to bring anyway)
- How long is it really: 2.5 hours on paper, a bit longer in practice
- Who this is best for (and who might want to choose something else)
- Should you book 70’sbuggy in Gran Canaria?
- FAQ
- How many people are in a group?
- How long is the tour?
- Is pickup included?
- Where do we meet?
- What is included in the price?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Are buggies automatic?
- Does the tour run in bad weather?
Key highlights you’ll care about
- Real 1970s VW buggies you drive, not a modern cart ride
- Up to 4 people, so it feels personal and not crowded
- Scenic stops with included drinks (coffee/tea, soda, water)
- Coast + mountain roads with big viewpoint moments
- Free photo collection on the 70’sbuggy Facebook page
- Guides who teach (including manual-driving basics if you need them)
Price and what it really buys: $169.31 for up to 4
At $169.31 per group (up to 4), the value works best if you’re traveling with someone who’ll share the buggy experience or split costs with friends. On a practical level, you’re paying for three things at once: a vehicle experience (classic VW buggy), guided navigation through the island’s best road twists, and small included refreshment breaks.
This is also one of those tours where the group size changes the feel. With a maximum of 4 travelers, you can expect more hands-on attention from the driver-guide team, plus smoother logistics at the stops. If you’ve done bus tours in Gran Canaria before, you’ll probably notice the difference fast.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Gran Canaria.
What the ride is like: manual buggies, open-air thrills, real roads
You’re driving a buggy that’s from the 1970s. That matters because it changes the whole body-feel of the experience. You get open-air movement, audible engine character, and that classic “pay attention” connection when roads tighten.
The big practical consideration is that the buggies are manual. If all of you in your group can drive stick, you’ll likely have a straightforward time rotating positions if needed. If not, plan for the possibility that only one person can drive while others ride along in the same buggy—especially if the fleet handling doesn’t match your group split. I’d treat this as a “come ready” tour: if you can drive a stick, you’ll enjoy it more.
On the road, several riders describe the mountain climb as the highlight. You’ll feel the difference between flat driving and uphill grip on winding roads. And yes, it can get hot up there—bring sun protection and consider a hat and sunscreen even if you start near the coast.
Starting point near Meloneras: easy to find, easy to return
The meeting point is at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, on C. Mar Blanco, 6 (San Bartolomé de Tirajana). The tour ends back at the same place, which makes planning your next stop simpler.
Pickup is offered, and in real life that can be a big deal if you’re arriving on a cruise or you don’t want to wrestle with taxis. Still, I recommend you have a Plan B in mind—build a little timing cushion into your day. One review mentioned a late pickup, and another mentioned schedule differences, so I’d rather you arrive early than worry about it.
Stop 1: Arguineguin viewpoint and the coast-horizon moment
After a drive along the sea, the tour stops at a viewpoint overlooking Arguineguin and the coastline. This is the moment where the whole island scale clicks. You get wide horizon views and, on a clear day, you’ll also spot the Maspalomas lighthouse in the distance.
There’s a fun nerdy detail tied to this stop: the former NASA space center served in the first image of the Apollo 11 expedition. It’s the kind of fact that turns a normal photo stop into something you remember, even if you’re not a science-history person.
What I like here: it’s not long, but it’s purposeful. You stop for about 10 minutes, so you can grab photos, take in the view, and then get back into driving.
Stop 2: Cercados de Espinos canyon village and the included drink break
Next you roll into Cercados de Espinos, described as a canyon area with a small Canarian village feel. This stop is shorter—around 15 minutes—but it has a practical purpose: a drink stop is included in the price.
This is one of those “energy checkpoints” that makes the rest of the ride more enjoyable. If you’ve ever ridden mountain roads in the heat, you know you’ll feel it later if you don’t hydrate early. Having coffee/tea and soda options built into the day helps, and the water included makes it easier to stay comfortable.
Also, the road segment includes multiple view breaks on the way. That means you’re not stuck behind a slow car the entire time. You’re often pausing to look out and then moving on, which keeps momentum high.
Stop 3: The Province of Soria segment for wide-open scenery breaks
There’s a stop labeled Province of Soria, with the focus on stunning landscapes. In practice, this part of the day is about that “mountain roads” feeling: rolling terrain, big angles, and the kind of island variety you can’t get if you only stay in one resort zone.
This segment is again around 15 minutes. That’s enough time to step out, stretch, and reset your eyes before continuing.
The takeaway: this part of the day is for people who like to look, not just drive. If you’re the type who gets restless unless there’s something to see every so often, this pacing works well.
Stop 4: Mogan village, a windmill stop, then the seaside descent
Mogán is where the tour shifts from high-road views to town-and-sea energy. You’ll drive through the village area, stop to see a windmill, and then head back down by the seaside.
The windmill stop is short (about 10 minutes), but it gives you a different flavor from the earlier viewpoint points. Instead of just horizon photos, you get a more “local place” feeling—streets, buildings, and a sense of where people live.
The seaside descent is a nice payoff because it balances the climbing effort. You’ll likely feel it in your shoulders and neck after the hills, and then the downhill roads help you enjoy the day again without the same strain.
Guides who feel like car people: Philippe and Simon’s teaching style
In the reviews, the guides come up again and again. Philippe and Simon are described as welcoming, funny, and genuinely enthusiastic about cars and driving. More importantly, they don’t treat the tour like a lecture. They help you understand how to handle the buggy so you can focus on what matters: staying comfortable, watching the road, and enjoying the scenery.
If you’re new to buggy driving, this is where the experience can turn from “rental-car awkward” into “I can actually do this.” One rider praised the instruction and how the buggies feel nimble on flat sections while staying grippy up the mountain. That’s exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes you trust the vehicle.
What’s included (and what to bring anyway)
Included in the price:
- Coffee and/or tea
- Soda/pop
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- All fees and taxes
- The 1970s VW buggy ride
- Photos from the excursion available for free to collect on Facebook (70’sbuggy)
What I’d still bring:
- Sun protection (it can get hot on mountain roads)
- A hat
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes
- If you’re sensitive to sun or dust, consider eyewear
One small note: the mobile ticket and English-language offering can make planning smoother. It’s also near public transportation, but if you’re using pickup, confirm your meeting plan with the provider so you’re not guessing.
How long is it really: 2.5 hours on paper, a bit longer in practice
The tour duration is listed at about 2 hours 30 minutes. In real use, rides can run closer to 3 hours depending on driving pace, photo stops, and how quickly the group gets lined up.
That’s normal for roads like this. You’ll stop enough times to enjoy the views, and you’re also driving a vehicle that needs your attention. So I’d plan your day with a little slack, especially if you’re connecting to something after the ride.
Who this is best for (and who might want to choose something else)
This fits best if you want an active, driving-based tour rather than a sit-and-watch day. It’s also ideal for small groups: couples, friends, and families traveling together (including groups with kids, as long as everyone can handle the manual-driving setup and the heat).
I’d think twice if:
- Nobody in your group can drive a manual transmission and you don’t want to share driving time
- You’re strongly time-sensitive and can’t tolerate the chance of a longer ride
- You want a fully passive tour with no instruction and no driving responsibilities
Should you book 70’sbuggy in Gran Canaria?
If you want something more original than the usual island coach tour, this is a strong choice. Real 1970s buggies plus coastal and mountain viewpoints is a winning mix, and the included drinks make it more than just driving for the sake of driving.
Book it if you’re comfortable with a manual-driving experience (or you’re happy to ride while someone else drives) and you want a small-group day led by guides like Philippe and Simon, who actually teach and keep the mood friendly.
Skip it or consider an alternative if manual driving would frustrate your group, or if your schedule is so tight that an extra half-hour would ruin your day. With that in mind, this tour is a fun, scenic, classic-car day with real personality—and that’s rare enough to be worth planning for.
FAQ
How many people are in a group?
The maximum group size is 4 travelers.
How long is the tour?
It’s about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Is pickup included?
Pickup is offered.
Where do we meet?
The meeting point is Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, C. Mar Blanco, 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Spain, and the tour ends back there.
What is included in the price?
Coffee and/or tea, soda/pop, bottled water, private transportation, and all fees and taxes are included, along with photos available on the 70’sbuggy Facebook page.
What language is the tour offered in?
It’s offered in English.
Are buggies automatic?
The buggies are manual, so you should be prepared for stick-shift driving.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
This experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
