Costa Calma: Buggy Safari

Costa Calma’s buggy safari is less a polished amusement ride than a dusty, bumpy route across Fuerteventura’s open country. You drive from the east coast toward the wild west, crossing dirt tracks, dry riverbeds, and desert hills before returning for photos at Playa Sotavento.

I like the mix of driving and stops, especially the black sand and surf at Playa de Ugan and the broad view toward the Jandia Natural Park from La Pared. I also like the small scale: one guide leads up to six vehicles, so guides such as Jurjen and Dominique can keep an eye on the group. The trade-off is real dust, noise, and rough equipment, with some road sections where older buggies may feel less sure-footed.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours behind the wheel: Expect a genuine mix of paved roads and off-road tracks, not a short spin around a purpose-built course.
• Playa de Ugan: Stop at a black sand beach known for powerful surf and a rugged west-coast feel.
• La Pared views: Look across toward the Natural Park of Jandia from one of the tour’s best viewpoints.
• Small-group guiding: A guide generally leads no more than six vehicles, with a maximum group size of seven participants.
• Dust is part of the deal: Sunglasses, a scarf or face covering, and older dark clothing will make the ride much more comfortable.
• Simple local coffee stop: Carry a few euros, since the small café stop accepts cash and food or drinks are not included.

What the three-hour route is really like

This is an active sightseeing trip with a motor attached. You are not simply sitting in a vehicle while someone else takes you around. If you drive, you need to be at least 18 and bring your original driving license. A photograph or phone copy is not accepted.

The route begins in Costa Calma, with optional pickup from your accommodation. The transfer is a useful touch, especially if you are not hiring a car, and pickup has generally been punctual. Once everyone is together, expect a safety briefing and driving instructions in the group’s available languages: English, German, Italian, or Spanish.

The exact balance between road and dirt track can vary. Most of the route is described as off-road, but you should expect some paved-road driving as the group moves between sections. One person found the road portions less comfortable because of steering play and limited braking on a buggy. That is worth keeping in mind if you want a tightly controlled, high-performance vehicle.

The off-road sections are the main event. You follow sandy lanes and rough tracks between low desert hills and dry riverbeds. The ride can feel faster than the speed itself because you sit low, close to the ground, and the surface keeps the buggy moving and rattling. That makes the trip exciting, but it also means you will feel bumps through the seat and arms.

From Costa Calma into Fuerteventura’s dry country

Costa Calma is a useful starting point because the tour quickly leaves the resort setting behind. The scenery changes from hotel areas and paved roads to open, bare country shaped by wind, sun, and very little rainfall.

The dry riverbeds are not dramatic canyons, but they give the route a rough natural texture. You move through broad, open spaces rather than following a carefully landscaped tourist route. This is one reason the buggy works well here: you can cover ground across places that would be awkward to reach on foot.

I like this part for the sense of getting beyond the usual beach circuit. You still see the island’s famous dry terrain, but from the driver’s seat rather than through a coach window. Keep your attention on the track, though. The surface can be uneven, and the person in front of you will throw dust backward.

That dust is the most repeated practical warning attached to this tour. Sunglasses help, but several riders found that ordinary sunglasses were not enough once the group picked up speed. A scarf, buff, balaclava, ski goggles, or another face covering is useful. If you wear glasses, consider eye protection that fits over them.

Wear old clothing, preferably in a darker color. The ride is supposed to be dirty, and pale tops may come home with a fine coat of Fuerteventura. You may be able to buy sunglasses or a scarf locally, but it is easier to arrive prepared.

Playa de Ugan and the black-sand coast

One of the most memorable stops is Playa de Ugan, a black sand beach on the west side of the island. Its dark shore and powerful waves give it a very different mood from the long, pale beaches around Costa Calma.

The stop lets you get out, take photographs, and enjoy a change from the engine noise. The west coast is exposed, and the surf can look forceful even when the beach itself is quiet. You should follow the guide’s instructions around the water and allow time for the group to gather before moving on.

There is a small limitation here: the time at each stop is shared with the driving schedule. One rider felt that a longer beach break would have been better. That is fair, especially if you want to sit by the sea or take a slow walk. This tour gives you a taste of several places rather than a long stay at any one of them.

The beach is valuable because it shows you a side of Fuerteventura that can be missed if you stay on the east coast. Costa Calma is built around easy beach time. Playa de Ugan feels more exposed and untamed, with surf and dark sand replacing calm swimming water.

La Pared and the Jandia Natural Park view

The route continues toward La Pared, a west-coast area known for surfing. The name is associated with the old wall that once divided parts of the island, but the key reason for stopping here on this trip is the view and the setting.

From La Pared, you look toward the Natural Park of Jandia. This is one of the tour’s best points for photographs because the high ground gives you a wider sense of the southern peninsula. The view is not framed like a formal lookout. That is part of its appeal. You are stopping along a rough route, with the open country spreading out around you.

The guide is an important part of this section. A good leader keeps the group together, explains the places you are seeing, and checks that less confident drivers are managing the route. Jurjen is repeatedly singled out for being friendly, patient, and attentive, while Dominique is also praised for clear guidance and a good sense of humor. The experience can vary with the day’s guide, but the small group setup gives the leader room to help.

If you are nervous about driving abroad, say so before setting off. One participant who had never driven abroad felt reassured because the guide kept watch throughout the route. Another was initially afraid to drive and was given time to try under supervision. That does not turn the buggy into a beginner driving school, but it shows why speaking up early matters.

The café stop: simple, local, and cash only

The route includes a stop at a small local bar where you can buy a coffee or another drink. Food and drinks are not included in the price, so bring a few euros. Two coffees have cost as little as two or three euros, but prices and availability can change.

This is not a major meal break or a stylish café visit. Think of it as a short pause to sit down, cool off, and chat with the group. It breaks up the driving and gives you a chance to remove some dust before heading back out.

Bring cash rather than relying on a card. That small detail has caught people out. You may also want water for the full three hours, although the supplied information does not specify that drinks are provided. The tour price includes the guide, helmet, insurance, taxes, and handling charges, but not refreshments.

Returning through the dirt tracks to Playa Sotavento

After La Pared and the café stop, the route heads back toward Costa Calma. The return is not simply a direct transfer. You continue through a mix of off-road tracks and paved sections, then finish with a stop at Playa Sotavento for photographs.

Playa Sotavento is one of the south’s best-known stretches of sand, and the final stop gives you a calmer contrast to the rough west coast. It also works well as a last photo opportunity before returning to the resort.

The itinerary has a good rhythm: drive, stop, look around, drive again. You are unlikely to feel rushed from one landmark to the next, although the exact amount of time at each point depends on the group and road conditions. The pace has been described as laid back, which suits people who want scenery and conversation as well as engine noise.

Do not expect a full island tour. Three hours is enough to see a strong slice of southern Fuerteventura, but not enough to visit every beach or viewpoint. The value comes from combining access, driving, and a guide’s route knowledge in one half-day activity.

Buggies, safety, and comfort

The buggies are described as fun and comfortable on dirt tracks, but not every vehicle will feel new. Some riders found them rough and ready, and one vehicle reportedly had a faulty brake light. Another buggy broke down when its accelerator stopped working, causing about an hour’s delay while a replacement arrived.

Those incidents appear to be exceptions rather than the normal pattern, but they are relevant when you decide what kind of excursion you want. If you need a spotless, modern vehicle and a perfectly smooth schedule, this may not be the right choice. If you accept an older, noisy machine as part of a more rugged outing, the character of the buggies makes more sense.

Insurance is included for the driver, passenger, third party, accident, and rescue. You still need to follow the safety briefing and remain with the group. Helmets are provided. The guide leads the vehicles and monitors the group, but you are responsible for driving carefully and listening to instructions.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. Unaccompanied minors cannot take part, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wheelchair access is listed, but a moderate amount of walking is involved, so it is sensible to confirm your needs before booking.

Who will get the most from this buggy safari

I would choose this trip if you enjoy driving, want more than a resort beach, and do not mind getting dusty. It suits couples, friends, solo adults, and families with older children who meet the age and supervision rules.

It is also a good option for a first off-road activity if you are cautious but willing to try. The guide gives instructions, groups are small, and the route includes plenty of scenic stops rather than three straight hours of rough driving.

You may want to skip it if you are pregnant, dislike bumpy roads, or want a quiet sightseeing tour. The buggy is loud, the ride can be jarring, and dust can make it hard to see if you are at the back of the group. A light jacket is useful too, since the breeze can feel cool even in sunny weather.

The route is not designed for serious off-road racers. It is a guided sightseeing ride with enough rough ground to make it exciting. That balance is why it works for many people, but it also means experienced drivers may want more technical terrain.

Is the $117 price good value?

The listed price is $117 per group up to one person, so check the booking screen carefully to see how the total changes for two people sharing a buggy. The supplied booking information and individual prices may not present the cost in exactly the same way, so confirm whether you are paying per driver, per vehicle, or per group before you commit.

For the right person, the price is reasonable because it covers three hours, the guide, helmet, insurance, and optional Costa Calma pickup or drop-off. You are also paying for access to a route that links the east and west coasts without needing to arrange your own rental car.

The value is weaker if you mainly want beach time. You could spend the same hours walking or relaxing for less money. This is an activity purchase, not simply transport between viewpoints. The best return comes when you want to drive and see several different settings in one outing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour can be canceled in poor weather, with an alternative date or full refund offered. That matters on an activity where wind and rain can affect both comfort and safety.

What to pack for a cleaner, happier ride

Bring your original driving license if you intend to drive. A picture on your phone is not accepted.

I would pack:

• Sunglasses or protective goggles
• A scarf, buff, or face covering
• Old, dark clothing
• Closed, practical footwear
• A light jacket
• A few euros for the café
• Water and sunscreen

The face covering is not a style choice. It helps keep dust out of your mouth and nose, particularly if you are following another buggy. Goggles that fit over prescription glasses are worth considering if your eyes are sensitive.

You do not need to bring a helmet, since one is supplied. Food and drinks are not included, so plan around the café stop rather than expecting a meal.

Should you book the Costa Calma Buggy Safari?

Book it if you want three hours of active sightseeing, enjoy being behind the wheel, and like the idea of crossing Fuerteventura on dirt tracks rather than staying on paved roads. The black sand at Playa de Ugan, the La Pared viewpoint, and the final stop at Playa Sotavento give the route more variety than a simple buggy circuit.

I would be more cautious if your priority is comfort, modern vehicles, or long stops at the beach. The buggies can be rough, road sections may feel less polished, and dust is unavoidable. Still, with a face covering, sunglasses, a few euros, and the right expectations, this is a strong way to see the south of Fuerteventura from a more active angle.

FAQ

How long does the Costa Calma Buggy Safari last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the driving route and stops at places such as Playa de Ugan, La Pared, the local bar, and Playa Sotavento.

Do I need a driving license to drive the buggy?

Yes. You must be at least 18 and bring your original driving license. A photograph or phone image of the license is not accepted.

Is pickup available in Costa Calma?

Yes. Pickup or drop-off at your accommodation in Costa Calma is included as an option.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in English, German, Italian, and Spanish. Guides named in the supplied information include Jurjen and Dominique.

Are helmets and insurance included?

Yes. A helmet and insurance covering the driver, passenger, third party, accident, and rescue are included.

What should I bring to the tour?

Bring your original driving license, sunglasses, and something to cover your face against dust. Old clothing, a light jacket, and a few euros for the café stop are also useful.