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

Madeira’s east side is a day of sharp contrasts: high mountain air, shady laurel forest, thatched houses, old sugar-cane works and dry volcanic cliffs. This eight-hour Jeep tour links them in one loop from Funchal, with off-road sections and short stops that let you get out, walk and take in the views.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at eight, makes it easier to ask your guide to pause for photos or adjust the day, and the Jeep can reach rougher routes beyond the range of a coach. Guides named in recent accounts include Justino, Mauricio and Justin, and their flexibility sounds like a real asset when weather closes in or clouds hide a viewpoint.

One consideration: this is a long day with plenty of time in the vehicle, and a few of the stops are brief. The mountain weather can also change the plan. If you are over 190 cm tall or weigh more than 100 kg, tell the company in advance so it can advise you about the vehicle.

At a glance

• Pico do Arieiro opens the day: Take in Madeira’s third-highest peak, weather permitting.
• Ribeiro Frio brings forest and levada walking: There is time for a short stroll among ferns and laurel trees.
• Santana offers a taste of rural Madeira: See the well-known thatched-roof houses and pause for an optional local lunch.
• The eastern coast changes character: Expect sea cliffs, volcanic rock and drier terrain around Ponta de São Lourenço.
• The group stays small: A maximum of eight people makes for a more personal ride than a large coach outing.
• Lunch is not included: Budget extra if you want to eat at the typical restaurant stop.

From Funchal to the high ground

The tour begins with pickup in Funchal, then climbs by way of Monte and Poiso toward Pico do Arieiro. This first stretch is a good reminder of Madeira’s steep terrain: you leave the city behind and gain height quickly, with the mountain setting the tone for the day.

Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third-highest mountain, and the planned stop is about 40 minutes. That is enough time to step out, look across the peaks and take photographs, but the view depends heavily on the weather. Clouds can roll in, and poor visibility can make a famous viewpoint feel like a wall of mist. The guides described as flexible in the tour accounts sometimes substituted another viewpoint when conditions spoiled the original plan. That adaptability matters more than a rigid promise to visit one exact spot.

The mountain stop is free to enter, but the day’s value is not only the view. Your guide handles the steep roads and takes you between places that would otherwise require planning several separate drives. If you are driving yourself, you can reach some of these locations, but you will need to manage the route, parking and changing conditions on your own.

A short walk into laurel forest

From the mountain, the tour heads to Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, a garden and forest area known for ferns, trees, trout farming and the Laurissilva natural park. The stop lasts around 30 minutes. You can use that time for a brief walk along a levada, one of Madeira’s water channels, or simply enjoy the greener, cooler surroundings.

This is the day’s clearest chance to stretch your legs in the forest. It is not a long hike, so don’t book expecting a half-day trek. The tour includes a small walk, and the stop gives you a sample of the island’s famous forest without taking over the schedule.

The route then includes an off-road section through the forest to a less accessible spot. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose a Jeep rather than a standard island coach. It also means you should expect a bumpier ride. If you enjoy a little rough-road adventure, that is part of the fun; if you prefer smooth transport, it may not be your favorite stretch.

Faial, Santana and a local lunch option

Next comes the village of Faial, where the tour pauses for views toward the sea and Penha de Águia. The stop also includes the beach, with its volcanic rock formations, before the drive continues uphill to Santana. At roughly 30 minutes, this is a short look rather than an extended beach visit, but it gives the day another change of scenery.

Santana is best known for its small traditional houses with steep, thatched roofs. The tour allows about an hour here to visit the houses and, if you like, have lunch at a typical restaurant. Lunch is not part of the tour price, so treat the restaurant stop as an opportunity, not an included meal. The guide may be able to suggest a place, but your food bill is separate.

The itinerary also mentions a waterfall in Santana. The order and time available can depend on how the day is running, so think of this as part of a broad village visit rather than a promise of a long waterfall walk. If you want to linger over lunch, ask your guide how that affects the remaining stops.

For many visitors, Santana is more than a photo stop. The houses offer a glimpse of a distinct rural building style, and lunch gives you a chance to pause before the coastal viewpoints. The trade-off is that an hour passes quickly if you want to see the houses, eat and fit in the waterfall.

North-coast views and Porto da Cruz

The drive continues to Miradouro do Guindaste, a viewpoint above sea cliffs and mountains. On a clear day, Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighboring island, may be visible. The planned stop is about 30 minutes, enough for photographs and a look around. Visibility is weather dependent, so don’t count on seeing Porto Santo every day.

In Porto da Cruz, the tour visits the seafront promenade, with views along Madeira’s north coast. There is also an opportunity to visit an old sugar-cane distillery. The distillery visit is not guaranteed in every account of the tour, so ask the guide on the day if it is a priority. Even without it, the promenade provides a useful break from the Jeep and a different angle on the coast.

This part of the tour helps explain the appeal of covering the east side by road. The stops are varied, but they are spaced out. A driver-guide who can share local context and adjust the pace can make the transfer time feel like part of the day rather than a string of miles. The small group also makes it easier to ask questions or request a photo pause, though the guide still has to keep the schedule moving.

Ponta de São Lourenço and the eastern tip

At Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira feels quite different from the forested interior. The eastern end is drier and more exposed, with sea cliffs and volcanic rock in several colors. The tour gives this area about 30 minutes, enough to step out and take in the contrast, but not enough for a long walk along the peninsula.

The nearby Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is another 30-minute stop. Its colored cliffs and open coastal views make it one of the day’s most distinctive photo opportunities. The route description encourages you to go near the edge, but use common sense: cliff viewpoints are no place to take risks for a photograph, especially if the ground is wet or wind is strong.

These stops are a strong argument for the east-side route. The island’s greenery and mountain peaks are only part of the story; here the terrain is more arid and rugged. If you are comparing this tour with a west-side excursion, the eastern end offers a notably different look and feel.

Garajau and the return to Funchal

The final listed stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, where a statue of Christ overlooks Funchal and Garajau beach. The stop is planned for around 30 minutes, followed by roughly 20 minutes back to Funchal. It is a fitting closing view after a day that has moved from mountains to forest and out along the coast.

The schedule lists many stops, but remember that the day lasts about eight hours and includes driving between them. Some places will feel like quick photo breaks, not full visits. The guide may change the order or substitute a viewpoint if weather or road conditions call for it. That flexibility is a plus, but it also means the exact sequence and time at each stop can vary.

What the Jeep format adds

The tour’s main advantage is access. A Jeep can take you along off-road routes that a coach cannot use, and the tour combines those drives with several short walks and viewpoint breaks. You get a broad sense of Madeira’s east side without arranging a rental car, choosing every stop yourself or navigating unfamiliar mountain roads.

The maximum group size is eight. That does not make the experience private, but it is small enough for a more conversational day. Accounts of guides Justino, Mauricio and Justin describe friendly, patient service, photo help and practical suggestions for viewpoints and food. One guide adjusted plans during heavy rain and found alternate stops. You cannot count on a particular guide unless the company confirms it, but the reported strength of the experience is the guide’s ability to read the day and respond.

The ride itself is part of the experience. Off-road tracks add a dose of adrenaline, but they also mean bumps and close quarters. The company asks anyone over 190 cm or 100 kg to get in touch beforehand. That is sensible advice, especially because a long day in a compact vehicle can be uncomfortable if the fit is wrong.

Swimming may be included if the weather is good. It is an option, not a guaranteed stop, so bring swimwear only if you are happy to carry it in case the chance arises. The tour description also promises a little adrenaline and fun, but the bigger draw is the variety of places you can reach in one day.

Is $78.10 good value?

At $78.10 per person for about eight hours, this is a reasonable way to see a wide slice of Madeira’s east side, particularly if you value transport, local guidance and access to rougher routes. The price includes the tour, but not lunch. Most of the listed stops have no admission charge; the Ribeiro Frio stop notes that admission is not included, so check with the operator if you plan to use a paid area or activity there.

The comparison is not simply Jeep versus rental car. With your own car, you gain control over how long you stay, but you take on the driving and route planning. With this tour, you trade some freedom for a guide, a set of major stops and the chance to use off-road routes. For a first visit, that can be a good exchange, especially if you have only one day for the east.

A small-group tour is also useful for couples, friends or solo visitors who want company without joining a large bus. If you want long hikes, extended time at each village or a slow lunch, the packed schedule may feel too brisk. For a sampler of mountains, forest, villages and coastline, it covers a lot of ground for the price.

Pickup is offered, but you need to tell the company where you are staying. An extra fee may apply if your pickup point is far from Funchal. The tour operates daily within its stated schedule, and confirmation is subject to availability. It requires good weather and a minimum number of participants; if the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a refund.

Who should book this east-side day?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several sides of Madeira without driving, and if you like the idea of an open-air Jeep ride with short walks and photo stops. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad orientation, as well as anyone keen to reach viewpoints and forest routes that larger vehicles cannot access.

I would think twice if you need a spacious seat, want a long hike, or prefer to set your own pace at every stop. The day is busy, the weather can reshape the route, and lunch costs extra. Contact the company before booking if you are over 190 cm or 100 kg, and ask about pickup charges if you are staying outside Funchal.

If that balance works for you, the tour offers a practical and lively way to connect Madeira’s high peaks, laurel forest, Santana houses and eastern cliffs in one outing. Book it for the range of scenery and the guide’s local judgment, not for a guaranteed sunny view or a leisurely visit at every stop.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep tour?

It lasts about eight hours, starting and ending in Funchal.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $78.10 per person.

How many people can join?

The tour is capped at a maximum of eight participants.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Tell the company where you are staying. An extra fee may apply for pickup points far from Funchal.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour stops at a typical restaurant for people who want lunch, but the meal is not included in the price.

Is there time for a walk?

Yes. The tour includes a small walk, including a short opportunity to walk along a levada at Ribeiro Frio.

Can you swim during the tour?

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

What should people over 190 cm or 100 kg do?

The company asks people over 190 cm tall or 100 kg to inform it in advance.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund.