Jeep Tour To Santana: Old Forest Full-Day East-Side

Madeira’s east side packs mountain peaks, old forest, thatched houses, sea cliffs, and dry volcanic rock into one long day. This small Jeep tour gives you a practical way to connect places that would be awkward to reach by bus, while leaving room for short walks, photos, and the occasional off-road detour.

I like the group size, capped at eight, and the guides’ flexible approach. Mauricio, Justino, and Francisco are singled out for safe driving, local advice, and changing plans when clouds or rain block a viewpoint. The main drawback is the pace: eight hours and many stops means some visits are brief, and the Jeep’s rear seats may feel tight for taller people.

Key points to know before booking

• Pico do Arieiro starts the day with high mountain views, but cloud can quickly change what you see.
• The Jeep reaches forest tracks and viewpoints that coaches cannot, adding real value beyond a standard island bus tour.
• Santana combines culture and scenery, with traditional thatched houses, a waterfall, and time for an optional local lunch.
• Ponta de São Lourenço feels unlike the rest of Madeira, with dry ground, colored volcanic rock, and sharp sea cliffs.
• The group is limited to eight people, so you get a more personal day and easier communication with the guide.
• Lunch costs extra, pickup outside Funchal may carry a fee, and people over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms should contact the company first.

Why this east Madeira Jeep tour works

The tour covers a remarkable amount of ground in about eight hours. You begin in Funchal, climb into the central mountains, pass through the forested north, then follow the coast toward Madeira’s eastern tip before returning through Garajau.

That route matters because Madeira changes character quickly. The high mountains are cool and dramatic. Ribeiro Frio is damp and green, with ferns and laurel trees. Santana feels rural and traditional. Porto da Cruz brings you down to the sea. Ponta de São Lourenço is dry, open, and almost bare compared with the rest of the island.

A normal rental car can cover much of this route, but the Jeep adds two useful things: access to rougher tracks and a local driver who can adjust the day. Several guides have taken groups to a different viewpoint when cloud hid the planned stop, and one guide added an off-road route, fresh mountain water, a swimming stop, or a local coffee liquor experience when conditions and time allowed.

You should not expect a slow, private sightseeing day. The schedule has around ten stops, and several last only 30 minutes. Think of it as a lively introduction to eastern Madeira, with enough time to sample each place rather than settle into one long walk.

From Funchal to Pico do Arieiro

Pickup is offered from your accommodation in Funchal, and the Jeep heads uphill through Monte toward Poiso and Pico do Arieiro. The first climb gives you a quick sense of Madeira’s steep terrain, where roads rise sharply from the city into the mountains.

Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third-highest mountain. The planned stop lasts about 40 minutes, enough for views, photographs, and a short look around rather than a serious mountain hike.

The views can be spectacular, but weather is the first variable of the day. Clouds and rain can appear fast at this height. A good guide will not pretend otherwise. Francisco is noted for finding another viewpoint when weather made one stop impossible, while other guides adapted the route during heavy rain and kept the day moving.

Wear shoes with a firm sole, even if you do not plan a long walk. You may only spend a short time outside here, but the ground and weather can change quickly.

Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva Forest

Next comes Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, an area known for gardens, ferns, trout farming, and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and includes the chance for a short walk beside a levada, one of Madeira’s traditional water channels.

This is one of the most rewarding stops for anyone who wants more than viewpoints. The forest feels cooler and wetter than the mountain summit, and the trees and ferns give you a close look at Madeira’s natural character.

The stated plan also includes a secret off-road route through the forest. The exact track can vary, and the description does not promise a set hike or a particular distance. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not book this expecting a formal forest walk with a fixed route.

If you want a full levada hike, this is not the right tour by itself. The walk is small and fits into a much broader day. Still, it gives you a taste of the forest without sacrificing the coast and eastern viewpoints later.

Faial Fortress and Penha de Águia views

At Faial, the Jeep stops near the Fortress of Faial for about 30 minutes. The area offers views toward the sea and the mountain of Penha de Águia, along with a beach and striking volcanic rock formations.

This stop breaks up the mountain drive with a coastal setting. It is also a useful reminder that Madeira’s scenery is not only about peaks and waterfalls. The volcanic rock along the shore gives the coast a harder, more rugged look.

The itinerary uses the word fortress, but the main value here is the setting and the views rather than a long historical visit. You will have a short stop, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a detailed guided tour of a monument.

Santana: thatched houses, lunch, and a waterfall

Santana is the cultural center of the day. Its traditional triangular houses with thatched roofs are among Madeira’s best-known sights, and the tour allows time to see them before continuing to the area’s waterfall.

The planned stop lasts about an hour. That is enough to look around, take photographs, and eat, but not enough for a leisurely meal followed by extended exploring. Lunch is optional and not included in the price.

The tour stops at a typical restaurant, and the meal can be good value, but you are not locked into a prepaid menu. The company information says lunch is for those who want it, and the guide can suggest a local place. That flexibility is useful if you would rather eat quickly, choose something specific, or spend more time outside.

Santana is also where the pace may feel tight. If you want to study the houses, sit down for a long meal, and linger at the waterfall, you may wish the stop were longer. If your goal is to see the main sights in one day, the hour is workable.

Miradouro do Guindaste and Porto da Cruz

The Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint brings you to sea cliffs and mountain views. On a clear day, you may see Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighboring island. The planned stop is about 30 minutes.

Visibility is the key issue. Porto Santo is not guaranteed, and the cloud can obscure both the distant island and the mountains. Even when the far view disappears, the cliffs and coastline still make this a worthwhile photo stop.

The route then reaches Porto da Cruz, where a 30-minute stop takes in the seafront promenade and the north coast. You may also visit an old sugar cane distillery. The distillery visit is part of the stated plan, but it can be dropped when weather or timing affects the day.

This is a good example of why a flexible guide matters. A rigid schedule would simply lose a stop. A local guide can substitute another viewpoint or let you spend more time where conditions are better.

Ponta de São Lourenço changes the scenery

Ponta de São Lourenço is the day’s sharpest contrast. The eastern tip is drier and more arid than most of Madeira, with sea cliffs, volcanic rocks, and a mix of colors that feels almost separate from the forested interior.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That gives you time to look over the cliffs and walk a little, but it is not a full hike along the peninsula. If you have seen photographs of the long Ponta de São Lourenço trail, keep your expectations in check. This tour provides an introduction and viewpoints, not the complete walking route.

The Jeep is especially useful here because the experience is about moving between several scenic points in one day. You can compare the dry eastern tip with the wet laurel forest you saw earlier without arranging separate transport.

Ponta do Rosto and the final coastal views

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is another 30-minute viewpoint, known for colored cliffs and a dramatic position near the edge. The setting is exposed, so use care near drop-offs and follow the guide’s directions.

This is one of the tour’s strongest photography stops. The shapes and colors differ from the darker volcanic coast near Faial, and the open view gives you a clear sense of Madeira’s eastern reach.

The final major stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. Here you see the Christ statue, Funchal, and Garajau Beach from above. After the high mountains, forest, and eastern peninsula, this viewpoint brings the day back toward the capital.

The Jeep returns to Funchal, with the final transfer listed at about 20 minutes. In practice, the exact return time depends on road conditions, weather, and how long the group spends at stops.

What the Jeep adds to the day

The biggest practical benefit is access. The Jeep can take you along off-road routes and to places that coaches cannot reach. That does not mean every moment is rough or adventurous, but it does add a little of the adrenaline promised by the experience.

The second benefit is personal attention. With no more than eight people, it is easier to ask questions, request a photo stop, or discuss a change of plan. Justino is described as helping shape the day around the group, while Mauricio is praised for offering advice on places to eat and see.

The guide’s driving matters on Madeira’s steep roads. The tour includes narrow, high, and sometimes rough routes, so you should value calm, experienced driving over speed. The strongest guide feedback centers on safe handling, patience, clear answers, and a willingness to find a Plan B in bad weather.

The Jeep is still a Jeep, not a roomy minibus. People over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms should contact the company in advance. One piece of feedback raised concerns about rear-seat comfort and seat belts, but the company disputed that the vehicle was one of theirs. Either way, ask about seating if you are tall or need extra room.

Price, meals, and what you receive

At $78.10 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for an eight-hour small-group outing. The value comes from combining transport, a local driver, mountain and coastal viewpoints, forest access, and off-road sections in one day.

It is less attractive if you mainly want a long hike or a relaxed meal. Several stops are short, lunch is extra, and pickup far outside Funchal may cost more. You are paying for coverage and convenience, not for admission to a major paid attraction or a sit-down meal.

Most listed stops have no admission charge. The Ribeiro Frio stop notes that admission is not included, so ask the company what, if anything, you will pay there on the day. The main cost remains the tour itself, plus lunch and any optional personal spending.

The tour is offered in English. Guides can make the day informative and friendly, but the company does not advertise German-language guiding.

Weather, swimming, and choosing the right day

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy matters in Madeira, where cloud and rain can change the mountain experience quickly.

The tour includes a small walk, and, if the weather is good, a swimming stop may be added. Swimming is not guaranteed, so bring suitable clothing only if you are comfortable carrying it through a full day of sightseeing.

Rain does not always ruin the tour. Guides have continued through heavy downpours by switching viewpoints and adjusting the route. Still, the best version of this experience depends on clear or partly clear conditions, especially at Pico do Arieiro, Guindaste, Ponta do Rosto, and the views toward Porto Santo.

Wear layers and shoes that can handle wet ground. Keep a light rain jacket handy, even on a bright morning in Funchal.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this Jeep day if you have limited time in Madeira, want to see both mountains and coast, and prefer a guide to handle the driving. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad look at the east side before deciding where to return for longer walks.

It also fits anyone who likes a little off-road fun but does not want an extreme 4×4 trip. The day includes scenery, short walks, local food options, and the chance to swim, rather than one single adventure activity.

You may prefer another plan if you dislike full-day outings, need lots of legroom, want a serious levada hike, or prefer to spend an hour or more at each attraction. A rental car gives you more control, while a dedicated hiking tour gives you more time on foot.

Book at least several weeks ahead if possible. The experience is booked around 27 days in advance on average, and the eight-person limit keeps the group small.

Should you book the east-side Jeep tour?

Yes, if your priority is seeing a wide range of Madeira in one day without driving yourself. The strongest reasons are the small group, the guide’s ability to adjust for weather, and the mix of Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva Forest, Santana, Porto da Cruz, and Ponta de São Lourenço.

Go in with realistic expectations. You will see many places, but some stops are short. Lunch, possible admission costs, and distant pickup can add to the price, and taller people should confirm the seating first.

For a first day on the island, this is a useful and energetic choice. If you enjoy the style, pairing it with the company’s west-side tour on another day can give you a broad view of Madeira without trying to organize every road, viewpoint, and forest track yourself.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including the return to Funchal.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Funchal, with pickup available from your accommodation. An extra fee may apply if the pickup point is far from Funchal.

How many people can join?

The Jeep tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The tour stops at a typical restaurant for anyone who wants to eat.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Does the tour include a hike?

It includes a small walk, including an opportunity to walk near the levada at Ribeiro Frio. It is not described as a full-day hiking tour.

Can I swim during the tour?

A swimming stop may be included if the weather is good, but swimming is not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should tall or heavier participants contact the company?

Yes. People over 190 centimeters or over 100 kilograms should inform the company in advance.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.