TEGUISE BUGGY EXCURSIONS UNDER SCRUTINY AS AUTHORISATION QUESTIONS REMAIN
Organised buggy excursions in Lanzarote are facing renewed scrutiny after Teguise Council acknowledged that it does not yet have a clear picture of whether all companies operating in the municipality hold current authorisations.
The issue is particularly relevant around Guatiza, where residents have raised concerns about regular convoys using rural tracks. The debate involves more than paperwork: it touches on noise, dust, road safety, the condition of countryside routes and how Lanzarote protects its distinctive volcanic landscape.
WHAT HAS TEGUISE COUNCIL SAID?
At a council meeting on 16 October, Teguise’s mayor, Olivia Duque, said the Cabildo had indicated that some permissions were granted many years ago and had not been renewed. The council said it intended to ask the Local Police to carry out checks and request relevant documents from operators.
The municipality has also said it is waiting for information from the island council to establish which companies have valid authorisations. The proposed checks are intended to clarify the position; they should not be taken to mean that every buggy operator is necessarily acting unlawfully.
WHY ARE BUGGY TOURS BEING QUESTIONED?
The debate has been building for some time. In June 2025, a technical report from the Cabildo’s territorial-policy area concluded that organised motor excursions involving groups of more than three vehicles were not permitted under the rules as interpreted at that time. The report referred to the Island Plan and regional land-use legislation.
The issue is complicated by the history of how those rules have been interpreted and by the different conditions attached to individual permissions. A permit for one route or type of surface does not automatically mean that every route is allowed. The legal status can depend on the specific authorisation, where the vehicles travel and whether the route crosses protected land.
A proposed Teguise ordinance intended to regulate buggies, quads and similar vehicles was initially approved in November 2025, but its progress has stalled while the council awaits further reports and considers objections. As of the latest reports, the ordinance had not received final approval.
CONCERNS FROM RURAL COMMUNITIES
Residents, particularly in and around Guatiza, have complained about repeated convoys, dust and noise, as well as damage they say has affected rural tracks and nearby land. Some have called for stronger enforcement while the rules are clarified.
At the same time, the issue has prompted debate about how best to balance tourism activities, freedom of movement and the protection of the island’s countryside. Any decisions will need to be based on the applicable law and the facts of each case, rather than assumptions about every company or driver.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TOURISTS?
Buggy tours and off-road excursions are advertised as a way to experience Lanzarote’s rugged landscapes, but visitors should check the details before booking. Ask the operator which route the excursion follows, whether the relevant permissions are current, what safety equipment is provided and whether the tour uses public roads, established tracks or protected areas.
Travellers should follow their guide’s instructions and avoid driving off designated routes. Lanzarote’s volcanic terrain and rural habitats can be fragile, and staying on permitted routes helps reduce disturbance and erosion.
Residents and visitors should also remember that the latest announcements concern checks and the status of authorisations. They do not, by themselves, establish that every buggy excursion in Lanzarote is illegal.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Teguise Council has indicated that it plans to request documentation through Local Police checks and then seek confirmation from the Cabildo about the status of individual permissions. Meanwhile, the proposed municipal ordinance remains unresolved, with further information needed before its final form and implementation are clear.
For now, the key questions are whether operators have valid authorisations for their specific routes, how existing rules will be enforced and whether the island’s authorities can provide a consistent approach across municipalities.
Lanzarote’s landscapes are a major part of its appeal. Clear rules and consistent enforcement would help residents, visitors and responsible tourism businesses understand what is permitted while supporting the protection of the island’s countryside.
