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

Madeira’s east side is best understood from several angles, and this eight-hour Jeep tour packs in mountain peaks, laurel forest, thatched houses, waterfalls, sea cliffs, and dry volcanic rock. You begin high at Pico do Arieiro, pass through Santana and Porto da Cruz, then finish with the broad coastal views around Ponta de São Lourenço and Garajau.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which gives the guide room to stop for photos and adjust the day. I also like the off-road access, especially when weather blocks one viewpoint and the guide can switch to another. The main drawback is the pace: you cover a lot of Madeira in one day, so most stops are short, and the Jeep’s rear seats may feel tight for taller people.

Key points to know before booking

• Pico do Arieiro starts the day high above Madeira, with about 40 minutes for mountain views.
• The route covers both wet and dry Madeira, from Laurissilva forest to the stark cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço.
• A maximum of eight people keeps the tour personal, with more flexibility than a large coach.
• Lunch costs extra, and you may stop at a typical local restaurant in Santana or elsewhere.
• Weather can reshape the day, but guides have used alternate viewpoints when clouds or rain close a stop.
• Off-road tracks add the fun, though anyone over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms should tell the company ahead of time.

From Funchal to Madeira’s high mountain country

The day starts with pickup in Funchal, usually around 9 a.m. The company asks for your accommodation details and may charge an extra fee if you stay well outside Funchal. From the city, the Jeep climbs through Monte toward Poiso and Pico do Arieiro.

This early climb gives you a fast sense of Madeira’s range. The island is not one uniform place. It shifts from built-up seaside neighborhoods to steep mountain roads, cool forest, open ridges, and dry eastern cliffs. A Jeep makes those changes feel close together, even though the driving can be winding.

Pico do Arieiro is Madeira’s third-highest peak. You get roughly 40 minutes here, enough for the main views and photographs but not a full mountain hike. Clouds can gather quickly at this height, so keep your expectations flexible. The route may not offer a clear panorama every day, but the mountain setting remains one of the strongest opening scenes on the tour.

I would bring a warm layer even if Funchal feels hot. The tour later reaches places suited to swimming and sunshine, but Pico do Arieiro can feel entirely different.

Ribeiro Frio and the old Laurissilva forest

From the mountain, the Jeep heads toward Ribeiro Frio and Balcões. This stop combines gardens, ferns, trout ponds, and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest, Madeira’s famous laurel woodland.

You get around 30 minutes here, including time for a short walk beside a levada. These narrow water channels are one of Madeira’s signature features, built to carry mountain water across the island. The walk is not presented as a long hike, but you should wear shoes that can handle damp paths and uneven ground.

The forest is a useful contrast to Pico do Arieiro. Up high, you look across exposed mountain ridges. Here, vegetation closes in around the path, with ferns, trees, and running water creating a cooler, quieter stop.

The Jeep then takes an off-road route through the forest to a less accessible spot. The exact route can vary, which is part of the appeal. You are not simply being carried from one standard viewpoint to the next. You get a taste of the rough tracks that ordinary cars and coaches cannot use.

Still, this is not a dedicated forest walk. If your main goal is hiking through Madeira’s woodland, book a separate levada walk. This tour gives you a sample, then keeps moving.

Faial, sea views, and the road to Santana

At the Fortress of Faial, the setting opens again. The stop provides views toward the sea and Penha de Águia, the striking volcanic rock formation near the coast. The route also includes a beach stop, giving you a closer look at the dark volcanic shoreline.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a short look around, but the tour does not leave time for a long beach stay. The day’s design is about variety. You see many parts of Madeira rather than settling into one place.

The drive then continues toward Santana. This is where the tour begins to feel more connected to local village life, rather than only grand viewpoints.

Santana’s thatched houses and a flexible lunch stop

Santana is best known for its traditional triangular houses with steep thatched roofs. The tour allows about an hour in the village, including time to see the houses and visit a waterfall nearby.

These homes are one of Madeira’s most recognizable sights, but the visit works best when you treat it as a quick cultural stop rather than a museum visit. You get a look at an older building style and a chance to understand how different the north side feels from Funchal.

Lunch is not included. The guide can stop at a typical restaurant, and the route leaves room for you to choose where to eat. That flexibility is useful, especially because local guides such as Mauricio and Justino have been praised for suggesting places to eat and helping shape the day around the group.

Allow extra money and time for lunch. The listed tour price of $78.10 covers the transport and guiding experience, not your meal. Food prices and the length of the meal can affect how much time remains for later stops.

Guindaste and Porto da Cruz

After Santana, the Jeep heads to Miradouro do Guindaste, a cliff-top viewpoint with views over the sea and mountains. On a clear day, you may see Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighboring island. The viewpoint gets about 30 minutes.

This is one of the places where weather matters most. Low cloud, haze, or rain can hide distant islands and soften the view. The tour does not promise perfect visibility, so consider the stop a chance to see the north coast from above, with Porto Santo as a possible bonus.

The route continues to Porto da Cruz, where a seafront promenade gives you another angle on Madeira’s north coast. You may also visit an old sugar cane distillery. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so the distillery visit may be brief rather than a full guided tasting session.

A practical point: one itinerary can change because of road conditions, weather, or the day’s timing. The supplied information specifically includes the distillery, but one recorded experience did not include it. If this stop matters to you, ask the guide at the start of the day.

Ponta de São Lourenço’s dry volcanic coast

The scenery changes sharply at Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira’s eastern tip. This area is drier and more exposed than the forested parts of the island, with sea cliffs and volcanic rock in different colors.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough to step out, take photographs, and see the eastern peninsula, but not enough for the full Ponta de São Lourenço hike. Keep that distinction clear when booking. This is a sightseeing stop with a short walk, not a hiking excursion.

I like this part of the route because it prevents the day from becoming a repeat of green mountains and waterfalls. Madeira’s east end has a harder, more open character. The wind can be strong, and the edges are steep, so stay on safe ground and follow the guide’s directions.

At Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, the cliffs and ocean views become even more dramatic. The stop is known for its unusual cliff colors and its position near the edge of the eastern coast. You get another 30 minutes for pictures and views.

This is a place for sensible footwear and attention near drop-offs. The wording for the stop encourages going close to the edge, but you should not treat that as a reason to ignore safety. Wind and wet rock can change conditions quickly.

Garajau and the final view toward Funchal

The final major stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. The statue of Christ overlooks Funchal and Garajau Beach, giving you a broad coastal view to close the day.

By this point, you have seen Madeira from mountain, forest, village, cliff, and seaside viewpoints. The Garajau stop is less wild than Ponta de São Lourenço, but it brings the route back toward the capital and makes a good final photo stop.

The Jeep returns to Funchal after about 20 minutes of driving time listed for the final section. The full outing lasts approximately eight hours, though the exact finish can shift with lunch, traffic, weather, and how long the group spends at each stop.

What the Jeep format adds

The Jeep is not just a different seat on the same coach route. It lets the guide use rougher tracks and reach places large vehicles cannot. The off-road sections add a small dose of adrenaline without turning the day into a technical driving adventure.

The small group also matters. With no more than eight participants, the guide can stop for photographs, answer questions, and adjust the route more easily. Guides named in the supplied experiences include Mauricio, Justino, Francisco, and Justin. Their strengths are described consistently: friendly conversation, safe driving, local suggestions, and a willingness to find another viewpoint when rain or cloud spoils the planned one.

That flexibility is especially valuable in Madeira. Weather can change from one side of the island to the other. A fixed route may lose a viewpoint, but a good guide can still make the day worthwhile by changing the order or choosing a different stop.

You should expect a social day in a shared vehicle, not a private tour unless you arrange that separately. The Jeep’s rear seats may not suit everyone. People over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms are asked to contact the company before booking, and anyone concerned about space should ask where they will sit.

Is $78.10 good value?

At $78.10 per person, the tour is priced reasonably for an eight-hour outing that includes pickup, transport, a small group, and a guide across much of Madeira’s east side. Hiring a car yourself might give you more time at individual stops, but you would need to handle mountain roads, navigation, parking, and the off-road sections.

The value is strongest if you want a broad first look at the island. In one day, you visit Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva Forest, Santana, Porto da Cruz, Ponta de São Lourenço, and Garajau. You also get short walks, photo breaks, and the possibility of a swim if weather and timing allow.

The value is weaker if you want long hikes, a slow lunch, or detailed time at every attraction. The tour covers a lot of ground, and 30-minute stops go quickly. Lunch, any attraction fee, and personal expenses are extra. Balcões lists an admission charge as not included, so check the current cost before you go.

Who should book this east-side tour?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Funchal and want to see the island’s major east-side sights without driving. It suits first-time visitors, photographers, couples, and small groups who prefer a flexible day to a large coach excursion.

It is also a good choice if you want a taste of Madeira before deciding which places deserve a longer return visit. You can mark the forest for a proper walk, Santana for more time, or Ponta de São Lourenço for a full hike on another day.

I would think twice if you dislike winding roads, rough tracks, or sitting in a compact vehicle for much of the day. The tour includes short walks, but it is not built for serious hikers. Tall passengers should ask about seating before paying.

Pickup is offered, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours if space is available. The tour runs in English, not German. It requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the company cancels for either reason, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start.

Should you book it?

Book this Jeep tour if your priority is maximum variety in one day, with local guiding and access to rougher routes. The strongest reasons are the eight-person limit, the wide mix of scenery, and the guide’s ability to adapt when Madeira’s weather changes.

Skip it if you want a relaxed day in two or three places, a full levada walk, or a long stay at Ponta de São Lourenço. For most first visits, though, $78.10 is a fair price for a lively introduction to Madeira’s mountains, villages, forest, and east coast.

FAQ

How long does the Jeep tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including pickup in Funchal, sightseeing stops, driving, and the return to Funchal.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Funchal, with pickup available. You need to provide your accommodation details, and an extra fee may apply for pickup points far from Funchal.

How many people can join the tour?

The Jeep tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The group may stop at a typical restaurant, and you pay for your own meal.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include hiking?

It includes a small walk and a short levada walk at Balcões de Ribeiro Frio. It is not a full-day hiking tour.

Can I swim during the tour?

Swimming may be possible if the weather is good. The tour information specifically notes a swimming stop in suitable conditions.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. During the day, the guide may also replace a blocked viewpoint with another location.

Can taller or larger passengers join?

People over 190 centimeters or over 100 kilograms should inform the company before booking. The rear seats may feel tight for taller passengers.