Puerto de la Cruz: Quad Tour to Mount Teide with Photos Included & Local Snack

The striking part of this tour is the change in scenery: you leave the coast near Puerto de la Cruz and climb by quad through La Orotava, pine forests, volcanic ground, and the Sea of Clouds toward Teide National Park. You cover about 80 km in three hours, with a guide setting the pace and stopping at viewpoints.

I like the mix of driving and sightseeing, since you are not sitting on a coach all day. I also like the practical extras: free photos and videos, protective gear, a snack, and a small group limited to eight people. The main catch is time. Three hours is enough for a thrilling introduction, but not enough for a slow visit to every corner of Teide National Park.

Key points to know before booking

• Coast to high mountain in one route: You drive from Puerto de la Cruz through La Orotava and up to roughly 2,280 meters, with the route description also referring to a climb near 2,400 meters.
• A real driving activity: You need a valid B driver’s license, and drivers must be at least 18 and no older than 70.
• Small group format: The tour is limited to eight participants, so the guide can keep the group together and explain the route.
• Strong photo value: The guide takes photos and videos during the ride and sends them to you at no extra cost.
• Weather matters: Rain or strong wind can lead to a rescheduled tour or a switch to an off-road tour in northern Tenerife.
• Not a full meal: You receive a typical Canarian snack and a drink, but you should eat beforehand if you need substantial food.

From Puerto de la Cruz to the upper slopes of Teide

This tour gives you a useful sense of Tenerife’s dramatic geography. Puerto de la Cruz sits by the Atlantic, while Teide National Park occupies a high volcanic plateau far above the northern coast. In a short outing, you pass through several climate zones and watch the island change around you.

The meeting point is Click and Quads in Puerto de la Cruz. You should arrive 15 minutes before departure. The first ten minutes are used for safety instructions and an introduction to the quad, followed by a short practice session on roads without traffic.

That opening matters, especially if you have never driven a quad before. You need to learn the controls, follow the guide’s hand signals, and get comfortable with the vehicle before the climb begins. Previous quad experience is not required, but you should be willing to concentrate and follow instructions.

You can choose a single quad or a shared quad, depending on the option you book. The information does not specify how shared driving is arranged, so ask the operator if you want to know how much time each person will drive.

La Orotava gives the ride some local character

The first major part of the route takes you through La Orotava, a historic town with buildings and streets dating back to the 17th century. The tour gives you about 15 minutes of riding here, so think of it as a passage through the town rather than a formal walking visit.

This is a nice touch. Many mountain excursions rush straight from a resort to the national park, but La Orotava helps connect the ride to Tenerife’s older communities. You see more than volcanic scenery, even if the schedule does not allow a long stop at individual monuments.

The quad is also a different way to cross town. You are part of a guided road group, not wandering independently, so you need to keep the pace and follow traffic instructions. That can limit your freedom, but it keeps the group safe and moving toward the mountains.

The 40 km climb changes the view at every turn

After La Orotava, the route begins its main ascent. The description sets out a climb of about 40 km toward high ground, with valleys, pine woods, and old volcanic flows appearing as you gain altitude.

This is the heart of the outing. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint. You are handling the quad as the road rises from the coast into Tenerife’s volcanic interior. The guide leads from the front, points out places of interest, and controls the pace so the group can stay together.

At around 1,600 meters, you may see the Sea of Clouds if the weather is clear. This bank of cloud often sits below the higher slopes, making the island appear to have a white ocean beneath the road. It is one of the most memorable views on the route, but it is not guaranteed. Cloud, rain, wind, or poor visibility can change the experience.

The published details give two high points, around 2,280 meters in the headline description and close to 2,400 meters in the route explanation. Either way, this is a serious climb into the high country, not a short coastal quad ride. At this altitude, conditions can be much cooler than in Puerto de la Cruz, so bring warm clothing even on a pleasant morning by the sea.

Teide National Park brings the volcanic scenery

Teide National Park is the reason to choose this particular quad excursion. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its volcanic scenery feels very different from the coastal towns below. The route passes lava flows, pine forest, open mountain views, and large stretches of exposed volcanic ground.

The tour includes a stop at a viewpoint with views toward the volcano and the north of Tenerife. You have time to get off the quad, take pictures, and look across the open country rather than simply passing through it.

A second photo stop is included later in the route. The detailed timing lists around 10 minutes at each photo stop, which is enough for a few pictures and a short break, but not for a long walk. If your main aim is hiking inside Teide National Park, this is not the right format. The attraction here is the ride and the changing views.

The guide also takes photos and videos during the tour. Those files are sent to you without an added charge. This is useful because quad rides are not easy to photograph while driving, and you may not want to hand your phone to someone at every stop. Bring your own phone or camera only if you want extra personal pictures.

Morning light or sunset color

You can choose a morning departure or a sunset departure, depending on availability. Morning rides may offer clearer skies and brighter views. A sunset ride can bring warmer color to the volcanic ground, but visibility still depends on the weather.

The sunset option is not automatically better. You should choose based on your preference for light, temperature, and schedule. High mountain weather can be cool, especially later in the day, so warm layers are important. The operator provides a raincoat if needed, but that does not replace suitable clothing.

The route returns to Puerto de la Cruz after the high-country stops. About 75 minutes of riding is assigned to the return section, making the descent a substantial part of the outing rather than a quick transfer back to town.

What is included for the $90 price

At $90 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to see Teide, but it includes more than a vehicle rental. You get the quad tour, a single or shared vehicle according to your booking choice, helmet, gloves, and a raincoat if conditions require one.

You also receive a safety briefing, vehicle instruction, a professional guide, explanatory stops, civil liability insurance, accident insurance, photos, videos, a typical Canarian snack, and a refreshment. These extras improve the value, particularly the images and the insurance, because the tour is an active road experience rather than a passive sightseeing trip.

The snack is useful during the ride, but it is not a meal. You should have breakfast or lunch before setting off, especially if you are booking a morning or sunset departure at a time that overlaps with your normal meal.

Hotel pickup is not included. You must make your own way to Click and Quads in Puerto de la Cruz, using the location listed on Google Maps. Specific footwear is not supplied, so bring closed-toe, comfortable shoes.

A small group helps, but this is still a guided ride

The group limit is eight people. That is a sensible size for a quad tour because the guide can watch the riders, give signals, and make stops without dealing with a large convoy.

You should not expect to choose your own speed or pull away from the group. The guide controls the pace for safety and keeps the ride suitable for the whole party. That is good for beginners, though experienced quad riders may find the pace less adventurous than an independent off-road outing.

The guide speaks English and Spanish. The safety instructions cover vehicle handling and the signals used during the ride. A clear briefing is especially important on a route that moves through towns, mountain roads, and changing weather.

The recent ratings are very strong, with a 4.8 score from seven ratings. The most consistent praise centers on friendly guides, clear quad instruction, good communication during the ride, powerful newer quads, scenic stops, and the free photos. One detailed account specifically noted that the guide stopped when needed as well as at viewpoints, which is helpful if you need a short pause.

Who should book this quad tour

I would recommend this for an adult couple, a small group of friends, or a solo visitor who wants an active way to reach the Teide area. It is also a good choice if you enjoy photography but do not want to spend the whole day hiking.

You need to be comfortable riding on public roads and sitting on a quad for much of three hours. Bring your driver’s license, passport or ID card, warm clothes, comfortable closed-toe shoes, and no loose plan that requires you to leave immediately afterward.

The activity is not suitable for children under seven, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, drivers without a license, anyone under 18 behind the wheel, or anyone over 70. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Sandals, flip-flops, bare feet, alcohol, drugs, and intoxication are also prohibited.

A B driver’s license is required. If you are unsure about the license rules for your country, confirm them before paying.

Weather can change the plan

Tenerife can be warm at sea level and cold or windy high on the mountain. This tour depends on road and weather conditions, so rain or strong wind may lead to a new date or a change to a northern Tenerife off-road tour.

That policy is practical rather than a warning sign. A quad ride at high altitude is not worth forcing through poor conditions. If seeing the Sea of Clouds is your top priority, remember that it depends on the day’s visibility and is not promised.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while you arrange your Tenerife plans. Check the starting times when you book, since exact departures depend on availability.

Is the three-hour format enough?

For a first quad outing, yes. The schedule gives you instruction, the La Orotava section, a long climb, two photo stops, a snack break, and the return ride. It keeps the activity compact enough to fit into a morning or afternoon.

For a full day in Teide National Park, no. You will not have time for a long trail, a museum visit, a cable-car ride, or a detailed exploration of the park. The strength of this trip is its combination of driving, views, and a few well-timed stops.

I also recommend checking the exact altitude and route details with the operator if the difference between 2,280 and 2,400 meters matters to you. The supplied description uses both figures, but either one places you high above the coast.

Should you book the Puerto de la Cruz quad tour?

Book it if you want to drive from the coast into Tenerife’s volcanic high country, prefer a small group, and value photos, a snack, and guided support. The free images are a real advantage, and the route gives you a lot of scenery in three hours.

Skip it if you want a relaxed coach tour, a long visit inside Teide National Park, or a fully independent off-road ride. You should also skip it if you dislike mountain roads, cannot bring a valid license, or need a full meal during the outing.

For the right person, $90 is fair value. You are paying for a guided 80 km route, safety equipment, insurance, photo support, and a rare chance to connect Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, and Teide by quad in one compact trip.

FAQ

How long does the quad tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the briefing, riding time, photo stops, and snack break.

How far do you ride?

The route covers about 80 km in total.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Click and Quads in Puerto de la Cruz. Use Click and Quads on Google Maps to find the meeting point.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a valid B driver’s license to drive a quad.

Can beginners join the tour?

Yes. Previous quad experience is not required. You receive safety and vehicle-handling instructions, plus a short practice session before the main route.

Is the quad single or shared?

You can choose a single or shared quad, depending on the option you book.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and transfer are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a protective helmet, gloves, and a raincoat if rain requires one.

Are photos included in the price?

Yes. Photos and videos taken during the experience are sent to you at no extra cost.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If rain or strong winds make the route unsuitable, the tour may be rescheduled. You may also be offered an off-road tour in northern Tenerife instead.