Tenerife: Los Gigantes Self-Drive Slingshot Tour

The main attraction here is simple: you get behind the wheel of a 220-horsepower Polaris Slingshot and follow a guide along Tenerife’s open highway toward the island’s western coast. The three-hour route mixes real driving with a marina stop and a sunset view of the 600-meter cliffs at Los Gigantes.

I like two things in particular. First, this is not just a quick vehicle spin around a parking area. You cover ground and see a striking part of Tenerife. Second, the timing gives you both daylight at Los Gigantes and the unusual pleasure of driving back beneath the stars. The drawback is that an open Slingshot leaves you exposed to wind, sun, and cooler evening air, so dress for the conditions rather than for a standard car ride.

Key points to know before booking

• A powerful open-air vehicle: The Polaris Slingshot has 220 horsepower and feels closer to a small sports car than a normal rental car.
• A real west-coast route: You follow the guide in convoy along the highway instead of staying on one short circuit.
• Los Gigantes at two different moods: The marina and town come first, followed by the cliffs at sunset.
• A 600-meter cliff view: The final viewpoint is the visual centerpiece, with wide ocean and cliff views.
• Driving experience required: You need a valid driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience.
• Good value for a pair: At $220 per group of up to two, the cost is easier to justify when shared, though the group-size wording should be confirmed before payment.

Why this Slingshot trip feels different

Many driving activities are really photo stops with a vehicle attached. This one puts the driving at the center. You receive a short safety briefing and driving instructions, then set off behind a professional guide in convoy.

That format matters. You are not expected to know the Slingshot already, yet you are also not handed a vehicle and left to work things out alone. The guide leads the route, while you get the freedom of handling the vehicle yourself. English, Spanish, and Hungarian are available.

The Slingshot’s open design changes the feel of the trip. You hear the engine, feel the air, and get broad views around you. It is not a quiet sightseeing bus, and that is the point. You should expect sound, wind, sun, and a more exposed ride.

At the same time, this is still a guided outing. You are not choosing random roads or setting your own pace for the whole afternoon. The convoy system keeps the group together and makes the route easier to follow, especially if you are unfamiliar with Tenerife.

The safety briefing and first turn

The tour begins with a short safety briefing. You receive instructions for operating the Slingshot before heading out, and no previous experience with this type of vehicle is required.

You do need to take the driving requirement seriously. A valid driver’s license is mandatory, and you must have at least two years of driving experience. This is not an activity for anyone who has never held a license or is not comfortable controlling a powerful open vehicle.

Bring your license to the meeting point. Sunglasses are also useful, both for the glare and for the wind. A camera belongs in a secure place while you are driving, then comes out at the stops.

The initial part of the route takes you along the highway behind the guide. This gives you time to get used to the steering, acceleration, and open cockpit before the most scenic part of the trip. You can enjoy the power without needing to plan the route or watch a map at every turn.

The highway run toward western Tenerife

The highway section is a key part of the experience, not merely transport between stops. You get the pleasure of covering distance under your own control, with the guide setting the route and keeping the convoy together.

I like this arrangement for visitors who want an activity rather than a passive excursion. You are involved from the start. The vehicle gives the ride its character, while Tenerife supplies the views and the changing light.

There is a practical tradeoff. A highway is not the same as a quiet mountain road, and the route is guided rather than entirely independent. If you want to rent a vehicle and wander alone all day, this will feel structured. If you want to drive something unusual without dealing with navigation, parking plans, and route decisions, the structure is helpful.

The tour lasts three hours, so the schedule has to keep moving. You will have time to stop in Los Gigantes and watch the sunset, but this is not a long, leisurely day trip with hours in every village. Think of it as a compact driving adventure built around one main coastal destination.

Los Gigantes marina and the town stop

The first major stop is Los Gigantes, a town known for its dramatic coastal setting. You can walk along a pedestrian street, visit the town’s only black-sand beach, or settle at the marina with a coffee and an ocean view.

This pause gives the outing a welcome change of pace. After the noise and motion of the Slingshot, you can leave the vehicle, stretch your legs, and look at the water without a helmet or steering wheel demanding attention.

The marina is the easiest choice if you want a calm break. A coffee with an ocean view lets you enjoy the setting without turning the stop into a major expedition. The pedestrian street suits a short walk, while the black-sand beach offers a distinctly Canarian detail that you might miss on a faster drive-through visit.

Do not expect a full beach afternoon. The stop is one part of a three-hour outing, and the sunset viewpoint still comes later. You will need to choose how to use the time rather than trying to do everything slowly.

The town stop also helps balance the tour. This is not only about horsepower and acceleration. You get a small taste of local town life, a marina pause, and a coastal view before the main sunset scene.

The 600-meter cliffs at sunset

The tour then heads to a clifftop viewpoint timed for sunset. This is the moment to have your camera ready.

The cliffs of Los Gigantes rise about 600 meters above the sea. At dusk, the rock catches the last light and shifts through red, gold, and orange tones. The viewpoint offers panoramic ocean and cliff views, so you can take in the scale of the coast rather than seeing it only through the narrow frame of the Slingshot.

Timing is what makes this stop valuable. In daylight, the cliffs are impressive for their size. At sunset, the changing light adds mood and color, and the end of the day gives the rock face a different character. You have a natural focal point for photographs, but the view also works simply as a quiet pause after the drive.

The sunset is the least controllable part of the tour. Weather and cloud cover can affect the colors, and the exact spectacle will vary with the season. The route is planned around sunset, but nature does not promise a perfect sky. I would book this for the combination of driving and scenery, not for a guarantee of a postcard sunset.

Returning under the stars

After the viewpoint, you return along the highway. The same open vehicle feels different now. The light has gone, the coast is no longer the main subject, and the road becomes part of the evening experience.

Driving under the stars is an unusual finish for a sightseeing tour. It gives the return journey a clear identity instead of making it feel like a simple trip back to the starting point. The experience moves from daylight views, to sunset, to a darker and more atmospheric ride.

You should plan your clothing with this final stretch in mind. The Slingshot is open, and evening air can feel cooler than it did earlier. Sunglasses help during the daylight portion, but a light extra layer may be sensible for comfort. This is practical advice based on the vehicle’s design, not a promise about the weather.

The return also explains why the tour feels fuller than a short test drive. You get a beginning, a destination, a sunset stop, and a distinct journey home. The driving itself remains the thread running through all four parts.

What the $220 price really includes

The price is $220 per group of up to two people. That can be fair value if two of you share the cost, especially because the fee includes the self-drive Polaris Slingshot, a professional guide, safety instructions, insurance, roadside assistance, bottled water, and the planned scenic stops.

The value is not only measured in driving time. You are paying for the vehicle, the guide-led route, support if something goes wrong, and access to a carefully timed stop at Los Gigantes. Insurance and roadside assistance remove some of the worry that can come with driving an unfamiliar performance vehicle.

The price needs more careful thought for a solo booking. The listed capacity says up to two people, while the activity information also describes a small group limited to one participant. Because those details do not line up perfectly, confirm how the vehicle and group arrangement work when you book.

The cost makes the most sense for someone who would otherwise pay for a separate vehicle rental and organize the route alone. You avoid that planning work and get the guide’s route, but you give up the freedom of stopping wherever you wish. I would compare the price with your priorities: guided ease and a special vehicle, or independent driving over a longer day.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this experience if you want an active way to see Tenerife and are curious about driving something far more unusual than a normal car. It suits couples or friends who can share the vehicle cost and enjoy a little engine noise with their scenery.

It is also a good fit for a first-time Slingshot driver. You do not need prior experience, and the briefing gives you a clear start. The guide-led convoy means you can focus on driving rather than solving every navigation problem yourself.

This is less suitable if you dislike wind, open vehicles, or a fixed schedule. It is also not an option for anyone without a license. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is especially important for an activity built around driving.

You should also consider how much time you want outside the vehicle. The marina and beach stop provide a break, but the heart of the outing remains the road. If your main goal is a long beach visit or a slow town tour, another activity may suit you better.

Useful preparation for the three-hour outing

Bring your driver’s license, sunglasses, and a camera. Keep the camera stored safely while driving and use it at the marina, beach, viewpoint, and other designated stops.

Wear something comfortable for an open vehicle and be prepared for changing temperatures as the afternoon becomes evening. The supplied bottled water is useful, but you should still arrive ready for time in the sun.

Allow enough attention for the briefing. The Slingshot may look familiar to anyone who has driven a car, but it is still a different machine with its own handling and feel. The instructions are there to help you enjoy the power without rushing the first few minutes.

The tour is offered with English, Spanish, and Hungarian-speaking guides. If language matters to your comfort, select the option that suits you when checking availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning dinner or another evening booking.

My call: book it if the vehicle matters as much as the view

I would book this if the idea of driving a 220-horsepower Slingshot along Tenerife’s west coast sounds as appealing as seeing Los Gigantes. The route has a sensible rhythm: briefing, highway, town and marina, sunset cliffs, then a night return.

The strongest parts are the special vehicle, the 600-meter cliff viewpoint, and the change from sunset colors to an open-air drive under the stars. The main cautions are the exposed ride, the fixed three-hour schedule, and the need to confirm the exact group arrangement because the capacity details are not perfectly clear.

For a licensed driver with at least two years of experience, this offers a memorable way to see a famous part of Tenerife without spending a full day behind the wheel. If you want quiet sightseeing or total independence, skip it. If you want a guided route with real driving and a dramatic finish, it is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Los Gigantes Slingshot tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

What vehicle will I drive?

You will self-drive a Polaris Slingshot with 220 horsepower.

Do I need previous Slingshot experience?

No. Previous experience with the vehicle is not required, but you must hold a valid driver’s license and have at least two years of driving experience.

What documents should I bring?

Bring a valid driver’s license.

Which languages are available with the guide?

Guides are available in English, Spanish, and Hungarian.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Los Gigantes, the marina, a clifftop sunset viewpoint, and the highway route back under the stars.

Can I visit a beach during the tour?

Yes. At Los Gigantes, you can visit the town’s only black-sand beach, subject to the time available during the stop.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

What is not allowed on the tour?

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.