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

Madeira’s east side packs a remarkable range of scenery into one day: high mountain views at Pico do Arieiro, cool forest around Ribeiro Frio, traditional houses in Santana, and dry volcanic cliffs at Ponta de São Lourenço. You travel by Jeep, so the route can include rough tracks and viewpoints that large coaches cannot reach.

I like the small eight-person group, which gives the guide room to stop for photos and adjust the pace. I also like the mix of famous sights and local touches, including a possible traditional lunch, a swim stop in good weather, and off-road routes through the forest. The main drawback is the long, full day on winding roads, with lunch extra and some rear Jeep seats less comfortable for tall passengers.

Key points at a glance

• Pico do Arieiro opens the day with high mountain views and roughly 40 minutes to look around.
• Ribeiro Frio combines a short walk, trout ponds, gardens, and Laurissilva Forest.
• Santana gives you traditional thatched-roof houses and time for a local lunch.
• The Jeep reaches rougher routes and viewpoints that coaches cannot manage.
• Ponta de São Lourenço feels unlike the rest of Madeira, with dry ground, colorful volcanic rock, and sea cliffs.
• Weather can change the route, but guides such as Mauricio, Justino, Francisco, and Justin have adjusted plans when viewpoints were clouded or rain made a stop impractical.

Why this east-side Jeep tour works so well

At $78.10 per person, this is a good-value way to cover a large section of Madeira in about eight hours. You are not paying only for transport between viewpoints. The price also covers a local driver-guide, a small group, scenic stops, and the ability to use off-road tracks that are not suited to a coach.

The route moves quickly, but it does not feel like a simple checklist. You get mountain, forest, village, coast, and volcanic headlands in one day. That variety matters in Madeira, where the scenery can change sharply after a short drive.

The strongest part of the tour is the guide’s flexibility. Justino, Francisco, Mauricio, and Justin are all praised for making sensible changes when weather blocked a planned viewpoint. One day may bring rain at a high summit and clearer conditions on the coast, so a guide who can switch plans is far more useful than a rigid schedule.

Still, you should know what kind of day you are buying. This is not a slow village tour with long stops everywhere. You will spend a fair amount of time in the Jeep, and the mountain roads can be winding. The off-road sections add fun, but they may not suit anyone who dislikes jolting rides or steep roads.

From Funchal to Pico do Arieiro

Pickup is offered from your accommodation in Funchal. If your pickup point is far from Funchal, an extra fee may apply, so check that before booking. The day begins by climbing through Monte toward Poiso and Pico do Arieiro.

Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third-highest mountain. The stop lasts about 40 minutes, giving you time to take in the sharp ridges and high mountain views. On a clear day, this is one of the most memorable viewpoints on the island.

Cloud is a real factor here. The summit can be misty even when Funchal is bright, and rain may make the planned view impossible. That is where the small-group format earns its keep. Guides have redirected the route to other viewpoints when conditions closed in, rather than simply standing around waiting for the cloud to lift.

Wear a jacket, even if the morning in Funchal feels warm. The summit is higher, cooler, and more exposed. You should also use the 40-minute stop for photos and a short look around rather than expecting a long mountain walk.

Ribeiro Frio and the Laurissilva Forest

The tour continues to Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, an attractive stop with gardens, ferns, trout ponds, and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest. You get about 30 minutes here, including a small walk along a levada, one of Madeira’s famous water channels.

This is a useful introduction to the island’s older forest areas. The mood changes completely from the open mountain summit. Trees and ferns close in around the paths, and the water channel adds a gentle, steady rhythm to the walk.

The stop is short, so do not expect a major hike. It works best as a chance to stretch your legs, see the forest, and take photographs before getting back into the Jeep. An admission fee is not included at this stop, so confirm the current arrangements when booking.

After Ribeiro Frio, the Jeep takes an off-road route through the forest. This is one of the tour’s more distinctive touches. A normal hire car may reach the main roads and standard viewpoints, but it will not necessarily give you the same access to rough forest tracks.

Faial, sea cliffs, and the climb to Santana

In Faial, the tour pauses at the Fortress of Faial area for sea views and a look toward Penha de Águia. The stop also includes the beach and a striking volcanic rock formation.

This part of the route gives you a different view of Madeira. Instead of looking down from a summit, you are close to the water and volcanic coastline. The contrast helps you understand how quickly the island changes from high interior ridges to sea-level rock.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. Bring sensible shoes if you want to walk around the beach area, and keep an eye on the weather. The guide may give you time for photos, but this is not a beach day with a long stay by the water.

From Faial, you continue uphill toward Santana. The drive itself is part of the appeal, especially if you enjoy seeing ordinary villages and steep roads between the headline sights.

Santana’s traditional houses and local lunch

Santana is one of the day’s most recognizable stops. The village is known for its small traditional houses with steep, thatched roofs. You have about an hour here to see the houses, walk around, and stop for lunch at a typical restaurant if you choose.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. That is worth remembering when comparing this trip with packages that include a meal. Here, you have more freedom, but you also need to pay separately and keep an eye on the time.

The local meal can be a good part of the day. Mauricio is praised for directing people to a traditional restaurant that offered tasty food at a fair price, though the exact restaurant may vary. I would ask the guide what is being served before settling in, especially if you have a strict budget or dietary needs.

Santana also includes a visit to a waterfall described as a magical stop in the village. The schedule gives about an hour for the whole section, so your time may be divided between the houses, lunch, and waterfall. If you want a relaxed meal, tell the guide early so expectations are clear.

Guindaste and Porto da Cruz

The next viewpoint is Miradouro do Guindaste, where sea cliffs and mountains fill the view. On a clear day, you may see Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighboring island.

This is a good photo stop, but visibility controls the reward. If clouds cover the distant view, the cliffs and coastline still make the stop worthwhile, but Porto Santo is not guaranteed. As with Pico do Arieiro, the guide’s ability to switch to another nearby viewpoint can make a big difference.

At Porto da Cruz, you get about 30 minutes on the seafront promenade. From here, you can look along the north coast and visit an old sugar-cane distillery.

The distillery is a useful cultural counterpoint to the day’s natural sights. Madeira is not only about cliffs and forests. Sugar cane has shaped parts of the island’s farming and food traditions, and an old distillery gives you a small window into that side of local life.

Do not assume every planned stop will take place exactly as written. One account describes the distillery visit being skipped, which shows that weather, timing, or local conditions can alter the route. If that stop matters to you, ask about it at the start of the day.

Ponta de São Lourenço’s dry volcanic edge

Ponta de São Lourenço is perhaps the day’s sharpest change in scenery. The eastern tip of Madeira is drier and more open than the forested interior, with sea cliffs and volcanic rocks in several colors.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a look around and photographs, but not enough for a serious walk along the full peninsula. If you have seen photographs of the longer Ponta de São Lourenço hike, keep your expectations in check. This Jeep tour provides a short visit, not a full hiking day.

The dry character of the peninsula makes it especially valuable on a route that has already included wet forest and high mountains. You see why Madeira cannot be judged from one viewpoint or one part of the coast.

At Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, the cliffs become the main attraction. The colors and shapes of the rock make this one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the route. The stop is close to the edge, so follow the guide’s safety advice and do not treat the viewpoint like a casual roadside pull-off.

Cristo Rei and the return to Funchal

The final major stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. The statue of Jesus Christ overlooks Funchal and Garajau Beach, giving you a broad coastal view before the return drive.

This stop works well at the end of the day because it looks back toward Funchal and the water around the capital. After mountains, forest, villages, and the eastern peninsula, the view gives the day a clear finish.

The return to Funchal takes about 20 minutes according to the schedule, though actual timing depends on traffic and the day’s changes. Pickup and drop-off make this easier than arranging your own route, especially after a full day on mountain roads.

The Jeep, group size, and comfort

The maximum group size is eight people. That is small enough for a more personal day and allows the driver to stop at places where a large coach could not. It also means the vehicle has limited space, so tell the company in advance if anyone is over 190 centimeters tall or over 100 kilograms.

One piece of feedback describes discomfort in the back seat, including difficulty hearing the guide and problems with seat belts. The operator disputed that report and said the Jeeps were in good condition, so the practical lesson is simple: ask about seating before you go if comfort is important to you.

The Jeep format is best for people who enjoy a little motion and adventure. Off-road stretches can be fun, but they are not the smoothest way to see the island. If you have back problems, dislike rough tracks, or need a quiet ride, a standard coach tour may be a better fit.

The guide is also part of the value. Mauricio is described as calm and flexible, while Justino and Justin are praised for photo help, local suggestions, and safe driving. Francisco is singled out for finding a useful alternative when weather blocked a viewpoint. The specific guide cannot be guaranteed, but the company has several names associated with a friendly, adaptable style.

Weather, swimming, and what to bring

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Even when the tour operates, weather can change the route, especially at high viewpoints.

A small walk is included, and the guide may stop for swimming if conditions are good. Swimming is not guaranteed, so bring a swimsuit only if you want the option. A light waterproof layer is more important, since one account describes heavy rain throughout the day and still found the adjusted route worthwhile.

I would bring:

• A light jacket or waterproof layer
• Comfortable shoes for short walks
• Water and sun protection
• A swimsuit if you want to swim in suitable weather
• Extra money for lunch
• A phone or camera with room for many photos

You do not need to plan every stop yourself. One of the advantages of this tour is asking the guide where to eat, where to photograph, and which viewpoint is best in the weather you have that day.

Who should book this Madeira Jeep tour?

This tour suits you if you have one full day for Madeira’s east side and want to see many different areas without renting a car. It is especially useful early in a holiday, since it helps you get a broad sense of the island and gives you ideas for places you may want to revisit.

It also suits couples and small groups who value a friendly guide and flexible stops over a fixed coach schedule. The combination of off-road driving, short walks, coastal viewpoints, and local food gives the day more character than a simple sightseeing transfer.

I would hesitate if your main aim is hiking. The short stops at Ribeiro Frio and Ponta de São Lourenço offer only a taste of those areas. You should also think twice if you need lots of legroom or dislike winding roads.

With a 4.7 rating from 46 reviews and recommendation from 91 percent of customers, the tour has a strong record. The praise centers on the guides, safe driving, weather adjustments, photo stops, and the amount of ground covered. The fair cautions are the extra cost of lunch, the long day, changing weather, and possible comfort limits in the rear seats.

Should you book it?

Book this Jeep tour if you want a lively introduction to eastern Madeira, prefer a group of no more than eight, and like the idea of reaching rougher routes beyond the normal coach circuit. At $78.10, the price is reasonable for a full day of transport, guiding, viewpoints, and local flexibility.

Choose another format if you want a long hike, guaranteed sunshine, an included meal, or generous coach-style seating. For most active visitors with only a few days in Funchal, though, this is a practical way to see the island’s biggest contrasts in one day. Ask about your pickup fee, seating, guide, and lunch plan before booking, then let the weather shape the details.

FAQ

How long does the Jeep tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including the drive from Funchal, sightseeing stops, short walks, and the return journey.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants, making it a small-group experience.

Is pickup available from my accommodation?

Pickup is offered. You need to provide your accommodation details, and an extra fee may apply if the pickup point is far from Funchal.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at a typical restaurant in Santana for those who want to eat.

Which places are included on the route?

The route includes Pico do Arieiro, Ribeiro Frio, Faial, Santana, Miradouro do Guindaste, Porto da Cruz, Ponta de São Lourenço, Ponta do Rosto, and Cristo Rei do Garajau.

Can I swim during the tour?

A swimming stop may be offered if the weather is good. Swimming is not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for tall or heavier participants?

People over 190 centimeters tall or over 100 kilograms should inform the company in advance so seating can be discussed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.