Shore Excursion – Santana & Peaks 4×4 tour

This tour is interesting because it takes you off the main roads fast, in an open-top 4×4 that shows you Madeira’s eastern side from close up. You’re not just ticking sights, you’re riding the mountain terrain, then hopping out at classic viewpoints and local stops.

I love the mix of traditional Santana time and the quieter feel of countryside villages. I also really like that the route includes Madeira’s UNESCO-listed native forest area, not just scenic pulls over for photos.

One thing to consider is that some stops list admission as not included, so you may need to budget extra for places like the rum house and Pico do Arieiro.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Open-top 4×4 ride time gives you better angles for photos and feeling the altitude and terrain.
• Santana traditions on a short, well-timed stop so you still get the rest of the day’s highlights.
• UNESCO-listed native forest visit adds real nature time, not just lookout time.
• Lots of short stops across the east so you get variety without a rushed sprint to everywhere.
• Small group up to 8 helps the driver manage the roads and keeps things personal.
• Guide energy matters and the tour’s guides (names like Nelson and Spencer come up) are praised for good explanations and a friendly vibe.

A full-day Santana & Peaks route makes sense from Funchal

If you’re sailing into Madeira and have one day to see the east, this tour is built for that exact problem: getting far enough away from Funchal without spending half the day on logistics. The day starts early, and you’re moving in a tight loop that hits coastal towns, viewpoint stops, and inland terrain.

The “4×4 with open top roof” part is a big deal. It means you hear the vehicle more than a bus, you feel the turns, and you get clear sightlines for the views. It’s also why weather matters more than usual. If it’s breezy or rainy, you’ll feel it.

At the same time, the tour is designed for comfort where it counts. You get pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal, plus a small group size up to 8, so you’re not stuck waiting on dozens of people.

Morning pickup and the first taste of Madeira’s east

You start around 8:30 am with pickup at the cruise terminal, then you head out in the 4×4. The morning pacing is smart. You’re already in travel mode, so the day’s energy stays high and you’re not scrambling to fit major stops after midday.

Stop 1: Machico

Machico is a quick 10-minute stop with no admission ticket required. Even if it’s brief, it’s a helpful “reset” stop after boarding and before the mountain portion starts. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs, grab a quick photo, and get your bearings on the eastern coast.

The potential drawback: this is not a deep exploration. If you’re hoping for museums or a long meal, you’ll want to save that for another day.

Stop 2: Miradouro da Portela

Next comes Miradouro da Portela, another 10 minutes, but admission is listed as not included. This is the kind of viewpoint stop you’ll appreciate on a clear morning. It’s short, so your guide can keep the route flowing.

The consideration: since the admission is not included, you should be ready to pay separately if tickets are required. It’s the most common “surprise cost” type item on a day like this.

Porto da Cruz, rum culture, and quick photo breaks

This stretch shifts from coast to local character. Porto da Cruz is a stop with free admission, then you go to the Madeira Rum House for a short visit.

Stop 3: Porto da Cruz

You get another free stop here. The value is that it breaks up the ride, gives you time to look around the area, and sets you up for the rum stop without feeling like you’ve been trapped in the vehicle too long.

Stop 4: Madeira Rum House (Porto da Cruz)

The Madeira Rum House stop is 15 minutes, and admission is not included. This is one of the day’s more “buy-in” choices. If you want to learn about Madeira rum and see how it’s presented to visitors, this is a quick, direct way to do it.

Practical tip: with only 15 minutes, you won’t want to go in expecting a slow, full experience. Think of it as an overview stop, then decide if you want more later.

Fortim do Faial and Kartodromo do Faial: why these odd stops help

Some tours keep you on the sightseeing path. This one tosses in stops that feel more local and a bit more playful, which is exactly why the day feels like an adventure rather than a checklist.

Stop 5: Fortim do Faial

Fortim do Faial is a free stop. Even if it’s not a long visit, a fort stop usually means views and a sense of how the terrain is positioned. It also gives you a change of pace from town life.

Stop 6: Kartodromo do Faial

Then you hit Kartodromo do Faial, also free. This might seem random until you realize it’s a chance to step away, take photos, and keep energy up before Santana and the inland nature portion. It also signals that the route is not built around only the most famous tourism zones.

The drawback: if you’re the type who wants every stop to be a major attraction, these shorter, more “interesting local settings” stops may feel like fillers. But they’re often the moments that make the day feel more real.

Santana: traditional houses and the countryside feel

Now you start getting the “Madeira postcards” type moments, without losing the off-road adventure.

Stop 7: Santana (15 minutes, free)

You arrive in Santana for a 15-minute stop with free admission. This gives you time to orient yourself and get a first look at the town’s character. Santana is the place you’ll remember when you think of northern-style Madeira traditions, even though you’re doing it from the east route.

Stop 8 and Stop 9: Santana again, plus Casas Tipicas de Santana

Then you return to Santana for another 15-minute stop (admission not included), followed by Casas Tipicas de Santana for 15 minutes (also admission not included).

What this usually means for you: you can see both the general village setting and then focus on the traditional houses area, where tickets may apply. It’s a decent structure because you’re not trapped in a single fenced zone for the whole time.

The consideration: because multiple Santana segments list admission not included, make sure you understand what you want to pay for on the day. If your timing is tight or the weather turns, you may choose to spend more time outside and less time inside ticketed areas.

Ribeiro Frio and the UNESCO-listed native forest time

This is the part of the day that adds balance. After viewpoint and town time, you get nature.

Stop 10: Ribeiro Frio (free)

Ribeiro Frio is a free stop. From here, the tour’s focus includes Madeira’s UNESCO-listed native forest. That matters because it turns this from just a driving-and-looking day into something with a stronger sense of ecology and place.

Even if your time is limited, you’ll likely feel the difference the moment you step into the forest environment. Madeira’s native forests are one of the most distinctive parts of the island, and you don’t get that feeling from a postcard viewpoint alone.

Practical note: since you’re outdoors, dress for quick temperature swings. Morning can feel mild, and the forest areas can feel cooler and damp depending on conditions.

Poiso’s Madeira Islands stop and the push toward the heights

As the day turns late morning into midday, the route shifts again. You go deeper into the itinerary’s “peaks” portion, with another designated stop in Poiso.

Stop 11: Madeira Islands (Poiso, free)

You’ll stop at a location called Madeira Islands in Poiso for a free visit. The exact experience at this stop isn’t described in detail in the information I was given, but as a route moment, it acts like a transition. It’s where the day’s mood shifts from village and forest into higher ground and bigger viewpoints.

Why it helps: a transition stop gives you time to reset before the big altitude moment. It can also reduce the stress of needing the next stop to be your best.

Stop 12: Pico do Arieiro (15 minutes, admission not included)

Then comes the headline altitude stop, Pico do Arieiro, 15 minutes, and admission is not included. The overview calls it Madeira’s third-highest peak, and this is the kind of stop that changes how the island looks. On clear days, you get serious elevation views and a feeling of scale that you don’t get in coastal towns.

The key consideration: the admission is not included, so it’s another place where you may need separate tickets. Also, higher altitude weather can change quickly, so plan for wind and cooler temperatures even if the lower towns felt warm.

The open-top 4×4 experience: fun, but plan for the basics

This tour is built around off-road terrain and close-up driving. That’s why people talk about it like an experience, not a bus ride.

You can expect:

• Slower moments where the driver picks routes carefully through uneven terrain.
• Quick stops where you’re out for a short window, then back in.
• A constant need for situational awareness, because the vehicle is part of the show.

Guides and drivers described in the stories around this tour, including names like Nelson and Spencer, are praised for safety and for keeping the tone upbeat. That matters, because when roads get rough, the driver’s confidence and communication make a big difference in your comfort.

What to bring so it’s actually enjoyable:

• A light jacket, even in warm weather. Higher areas can feel cooler.
• Sun protection, since open-top seating gives you direct exposure.
• A small bag with a rain layer if the sky looks iffy. You’ll feel sprinkles more in an open vehicle.

Price and value: is $75.24 a good deal for an 8-hour day?

At $75.24 per person, you’re paying for more than seat time. You’re buying:

• Pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal
• Driver/guide and a local guide
• A small group up to 8, with the overall cap at 24
• A full 4×4 route across the island’s eastern side
• A day that mixes coastal towns, Santana traditions, and a UNESCO-listed native forest area

If you compare it to piecing together multiple tickets and transportation on your own, the value often comes from the time savings. You also avoid the headache of finding drivers for off-road routes, which usually aren’t as easy to arrange independently at cruise times.

The only thing that can affect the final “all-in” cost is that some stops show admissions as not included. The rum house, Pico do Arieiro, and parts of the Santana traditional houses area may all require extra payment depending on what you choose to enter.

So my advice is simple: treat $75.24 as the base cost, then budget a little extra for those not-included admission points.

Who this Santana & Peaks 4×4 tour is best for

This works especially well if you:

• Want a one-day Madeira plan from a cruise stop, with pickup and drop-off handled.
• Like off-the-beaten-path driving, and you enjoy short walkouts and quick viewpoint stops.
• Want both “Madeira traditions” (Santana) and “Madeira nature” (UNESCO-listed native forest).

It may not be the best match if you:

• Hate the idea of paying separate admissions at a few stops.
• Prefer long museum-style visits. This tour favors movement and time variety more than slow browsing.
• Are very sensitive to wind, sun, or light rain, since the open-top roof changes how you experience weather.

Should you book Santana & Peaks with Green Devil Safari?

I think you should book this tour if your priority is a full, varied Madeira day with off-road energy, strong scenery, and at least one nature segment that goes beyond just looking out a window. The route is built to give you multiple “oh wow” moments, including Santana and the high stop at Pico do Arieiro.

I’d skip it or rethink it if you want a calm, long, fully guided indoor day where you pay one price and never think about admissions again. With several stops listing tickets as not included, you’ll want to decide in advance what you really want to enter versus just see from outside.

If you’re willing to dress for open-top driving and accept a packed schedule with short stops, this is the kind of excursion that makes Madeira feel bigger and more varied than a simple day in town.

FAQ

How long is the Santana & Peaks 4×4 tour from Funchal?

It runs about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at the cruise terminal.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is described as a small group up to 8 persons, with a maximum of 24 travelers.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed in the provided “Not Included” section, even though the overview says lunch is included. To be safe, plan for snacks and check your confirmation details.

Are tickets included for every stop?

No. Some stops list admission as free, while others list admission as not included, such as Miradouro da Portela, the Madeira Rum House, parts of Santana, and Pico do Arieiro.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellation within 24 hours of the start time is not refundable.