Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour

REVIEW · GRAN CANARIA

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour

  • 4.6261 reviews
  • 8 hours
  • From $81
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Operated by LOW COST Tours Gran Canaria · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.6 (261)Duration8 hoursPrice from$81Operated byLOW COST Tours Gran CanariaBook viaGetYourGuide

Bananas, rum, wine, then real mojo-making. This north Gran Canaria day blends Arehucas rum tastings with a hands-on mojo canario class, so you leave fed, informed, and slightly tipsy. One heads-up: it’s a long day on the bus, and a couple stops can feel rushed when the group is big.

I like how the itinerary gives you more than one “drink and done” moment. You also get a story behind the flavors: sugarcane becoming rum, bananas as an island identity, and volcanic land that shapes the coffee and wine.

Key highlights to watch for

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Key highlights to watch for

  • Arehucas tastings in Arucas: you’ll sample multiple rum varieties straight from the source
  • Bananas as cultural identity: museum + farm-style learning, not just a quick photo stop
  • Coffee and wine in Agaete: you’ll taste what grows in volcanic soils
  • Hands-on mojo canario: make the sauce and pair it with Canarian food
  • Multi-language guiding: guides like Tom, Julia, and Yeray may switch between English/Spanish/German

A north Gran Canaria food-and-culture day, built around tastings

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - A north Gran Canaria food-and-culture day, built around tastings
This tour is basically a flavor route across the north side of Gran Canaria. You start with bananas, move into rum production in Arucas, then head toward Agaete for coffee, wine, and a proper mojo workshop. The theme is simple: agriculture and culture, tied together with samples you can actually taste.

You’re paying for two things at once: guided context and multiple tastings, not just transportation. At this price point, the value comes from the “several stops, several specialists” approach. Instead of one big attraction, you get a chain of smaller, more personal experiences.

The day has a “school trip meets tasting menu” vibe. If you enjoy learning while you eat, you’ll have a good time. If you hate long bus rides, you’ll want to plan your expectations.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Gran Canaria.

Arehucas Rum in Arucas: sugarcane to a long tasting line

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Arehucas Rum in Arucas: sugarcane to a long tasting line
The rum portion starts at Arehucas in Arucas, where sugarcane is the star before anything else. Expect a guided look at how the process turns raw material into the kind of smooth rum people drink as-is or in cocktails. The nose hit here can be real: sugarcane and sweetness in the air.

Then comes the part most people remember: tastings. On this tour, you’ll sample a spread of rums at the distillery, and the lineup can be extensive. Some visitors even mention trying more than 10 different options, including older pours (think decades-old bottles). That’s not an everyday sampling set.

A practical tip: if a Carta Oro option is available to you, consider trying it. One reviewer specifically called out that it has a strong punch compared with the rest of the lineup.

Two small reality checks:

  • You’re likely drinking during the tour in several rounds, so pace yourself.
  • If neat rum is not your thing, bring a mixer mindset. One helpful suggestion: have a non-alcoholic mixer like coke/sprite (or equivalent) ready, especially if you tend to find strong rum overwhelming.

Banana Museum and banana farm time: the fruit as an island story

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Banana Museum and banana farm time: the fruit as an island story
From rum, the tour pivots to the Banana Museum and banana-farm learning. This isn’t just “here’s a plantation.” You get a guided look at how bananas arrived on the Canary Islands, how varieties differ, and why bananas became part of daily life and identity in Gran Canaria.

You’ll also see the product chain. Besides bananas themselves, there are related items you can buy—things like banana-based wines, alcohols, pâtés, and creams. It’s a useful reminder that a crop isn’t only for fresh fruit. It becomes food, flavoring, and local industry.

The museum stop matters because it gives you context before the tasting. You’ll understand why people here talk about bananas like they’re part of the language. And then, when you sample related banana products, it feels less random.

A small consideration: depending on the day, you might not get unlimited time inside every area. Some people wished for more direct access to explore the farm portion. So if this is the main reason you booked, show up ready to move quickly and ask your guide what’s most worth seeing.

Agaete for coffee and wine: volcanic flavors in plain sight

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Agaete for coffee and wine: volcanic flavors in plain sight
After Arucas, you head toward Agaete, a coastal town that works as a scenic reset between tastings. The tour uses Agaete as a base for two big flavors: coffee and wine.

The coffee stop is presented as a “coffee tour and tasting.” You should expect guided information paired with tasting, not a long technical class on brewing methods. One diner-style comment I’d take seriously: for some people, it was more like getting a cup and learning basics than doing a full tasting flight with lots of variation.

Then comes the wine experience at a finca in the surrounding hills. Here, the volcanic land story shows up in the way the guide talks about how growing conditions shape flavors. You’ll walk among the vines, learn some of the winemaking approach used in Canarian agriculture, and then taste locally produced wines.

If you like drinking wine but also like understanding the “why” behind it, this stop has the right balance. It’s not only about flavor; it’s about place.

Mojo Canario workshop: the sauce lesson you’ll carry home

This is the practical payoff of the whole day. You’ll learn how to make mojo canario, the symbolic sauce of the Canary Islands. The workshop format is hands-on, so you’re not just listening while someone else mixes ingredients.

Mojo is also one of those foods where a little knowledge makes you better at tasting. You’ll start noticing how salt, acidity, and herbs change the whole personality of a meal.

In the best version of this tour, you also get the chance to eat what you make—often paired with Canarian potatoes (a common pairing on these kinds of food experiences). Even if you’re not a hardcore cook, the act of making it turns the flavor into something memorable, not just something you sampled.

Two quick tips for mojo time:

  • Come ready to participate. The workshop feels more fun when you’re actively mixing and asking questions.
  • If you’ve been tasting alcohol earlier in the day, make sure you keep a little focus. Mojo is the one moment where your taste buds will really do the work.
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Wine, coffee, and rum tastings: what drinking feels like on an 8-hour loop

This tour stacks tastings rather than spreading them out loosely. That’s great for variety, but you should treat it like a drinking day, even if you’re not aiming to get drunk.

Here’s what you can reasonably expect from the tour structure:

  • Rum tasting at Arehucas, where you might sample many varieties
  • Coffee tasting as part of the Agaete segment
  • Local wine tasting with the hillside finca visit
  • Mojo workshop (food-focused) after those tastings

Some people love this pacing. Others find it can feel like a lot in one day. The key is to go in with strategy. Sip, don’t gulp. If you’re the type who gets overwhelmed by strong flavors, take breaks and drink water between stops.

Also, note that the coffee and wine portions are usually presented as guided tastings with small samples. It’s not a “buy a glass and wander” setup. You’re there for learning and sampling.

Transportation and timing: pickup at Parque Tropical, then a slow crawl

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Transportation and timing: pickup at Parque Tropical, then a slow crawl
The tour runs for 8 hours, including return transfers. Times are approximate, and the day can run long depending on pickup areas and traffic. That’s normal for a multi-stop tour, but it matters for planning.

Big detail: there is no pickup in Las Palmas city or at the harbor. You’ll need to get yourself to Parque Tropical (South Island) for pickup. Your return point is the same as your pickup point.

Pickup is included, and you’ll be on modern, fully air-conditioned transportation. Still, the day’s rhythm depends on group logistics. Some days, a smaller vehicle may collect people first and then join a larger group; other times you’ll be on a full coach. One warning that comes up from real-world experience: lots of pickups can mean a long ride before you even reach the first major stop, and toilet breaks may not happen as often as you’d like.

What I’d do if you book:

  • Arrive at Parque Tropical early enough to avoid stress.
  • Bring weather-appropriate clothing, because the day spans different areas and you’ll be outside during parts of the stops.
  • If you get motion-sensitive, plan for it. This is a long loop.

Lunch reality: not included, optional, and you can sometimes skip it

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Lunch reality: not included, optional, and you can sometimes skip it
Lunch is not included. That means you’ll be offered a meal option on the day, but it’s optional. If you buy lunch, you’ll likely be paying for it directly. Some people also choose to skip and spend that window exploring the Agaete waterfront area instead, which can be a nice move if you want more time outside.

One more useful point: because lunch isn’t included, you should assume your day will feel tasting-heavy even if you skip food. Carry snacks only if the tour rules allow it in practice, and at minimum be prepared for a longer stretch between tastings.

Is $81 good value for this day out?

Gran Canaria: Rum, Wines and Banana Tour - Is $81 good value for this day out?
At $81 per person for an 8-hour, multi-stop experience, the value makes sense only if you’re the kind of person who likes structured sampling. You’re not just paying for “one attraction.” You’re paying for:

  • Guided distillery tasting in Arucas
  • Banana museum and farm-style learning with tastings
  • Coffee and wine experiences with guided context
  • A hands-on mojo workshop with food you can use

If your idea of fun is tasting and learning in small bursts, this is a solid deal. If you’re mainly after one big highlight (like only rum), you might find the other stops a bit too educational and spread out for your taste.

Also think about the comfort factor. The included transport is modern and air-conditioned, but the tour can still be long. In exchange, you get a lot packed into one day that would take serious planning on your own.

Should you book this Gran Canaria Rum, Wines and Banana tour?

I’d book it if:

  • Bananas, rum, wine, and mojo are your kind of combination
  • You enjoy guided explanation paired with tastings
  • You want a north Gran Canaria route without doing route planning and logistics yourself
  • You like guides who can switch between languages and keep the day moving (Tom, Julia, and Yeray show up often as standouts)

I’d think twice if:

  • You dislike long bus days and prefer smaller, slower experiences
  • You’re picky about alcohol tastings and would rather keep drinks minimal
  • You need long free time at fewer stops, instead of a packed sequence

If you go in with the right mindset—sip, snack as needed, and use your guide’s context—you’ll come away feeling like you understand Gran Canaria’s food culture, not just sampled it.

FAQ

How long is the Gran Canaria Rum, Wines and Banana Tour?

The tour lasts 8 hours, and that includes the return transfers. The exact timing is approximate depending on areas and other incidents.

What’s the price per person?

The price is $81 per person.

Where is pickup, and are there pickups in Las Palmas?

Pickup is included, but there is no pickup in Las Palmas city or at the harbor. You must go on your own to Parque Tropical (South Island) for pickup.

What does the tour include?

It includes a guided tour in the Arehucas Rum Distillery and tasting, a wine tour and tasting, a coffee tour and tasting, a traditional banana farm guided tour and tasting, transportation by modern fully air-conditioned bus, pickup from touristic areas, and liability insurance.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in English, Spanish, and German.

Do I need to pay right away?

You can reserve now and pay later.

What should I bring?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for mobility impairments or wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users are not accepted.

Will the rum factory always be visited?

The plan can change during festivities, and during those times the rum factory is not visited.

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