Costa Calma: Buggy Safari

Fast wheels, dusty tracks, big views. This three-hour buggy safari links Costa Calma with Fuerteventura’s rougher west coast, taking you across dirt paths, dry riverbeds, desert hills, and coastal viewpoints. I like the mix of driving and stops, especially Playa de Ugan’s black sand and the view toward Jandia Natural Park from La Pared.

I also like the small-group format, with no more than seven participants and one guide for up to six vehicles. Guides such as Jurjen, Jürgen, Dominique, and other multilingual staff have been praised for clear instructions and friendly help. The main drawback is dust, noise, and rough machinery. You should expect a bumpy ride, and some vehicles have had steering or brake issues.

Key points to know before booking

• Most of the fun happens off road: Expect dirt trails, sandy lanes, dry riverbeds, and plenty of shaking rather than a smooth road trip.
• Playa de Ugan is the dramatic stop: Its black sand and strong Atlantic surf make it a striking photo stop, though beach time may feel brief.
• La Pared brings the best west coast views: You look across the Natural Park of Jandia from one of Fuerteventura’s well-known surf areas.
• Dust protection matters: Bring sunglasses, a scarf or face covering, and old dark clothes. The last buggy in line may get the most dust.
• You need the original driving license: A photo or digital copy is not enough, and only adults aged 18 or over may drive.
• The price can work well for two people: The listed rate is $117 per group up to one, so confirm the exact passenger and vehicle terms before paying.

From Costa Calma to Fuerteventura’s rougher side

Costa Calma is known for broad beaches and easy resort days. This excursion gives you a very different view of southern Fuerteventura. Instead of staying beside the main coastal road, you head inland and west through dry country where the appeal is space, silence, and rough tracks.

The route combines some normal road driving with mainly off-road sections. That mix matters. You get time to settle into the buggy and follow the guide safely, but the sandy and rocky paths provide the real excitement. Several people found the buggies thrilling because their low position makes even moderate speeds feel fast.

The experience lasts three hours, including stops. That is long enough to see several parts of the area without turning the day into an exhausting full-day outing. It is also short enough to fit around a beach afternoon or another Costa Calma plan.

You ride in a small convoy, with one guide responsible for up to six vehicles. The advertised group limit is seven participants. A compact group makes it easier for the guide to watch each driver, answer questions, and stop the convoy when someone needs help.

Picking up the buggy and learning the basics

Pickup is available from accommodation in Costa Calma. It is optional, but useful if you do not have a car. The transfer has generally been punctual, and the return to the accommodation is included when pickup is arranged.

Before setting off, you receive a safety briefing. The instruction can be given in English, German, Italian, or Spanish. This is especially helpful if you have never driven a buggy or have not driven abroad before.

You must be at least 18 and bring your original driving license. A picture of the license on your phone does not meet the requirement. Children may ride only with an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Each buggy comes with a helmet. Insurance covers the driver, passenger, third party, accident, and rescue, with taxes and handling charges included. Food and drinks are not included, so take a little cash for the café stop.

The driving is not technical in the way a serious motorsport course would be technical, but it is physical. The surface can be bumpy, and the convoy moves over changing terrain. You need to listen to the guide, keep a safe distance, and feel comfortable controlling a vehicle.

Dirt tracks, dry riverbeds, and desert hills

The first major part of the route takes you away from the resort through dry hills and rough paths. The scenery is stark rather than lush, with open ground, pale earth, and wide views. This is the side of Fuerteventura that you miss if you stay on the main road.

The off-road sections are the heart of the trip. You may cross sandy lanes, stony tracks, and dry riverbeds while following the lead vehicle. The buggies make the route more engaging than a standard sightseeing transfer because you are handling the turns and bumps yourself.

Expect dust to hang in the air, particularly if you are near the back of the convoy. Sunglasses are essential for keeping grit out of your eyes. A scarf, balaclava, or other face covering helps protect your nose and mouth. Several people found that ordinary sunglasses were not always enough, especially on the dustiest stretches, so ski goggles or protective goggles may be useful.

Wear old, preferably dark clothing. The dirt is part of the fun, but it can settle on your shirt, trousers, shoes, and face. Closed shoes make more sense than sandals, although the supplied information does not specify a footwear rule.

The buggies have been described as comfortable enough off road, but not polished machines. Some are rough and ready, and one person reported a vehicle problem that caused about an hour’s wait for a replacement. Another noted steering play and weak brakes on the road sections, while a different comment mentioned a missing brake light on a vehicle ahead.

These reports do not cancel out the strong safety feedback, but they are worth taking seriously. You should book this as an active, dusty outing, not as a luxury vehicle tour. If the condition of the buggy matters greatly to you, ask the operator about the current fleet before booking.

Playa de Ugan and the black sand coast

One of the most memorable stops is Playa de Ugan. The beach is known for black sand and powerful waves, giving you a strong change from the pale beaches around Costa Calma.

The surf can look wild, which is part of the appeal. This is a place for photographs and coastal views, not a promise of calm swimming. The stop also gives you a break from the engine noise and bumpy tracks.

Time at the beach may feel short. One person would have preferred a longer stay, and that is a fair point if you want to walk along the shore or sit by the water. The tour has several destinations to cover, so the schedule keeps you moving.

The stop works best if you treat it as a scenic pause rather than a beach excursion. Bring your camera, but protect it from dust. You may want to keep it in a small sealed bag between stops.

A simple café stop with a local feel

The route includes a stop at a small local bar where you can buy a coffee or drink. Food and drink are not included, so bring a few euros. Two coffees have cost as little as a couple of euros, though prices can change.

The café is a practical pause rather than a major sightseeing attraction. It gives you a chance to sit down, remove some dust, and talk with the guide. It also adds a more local moment to an otherwise activity-focused tour.

Cash is important here. One person specifically noted that the café accepts cash only. Do not assume that a card or phone payment will work.

La Pared and the Jandia Natural Park view

The convoy then follows dirt paths toward La Pared, a west coast area associated with surfing. The route gives you another change of scenery, moving between inland tracks and open coastal views.

From La Pared, you can look toward the Natural Park of Jandia. This is one of the best points for understanding the scale of southern Fuerteventura. The view is broad and exposed, with the sort of open horizon that makes the island feel far larger than the resort map suggests.

The guide adds value here. Staff members have been praised for explaining the places along the route, answering questions, and stopping to make sure everyone gets photographs. Guides including Jurjen and Jürgen have been singled out for being funny, patient, and attentive, while Dominique has also received warm praise.

The convoy does not simply race from one photo stop to the next. The pace is generally relaxed, with time to look around. Still, you should not expect long walks or a detailed nature presentation. This is a driving trip with sightseeing built in.

Playa Sotavento and the return to Costa Calma

The final photo opportunity is at Playa Sotavento, one of the best-known beaches near Costa Calma. The return route brings you back toward the resort after crossing a large slice of the area.

Sotavento provides a fitting contrast with Playa de Ugan. Instead of black sand and heavy west coast surf, you get the familiar bright beach setting associated with the island’s southeastern shore. The stop is useful for photos and gives you one last look at the coast before returning.

The exact amount of time at each stop can vary with weather, convoy pace, and vehicle conditions. That flexibility is normal on a guided outdoor activity, but it means you should not plan another booking immediately afterward.

What the $117 price means in practice

The listed price is $117 per group up to one, which is an unusual way to display the cost. Confirm whether the booking covers one vehicle, one driver, or a particular passenger arrangement before you commit. The supplied information also includes a recent example of two adults booking for £111, so pricing and group rules may vary by date or booking option.

The value is strongest if you share the buggy and split the cost. You are paying for three hours of guided driving, a helmet, insurance, pickup or drop-off in Costa Calma, the guide, and several scenic stops. You also get access to dirt routes that would be awkward to reach without your own vehicle.

It is less appealing if you mainly want a quiet scenic tour. You will spend much of the time seated in a noisy, vibrating buggy, and the dust can become tiring. You also pay for the driving experience rather than for a long stay at any one beach.

The high overall rating of 4.8 from 699 reviews fits the pattern of the experience: the guide, scenery, organization, and off-road fun receive the strongest praise. The lower scores focus on vehicle condition, dust, road sections, and limited time at certain stops. That is a useful way to judge the value. You are buying adventure and access, not comfort.

Who will enjoy this Costa Calma outing

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy driving, outdoor activity, and a little mess. It suits couples, friends, and families with an adult driver who want to see more of southern Fuerteventura without spending a full day on a coach.

It also works for nervous first-time drivers if you take the briefing seriously and tell the guide that you need extra reassurance. One solo driver who had never driven abroad felt watched and supported throughout the route. The small group and guide-led format help here.

You may want to skip it if you are pregnant, uncomfortable with bumpy motion, or looking for a polished vehicle and quiet sightseeing. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women, and moderate walking is involved.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not explain how much assistance is available for transferring into the buggy. If this affects you, contact the operator before booking and confirm the arrangements.

Weather can also change the plan. The excursion runs only in favorable conditions. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

My practical packing list

Bring your original driving license, not a photograph. Add sunglasses, a scarf or face covering, and clothing you do not mind covering in dust.

A light jacket is wise, even when the day begins warm. One person found the breeze surprisingly cold in a T-shirt, particularly during the moving sections. Keep a few euros in cash for the café.

I would also take water, although drinks are not included, and a small bag for your phone and camera. If you wear prescription glasses, ask about goggles that fit over them or bring suitable eye protection. Dust can make it hard to see, especially when following another buggy.

Should you book the buggy safari?

Book it if you want a lively three hours of driving, rough tracks, coastal views, and plenty of dust. The best parts are the off-road sections, the dramatic stop at Playa de Ugan, the La Pared viewpoint, and the friendly guide service.

Do not book it expecting spotless clothes, silent roads, or showroom-condition vehicles. Confirm the price structure, bring proper eye and face protection, and leave room in your schedule in case a vehicle problem or weather change slows the return.

For an active visitor based in Costa Calma, this is a good way to see the island beyond the resort. For a beach purist or anyone seeking comfort, a quieter sightseeing trip will be a better match.

FAQ

How long does the Costa Calma buggy safari last?

The tour lasts three hours, including driving and scenic stops.

Where does the buggy safari take place?

It begins in or near Costa Calma and travels across dirt tracks, dry riverbeds, desert hills, Playa de Ugan, La Pared, and Playa Sotavento.

Is pickup from my accommodation included?

Pickup or drop-off at accommodation in Costa Calma is included as an option. Confirm the pickup details when booking.

What driving license do I need?

You must bring your original driving license. A photograph or digital copy is not accepted.

How old do I need to be to drive?

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a driving license to drive the buggy.

Are children allowed to join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included, so bring cash for the small café stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.