Mallorca: Formula Car and Buggy combo tour

A two-hour drive in Mallorca’s southwest gives you the keys to two very different vehicles: a manual Slingshot and an automatic buggy. The route pairs coastal views near Calvia with a high lookout toward the Sierra de Tramuntana, so the appeal is as much the scenery as the novelty of switching vehicles.

I like the mix of coastal and mountain views and the chance to try both manual and automatic driving in one outing. One important caveat: the Slingshot requires manual-transmission skills, and the plan to drive both vehicles has not always played out as expected, so confirm the swap before setting off.

• Two vehicles, one outing: The planned tour includes a manual Slingshot and an automatic buggy, with a vehicle change at the main stop.
• A scenic route, not a trail ride: You’ll travel along the coast and through mountain roads toward Estellencs and Port Andratx.
• A standout lookout: The main stop offers views across the coastline and the Sierra de Tramuntana.
• Short, small-group format: The two-hour tour is limited to 10 participants and includes a guide in German, English, Spanish, or French.
• Costs and rules to check: Driver insurance costs an extra €30, and drivers must be at least 21 with two years of experience.

Two vehicles, with two different driving demands

Formula Tours describes this as a Slingshot and buggy combo. The Slingshot has a manual transmission, while the buggy is automatic. You’re meant to drive both during the tour, so this is not a good choice if you only know how to drive an automatic.

That vehicle change is part of the fun: you get two distinct driving experiences rather than spending the whole outing in one kind of vehicle. But don’t treat the Slingshot as a passenger-only thrill ride. Each driver needs a valid driving license, and the minimum driver age is 21, with at least two years of driving experience.

There is one practical uncertainty worth sorting out before you book. The planned route includes a vehicle swap, but one account of the outing described not getting to drive the buggy. If trying both vehicles is your main reason for going, ask Formula Tours to confirm that both will be available on your tour date.

From Calvia to the island of Malgratz

The tour begins at the Formula Tours garage, where your guide explains the vehicles and the route. Guides are available in German, English, Spanish, and French. No individual guide names are provided, so you can’t request a particular person based on the information here.

After the briefing, you set off in either the Slingshot or the buggy, depending on the order for your group. The route follows the coast of Calvia and passes local points of interest before reaching a stop opposite the island of Malgratz.

This first break lasts about 10 minutes. It’s a chance to take photos and enjoy the view without turning the tour into a long sightseeing stop. The timing matters: the whole outing lasts two hours, and there are more miles to cover before the vehicle change and return.

The main stop above Estellencs

From Malgratz, the route heads toward Es Grau in Estellencs. This is the main stop, with views over the coastline and the Sierra de Tramuntana. It’s the best opportunity to pause, take in the mountain-and-sea setting, and get a sense of how quickly Mallorca’s scenery shifts from coastal towns to high ground.

This is also where the planned vehicle swap happens. If you started in the Slingshot, you should switch to the buggy, and vice versa. The change gives the tour its defining contrast, though the actual time behind the wheel depends on the pace of the outing and the stops.

The tour usually includes two or three stops, with the exact number depending on time and traffic. That flexibility can affect how much time you spend driving. One outing reportedly had just one stop, lasting around 40 minutes, which left less time on the road. If you’d rather prioritize driving over photo breaks, ask the guide at the start how the day’s timing is shaping up.

Toward Port Andratx and back through the mountains

After the lookout, you head toward Port Andratx, an exclusive resort area in the southwest of Mallorca. The route then returns to the Formula Tours garage, passing mountain scenery and the Camp de Mar golf courses.

The route is built around views from the road, not a session on off-road tracks. If you’re picturing a buggy bouncing along dirt trails, adjust your expectations: the described outing focuses on coastal and mountain driving, with scenic stops along the way. One driver wished the buggy had gone onto paths, which is a useful reminder that the vehicle’s name does not guarantee an off-road route.

The two-hour duration is a good fit if you want a driving activity without giving up half a day. It also means the tour is fairly brisk. With two or three stops, a briefing, and a vehicle change, you should expect a taste of the area rather than a long, leisurely tour of every viewpoint.

What the views add to the experience

The strongest reason to book is the combination of driving and scenery. The Malgratz stop gives you a brief coastal photo opportunity, while the Estellencs-area lookout is the more substantial pause, with a wider view of the sea and mountains.

A drive through this part of Mallorca offers a change from staying in one resort or beach town. You see the coast from the road, then climb toward the Tramuntana, with Port Andratx and the Camp de Mar area included along the way. The tour doesn’t promise a deep history lesson or lengthy visits at each stop. Its value is in covering several scenic stretches while you’re at the wheel.

Bring sunglasses even if the day looks mild. They are mandatory for both driver and copilot, and the open-air driving makes them a practical part of the kit, not just a photo accessory. Drivers also need closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

The real cost: price, insurance, and vehicle arrangements

The listed price is $69 per person for two hours. That’s a reasonable starting point for an activity that includes fuel, a guide, water, taxes, and time in two vehicles. But budget for the additional driver insurance, listed at €30, paid at the office.

The vehicles are described as having full insurance with an excess of €350. The driver insurance is an extra charge, so check exactly what it covers and how it relates to that excess before you agree. A credit card is required, and one account of the outing described being asked to pay the insurance in cash. Confirm the accepted payment method with the operator rather than assuming you can use a card.

Vehicle booking rules matter if you’re going as a pair. If two people want to share one vehicle, book for two people. If two or more people want one vehicle each, each person needs an individual reservation. Decide which arrangement you want before booking, since it affects who gets to drive and how the group is organized.

A bottle of water is included, as are fuel and taxes. Helmets are provided if needed, and child seats are available from age three. Those inclusions help, but the extra insurance means the advertised price is not the full cost for a driver.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This tour suits confident manual drivers who want an active way to see the southwest and are interested in trying two vehicles. It’s especially appealing if you enjoy being behind the wheel and don’t mind following a guide’s route rather than choosing your own pace.

It can also work for a driver traveling with a copilot. The minimum age for a copilot is six, and a child seat is available from age three, though the minimum passenger age is the more restrictive rule. Both people need sunglasses, and the driver needs a valid license and closed shoes.

Skip it if you’re under 21, don’t have a driving license, or can’t drive a manual car. The automatic buggy does not remove the manual requirement, because the Slingshot is part of the planned experience. It’s also not the best fit if you want a long off-road ride, a slow sightseeing tour, or a guaranteed set number of photo stops.

The small-group limit of 10 can make the briefing and vehicle change easier to manage than a large convoy. Still, the pace and stop length depend on traffic and timing, so go in expecting a guided road tour rather than a private, fully flexible drive.

Booking details and a few useful checks

The meeting point is the Formula Tours garage. The tour lasts two hours, and available start times depend on the date you choose. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve without paying immediately.

Bring your passport or ID card, driving license, credit card, and sunglasses. Wear closed-toe shoes if you’re driving. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Before you commit, check three things with the operator: that both vehicle types will be available, that you meet the manual-driving and age requirements, and how the €30 driver insurance is paid and applied. These quick checks can prevent the main avoidable disappointments.

Should you book the Slingshot and buggy combo?

Book it if you’re a capable manual driver who wants a short, scenic road outing with a change of vehicle and a worthwhile lookout. The combination of coast, Tramuntana views, and driving time makes the two-hour format appealing, and the included fuel, water, and guide add practical value to the $69 starting price.

Think twice if the manual Slingshot is a problem, if you expect an off-road buggy course, or if you want certainty about how many stops you’ll make. Ask about the vehicle swap and the insurance charge before you go. With those points clear, this is a lively way to see Mallorca’s southwest from the road.

FAQ

Do I need to know how to drive a manual car?

Yes. The Slingshot has a manual transmission, and drivers must be able to drive manual cars. The buggy is automatic, but the tour includes both vehicles.

What is the minimum age to drive?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have at least two years of driving experience. A valid driving license is required.

How old must a copilot be?

The minimum age for a copilot is six. Child seats are available from age three, but the stated minimum copilot age is six.

How many stops does the tour make?

The tour usually makes two or three stops, depending on time and traffic. The planned stops include a short break opposite Malgratz and a main viewpoint near Estellencs.

Is driver insurance included in the price?

No. Driver insurance costs an extra €30, paid at the office. The vehicles have full insurance with an excess of €350.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring your passport or ID card, driving license, credit card, and sunglasses. Drivers must wear closed-toe shoes; sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.