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

This East-side Madeira day is interesting because it hits the island’s biggest wow spots without the hassle of renting a car and figuring out mountain roads. I really like the eight-person max group size, and I also love the big visual punch of Pico do Arieiro early in the day. One heads-up: this tour needs good weather, and if conditions are rough, you may lose a viewpoint and the schedule will shift.

What keeps it feeling like a real local adventure is the guide style. Guides such as Maurício, Justino, and Francisco (names that come up repeatedly) are praised for adapting when weather blocks a stop, and for driving that keeps the day moving even on tricky tracks.

Key Points You’ll Appreciate on This Jeep Day

• Eight-person cap keeps the stops relaxed, with time for photos and short walks
• Pico do Arieiro delivers one of Madeira’s most dramatic mountain viewpoints (about 40 minutes)
• Laurissilva Forest and levada walking mix UNESCO nature with an easy stroll and a local-feeling stop
• Santana’s thatched-roof houses add culture, plus a waterfall visit in the village area
• East-coast scenery at Ponta de São Lourenço feels drier and more rugged, with colorful cliffs
• Weather flexibility helps if a viewpoint is fogged or blocked, with an alternate place to see the views

Why This East-Side Jeep Route Works So Well in One 8-Hour Day

This is the kind of Madeira tour that makes sense if you want variety. One day, you get high mountains, forest hiking along water channels (levadas), village life in Santana, and then those eastern coastal cliffs that look like they belong to a different island.

You are not just “driven around.” The jeep format matters here. The vehicle gets you onto roads bigger buses often cannot handle, and it also makes those off-road forest sections feel like a real change of scenery, not just another viewpoint photo.

The other reason I like this route for first-timers: it keeps you moving through different parts of Madeira’s personality. The north has one mood, the interior mountains have another, and the east tip is much drier and more rock-forward.

The Jeep Ride and Small-Group Comfort (It’s Not a Bus, and That’s the Point)

This tour is capped at 8 travelers, so you are not stuck behind a crowd. That matters at the viewpoints. It also matters when you get off for short walking breaks, like the leveada stop in the forest.

Pickup is offered, and the operator asks you to tell them where you are staying so they can plan the route. If you are outside central Funchal, there can be an extra pickup fee, so it pays to confirm your exact meeting plan ahead of time.

One comfort factor to take seriously: the operator notes that people over 190 cm or over 100 kg should inform them in advance. That is a useful clue that the jeeps are built for normal fit, not for everyone to sprawl out. If you are tall or broad-shouldered, message them early so you are not stuck thinking about comfort all day.

Getting Started in Funchal, Then Up Toward Monte and the Mountains

Your day begins in Funchal, heading uphill right away. The route passes by Monte as you climb toward the interior. This is where the day starts to feel like Madeira, not Portugal-in-general. You feel the elevation quickly, and you get early glimpses of how quickly the coast can drop away behind you.

The driving pace is part of the experience. This is not a slow bus crawl. You are seeing multiple zones of the island through a jeep window, and then you get your first real stop at the mountain viewpoint.

Pico do Arieiro Viewpoints: The Big Mountain Hit First (About 40 Minutes)

Pico do Arieiro is your first major landing point. It is the third highest mountain on Madeira, and the payoff is the view. Plan on using the time well. In about 40 minutes, you can take photos, soak in the ridgelines, and look for the layering of peaks that makes these mountain days feel unreal.

Practical tip: bring a light layer even if Funchal feels warm. Higher elevations can feel cooler, and wind can change fast around the summits. Also, if clouds roll in, do not panic. This tour is designed to keep moving and adapt when a viewpoint is not working.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: Ferns, Trout, Laurissilva, and a Levada Walk

Next comes Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, and this is where the day softens from rock drama into forest life. The stop area is described as having gardens with trees and ferns, plus trout fish farming and the Laurissilva Forest natural park. Even if you only see a portion of it, the variety makes the stop feel more “Madeira everyday” than “just scenery.”

You also get a small walking moment here along the levada, Madeira’s water-channel system. That matters because it is not an exhausting hike. It is an easy way to experience how locals historically managed water, and you get to step close to the kind of greenery that Madeira is known for.

There is also a short extra off-road section through the forest from this area, and that segment is listed as having an admission not included detail. The good news is you are not expected to guess around this yourself. Just know that if you are tight on budget, you might want to ask what, if anything, you will pay for during that off-road forest portion.

Faial and the Fortress Area: Sea Views, a Beach Break, Then Santana

Fortress of Faial is next, and it is a great transition stop. You go from forest calm to big coastal viewpoints. In the Faial area, you get sea views and a sense of the island’s scale, including the mountain Penha de Águia in the mix.

Then you head to a beach stop with volcanic rock formations. This is one of those moments that feels like Madeira geology in human scale, not like a museum display. It is also a nice break from constant viewpoint standing, because you can walk a bit and look at the rock textures.

After that, the route climbs up toward Santana village, which is your next culture stop.

Santana Village: Thatched Houses, a Traditional Feel, and a Waterfall Visit

Santana is famous for its thatched-roof houses. You get time to visit the houses and see what daily life might have looked like in the past, as well as how this village preserves that identity today.

There is also a good chance to eat. Lunch is not included, but the tour includes time so you can choose a typical restaurant. I like that setup because you can match your meal to your appetite that day. If you want a quick bite, you can. If you want something longer, you can.

Santana also includes a waterfall visit. Even with limited time, a waterfall stop adds movement to the day, since you are not just looking at the island from far away. It gives you a different kind of sound and atmosphere.

One small drawback to accept: because this is a full-day circuit, you will not have a long, slow exploration of Santana. You are doing a highlight visit. If you fall in love with the village and want more, plan a return on another day.

Miradouro do Guindaste and the Porto Santo Possibility

After Santana, you go to Miradouro do Guindaste. This is a viewpoint aimed at sea cliffs and mountain views, and on a clear, sunny day you may even see the neighbor island of Porto Santo.

This is a good example of why weather matters here. When visibility is good, you get the kind of sightline that makes the whole island feel connected. When it is foggy or raining, you might see less, but the guide can often shift to another viewpoint that still gives you something worth seeing.

Use the half-hour well: one round of photos, then a slower scan of the cliffs and coast to catch the patterns.

Porto da Cruz: Seafront Promenade Mood, Plus a Sugar Cane Stop

Next is Passeio Marítimo Porto da Cruz, where you get a seafront promenade feel on the north coast. It is not all cliffs and wind at this stage. You get a calmer walking option where you can look along the shoreline.

This stop also gives you an opportunity to visit a very old sugar cane distillery. The tour does not force a hard schedule for it in your timing, but the possibility is built into the day, so you can decide based on your interest and the day’s pace.

If you are a history-and-food person, this is the kind of stop that rounds out the mountain-heavy first half of the itinerary.

Ponta de São Lourenço: The East Tip That Feels Drier and More Rugged

Then the tour turns toward the eastern tip: Ponta de São Lourenço. The big idea is that this part of Madeira feels different. It is described as drier and more arid, with dramatic sea cliffs and volcanic rocks in different colors.

That difference is why this stop is one of the most memorable. You are not seeing the same Madeira “look” twice. You are getting a new ecosystem feeling, plus stronger rock-and-sea drama.

Plan to use your time for photos and for just standing still. When the light hits those cliffs right, the colors can look almost unreal.

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto: Colorful Cliffs at the Edge

After Ponta de São Lourenço, you visit Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto. This viewpoint is highlighted for its impressive color variation in the cliffs. The experience is not about comfort. It is about seeing the rock textures up close, at the edge.

Even if you are not a “danger viewpoint” thrill-seeker, this stop works because the view is unusual. Madeira cliffs can look stunning from many places, but this one is specifically called out for its color and visual contrast.

Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau: A Final View Over Funchal

Your last major viewpoint stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, featuring a statue of Jesus Christ with a broad view back toward Funchal and the beach of Garajau.

This works well as a finale. You started in Funchal and climbed into mountains and forests. Now, you return visually, seeing the coast and the city from above.

It is also a reminder of how tightly packed Madeira’s zones are. In a single day, you move through mountain air, forest greenery, coastal cliffs, and then back to the city view.

Food, Swimming, and the Real-Life Pace of a Full Day

Lunch is not included, but you do get the time to stop in a typical restaurant. The tour is set up so your meal does not derail the day. You can choose something local without worrying that you will lose your place on the route.

About swimming: the tour notes that there is a small walk, and if the weather is good, you may stop for a swimming break. That means you should not bank on a beach swim every time. If you bring swimwear, you will be ready if conditions cooperate.

The pace is full-day, roughly 8 hours. That is long enough to feel like a true outing, not a quick taster. But it is also short enough that you still keep energy for evening plans in Funchal.

Price and Value: Is $78.10 Worth It?

At $78.10 per person, you are paying for three things that add up fast on Madeira: mountain access, local-style routing, and time-efficient viewpoints.

The biggest value lever is the 8-person cap. That usually translates into less waiting, more time at stops, and a better chance of getting photo time without stress.

You also get a lot of “types” of Madeira in one day: high mountain (Pico do Arieiro), UNESCO-class forest area (Laurissilva), culture in Santana, and east-tip cliff scenery (Ponta de São Lourenço and the nearby viewpoints). Doing those zones separately by public transportation would be awkward, and doing them by rental car means you drive and park while also managing your own schedule.

So yes, it is not a cheap day trip. But it is priced like an all-in mountain adventure, and with the small group structure, it is often good value if you want a do-it-once overview of the island’s highlights.

Who This Jeep Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is a strong match if you want to maximize Madeira in a short window, and you like the mix of nature plus viewpoints plus a real village stop.

You will likely enjoy it most if you:

• want off-road access rather than a standard bus route
• enjoy photography and want multiple viewpoint moments in one day
• like easy walking breaks, including a levada walk segment

You might think twice if:

• you are expecting a calm, slow, museum-style pace
• you strongly depend on getting a viewpoint in every possible condition, because the tour requires good weather
• you are very tall or heavier, since the operator asks travelers over 190 cm or 100 kg to inform them in advance for seating fit

Should You Book This Jeep Tour to Santana (East Full-Day)?

If you are in Madeira for just a few days and you want the “big hits” of the east side, I think this is a smart booking. The combination of mountain views, Laurissilva forest nature time, Santana’s thatched houses, and the special look of Ponta de São Lourenço makes it feel like a complete snapshot of the island.

Book it if you are flexible, you pack a light layer for the heights, and you are happy with a full day where the goal is highlights rather than long lingering.

Skip it or switch plans if you need a slower pace, or if you are traveling during a period where you expect frequent bad weather and you would feel disappointed by plan changes.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Tour to Santana, Old Forest full-day East-side?

The tour runs about 8 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The group is capped at a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is pickup available in Funchal?

Yes, pickup is offered. You need to tell the company where you are staying. There may be an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour offers a mobile ticket.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You can stop in a typical restaurant if you want lunch.

Are entrance fees included for all stops?

Many stops are listed as free, but one stop section at Balcões de Ribeiro Frio notes admission is not included.

Is swimming part of the tour?

There is the possibility of a swimming stop if the weather is good.

What should tall or larger travelers do?

People over 190 cm should inform the company in advance, and people over 100 kg should also inform the company in advance.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

If I cancel, do I get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.