Costa Calma: Buggy Safari

Costa Calma’s buggy safari trades the resort for dusty tracks, dry riverbeds, and open desert hills. You drive west toward Playa de Ugan and La Pared, then return to the broad sands of Playa Sotavento. It is part scenic outing, part loud, bumpy amusement ride.

I like the slow pace and the useful route: you see both coasts and get several photo stops instead of spending three hours behind a wheel with nowhere to pause. I also like the guides, especially Jurjen and Dominique, who explain the route, keep an eye on nervous drivers, and make the safety briefing clear.

The main catch is dust. You need sunglasses and something over your mouth, and your clothes will not stay clean. Some buggies also feel rough and ready, with limited brakes or steering play reported on road sections, so this suits you best if you want a rugged ride rather than a polished motor tour.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours from Costa Calma: Ride a mix of paved roads and mainly dirt tracks, with pickup and drop-off available at your accommodation.
• Black sand at Playa de Ugan: Stop beside a dramatic beach known for dark sand and powerful waves.
• La Pared viewpoints: Look across the west coast toward the Natural Park of Jandia.
• Dust is part of the deal: Bring sunglasses, a scarf or balaclava, and old, preferably dark clothing.
• Small guided convoy: Groups are limited to seven participants, with one guide for up to six vehicles.
• Good value for drivers: The listed price is $117 per group up to one person, with insurance, helmets, taxes, and optional pickup included.

Leaving Costa Calma for the dirt tracks

The tour begins with pickup at your Costa Calma accommodation if you choose that option. The transfers have generally been punctual, and the return ride is included as well, which matters because you will be dusty, tired, and in no mood to hunt for transport afterward.

Before setting off, you receive a safety briefing in several languages. The guides speak English, German, Italian, and Spanish, and the small group format gives them a fair chance to watch each driver. That is useful if you have never driven a buggy before or feel unsure about driving abroad.

You must be at least 18 to drive and must bring your original driving license. A photograph of the license is not enough. Children can come only with an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

The opening section includes some ordinary road riding before the route turns onto dirt lanes. That road time is not the most exciting part, but it lets you get used to the buggy and follow the convoy out of Costa Calma. The reward comes when the tires hit sand and rougher ground.

What the buggy ride feels like

These are not quiet sightseeing vehicles. Expect engine noise, vibration, bumps, and dust thrown up by the buggy ahead. One useful detail from the ride reports is that the low driving position can make the buggy feel faster than it really is, especially across uneven tracks.

The off-road sections are the reason to book. You pass between dry riverbeds and bare hills, following routes that show a quieter side of Fuerteventura than the resort roads do. The scenery is wide and spare, with little visual clutter. You get a strong sense of the island’s dry western interior.

The surface changes often. Some stretches are sandy and fairly gentle, while others are bumpy enough to rattle your arms and shoulders. This is fun if you enjoy driving and do not mind getting shaken around. It may be less appealing if you want a calm ride or have back problems.

Guides such as Jurjen have been praised for staying close to the group and checking that drivers are comfortable. That support is especially helpful for first-time buggy drivers. You are not simply handed keys and sent off alone. The guide leads the route and stops when the group needs to regroup.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. The buggies are described as comfortable enough off road but less impressive on paved roads. One vehicle was reported to have limited brakes and steering play, and another broke down when its accelerator stopped working, causing about an hour’s delay. These incidents appear to be exceptions, but they explain why this is best viewed as a rugged adventure, not a luxury vehicle tour.

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 coast. The dark sand gives the shore a different character from the pale beaches around Costa Calma, and the waves here are known for their size and force.

You will have time to stop, look around, and take photographs, though one useful criticism is that a longer beach break would be welcome. The tour has several locations to cover, so the stops are designed as short scenic pauses rather than extended beach visits.

The sea can look dramatic here, but do not treat the stop as a swimming break. The description focuses on the black sand and monster waves, not on safe bathing. Bring your camera, but protect it from dust while you are driving.

This is also where the route feels most different from a standard beach excursion. You are not arriving by coach, walking to a viewpoint, and leaving again. You reach the coast after crossing dirt tracks, so the beach becomes part of a larger east-to-west journey.

The local café stop

The small bar stop is modest, and that is part of its appeal. You can buy a drink or coffee, take a short rest, and chat with the guide before getting back into the buggy.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring a few euros in cash, since the café has been noted as cash only. Two coffees have cost as little as two or three euros, but prices can change, so carry enough for your own purchase.

Do not expect a long meal or a tourist attraction. This is a practical pause in a local place. It breaks up the drive, gives you a chance to remove some dust from your face, and provides a little contact with everyday island life.

La Pared and the west-coast view

The route continues along dirt paths toward La Pared, a west-coast area known for surfing. The name means the wall, fitting the rough coastal setting and the sense of a natural boundary between the island’s east and west sides.

The stop is mainly about the view. From here, you can look across the Natural Park of Jandia and take in the broad, empty scenery. This is a good place to let the engine noise fade for a few minutes and appreciate how much open ground you have crossed.

The guides add value at stops like this. Jurjen and Dominique have been singled out for being friendly, funny, and informative, while other guides have helped nervous drivers build confidence. Ask questions if you want context about the places you pass. The tour is more rewarding when you treat it as a guided outing, not just a vehicle rental.

La Pared is also a useful balance to Playa de Ugan. The beach gives you waves and dark sand, while La Pared gives you height, distance, and a wider view toward Jandia. Together, the stops make the route feel varied.

Returning through Playa Sotavento

The final stretch returns you toward Costa Calma and includes Playa Sotavento. This beach is famous for its long, pale shoreline and open views, a sharp visual contrast with Playa de Ugan’s dark sand.

It is a strong final photo stop. You can step away from the buggy, take pictures, and see one of the area’s most recognizable stretches of coast before returning to town.

The tour’s best feature is the mix of places. In three hours, you experience resort roads, dry inland tracks, the rough west coast, a surf area, and a major beach on the southeast side. You will not have a long visit at every place, but you get a broad sample of the area without spending a full day on a bus.

Dust, clothing, and what to bring

Take the dust advice seriously. Sunglasses help, but several riders found that ordinary sunglasses alone were not enough, especially when following the last buggy in the line. A scarf, neck covering, balaclava, or ski-style goggles can make the ride much more comfortable.

The most useful packing list is:

• Original driving license
• Sunglasses or protective goggles
• Scarf, balaclava, or another face covering
• Old clothing, preferably in dark colors
• A light jacket
• A few euros for the café

A light jacket is worth carrying even on a warm day. The wind can feel sharp once you are moving, particularly on the west coast. Old shoes are sensible too, since the ride is dirty and dusty.

Keep valuable electronics protected. Dust gets into small spaces quickly, and you may want your phone ready for photographs at the stops rather than exposed during the ride.

Price, insurance, and what you receive

The listed price is $117 per group up to one person. The exact total may depend on how your booking is structured, so check the final price before paying. Compared with a short vehicle rental, the value comes from the guide, planned route, safety briefing, insurance, and transfers.

The package includes the helmet, insurance for the driver and passenger, third-party cover, accident and rescue cover, taxes, fees, and handling charges. Food and drinks are extra, but the café stop is inexpensive enough if you carry cash.

For someone who wants to see the area without planning a route, this is a fair package. You are paying for access to the tracks, a guide who knows the stops, and a compact trip that covers both east and west coast scenery. If you mainly want a pristine, highly maintained buggy and a long beach stay, the value will feel weaker.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour depends on suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who should book this Costa Calma safari

I would choose this for an adult who enjoys driving, wants active sightseeing, and does not mind dust or noise. It also works well for couples, friends, and families with older children riding with an adult.

You do not need to be an expert driver. The briefing is clear, and guides have helped people who felt nervous at the start. The key is to listen carefully, keep a safe distance, and accept that the ride may be bumpy.

I would not recommend it during pregnancy. You should also think twice if you dislike rough roads, have an injury that makes jolting uncomfortable, or want a quiet beach excursion.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though a moderate amount of walking is involved. Contact the operator before booking if you need to confirm how the vehicle, transfers, and stops will work for your particular needs.

The small-group advantage

With a maximum of seven participants and a guide assigned to a small convoy, the tour feels more personal than a large coach outing. The guide can stop to regroup, answer questions, and notice if someone is struggling with the vehicle.

That does not mean every moment is private. You still follow the group and must match the convoy’s pace. If one buggy has a problem, everyone may need to wait, as happened during one reported breakdown.

The small group is still valuable for safety and confidence. You are less likely to feel lost, and the guide can help with parking, route changes, and basic driving concerns. It also gives you a better chance of getting photos at each stop.

Final verdict: book it if dust sounds like fun

I would book the Costa Calma Buggy Safari if I wanted three active hours, strong coastal views, and a way to reach parts of southern Fuerteventura that are awkward to see from a normal car. Playa de Ugan, La Pared, and Playa Sotavento give the route real variety, while the guides add reassurance for first-time drivers.

Book with the right clothing, face protection, and a little patience for old-fashioned machinery. If you expect a smooth, quiet, polished ride, choose another outing. If you want a dirty, noisy, good-natured drive through the island’s rougher corners, this is a well-priced choice with plenty of scenery packed into three hours.

FAQ

How long does the Costa Calma Buggy Safari last?

The safari lasts three hours, including the driving sections and stops at places such as Playa de Ugan, La Pared, and Playa Sotavento.

Where does the buggy safari take place?

It takes place in and around Costa Calma in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. The route includes dirt tracks, dry riverbeds, desert hills, the west coast, La Pared, and Playa Sotavento.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at accommodation in Costa Calma are available as an option.

Do I need a driving license?

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

What languages do the guides speak?

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

Are helmets and insurance included?

Yes. Helmets are included, along with insurance covering the driver, passenger, third party, accident, and rescue.

What should I bring?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The person driving the buggy must be at least 18 and hold an original driving license.