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We didn’t overthink Lanzarote.
It was one of those cruise ports where we wanted to do something, but not commit the entire day to one structured excursion. The buggy tour felt like a good middle ground. Active, a little different, and short enough that we’d still have time to explore after.
It looked fun. It also looked like one of those things that could either be a highlight or just… fine. It ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
It Starts Calm… Then They Hand You Gear
The starting point didn’t feel intense at all. Blue water behind us. Quiet coastal area. Pretty relaxed.
Then they handed out goggles and these poncho-style covers. That’s when it clicked that this probably wasn’t going to stay clean.
Within Minutes, You’re In It
The first stretch off-road makes everything very clear.
You’re not just driving. You’re following a line of buggies through open terrain, and every turn kicks up dust into the air. It becomes part of the experience almost immediately.
The goggles help. The ponchos help. And if you bring a face covering like we did, even better.
It was windy all day too. Not overwhelming, just constant. Enough that you always felt like you were out in it, not just passing through.
You settle into it pretty quickly.
Transcript
Buggy driving through dirt roads in Lanzarote as dust kicks up into the air. Ocean in the background. No spoken words, just vehicle noises and wind.
It Quietly Turns Into a Photoshoot
This was something we didn’t expect at all. The lead guide wasn’t just leading. He was constantly moving around between buggies, getting ahead of the group, dropping back, and taking photos the entire time.
At first, it felt random. Then it just kept going. By the end, it felt like the whole experience had been documented without us even thinking about it.
They offered a flash drive afterward with close to 200 photos from the tour. Action shots, group photos, moments we wouldn’t have captured ourselves. It was about $20. We bought it without even thinking twice. One of those decisions that just makes sense.
The Moment That Stuck With Me
At some point, the terrain opens up and you start climbing. And then suddenly, you’re at the top.
This was the moment I didn’t see coming. You can see everything. The coastline, the white towns, the volcanic landscape stretching out in every direction.
And it really is volcanic.
Lanzarote has over 100 volcanoes, and much of the island was reshaped by eruptions in the 1700s. A lot of what you’re looking at feels similar to what you’d see in Timanfaya National Park, just without the crowds or structure around it. Once you know that, the landscape starts to make a lot more sense.
But what I remember most are the clouds. They weren’t above us. They were moving at the same level. Sometimes even below us. Just drifting across the landscape while we stood there taking it in.
It’s hard to explain, and it doesn’t really translate in photos. But it sticks.
The Fennel Stop (That Ended Up Meaning More Than Expected)
We pulled over in what felt like the middle of nowhere.
No sign. No setup. Just a stop along the route. The guide started picking wild fennel and passing it around. Most people passed. I tried it. It tasted fresh, slightly sweet, with that licorice or anise flavor you either like or don’t. Not something I expected from a buggy tour.
Later on, I realized fennel actually grows all over Lanzarote and shows up in local cooking. So what felt random in the moment was more connected to the island than I thought. At the same time, this isn’t something I’d go trying on your own. There are plants that look similar, like hemlock, and unless you really know what you’re looking at, it’s not worth guessing.
Still one of those small moments that stuck more than I expected.
The Drive Keeps Changing
As the route shifts between off-road paths and paved roads, the experience keeps evolving.
Open terrain. Winding roads. Wide views across the island. The wind picks up more on the paved sections, but by that point it just feels like part of it.
Nothing about it feels repetitive. There’s always something different around the next turn.
Ending in Costa Teguise
One thing we didn’t fully think through, but ended up really liking, was how the tour wrapped up.
They picked us up right from the cruise port in Arrecife. At the end, they gave us a choice. Head back to the ship, or stay in Costa Teguise. We stayed. And it worked out perfectly.
After a few hours of dust, wind, and bouncing around, Costa Teguise felt like a reset. Palm-lined streets, shops, places to sit down and just slow things back down.
We ended up at a British-style pub, which felt unexpected at first. But it makes sense once you’re there.
The Canary Islands have a strong UK tourism presence, so you’ll see English menus, pubs, and familiar spots throughout towns like this. It gives the area a different kind of energy compared to the more rugged parts of the island.
Getting Back to the Ship
Getting back to the cruise port was easy. The tour company gave us a card with a number to call a taxi, which made everything simple.
There’s no Uber or Lyft on Lanzarote, but taxis are easy to find. The ride back to the port took about 10 minutes and cost around 10 to 15 euros.
Quick and straightforward.
What I’d Tell You Before You Book This
This is one of those experiences where you’re part of it the whole time. You’re driving. Taking in the landscape. Moving through parts of the island you wouldn’t see otherwise.
A few things that made it even better for us:
- Bringing a face covering
- Wearing clothes we didn’t care about
- Getting the photo package
Also worth knowing:
- Goggles and ponchos are included
- It fits really well into a half-day port stop
- We booked independently and everything ran smoothly.
Here’s the exact tour we booked this tour through Get Your Guide:
Final Thoughts
This ended up being one of those days that sticks. Not because it was over the top or perfectly planned. Just because of how it all came together.
The drive. The views. That moment at the top with the clouds moving around us. The random stop for fennel. And somehow ending up with hundreds of photos we didn’t even realize were being taken.
Lori turned one of our favorite shots into a magnet, and it’s been sitting on our fridge ever since. That probably says it better than anything else.