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

Madeira’s east side changes character all day, from high mountain air at Pico do Arieiro to the dry, volcanic cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço. This Jeep tour links those far-flung sights in about eight hours, adding forest tracks, village stops, short walks, and viewpoints that large buses cannot reach.

I like two things right away: the small group of no more than eight keeps the day personal, and the route gives you a broad first look at eastern Madeira without arranging several separate trips. Guides such as Mauricio, Justino, Francisco, and Justin are praised for safe driving, local suggestions, and adjusting the plan when rain or cloud blocks a viewpoint.

The main catch is the pace. You visit many places, but most stops last only 30 minutes, and some roads are rough. The back seats can feel tight for tall or larger passengers, so tell the company in advance if you are over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms.

Key points to know before booking

• Pico do Arieiro starts the day high above the clouds, with about 40 minutes for mountain views.
• Santana combines village culture and food, with its famous thatched-roof houses, a waterfall, and an optional local lunch.
• Laurissilva Forest adds a short walk, including Balcões de Ribeiro Frio and a levada water channel.
• The Jeep reaches rougher tracks than a coach, including an off-road route through the forest.
• Ponta de São Lourenço feels unlike the rest of Madeira, with dry ground, colored volcanic rock, and steep sea cliffs.
• Weather can reshape the route, but the guides have been praised for finding useful alternatives in rain and cloud.

Why this east-side route works so well

If you have only one full day for Madeira’s east, this route makes a sensible overview. You get mountain scenery, old village traditions, forest, waterfalls, a sugar cane connection, coastal cliffs, and the eastern tip of the island without spending the day behind the wheel.

The tour begins in Funchal with pickup arranged from your accommodation. A surcharge may apply if you stay far from Funchal, so check that before paying. The advertised day runs roughly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though the total driving and stopping pattern can shift with weather and road conditions.

The Jeep matters here. Madeira’s roads climb sharply, bend often, and sometimes narrow to tracks that are not suited to a large coach. You will still spend plenty of time on paved roads, but the off-road sections add a little jolt of fun and open access to quieter viewpoints.

This is not a dedicated hiking day. The walks are short, and the schedule favors variety over long time in one place. I would book it to see the island’s main eastern sights efficiently, not if you want a slow forest trek or a full day at the beach.

From Funchal to Pico do Arieiro

The route heads uphill through Monte and Poiso toward Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest mountain. The climb gives you a quick change of scenery, from the city around Funchal to steep mountain slopes and exposed rock.

You have about 40 minutes at the summit area. That is enough for photos and a good look around, but not enough for a major mountain hike. If cloud rolls in, the famous views may disappear. Madeira’s weather can vary sharply between the coast and the peaks, and this is one of the places where a flexible guide makes a real difference.

Justino and Francisco receive especially warm praise for making the day adaptable. If one viewpoint is lost to cloud, the guide may try another stop rather than simply wait in the Jeep. That approach is useful on Madeira, where a rainy morning does not always mean a ruined day.

Wear shoes with a firm sole, even if you do not plan a long walk. The tour includes several places with uneven ground, and the mountain air may feel cooler than Funchal.

A short forest walk at Balcões de Ribeiro Frio

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio brings you into the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO-listed natural area and one of Madeira’s signature environments. Here you find trees, ferns, a trout-farming site, and levada channels, the narrow watercourses that carry mountain water across the island.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. You can take a short walk beside the levada and look at the forest before the Jeep heads toward an off-road route. This is a good taste of Madeira’s old forest, though it is not a substitute for a longer levada hike.

The timing is worth noting. With so many stops ahead, you will not have an hour to wander every path. I like this arrangement for first-time visitors who want a sample of the forest along with the coast and villages. If forest walking is your main goal, choose a dedicated walking tour instead.

The off-road section through the forest adds a different feel. It is less polished than the main viewpoints and more about the ride, changing scenery, and access to places a normal car may not reach. Justin is praised for handling the rough tracks with care, while still keeping the mood light.

Faial and the Penha de Águia views

The next stop is around Faial, where the view opens toward the sea and the dramatic rock of Penha de Águia. The tour also stops near the beach to see volcanic rock formations before continuing toward Santana.

This part of the day helps connect the high interior with Madeira’s north coast. You get 30 minutes for photos and a look at the shoreline, rather than a long beach visit. Swimming is possible on the day if the weather is good, but it is not guaranteed and you should not treat this as a beach excursion.

The coastal air and mountain backdrop make Faial a useful contrast with the forest. The route is full of these quick changes, which is one reason the day feels full. It also means you should keep your camera ready and avoid packing your schedule with independent plans afterward.

Santana’s thatched houses and local lunch

Santana is the cultural center of the route. The village is known for traditional triangular houses with thatched roofs, and you have about an hour to see them and visit the village area.

This is one of the better stops for understanding that the tour is not only about viewpoints. The houses connect the scenery to Madeira’s older rural way of life. You may also visit a waterfall in Santana, adding another natural feature before lunch.

Lunch is not included. The group stops at a typical restaurant, and you can expect the guide to suggest a place, but you pay separately. One meal was described as good value and tasty, while another was considered merely acceptable, so I would treat the restaurant as convenient rather than a guaranteed culinary highlight.

That arrangement gives you some choice, which I prefer to a fixed meal built into the price. Still, an hour passes quickly once you include the houses, waterfall, and food. If you want a leisurely lunch, ask the guide how the timing will work that day.

Guindaste and Porto da Cruz

Miradouro do Guindaste offers steep sea cliffs and mountain views. On a clear day, you may see Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighboring island. The view depends heavily on visibility, so cloud and haze can limit what you see.

You get roughly 30 minutes here. That is plenty for the viewpoint itself, but not for a long walk along the cliffs. Stay within comfortable viewing areas and take care near edges, especially in strong wind or wet weather.

At Porto da Cruz, the group follows the seafront promenade and may visit an old sugar cane distillery. This is a useful historical detail because sugar cane shaped much of Madeira’s economy and local food culture. The distillery visit is not guaranteed on every day, as weather or timing can cause changes.

Together, these stops add texture to the day. Guindaste gives you the broad coastal view; Porto da Cruz gives you a village promenade and a link to island industry.

Ponta de São Lourenço’s dry volcanic coast

The eastern tip of Madeira is the visual change many people remember best. Ponta de São Lourenço is drier and more open than the forested center of the island, with sea cliffs and volcanic rock in different colors.

You have about 30 minutes here, enough for a short walk and photos. This is not the full Ponta de São Lourenço hike, which takes much longer. Instead, you get a compact introduction to the peninsula and its stark coastal setting.

The contrast is the point. Madeira is often pictured as green and mountainous, but this eastern end can look almost bare, with wind-shaped ground and exposed rock. If you want a short dose of walking without committing to a strenuous route, this stop fits well.

Bring sun protection even if the morning was cool. The eastern tip is more exposed, and there may be little shelter. At the same time, strong wind or poor weather can make the stop less comfortable, which is another reason the exact timing may change.

Ponta do Rosto and Garajau

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is another dramatic viewpoint on the eastern coast. Its colored cliffs and position near the edge make it one of the more striking photo stops of the day.

The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes. The wording around standing near the edge should be taken seriously. Enjoy the view, but do not trade a photograph for unsafe footing, especially after rain.

The final major stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. The statue of Christ overlooks Funchal and Garajau Beach, bringing the tour back toward the city after the open eastern coast.

This viewpoint works well at the end because you can look back toward the area where your day began. It is a gentler finish than another rough track or mountain climb, and the city and sea views give you a clear sense of Madeira’s compact but dramatic shape.

What the guides add to the day

The route is strong, but the guide can make or break a Jeep tour. You are spending eight hours in a small vehicle, often on winding roads, so a calm driver and clear explanations matter.

Mauricio is praised for local knowledge, friendly conversation, flexible planning, and suggestions for food and other places to visit. Justino is noted for finding alternate viewpoints, choosing local stops, and adding fun photo ideas. Francisco receives particular praise for being warm, professional, and attentive throughout the day.

The guides also receive credit for safe driving. That matters most on the off-road sections and steep tracks, where the ride may be exciting but should not feel reckless. Several accounts describe the drivers as patient with photo stops and willing to adjust the pace.

Your experience can vary by guide and weather. The company offers the tour in English, not German, and one complaint about language and vehicle fit was disputed by the operator. To avoid a poor match, confirm your language needs and tell the company about your height or weight before departure.

Is $78.10 good value?

At $78.10 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for an eight-hour private-style outing in a group capped at eight. You are paying for transport, a driver-guide, pickup around Funchal, and access to a full circuit of eastern sights. Lunch and any admission charges are extra.

The value is strongest if you do not want to rent a car or drive Madeira’s steep, unfamiliar roads. You also gain the off-road element and local route choices, which a standard coach tour may not provide.

The value is weaker if you already have a car and prefer spending half a day at only one or two sights. You will stop often, and some people may find the day too packed. The tour also does not include a long hike, a guaranteed distillery visit, or a set lunch.

The 4.7 rating from 46 reviews and 91 percent recommendation figure suggest a strong overall experience, but I would still read the practical details carefully. The best fit is someone who values variety, scenery, local guidance, and a little adventure more than a slow schedule.

Who should book this Jeep tour?

I would recommend it for first-time visitors who want to understand Madeira’s east in one day. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy frequent stops and do not mind a bumpy ride now and then.

It is also useful for anyone who wants to pair it with a west-side tour on another day. One guide-led east and west combination can cover much of Madeira’s major sightseeing without requiring you to plan every road and viewpoint yourself.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike winding roads, need lots of legroom, or want a serious hike. Most people can participate, but the company specifically asks anyone over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms to provide advance notice.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a big eastern Madeira sampler with mountains, forest, village life, and wild coast in one day. The small Jeep, flexible guides, and off-road access give it more personality than a basic sightseeing bus.

Skip it if your priority is a long levada walk, a relaxed lunch, or extended time at the coast. For most first visits, though, the mix is hard to beat at this price. Tell the company about your size, confirm pickup, pack shoes and rain protection, and let the guide adjust the route when Madeira’s weather changes its mind.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, with the listed schedule running from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Funchal, and pickup is offered from your accommodation. An extra fee may apply for pickup locations far from Funchal.

How many people can join the Jeep?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

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

Can I go swimming during the tour?

Swimming may be possible if the weather is good. It is included as a possibility, not a guaranteed activity.

Does the tour include hiking?

It includes a small walk, including time to walk beside a levada at Balcões de Ribeiro Frio. It is not presented as a full-day hiking tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

Should tall or larger passengers tell the company in advance?

Yes. People over 190 centimeters or 100 kilograms should inform the company before the tour.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.