Can You Take a Buggy on a Plane? What Happens When Engines Cut

Meeting point and departure from Costa Teguise

Your three-hour buggy adventure begins at Costa Teguise, where you'll meet your guide and fellow riders. Depending on your selected option, hotel pickup may be arranged from nearby addresses, delivering you directly to the departure point. On arrival, staff will issue your windbreaker and goggles - essential protection against dust and wind during the off-road drive ahead. Take this moment to ask your guide about the route, water availability, and any concerns about phone or camera use while riding. The convoy typically departs within 15 minutes of your arrival, so plan to arrive 10 minutes early to complete the brief orientation and adjust your gear.

Before the buggies roll out, secure any bags or valuables in the designated storage area at the base. Open buggies offer limited space, and items can shift or fall during rough terrain, so traveling light is wise. Your guide will point out where to stow essentials like sunscreen, a light jacket, or a small crossbody bag if you choose to bring one. Once everyone is settled and safety briefings are complete, the convoy heads north toward the volcanic landscape that makes this tour unforgettable.

The drive to Peñas del Chache and first terrain

The initial phase of your ride covers approximately one hour of off-road driving toward Peñas del Chache, the island's tallest peak. Your buggy will navigate volcanic terrain, rocky paths, and natural ridges, giving you a genuine sense of Lanzarote's rugged interior. The guide leads the way, setting a pace suitable for all skill levels - buggies are stable vehicles, and the ride is thrilling rather than perilous. During this first stretch, there are no scheduled stops, so if you've brought water, keep it secure and drink sparingly before the first halt. The landscape shifts gradually, with sparse vegetation and darkened lava fields creating the dramatic volcanic scenery Lanzarote is famous for.

Phone use and camera work are possible during slower sections, but holding devices while the buggy is moving is impractical and unsafe. GoPro cameras mounted on helmets or the buggy frame work better than handheld photography during transit. Your guide will warn you about upcoming bumpy patches where photography must wait. If you're hoping to capture action shots of the convoy or your fellow riders in motion, a mounted camera or waiting for a stop is the safer approach. By the end of this first hour, you'll have seen dramatic volcanic ridges and distant views across northern Lanzarote.

Helmet break at a northern Lanzarote viewpoint, cameras ready

Viewpoint stop at Peñas del Chache

After approximately one hour of driving, the convoy halts at Peñas del Chache for the tour's main viewpoint stop, lasting roughly 20 to 25 minutes. This is the moment to dismount, stretch, and take in 360-degree views across the island. On clear days, you can see the entire northern coastline, neighboring islands on the horizon, and the vast volcanic plateau stretching beneath you. This stop is prime photography time - bring your phone or camera here and capture the expansive landscape that makes the effort worthwhile. Your guide is happy to take group photos if asked and can point out geographic landmarks and explain the volcanic geology beneath your feet.

Facilities at the viewpoint itself are limited; this is an open, exposed location with no buildings, shade, or restrooms nearby. The 20-minute halt is long enough to photograph, rest, and hydrate if you've brought water, but not long enough for a substantial break. If you need to use a toilet, the nearest facilities are back at the base, so plan accordingly during the first hour. This is also a good moment to apply sunscreen, adjust your gear, or swap camera batteries. The view justifies the stop's brevity, and most riders find it the highlight of the experience.

Water, snacks and refreshments during the ride

Water and refreshments are not included in your buggy tour package, so bring your own supply or plan to purchase items before departure. A reusable bottle or small pack of water is manageable in an open buggy if secured in your lap or a small bag tucked beside you. Drinking stations or vendors are not available at viewpoint stops, so if you rely on buying refreshments during the tour, you'll need to carry cash and hope a shop is nearby before you return to base. Most riders bring at least 500 ml of water for a three-hour tour in Lanzarote's sunny climate. Sports drinks or electrolyte tablets are popular choices for the arid environment.

The convoy does not stop specifically for refreshment sales during the three-hour route. If you're hungry or thirsty beyond what you've brought, you'll need to wait until the tour concludes and you return to Costa Teguise. Many riders grab coffee or a snack at a café near the departure point before or after the experience. Plan your hydration before boarding the buggy, drink conservatively at the main viewpoint, and know that no additional breaks for water or snacks are scheduled into the itinerary.

Toilet facilities and restroom access

Toilet facilities are not available during the three-hour tour itself. The nearest restrooms are at the base in Costa Teguise, so use the facility before your convoy departs. There are no scheduled toilet breaks at viewpoints or during the drive, as the route prioritizes scenic terrain rather than facilities. If you have a medical need or urgent situation, inform your guide immediately - they can advise on options, though stopping in open volcanic landscape is not ideal. For a three-hour tour, most people manage without additional restroom access if they limit water intake beforehand.

Women and anyone with mobility or health concerns should use facilities well before departure. After you return to base following the three-hour ride, restrooms are available. Plan your bathroom schedule around the tour timing: use facilities before pickup (if selected), before the buggy departs, and know that the next opportunity comes after your return. This is an important practical consideration for anyone sensitive to bladder comfort during outdoor activities.

Using phones, cameras and GoPros while riding

Using a handheld phone or camera while the buggy is moving is unsafe and impractical due to vibration and the need to hold on to the vehicle. If you want action footage, a GoPro or smartphone mounted securely to your helmet or the buggy frame works well and keeps both hands free. Many riders mount action cameras on their wrists or helmets to capture the ride without compromising safety or control. Holding a phone or camera in your lap risks dropping it on rocky terrain, and taking photos with one hand while moving creates unnecessary hazard.

At stops, particularly the main viewpoint at Peñas del Chache, you have plenty of time to use your phone or handheld camera freely. This is when landscape photography, selfies with the group, and video recording are most effective anyway. The guide can assist with group photos using your device. During the drive itself, observe the landscape, enjoy the experience, and save serious photography for the halt. For continuous ride footage, GoPro is ideal; for moments and stills, wait for the stop.

The return journey and final hour

The second half of your tour, lasting roughly one and a half hours, retraces the route back toward Costa Teguise. This return leg is less about new scenery and more about the thrill of the drive and the camaraderie of the group. Your guide may take a slightly different path to vary the terrain, or point out details missed on the outbound leg. There are no formal scheduled stops on the return drive, though the guide may pause briefly for a final photo opportunity or to allow the convoy to regroup. Use this time to reflect on what you've seen and to let the physical sensations of buggy riding settle in.

By the time the convoy rolls back into Costa Teguise, you'll have completed a full three-hour loop with no additional stops planned. Your guide will escort you back to the departure point, where you'll return your windbreaker and goggles, and collected pickup passengers will be delivered to their original addresses. The return arrival is typically within 15 minutes of the promised three-hour window, though volcanic terrain and group pace can cause minor variations. After the tour ends, nearby cafés and facilities are available if you need to rest, hydrate, or process the morning's adventure.

Before you book