Tour in a real VW 70’s Buggy in Gran Canaria 4 People.

The most unusual thing about this Gran Canaria outing is simple: you drive a genuine 1970s VW buggy, not a modern four-wheel vehicle dressed up for tourists. The route runs from the coast into the island’s mountain roads, with Philippe or Simon guiding the small group and stopping for views, drinks, and photos.

I like the mix of classic-car character and real scenery. I also like the small scale, with a maximum of four people, plus the chance to see parts of the south of Gran Canaria that are easy to miss from a resort transfer or large coach. The main catch is important: the buggies are manual, and pickup arrangements and tour timing need confirming before you go.

Key points before you book

• Real 1970s Volkswagen buggies: These are vintage machines with manual gearboxes, open-air driving, and plenty of old-car personality.
• Coast-to-mountain route: You’ll travel from Meloneras toward Arguineguin, Cercados de Espinos, Soria, and Mogán.
• Small private group: One booking covers up to four people, which makes the outing more personal than a large bus tour.
• Philippe and Simon guide the drive: Both are closely associated with the experience, and Simon is also described as the driving instructor and guide.
• Drinks and photos are included: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, bottled water, and access to excursion photos are part of the package.
• Manual driving is essential: Confirm that every intended driver can use a clutch before booking, since this is not an automatic buggy experience.

Why a 1970s buggy changes the whole outing

A modern sightseeing vehicle is easy and predictable. A vintage VW buggy is neither, and that is the point. You sit in an open vehicle, feel the air, hear the engine, and work the manual gearbox as the road changes from coastal pavement to mountain bends.

The experience is best understood as a classic-car drive with sightseeing built around it. The buggy itself is not just transport between stops. It is the main attraction, especially if you enjoy old cars, unusual machinery, or anything that feels less polished than a standard island excursion.

The vehicles have been described as genuine 1970s models, including a 1969 buggy mentioned by one participant. Expect a historic car rather than a quiet, air-conditioned ride. That means charm, noise, wind, and the possibility of small mechanical hiccups. One outing included a buggy that ran out of fuel partway up the mountain, but the guides moved the group into another buggy and helped keep the drive going.

That kind of incident is worth noting without making too much of it. Older cars can add character, but they also require flexibility. If you want a perfectly controlled excursion with no mechanical surprises, choose a newer vehicle. If the idea of driving a vintage machine is the reason you are interested, the old-car feel is a major part of the value.

Starting in Meloneras and heading toward Arguineguin

The meeting point is Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, at Calle Mar Blanco 6 in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The tour also ends there unless a separate pickup or drop-off arrangement has been made.

From Meloneras, the route takes you along a sea road toward a viewpoint above Arguineguin. This first section gives you a quick change of scenery from the resort area. You get open coastal views, the horizon, and a look back toward the southern shore.

The viewpoint also offers distant views toward the Maspalomas lighthouse. Another unusual detail is the former NASA space center, connected with the first image of the Apollo 11 expedition. The stop is only about 10 minutes, so it is more of a photo and orientation break than a long visit.

I like this opening because it gets you into the island quickly. You are not spending the whole tour circling hotel streets. You are on the road, with the buggy’s open design making the coastal setting feel more immediate.

Bring a hat and sunscreen. One detailed account specifically noted that the mountain area can feel hot, and the open vehicle gives you little shelter from the sun. Sunglasses are also sensible, though they are not listed as an included item.

Cercados de Espinos and the move into the mountains

The route then leaves the coastal setting and climbs toward Cercados de Espinos, a small Canary Island village in the heart of a canyon. This is where the drive begins to feel less like a resort activity and more like a look at the island’s interior.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes and includes a drink. The package lists coffee, tea, soda, and bottled water, while fruit juice is also mentioned in one account. There are additional pauses along the mountain road for views and photographs.

The village stop matters because it breaks up the driving. A 1970s buggy is fun, but two and a half hours of continuous manual driving would be tiring, especially on winding roads. The pauses give you time to stretch, cool down, and take in the canyon.

The road itself is part of the attraction. You will be climbing through bends and changing elevations rather than following a flat coastal circuit. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that into account. The open air may help, but the twisting route can still be demanding.

Soria delivers the biggest mountain views

The Province of Soria is listed as another stop, with about 15 minutes for the scenery. This is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who enjoys mountain roads and broad views across the island.

Several accounts describe the climb as a highlight, with spectacular views from higher ground and the fun of driving back down. The route is not presented as an off-road adventure. One German-language account specifically noted that the group did not drive cross-country. You should expect paved roads and mountain bends, not dirt tracks or dune bashing.

That distinction is useful. The word buggy can suggest an off-road vehicle, but this experience is mainly about driving vintage cars on roads through coastal and mountain scenery. The appeal comes from the open cockpit, the manual controls, and the route, not from rough terrain.

The guides also appear to keep an eye on the group’s pace. One account notes that the guides waited when someone fell too far behind. That is reassuring on winding roads, where you may want to concentrate on gear changes instead of racing to catch up.

Still, do not treat this as a race. The roads may be smooth compared with roads in some countries, but the route includes bends and mountain edges. Drive carefully and follow the guide’s instructions.

Passing through Mogán and returning by the sea

The final named stop is Mogán. You cross the village in the buggies, stop to see a windmill, and then head back down toward the seaside. The stop is listed at about 10 minutes.

Mogán gives the route a pleasant change of pace. After the canyon and mountain roads, the village and windmill provide a clear landmark before the descent. The return toward the coast also helps complete the route as a full loop rather than a simple out-and-back drive.

The exact rhythm may vary. Stops are short, and the main focus remains on driving. You should not book this expecting long guided visits at each place. The value is in the combination: a few scenic pauses, a drink stop, mountain roads, and time behind the wheel.

Photos are included at no extra charge, with the excursion pictures available through the company’s Facebook page under 70’sbuggy. That is useful if you want photographs of the experience without handing your phone to someone at every stop. It is still wise to ask how and when the photos will be posted.

What the $169.31 group price really buys

The price is $169.31 per group of up to four people. For four people, that works out to roughly $42 per person, before considering any separate transport arrangements. For two people, the per-person cost is higher, but you still receive a private small-group experience rather than a seat on a large excursion.

The package includes the vintage buggy, private transportation, drinks, taxes and fees, and the excursion photos. Those inclusions make the price reasonable for a group that values the car and wants a guided route without paying separately for each small amenity.

The strongest value comes when all four places are used. A family or group of friends can share one booking, with two people in each buggy when enough vehicles are available. The exact number of usable cars has been raised as a concern in one account, so confirm the vehicle setup if four people in your party all hope to drive.

This is not the cheapest way to see Gran Canaria. A public bus or standard sightseeing tour costs less in many cases. But those options do not give you a manual vintage car, open-air driving, or the same small-group feel.

Manual gearboxes, pickup, and timing

The manual gearbox is the biggest practical issue. The experience is not suitable for a group that expects automatic vehicles. One party discovered on arrival that all the buggies were manual and had to place three people in one buggy because only one person could drive a stick shift.

Ask before booking:

• Are all the intended drivers comfortable with manual transmission?
• How many buggies will be available for your party?
• Can each person who wants to drive do so?
• Is pickup from your hotel, port, or the listed meeting point confirmed?

Pickup is offered, and several outings included help from Philippe or Simon for cruise-port transfers. But there has also been a serious complaint about a port pickup that was later changed, followed by confusion over return transport and a costly taxi. That is not a minor detail if you are visiting Gran Canaria during a cruise stop and must return to the ship on time.

Get the pickup location, time, and return plan in writing before the day of the tour. The stated meeting point is Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, and the activity ends there. Do not assume that a port transfer is included simply because pickup is offered.

The advertised duration is approximately two hours and 30 minutes. Some accounts describe outings closer to three hours or even three and a half hours when transfers and extended stops were included. That may be welcome if you have plenty of time, but cruise passengers should allow a generous buffer.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for a small family, a couple who shares an interest in classic cars, or friends who want something more hands-on than a normal sightseeing ride. It also suits a birthday outing. Several groups used it for birthday celebrations, and the guides made an effort to create a personal occasion.

Children can take part, and one family described enjoying the outing with children aged six and nine. The supplied information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The group limit is four people.

This is also a good fit for anyone who wants mountain scenery without committing to a full hiking day. You get views, village roads, and canyon scenery while seated in the vehicle. The drinks and regular photo stops make it easier for families to enjoy the day at a relaxed pace.

I would think twice if you dislike manual driving, open vehicles, hot sun, or uncertain old-car mechanics. You should also be comfortable with a route that winds through the mountains. This is not a passive ride where you can switch off completely.

How to prepare for a smoother drive

Wear clothes suitable for sun and wind. A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water are sensible, even though bottled water is included. Keep personal belongings secure in the open buggy, and avoid bringing anything that could blow away.

Arrive ready to drive, not just to sit in the passenger seat. If more than one person in your group wants a turn, agree on that before departure and check how the driving time will be shared.

The guides are Philippe and Simon, with Philippe often handling the tour and Simon described as an instructor and guide. Their friendliness and humor are a big part of the experience. You can expect conversation about cars, island life, and the route rather than a formal lecture at every stop.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 101 reviews, with 99 percent recommending the activity. That is a strong record, but it does not erase the practical warnings about manual cars, pickup communication, vehicle availability, and timing. The best way to protect yourself is to confirm those points early.

Should you book the 70s Buggy tour?

Book it if the vintage VW is the reason you are interested. The scenery is excellent, but the old car is what makes this outing different from a normal Gran Canaria mountain tour. You get coastal roads, Arguineguin views, a canyon village, Soria’s mountain scenery, Mogán, drinks, photos, and the chance to drive.

For the best value, fill all four places and make sure at least one or two people can confidently drive a manual vehicle. If you are on a cruise, confirm port pickup and return details directly, then leave plenty of time before sailing.

I would recommend it to flexible, car-loving visitors who want a personal outing with character. I would not choose it for someone seeking automatic controls, exact timing, or a guaranteed trouble-free vehicle. Go in expecting a real vintage machine, not a theme-park prop, and the experience makes much more sense.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Sunset Beach Meloneras Playa, Calle Mar Blanco 6, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point unless another arrangement has been confirmed.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours and 30 minutes. Some outings have taken longer, especially when transfers and extra stops are included.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is four people.

Is the price per person?

No. The listed price of $169.31 is per group of up to four people.

Are the buggies automatic?

No. The buggies are manual, so drivers need to be comfortable using a clutch and manual gearbox.

What drinks are included?

Coffee, tea, soda, and bottled water are included. A fruit juice stop has also been part of an outing.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, and port or hotel transfers may be possible. Confirm the exact pickup and return arrangements before the tour, especially if you are arriving by cruise ship.

What places does the route visit?

The route includes Arguineguin, Cercados de Espinos, the Province of Soria, and Mogán, with coastal and mountain driving between stops.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.