Lanzarote, Canary Islands

[klfrodo]

Looking for suggestions/recommendations for private/semi-private tours/excursion companies for this port stop.

[FetaCheese]

Was in Lanzarote many years ago, 2008 on AZ TA.  Was a replacement port, because original port was in Agadir, Morocco. AZ said they cxl'd it because of a religious ceremony there, that would have animal sacrifices.  Ugh.

 

They did not want guests to be there that day.  Lanzarote call was a Sunday.  Catholic country.  Everything, I mean everything was closed, except a small bar at port.  Hope your call is not on Sunday.

 

For tours there and in Funchal, (and everywhere), others on CC have suggested:  Tours by Locals,  Get Your Guide.  Easy to find on net.

Edited August 2, 2022 by FetaCheese
addl info

[John Bull]

We were on Lanzarote for a week last month.

 

Two fairly obvious main choices for a port-of-call day - both have to be done by road...............

 

From Arrecife, 17 miles north to Jameos del Agua. Worth 30 - 40 mins .

A couple of miles from there, Cueva de los Verdes. Accompanied groups, anticipate about 45 to 60 minutes. Or IMHO if you're gonna miss one  place, miss this one.

Then 7 miles from there to Mirador del Rio. Worth 30 - 40 mins

Then 20 miles to Fundacion Cesar Manrique, Tahiche. Worth 30 - 40 mins.

Then back to the ship, 4 miles.

Total 48 miles,  about 4 hrs.

A mix of scenic bye-ways and main & urban roads

https://goo.gl/maps/F9WuYkQ5TUWyXvjk6

 

From Arrecife 20 miles to Timanfaya Nat Park visitor centre (Islote de Hilario on googlemap).

Here you transfer to a park bus (included in entrance fee) which takes you on a narrow, mazy, and sometimes steep road across the volcanic lava. Then attractions at the visitor centre. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.

Then 11 miles on public roads across the lava fields to El Golfo (green lagoon, worth 20 minutes) and Los Hervideros - the most spectacular accessible place where the lava entered the sea (worth 45 mins).

Currently the road is blocked south of Los Hervideros due to (? landslip?), if not re-opened when you go just ignore the road closed sign. There's some back-tracking to do, but still well worth the visit.

Then 13 miles maximum to the resort of Playa Blanca, with a great seafront promenade lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, shops etc. (worth 30 to 60 minutes) and 25 miles back to the ship.

Or if time is against you, skip Playa Blanca & head back to the ship from Los Hervideros, 25 miles.

 

Total  75 miles, about  5hrs 40 mins to 4hrs 40 (or 60 miles, 3hrs 25 or 2hrs 25 excluding Playa Blanca).

A mix of scenic bye-ways & main roads.

https://goo.gl/maps/qdV7LfS194VUD8318

 

Google those places, see what you think.

 

Can't help with tour operators or car+driver.

We've visited all the main Canary Islands, most - including Lanzarote - more than once, and always rented from Cicar https://www.cicar.com/EN/action/officeview/lanzarote-cruising-port who are the main rental operation in the Canaries and have an excellent reputation for good clean cars, sensible rates, and for not ripping-off customers. 

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

[Hlitner]

On 8/2/2022 at 4:35 AM, John Bull said:

We were on Lanzarote for a week last month.

 

Two fairly obvious main choices for a port-of-call day - both have to be done by road...............

 

From Arrecife, 17 miles north to Jameos del Agua. Worth 30 - 40 mins .

A couple of miles from there, Cueva de los Verdes. Accompanied groups, anticipate about 45 to 60 minutes. Or IMHO if you're gonna miss one  place, miss this one.

Then 7 miles from there to Mirador del Rio. Worth 30 - 40 mins

Then 20 miles to Fundacion Cesar Manrique, Tahiche. Worth 30 - 40 mins.

Then back to the ship, 4 miles.

Total 48 miles,  about 4 hrs.

A mix of scenic bye-ways and main & urban roads

https://goo.gl/maps/F9WuYkQ5TUWyXvjk6

 

From Arrecife 20 miles to Timanfaya Nat Park visitor centre (Islote de Hilario on googlemap).

Here you transfer to a park bus (included in entrance fee) which takes you on a narrow, mazy, and sometimes steep road across the volcanic lava. Then attractions at the visitor centre. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.

Then 11 miles on public roads across the lava fields to El Golfo (green lagoon, worth 20 minutes) and Los Hervideros - the most spectacular accessible place where the lava entered the sea (worth 45 mins).

Currently the road is blocked south of Los Hervideros due to (? landslip?), if not re-opened when you go just ignore the road closed sign. There's some back-tracking to do, but still well worth the visit.

Then 13 miles maximum to the resort of Playa Blanca, with a great seafront promenade lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, shops etc. (worth 30 to 60 minutes) and 25 miles back to the ship.

Or if time is against you, skip Playa Blanca & head back to the ship from Los Hervideros, 25 miles.

 

Total  75 miles, about  5hrs 40 mins to 4hrs 40 (or 60 miles, 3hrs 25 or 2hrs 25 excluding Playa Blanca).

A mix of scenic bye-ways & main roads.

https://goo.gl/maps/qdV7LfS194VUD8318

 

Google those places, see what you think.

 

Can't help with tour operators or car+driver.

We've visited all the main Canary Islands, most - including Lanzarote - more than once, and always rented from Cicar https://www.cicar.com/EN/action/officeview/lanzarote-cruising-port who are the main rental operation in the Canaries and have an excellent reputation for good clean cars, sensible rates, and for not ripping-off customers. 

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

Well written by an experienced driver.  But the last time we rented from CICAR they did not have any Mustangs 🙂

 

Hank

[John Bull]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Well written by an experienced driver.  But the last time we rented from CICAR they did not have any Mustangs 🙂

 

Hank

 

Elsewhere in the world, including from Cicar, convertibles are very very poor value, Hank - but all of our US road-trips have been by rented convertible mustangs.🙂

Red pimps' mustangs, black drug-dealers' mustangs, even a gays' yellow mustang.

But we got a shock when considering another invasion of the USA - mustang rental fees have more than doubled 😟.

So next time it'll be cheaper to take a tin-opener with us, rent a sedan, and sacrifice the insurance excess 🤔

 

JB 🙂

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, John Bull said:

 

Elsewhere in the world, including from Cicar, convertibles are very very poor value, Hank - but all of our US road-trips have been by rented convertible mustangs.🙂

Red pimps' mustangs, black drug-dealers' mustangs, even a gays' yellow mustang.

But we got a shock when considering another invasion of the USA - mustang rental fees have more than doubled 😟.

So next time it'll be cheaper to take a tin-opener with us, rent a sedan, and sacrifice the insurance excess 🤔

 

JB 🙂

LOL,  And our petrol prices have also increased although not to the level you see at home.  I think it is time for you to expand your horizons and rent a Ferrari or Porsche.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I didn't read previous posts.  However, we loved the national park, and rented from Cicar.  We loved both.  We also drove around the island a bit.  Roads were great. 

[WindinmySails]

On 8/2/2022 at 2:35 AM, John Bull said:

We were on Lanzarote for a week last month.

 

Two fairly obvious main choices for a port-of-call day - both have to be done by road...............

 

From Arrecife, 17 miles north to Jameos del Agua. Worth 30 - 40 mins .

A couple of miles from there, Cueva de los Verdes. Accompanied groups, anticipate about 45 to 60 minutes. Or IMHO if you're gonna miss one  place, miss this one.

Then 7 miles from there to Mirador del Rio. Worth 30 - 40 mins

Then 20 miles to Fundacion Cesar Manrique, Tahiche. Worth 30 - 40 mins.

Then back to the ship, 4 miles.

Total 48 miles,  about 4 hrs.

A mix of scenic bye-ways and main & urban roads

https://goo.gl/maps/F9WuYkQ5TUWyXvjk6

 

From Arrecife 20 miles to Timanfaya Nat Park visitor centre (Islote de Hilario on googlemap).

Here you transfer to a park bus (included in entrance fee) which takes you on a narrow, mazy, and sometimes steep road across the volcanic lava. Then attractions at the visitor centre. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.

Then 11 miles on public roads across the lava fields to El Golfo (green lagoon, worth 20 minutes) and Los Hervideros - the most spectacular accessible place where the lava entered the sea (worth 45 mins).

Currently the road is blocked south of Los Hervideros due to (? landslip?), if not re-opened when you go just ignore the road closed sign. There's some back-tracking to do, but still well worth the visit.

Then 13 miles maximum to the resort of Playa Blanca, with a great seafront promenade lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, shops etc. (worth 30 to 60 minutes) and 25 miles back to the ship.

Or if time is against you, skip Playa Blanca & head back to the ship from Los Hervideros, 25 miles.

 

Total  75 miles, about  5hrs 40 mins to 4hrs 40 (or 60 miles, 3hrs 25 or 2hrs 25 excluding Playa Blanca).

A mix of scenic bye-ways & main roads.

https://goo.gl/maps/qdV7LfS194VUD8318

 

Google those places, see what you think.

 

Can't help with tour operators or car+driver.

We've visited all the main Canary Islands, most - including Lanzarote - more than once, and always rented from Cicar https://www.cicar.com/EN/action/officeview/lanzarote-cruising-port who are the main rental operation in the Canaries and have an excellent reputation for good clean cars, sensible rates, and for not ripping-off customers. 

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

JB, I want to thank you for this detailed description!  We went to Lanzarote and followed your second tour.  Sadly it was over an hour wait just to get into the park, so we passed on that.  The trip was amazing and we loved the scenary.  The roads were well paved and easy to navigate.  We never would have thought of renting a car, but took the plunge and because of your excellent directions it was one of our best port stops!!

Edited April 21 by WindinmySails