REVIEW · TENERIFE
Tenerife: Go Karting Adventure
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Karting Club Tenerife · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Fast laps in Tenerife start with one turn.
This go-kart session is short, punchy, and focused: you get onto one of the best circuits on the island and race around bend after bend with real speed and lap timing. I like that you can match the experience to your group, since there’s both a Senior Circuit for teens and adults and a Junior Circuit setup for younger drivers.
The two best parts are the world-class track feel and the fact that kids aren’t just tagging along. You get a proper circuit layout made for minors, with different kart classes by age, and the timing system helps you see how your driving stacks up.
One thing to watch: the ticket can leave you with the wrong expectation about which are the fastest carts, and helmet comfort details (like visor availability) can vary a bit—so it’s smart to do a quick helmet check before you roll out.
In This Review
- Key Things You’ll Notice
- Why This Track Feels Like a Real Race (Not a Toy Ride)
- How the Free Shuttle Makes Logistics Actually Easy
- Choosing Your Kart: Senior Circuit vs Junior Circuit
- Senior Circuit: for adults and older teens
- Junior Circuit: for kids with age-matched karts
- What Happens Before You Go Fast (The Part People Forget)
- The 12-Minute Race: Timing, Laps, and That Forearm Check
- Safety and Who Should Skip It
- Price and Value: Is $41 a Good Deal?
- Small Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother
- Who This Go-Kart Adventure Is Best For
- Should You Book It?
- FAQ
- How long is the go-karting session?
- Is shuttle transport included?
- Where does the shuttle pick up from?
- What languages do the instructors speak?
- Are karts available for children?
- What should I bring and what can’t I bring?
- Is free cancellation available?
Key Things You’ll Notice

- Senior Circuit is 1,200 meters long with wide racing lines for aggressive but controlled driving
- Junior Circuit is 250 meters with safety-focused design for younger drivers
- Multiple kart classes let you race alongside family members with similar speed levels
- LED lap timing display turns 12 minutes into a mini competition
- Free shuttle in the south (Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos) makes it easy to fit into a holiday
- English and Spanish instruction helps you get moving fast
Why This Track Feels Like a Real Race (Not a Toy Ride)

If you’ve ever done go-karting that felt more like waiting in line than racing, this one is built to feel different. The karting experience here is centered on getting you on track and keeping you there—so the 12-minute slot feels like it goes by at speed, not paperwork. It’s the kind of activity that makes you lean forward at the start and start mentally calling out your best corner moves halfway through.
What makes it work for families and groups is that it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Adults and teens can race on the Senior Circuit, while kids use the Junior Circuit with kart options set by age. That means your youngest drivers aren’t boxed into a totally different experience—they’re racing in a setup meant for them.
I also like that the session includes lap tracking through an LED timing display. That turns the drive into something you can compare. You’re not just thinking, I felt fast. You can actually track laps and times and challenge your group to better the number.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.
How the Free Shuttle Makes Logistics Actually Easy

You don’t need to rent a car just to have fun for a few hours. There’s a free shuttle bus service from the south of Tenerife, specifically from Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, and it runs on request. That’s a big deal because most people on holiday already have limited patience for complicated transfers.
In practice, this kind of shuttle approach helps you:
- show up when it’s time to get started
- avoid the stress of finding the track area with a clock ticking
- keep the day feeling like a holiday, not a mission
If you’re staying in the south, this is one of those activities that’s easy to plug into your itinerary. If you’re farther away, you might still make it work, but you’ll want to plan your timing so you’re not rushing.
Choosing Your Kart: Senior Circuit vs Junior Circuit

This is where the experience becomes genuinely fair across age groups. You’ll choose from different karts based on who’s driving and their age bracket, and each circuit has its own track length and width.
Senior Circuit: for adults and older teens
The Senior Circuit is 1,200 meters long and at least 8 meters wide. That width matters because it gives you room to make decisions at speed—no tiny, twitchy lanes. On the Senior Circuit, you can pick from:
- 400cc Super Kart Especial
- 270cc Super Kart
- Competition Kart (for young people aged 15 to 17)
If you’re an adult and you want the thrill to feel legit, this is the circuit where you’ll get the most race-like energy.
Junior Circuit: for kids with age-matched karts
The Junior Circuit is 250 meters long and also 8 meters wide. It’s set up for minors with highest technical and safety conditions, and it uses kart categories designed around age ranges:
- 2-seater 160cc kart for 1 adult + 1 child up to 5 years
- 120cc Pony Kart for kids 6 to 9 years
- 180cc Cadet Kart for kids 10 to 14 years
This matters because it prevents the classic family-kart problem: adults blasting around while kids feel like they’re just being carried. Here, the kart class is tied to the driver’s age, so younger drivers are in the right vehicle for their comfort and control.
What Happens Before You Go Fast (The Part People Forget)
The session is short, so the pre-race steps matter. You’ll arrive, handle check-in, and get your kart assignment. You’ll also meet the instructor, who speaks English and Spanish, so you can understand the basics of what to do on track without language barriers.
You’ll want to be ready with the right gear. Bring comfortable shoes—not flip-flops, not sandals, not anything that feels loose. Also plan for the fact that luggage or large bags are not allowed, so keep only what you truly need.
Then comes the practical part: helmet and safety setup. One review flagged a visor issue on some helmets, which is a simple reminder to do a quick fit check. Look for anything that could distract you or irritate your eyes once you’re moving.
The 12-Minute Race: Timing, Laps, and That Forearm Check

Twelve minutes doesn’t sound long. On a kart track, it becomes long enough to feel it in your forearms and to get into a rhythm.
You can track your performance with the LED display and timing system. That’s not just tech for tech’s sake—it changes how you drive. Instead of trying to win a race in your head, you can actually compare lap counts and times between group members. It’s also great if you’re traveling with friends or multiple families because you can do mini head-to-head moments without needing a complicated scoring system.
Timing details in real terms:
- The session runs for 12 minutes
- People often complete about 11 laps in that time window
That lap count helps set expectations. You’ll get enough laps to warm up, push, then try to squeeze in a better line on the next attempt.
Also note the flow of the session. The way the track setup works tends to keep you moving—no constant stopping and starting. That keeps momentum, and momentum is where the fun lives.
Safety and Who Should Skip It

Go-karting is active. It’s not extreme climbing or skiing, but it’s still high-speed driving around bends, and the track has real rules for a reason. The activity also includes restrictions:
- not suitable for pregnant women
- not suitable for people with heart problems
If that applies to you, it’s best to skip the experience rather than gamble with your health.
On the safety side, the Junior Circuit is described as having the highest technical and safety conditions, which is a reassuring detail for parents. On the Senior Circuit, you still get a properly managed karting environment—especially important since speeds can feel fast once you’re in the rhythm.
The wide 8-meter track on both circuits also helps. More width can reduce forced collisions and gives you options when you come in a little hot.
Price and Value: Is $41 a Good Deal?

At around $41 per person, this is priced like a “do it once or twice” holiday activity—short, focused, and built around actual driving time. The best value element here is that you’re not just paying for a kart. You’re paying for:
- access to a proper circuit (not a parking-lot loop)
- lap timing, which makes the race more meaningful
- a free shuttle from key south areas
- kart choice by age group so families can race together more fairly
That free shuttle is a sneaky value booster. Taxi rides on vacation add up quickly, and the shuttle keeps it simple.
The main value caveat is expectations around kart performance. One commonly reported surprise is that the fastest carts can cost extra when you arrive. If you’re paying for the top-end experience, ask about which kart options are included versus upgrade-based. It’s the easiest way to avoid disappointment.
Small Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother

A few details can save you time and frustration:
- Bring water if you can. Some on-site prices for drinks can feel steep, so having water handy makes the session and waiting time easier.
- Comfort beats style. You’ll want shoes you can push and brace in.
- Check helmet fit quickly. If visors are in short supply, ask and confirm your setup before you start.
- Expect the real pace. This is not slow bumper-cars. The track is built with proper bends, so hold your line and drive with intention.
- Don’t pack heavy bags. Luggage and large bags aren’t allowed, so travel light.
These aren’t big travel secrets. They’re just the kind of small moves that keep you focused on what you came for: going fast.
Who This Go-Kart Adventure Is Best For
This experience fits best when you want a thrill that’s quick, clear, and not overly complicated.
You’ll likely enjoy it if:
- you’re traveling with kids of different ages (because kart classes are tied to age brackets)
- you want a true race vibe, not just a short spin
- you like comparing times and laps with your group
- you’re staying in or near Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos and want a simple transfer
You might reconsider if:
- you or a family member has a heart condition or is pregnant
- you need a long, multi-stop day (this is intentionally short)
- you’re expecting the ticket to automatically include the absolute fastest kart without any possible upsells
Should You Book It?
Yes—if you want a straightforward adrenaline hit and you care about racing more than sightseeing. The best reason to book is that you’re getting a real kart track experience for a short time, with lap timing and a setup that works for families through the Junior Circuit.
I’d skip overthinking it and book if your group includes kids and adults who want to drive. Just do one smart thing before you arrive: confirm what kart options are included with your booking versus what might require an upgrade, and do a quick helmet check for comfort.
If you want a holiday moment you’ll talk about later, this is one of those easy-to-choose activities.
FAQ
How long is the go-karting session?
The activity lasts 12 minutes on the circuit. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the slot you want.
Is shuttle transport included?
Yes. There’s a free shuttle bus service in the south of Tenerife, available from Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos on request.
Where does the shuttle pick up from?
It picks up from Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos on request.
What languages do the instructors speak?
The instructor is available in English and Spanish.
Are karts available for children?
Yes. There’s a Junior Circuit with kart options by age: a 2-seater 160cc kart for a child up to 5, a 120cc Pony Kart for ages 6 to 9, and a 180cc Cadet Kart for ages 10 to 14.
What should I bring and what can’t I bring?
Bring comfortable shoes. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.
Is free cancellation available?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

























