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

A full-day Jeep tour on Madeira’s east side is interesting because it mixes big-name sights with off-road access, so you spend less time commuting and more time looking. I especially like the tight group size, max 8 travelers, and the way the route stacks major natural stops in one day. You also get the freedom to hop out for short walks and photo breaks along the way.

My favorite part is the blend: a high-mountain viewpoint like Pico do Arieiro, plus a UNESCO-listed forest stop, plus the dramatic cliffs and viewpoints farther east. The one drawback to plan around is that this trip is weather-dependent. When the day is wet or foggy, the best views can be harder to see, and your guide will likely shift stops.

Key Reasons This Jeep Day Works So Well

• Small-group cap of 8, so you get more time at stops and less “herding cats” energy
• Pico do Arieiro for a standout mountain viewpoint stop (about 40 minutes)
• Ribeiro Frio area and the Laurissilva Forest, with a short walk and scenery around levada channels
• Off-road forest driving to reach places larger vehicles may not
• Santana village with thatched roof houses, a short visit, and an included chance to see a waterfall
• Late-day viewpoint variety, from cliffs and color-changing rock formations to the Cristo Rei statue area

Entering Madeira’s East Side by Jeep, Not by Schedule

This is one of those tours where the transport matters. On Madeira, the fun is in the turns and the sudden views. A Jeep route helps you get to corners where you simply cannot go by normal bus routes, and you feel that right away after pickup.

The tour runs about 8 hours, and most stops are built around short stays, so you can keep moving without feeling rushed. For me, that’s a smart way to see Madeira if you’re on a first trip, or if you want one “big highlights” day without trying to drive the island yourself.

One more detail I appreciate: this is offered in English, and you get a mobile ticket. That cuts down on last-minute stress at the start of the day.

Price and What You’re Really Paying For

The price is listed at $78.10 per person. That may sound like a lot until you match it to what you get: a full day, multiple major viewpoints, a UNESCO forest stop, and off-road driving with a small group.

In plain terms, you’re paying for:

• Time saved by visiting many key locations in one route
• Access to off-road areas that standard touring vehicles cannot reach
• Guide attention because the group is small

Lunch is not included, but you do get time for it at a typical local restaurant. The value here is the sightseeing and driving package, not a bundled meal.

Also, note that the tour is commonly booked in advance, with an average booking window of 27 days. If your trip dates are fixed, I’d treat this as a plan early option, not a last-minute one.

Pickup, Timing, and How the Day Typically Flows

Pickup is offered. You tell the company where you’re staying, and they pick you up. There’s an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal, so if you’re staying outside the main area, it’s worth confirming the pickup cost early.

The tour runs 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM as the operating window, and the full day is about 8 hours. The pace is designed around short stops at viewpoints plus a couple of longer breaks where walking is involved.

Because this is a small Jeep, it helps to be comfortable sitting in a vehicle that is more rugged than a city car. A practical thing to do: wear closed-toe shoes. You’ll do a short walk in the Ribeiro Frio area, and you may hop out for photo breaks at several viewpoints.

A sizing consideration worth taking seriously

The tour notes say:

• people over 190 cm should inform the company in advance
• people over 100 kg should inform the company in advance

One guest reported that seating and seat belt fit can be tight in the back row, and the company responded that the Jeeps are in top condition and that fit issues may come down to size. If you’re tall, or you’re worried about fitting comfortably, contact the operator before booking. If you prefer a vehicle with higher roofs, the company also suggests that a bus tour may suit you better.

The Big Start: Funchal to Pico do Arieiro

You begin in Funchal, then head up toward Pico do Arieiro. Along the way, you pass areas like Monte and Poiso on the climb, so you see that classic Madeira “up and out” feel early in the day.

Pico do Arieiro is the first major payoff. This stop is about 40 minutes, and the whole point is the height. It’s the third-highest mountain on Madeira, and the views are meant to be the kind that make you pause, look around, then look again.

If the weather is clear, this is one of the best places on the route to get your bearings. If conditions are poor, Pico do Arieiro can still be worth it for the scale, but you should expect your guide to make smart adjustments if visibility drops.

Ribeiro Frio, Levada Walking, and the Laurissilva Forest Feeling

Next comes Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, where the scenery shifts from high-mountain impressions to a greener, softer side of Madeira. The stop is described as a mix of garden-like areas with trees and ferns, plus fish farming (trout) and the Laurissilva Forest Natural Park.

The practical magic here is the walk. You’ll go for a short walk tied to Madeira’s signature water system, the levadas, or water channels. Even if you’ve seen levadas in photos, experiencing them in person gives you a real sense of how water shaped life on the island.

Then there’s an extra touch: from this area, you drive into a secret off-road spot through the forest. That segment is listed as not included for admission tickets, which suggests you might face a separate small cost there depending on what’s needed that day. It also hints at why shoes matter, because off-road forest driving usually means uneven ground and a “pay attention to where you step” vibe.

This is also where UNESCO storytelling becomes real. Laurissilva is not just a label. In daylight, you can see the forest’s density and how it covers the island’s slopes, shaping what you can grow and where trails can run.

Faial’s Sea Views and the Route Up to Santana

After the forest stop, you reach Fortress of Faial area for sea views and a look toward Penha de Águia. You also stop on a beach to see volcanic rock formations, which is a nice change from viewpoints alone. This is Madeira’s geology in a nutshell: rough, dramatic, and not trying to be polite.

You then continue up to Santana village. This is where the tour turns more cultural, but still anchored in nature.

Santana’s thatched roofs and a waterfall stop

In Santana, you’ll see the famous thatched roof houses. You get about 1 hour here, including time to visit the houses and time for lunch at a typical restaurant if you want it.

You also get a chance to see a waterfall in the Santana area. It’s listed as part of the Santana experience, so it’s not just a random extra photo stop. Even if you’re not a waterfall person, this usually plays well because the sound of water breaks up the long day of viewpoints.

Santana is also a good time to slow down. Your brain has been handling mountains and cliffs. Here, you can focus on village details and the feel of traditional architecture.

Guindaste and the North-Cast View Fix

Next up is Miradouro do Guindaste, a viewpoint stop for sea cliffs and mountains. This is one of those stops where timing matters. The route notes say that on a sunny day you may be able to see Porto Santo, Madeira’s neighbor island.

Even when you cannot see Porto Santo, Guindaste is still a strong cliff viewpoint. You’ll get wide angles, and on a clear day the rock layers and sea edges look especially sharp.

This is also a good stop for photos that don’t look like every other postcard. Because it’s built for cliffs, you get depth and scale, not just a single flat horizon line.

Porto da Cruz Promenade Break and a Sugar Cane Detour Option

Then you roll into Porto da Cruz for a seafront promenade. This is about 30 minutes, and it’s a welcome shift. After so many viewpoint angles, you get level footing and an easy stroll.

The area also gives you an option: you may have the opportunity to visit a very old sugar cane distillery. The word opportunity matters because it suggests this is not guaranteed to be open or included as a formal stop every time. If you care about it, I’d ask your guide early in the day if the distillery visit is likely on your date.

A distillery stop makes sense here because Madeira’s history includes sugar and rum trade routes. Even if you skip it, the promenade itself gives you a breather.

Ponta de São Lourenço: East End Madeira Goes Dry

Now comes one of the signature contrasts of the entire island. Ponta de São Lourenço is described as the eastern tip, and it’s different because it’s drier and more arid than the rest of Madeira. Expect sea cliffs and volcanic rocks with different colors.

This area is a true shift in mood. The greenery you saw earlier can feel far away. Instead, it’s rock forms, wind, and a more rugged feeling coast.

You’ll also get another viewpoint afterward, Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, which is known for the colors of the cliffs. This is about 30 minutes, and it reads like a “stand, look, then walk to the edge slowly” sort of moment.

If you’re the type who likes architecture of nature, this is where your camera will get used.

Garajau’s Cristo Rei Statue and the Finish Back to Funchal

The final viewpoint stop is Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, where you’ll see the Jesus Christ statue and get views back toward Funchal and the beach of Garajau.

This stop is about 30 minutes and works well as a visual wrap-up. You’ve moved from the center high points down to villages and coastlines, then back toward the main city view. It helps you see how the island is arranged, even if you never drove yourself.

You then return to Funchal for the tour finish, about 20 minutes.

Guides Make or Break the Off-Road Day

The route is impressive, but the way the day runs depends on the guide. Names that show up in the experience stories include Francisco, Mauricio, Justino, and Justin.

The consistent theme is adaptability. One guide was praised for finding an alternative viewpoint when weather made a planned stop impossible. Another guide was praised for staying calm, keeping the driving smooth on steep tracks, and still letting people take their time for pictures.

I recommend you lean into that. Ask quick questions at viewpoints. If you want a specific kind of photo, tell the guide early. In a small group, you often get more flexibility than on bigger tours.

What’s Included, What’s Optional, and What to Bring

Included on the tour:

• A small walk during the day
• Potential swimming if the weather is good
• A full day of Jeep driving with multiple stops

Not included:

• Lunch. If you want it, the tour stops at a typical restaurant.
• One forest-related stop mentions that an admission ticket is not included, so you may pay something there depending on what’s required that day.

What I’d bring:

• Good walking shoes for the levada-area walk and uneven ground in off-road segments
• A light rain layer even in summer, because mountain weather can change fast
• Sun protection if the forecast is clear, especially for the cliff and east-tip areas

Who Should Book This Jeep Tour to Santana

This is a great fit if:

• you want east Madeira highlights in one day without driving
• you like a small group and more personal guiding
• you want that mix of mountains, forests, villages, and coastline
• you’re okay with a day that depends on weather and visibility

It may be less ideal if:

• you strongly prefer a totally predictable day with no viewpoint shifting
• you are tall or have fit concerns, and you don’t want to contact the operator in advance about seating comfort

Should You Book This East Madeira Jeep Day?

Yes, if you want one high-value day that hits Madeira’s “must-see” spots while still feeling adventurous. The small-group size and off-road access are the real selling points, and the route covers major icons like Pico do Arieiro, Santana’s thatched houses, and the dramatic east end at Ponta de São Lourenço.

If you’re sensitive to weather, go in with flexibility. But that’s also when a good guide earns their keep, by shifting to workable viewpoints and keeping the day moving.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Tour To Santana: Old Forest Full-Day East-Side?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $78.10 per person.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. You share where you are staying, and the company picks you up, with an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. The tour includes time to stop at a typical restaurant if you want to eat.

How many people are on the tour?

This tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Will I have time to walk or hike?

Yes. The tour includes a small walk, including in the Ribeiro Frio area.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is only possible if the weather is good, and it is mentioned as something the group may do.

What if the weather is bad?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.