Tenerife: El Medano Self-Drive Slingshot Tour

A 220-horsepower Polaris Slingshot is an unusual way to see South Tenerife. You sit low, feel the road, and follow a guide from El Médano along highways, coast roads, and mountain bends. This is part sightseeing drive, part open-air thrill ride.

I like the mix of ocean views and driving time, rather than a tour that parks you at one viewpoint and calls it a day. I also like the clear route structure, with a stop near Montaña Roja for photos and a short break. The main catch is simple: two hours goes quickly, and the focus is driving rather than a long visit at each place.

Key points to know before you book

• 220 horsepower under your right foot: You drive the Polaris Slingshot yourself, with no previous Slingshot experience required.
• A real mix of Tenerife roads: The route includes highways, coastal roads, harbor areas, an old fishing village, and mountain roads.
• Montaña Roja photo stop: You get time to pause, walk, take pictures, and enjoy a coffee break with views toward the Atlantic.
• Guide-led convoy: A professional tour leader leads the group, gives a safety briefing, and helps you get comfortable with the vehicle.
• Best for licensed drivers: You need a valid driving license held for at least two years, plus closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes.
• Good value for two people: The price is $212 per group of up to two, which works out better when shared than when paid by one person.

Why a Slingshot changes the sightseeing day

South Tenerife is easy to see from a coach or rental car, but a Polaris Slingshot gives you a much closer feel for the road. It has an open, low-slung design that makes the drive itself the main attraction. You are not simply being carried from one stop to another. You are handling the vehicle, following the route, and reacting to each change from straight highway to coastal bend.

The tour uses a 220-horsepower Slingshot, so this is not a slow sightseeing buggy. You should expect a sporty ride with a strong sense of acceleration. The point is not racing. You stay behind the guide in a convoy, which keeps the group together and gives you a clear pace to follow.

I like this format for people who want a taste of Tenerife beyond hotel districts. You pass through different types of scenery in a short time, and the route gives you both the thrill of driving and some easy sightseeing stops.

The short duration is also part of the appeal. At two hours, the experience fits neatly into a beach holiday or a day around Playa de las Américas. You do not need to surrender half a day to it. The tradeoff is that the schedule leaves little room for lingering, long walks, or extra stops if you become especially interested in one place.

Starting near Playa de las Américas

The listed starting point is Gara Suites Golf & Spa. From there, the activity heads toward El Médano, with hotel pickup and drop-off available from South Tenerife for an extra charge.

That pickup option may be useful if you do not have a car, especially if you are staying around Playa de las Américas. If you arrange your own way to the starting point, allow enough time to arrive ready to drive. You will need your license, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, and closed-toe shoes.

The tour begins with a safety briefing and driving instructions. This matters because the Slingshot feels different from a normal car. You do not need previous experience, but you do need to listen carefully and get used to the controls before the convoy moves out.

The guide leads the group rather than leaving you to find the route alone. That is a practical benefit in an unfamiliar part of the island. You can concentrate on driving and scenery instead of checking directions at every junction.

The 40-minute run toward El Médano

The first major driving section lasts about 40 minutes and takes you toward El Médano. The route uses highways and coastal roads, so you get a change of pace rather than one long straight run.

Highways help the convoy cover ground efficiently. Coastal roads bring the more scenic part of the drive, with views toward the Atlantic and access to harbor areas. The Slingshot is particularly suited to this kind of ride because you feel more connected to the surroundings than you would inside a standard vehicle.

You also pass through the area around charming harbors and the island’s oldest fishing village. The supplied details do not identify the village by name, so the tour is best understood as a moving introduction rather than a detailed cultural visit. You will see the village as part of the route, but the schedule does not promise an extended stop there.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind. If your priority is local food, museum time, or a guided history talk, this is not the right format. If you want to see more of the southern coast while enjoying the drive, the route makes good use of two hours.

Montaña Roja and the Atlantic viewpoint

The main pause comes at a viewpoint overlooking Montaña Roja and the Atlantic. This is the moment to put the helmetless horsepower aside, stretch your legs, and take pictures.

Montaña Roja gives the stop a strong visual focus. You can expect an open view toward the coast, with the red volcanic formation providing a memorable contrast to the sea. The tour includes time for photos, a short walk, free time, and a relaxing coffee break.

I like that the stop is not treated as a rushed roadside snapshot. Ten minutes is still brief, but it gives you a chance to get out, look around, and take home a few good images. Bottled water is included, which is a small but useful touch during an open-air drive.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a photo and refreshment stop, not a hike around Montaña Roja. The schedule does not include a long walk or a full visit to the surrounding area. If you want to explore the formation on foot, you would need to do that separately.

The stop also gives the tour some balance. Without it, the activity would be almost entirely about the vehicle. With it, you get a clear Tenerife viewpoint and a pause to enjoy the coast at a slower pace.

The return through Playa de las Américas

After the El Médano section and the viewpoint break, the convoy returns toward Playa de las Américas. This leg takes about 40 minutes and includes winding mountain roads with ocean views.

This is likely the most engaging part for drivers who enjoy bends and changes in elevation. Mountain roads make you pay attention to steering and speed, while the sea views keep the ride from feeling like a simple transfer back to the starting point.

The guide remains ahead of you in the convoy. That setup is useful for maintaining a safe route and showing you how to handle the road. It also means you should not treat the Slingshot like a track vehicle. The experience is guided, and the goal is a controlled scenic drive, not maximum speed.

The return section helps explain why the tour appeals to both couples and friends. One person can drive while the other enjoys the views, takes photos when safe, and shares the experience. For solo participants, it offers a more active way to see the area, though the price is less economical when one person pays the full group rate.

Guide support and the small-group setup

The professional tour leader is a central part of the experience. Before setting off, the guide explains the vehicle and safety points. During the drive, the guide leads the convoy and helps you if you need support.

That guidance is especially useful if you have never driven a Slingshot. The experience does not require prior knowledge, but the vehicle is different enough from an ordinary rental car that a clear briefing can make the first few minutes less stressful.

The guide languages are English, Spanish, and Hungarian. Check the available language when booking if that matters to you.

The tour is advertised as a small-group experience, with limited participation. The supplied booking details also describe the price as covering a group of up to two people. Since those details use slightly different wording about group size, confirm the exact arrangement when reserving if you are planning to bring a second person.

Small groups are a good fit here. A long line of Slingshots would be harder to manage and less pleasant on narrow roads. A tighter convoy should make it easier to stay with the guide and enjoy the ride without constant waiting.

Is $212 good value for two people?

The price is $212 per group of up to two. That is not a bargain activity, but the calculation changes when two people share the cost. At $106 per person for a couple or pair, you get the vehicle, guide, briefing, insurance, roadside assistance, bottled water, and a two-hour route with several scenic sections.

The value depends on what you want from your South Tenerife outing. If you mainly want transport to a viewpoint, this costs more than necessary. If you want to drive a powerful open-air vehicle on a planned route without arranging a rental car, the price is easier to justify.

Insurance and roadside assistance also matter. They do not remove every responsibility from the driver, but they provide more support than an improvised self-drive outing. You are paying for the vehicle and for the structure around it: the guide, the convoy, the route, and help if something goes wrong.

I would consider this better value for a couple or two friends who both enjoy driving experiences. A solo visitor needs to be more enthusiastic about the Slingshot itself to feel the price is worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour suits you if you like active sightseeing, scenic roads, and unusual vehicles. It is a strong choice for couples looking for something more memorable than another beach afternoon, and for friends who want a shared outing with plenty of photo opportunities.

It also works well if you are staying in South Tenerife and want to see more of the island without committing to a full-day excursion. The route reaches beyond the resort area, but the two-hour format leaves room for other plans.

You should think twice if you dislike driving in a convoy, prefer long stops, or want a detailed cultural tour. The guide provides driving instruction and leads the route, but the activity is not built around extended storytelling or formal visits.

You also need a valid license held for at least two years. People without a license cannot take part. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is particularly important for a road-based activity.

What to wear and bring

Keep your clothing simple and practical. Comfortable clothes will make the low seating position easier to manage, and closed-toe shoes are required for driving. Sunglasses are a smart choice because the route includes open-air coastal sections.

Bring your driving license. You cannot take part without it, and the license must have been held for at least two years.

You do not need to bring water because a free bottle is included, but you should still dress for a sunny outdoor drive. The activity details do not specify helmets or other special equipment, so follow the provider’s instructions about anything supplied on the day.

How the tour compares with a normal rental car

A rental car gives you freedom to stop longer, change direction, and explore at your own pace. The Slingshot tour gives you a set route, a guide, and a vehicle that is far more unusual than a standard hire car.

I would choose the Slingshot if the driving experience is the reason you are booking. The vehicle is the event, not just a way to reach the coast. I would choose a rental car instead if you want to spend hours at Montaña Roja, visit several villages, or build a full day around your own schedule.

The guided convoy also removes some of the pressure of planning. You do not need to work out which coastal roads fit the time available. You simply follow the leader and enjoy the changes in scenery.

That convenience comes with less independence. You cannot pull over whenever you like, and the itinerary gives only a short break. This is a guided ride, not a private road trip.

Booking flexibility and practical limits

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while arranging your Tenerife plans. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Hotel pickup and drop-off from South Tenerife can be arranged for an additional charge. That may be worthwhile if you are not near Gara Suites Golf & Spa or do not want to organize transport before an activity that already requires careful timing.

The tour lasts two hours, but plan beyond the driving time for arrival, the briefing, and getting ready. The exact start time and pickup details should be confirmed when you book.

Should you book the El Médano Slingshot tour?

Book it if you want a real driving experience with Tenerife scenery, not simply a ride to a viewpoint. The strongest parts are the 220-horsepower Slingshot, the guide-led convoy, the Atlantic views near Montaña Roja, and the change from highways to coast roads and mountain bends.

I would especially recommend it to two people sharing the $212 price. You get a lively two-hour outing, useful guide support, and a route that shows several sides of South Tenerife without taking over your entire day.

Skip it if you want a slow village visit, a long hike, or a flexible self-guided road trip. The schedule is tight, the viewpoint stop is short, and the activity depends on enjoying the vehicle as much as the scenery.

For the right driver, this is a memorable way to see the south of Tenerife. Just bring your license, wear proper shoes, and treat the Slingshot as a guided road adventure rather than a race.

FAQ

How long does the Polaris Slingshot tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the scenic driving sections and the stop near Montaña Roja.

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is Gara Suites Golf & Spa. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from South Tenerife for an extra charge.

Do I need previous Slingshot driving experience?

No. Previous experience is not required. The tour includes a safety briefing and driving instructions before you set off.

What driving license do I need?

You need a valid driver’s license that you have held for at least two years.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide is available in English, Spanish, and Hungarian.

What is included in the price?

The activity includes the self-drive Polaris Slingshot tour, a professional tour leader, the safety briefing, driving instructions, the Montaña Roja viewpoint stop, bottled water, photo opportunities, insurance, and roadside assistance.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver’s license, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, and closed-toe shoes.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.