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

Jeep lanes and UNESCO forest in one day. This full-day East-side route pairs eight-person comfort with jaw-dropping Pico do Arieiro scenery, then keeps rolling to waterfalls, villages, and ocean cliffs. You are getting a lot of the island’s most memorable natural hits without switching rental cars or charting roads yourself.

The big thing to plan for is weather. This tour runs best in clear conditions, and if clouds or rain move in, you can expect a change of viewpoints and timing so the day still delivers.

Key points before you go

• Small group (max 8) means you get more attention and more flexibility with photo stops
• Pico do Arieiro delivers one of Madeira’s most dramatic mountain panoramas
• Laurissilva Forest plus a levada walk gives you a real feel for Madeira’s green interior and water channels
• Santana village and thatched houses add strong cultural contrast to the rugged driving
• East end viewpoints like Ponta de São Lourenço feel drier and more volcanic, so the scenery changes fast

East Madeira by Jeep, what makes this day work

If you want one day that feels like “Madeira’s greatest hits,” this jeep tour is built for that. You start from Funchal and climb into the mountains, then work your way down through villages and viewpoints along the island’s east side. It is not just a drive, you also get short walks and multiple breaks where the driver actually stops for photos and quick exploring.

The small group is a big deal. With a cap of eight travelers, the jeeps can take tighter, less-crowded routes and your guide can move people along without feeling rushed. In the reviews, guides like Francisco, Justino (Justin), and Mauricio stand out for adapting the day and finding good viewpoints when conditions shift.

The trade-off is simple: you are spending the day in a vehicle. If you hate car time, you might prefer a slower, more village-focused plan. But if you want maximum variety in a single outing, a well-run jeep circuit is one of the best ways to do Madeira’s east coast.

Getting started in Funchal, then climbing toward the mountain views

You begin in Funchal, and the tour immediately starts moving uphill. Along the way, you pass well-known areas such as Monte, then head toward Poiso and on to the biggest mountain stop of the day.

This first stretch matters more than it sounds. The earlier drive helps you beat peak crowds at higher points, and it sets the rhythm for what comes next: dramatic altitude changes, quick breaks for fresh air, and lots of perspective.

Pickup can help a lot here. The tour offers pickup, and you just need to share where you are staying. There is an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal, so if you are staying out toward the edges, factor that in.

Pico do Arieiro, the view that sets the mood

Pico do Arieiro is the third-highest mountain on Madeira, and the stop time is about 40 minutes. Expect an intense, wide-angle look at Madeira’s mountain folds, ridges, and cloud-level drama, especially when visibility is good.

This is also a stop where you should read the weather. If it is clear, you will get the full “wow.” If it is misty, the charm is still there, but it becomes more about atmosphere and light through the clouds. Either way, you are at one of the island’s best points for understanding why Madeira looks the way it does.

Practical tip: bring a light layer for the summit and keep your camera ready. Mountain air can feel cooler fast, and you will want to capture the change as the jeep rolls along the slopes.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, forest, water channels, and a quieter kind of Madeira

Next comes Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, described as a beautiful garden-like stop with trees, ferns, and a mix of Laurissilva Forest plus fish-farming (trout). You also connect to the idea of Madeira’s water system by walking along a levada (the island’s water channels).

This part of the day is important because it breaks up the “big view” pattern. After a mountain viewpoint, you get a slower, more grounded experience: shade, plant life, and the sense that water shapes the island. Even if you only do the short walk time offered, it is a nice reset for your legs and your eyes.

From here, you go off the main roads into a secret off-road forest area. That is where the jeep concept really shines. A normal bus or rental car often cannot reach the same kind of roadside-to-trail feeling, but this route aims to make the transition smooth and fun.

One consideration: off-road driving and short walking together means you should wear shoes you trust on uneven surfaces. The tour includes a small walk, and it is easier if you are not in flimsy sandals.

Fortress of Faial, sea views, volcanic rocks, and the drive inland

At Faial, the tour focuses on sea views and mountain scenery. You stop near the Penha de Águia area, then head up so you can enjoy a beach-side moment with dramatic volcanic rock formations.

This is the kind of stop that adds variety without eating your whole day. You get coastal drama and a feel for how quickly Madeira shifts from lush forest to rock and ocean air. Then you keep going to Santana, which is your next big culture-and-architecture hit.

If you are the type who likes both viewpoints and small “look and snap” photo moments, this segment fits you well. It is not just one overlook, it is a sequence of short, distinct scenes.

Santana village and its thatched houses, plus a waterfall stop

Santana is where Madeira’s human side shows up clearly. You visit the village and check out the famous thatched-roof houses, a style that helps define the region’s identity. The tour includes time to explore and a chance to have lunch at a typical restaurant if you want.

You also get a stop for a waterfall in the Santana area. That adds movement and sound to the day, a welcome contrast to the long stretches of driving and looking.

One small but meaningful note: lunch is not included in the tour price. The good part is that the break is optional in practice, because the tour schedules time to eat where you feel like you can. If you want to keep cost down, you can grab something quick. If you want a more relaxed meal, this is your moment to slow down.

In the reviews, the lunch stop is often praised for being tasty and good value. Still, taste is personal, so go in with flexible expectations and plan to eat something simple.

Miradouro do Guindaste, cliff drama and a quick look at Porto Santo

After Santana, you head toward Miradouro do Guindaste, a viewpoint known for sea cliffs and mountain views. The time here is about 30 minutes, and on a sunny day you can even see Porto Santo in the distance.

This is another “weather-check” stop. If clouds are low, the distant island might disappear. But the cliff views themselves usually stay impressive, even when visibility is imperfect.

What I like about this scheduling is how it layers the coast. You have already seen sea rock and beach scenes around Faial, then you pivot to cliff heights and horizon views. Your brain starts mapping Madeira’s shape, and suddenly the island feels easier to understand.

Porto da Cruz seafront time, plus a look at sugar cane heritage

The tour includes a stop in Porto da Cruz, with time on the seafront promenade. It is a chance to stretch your legs, get a calmer ocean view, and reset from the harsher cliff look of earlier stops.

There is also an opportunity to visit an old sugar cane distillery. That gives you a hint of how Madeira’s agriculture and economy shaped places along the coast. It is not a long museum marathon, more like a cultural sidebar that can be worth your attention if you like food and local production stories.

This stop also helps you feel the north coast vibe without committing to a full north-coast day trip. If you are staying in Funchal and only have limited time, it is a smart way to broaden your understanding of the island.

Ponta de São Lourenço, why the east end feels like a different Madeira

Then you hit Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern tip of Madeira. This area is described as drier and more arid, with sea cliffs and volcanic rocks in different colors. It feels different from the rest of the island, and that is exactly why it is on the itinerary.

You get about 30 minutes here, which is a good match for viewpoint time. You are not expected to do a long hike in this segment, but you do get enough time to take in the rock colors and cliff shapes that make this side of Madeira stand apart.

If you love contrast, this is the stop. In one day, you move from forest, to waterfalls, to cliffs, and then to a more barren-looking shoreline that makes you rethink what Madeira can look like.

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto and Garajau, closing the day with more viewpoints

The itinerary finishes with more viewpoint stops that keep the day’s energy up. Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto is known for cliff colors and an edge-of-the-world feel. You then move to Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, where you can see the statue of Jesus Christ with a view over Funchal and the beach of Garajau.

These last stops are where you tie together everything you saw earlier. If morning felt like climbing into mountains, late day feels like looking back out at the island and its coastline. Even if you have seen lots of viewpoints, this finale helps you feel the island as a whole, not as separate random pictures.

You finish back in Funchal after about 20 minutes of return time from the final viewpoint.

How much time you really get, and how to match your expectations

This is an 8-hour full-day experience, with lots of short stops rather than one long excursion. That is a feature, not a flaw, as long as you know what you are signing up for.

Here is what that means for you:

• You will spend time in transit, but you get frequent breaks
• The walks are small, so you can handle it even if you are not a hardcore hiker
• Most stops are timed to give you photos and a quick explore, not a deep museum-style immersion

In the reviews, guides also adjust when weather makes a viewpoint difficult. One guide narrative stands out: when an intended spot was not workable due to conditions, the driver still found another view location. That kind of practical flexibility is exactly what you want from a route like this.

Price and value, why $78.10 can make sense here

At $78.10 per person, you are paying for four things at once: transportation by jeep, a guided route, multiple viewpoints across east Madeira, and access to off-road areas plus short walk time.

If you tried to replicate this on your own, the costs add up fast. You would need multiple car rentals or a full day of buses and taxis, and you still might not reach the off-road forest moments that jeeps are built for. The small group size also matters, because it helps keep the day coordinated and less chaotic.

What is not included is lunch, and you should budget for that if you plan to eat sit-down. Also, swimming is only mentioned as possible if the weather is good, so do not plan your day around a guarantee.

Overall, I see this price as fair if you want a “one day, many highlights” plan. If you are traveling slowly and want to spend most of your time wandering in one or two areas, you might get more value from a shorter local tour instead.

Who this Jeep Tour is best for

This tour fits best if you:

• Want maximum variety in one day, mountain to coast
• Like photo stops and want a guide who stops where the view is worth it
• Enjoy short walks and levada-style water-channel scenery
• Prefer a small group over big coach crowds

It is also ideal if you are a first-timer to Madeira and want a strong map of the island fast. The route covers key natural sights, plus a cultural stop in Santana, plus ocean viewpoints and an arid eastern-tip contrast.

One caution for planning: this is not the best match if you dislike uneven ground or you need very roomy seating. The tour mentions that people over 190 cm and over 100 kg should inform the company in advance, which suggests fit matters. If you are on the taller side, it is worth checking so your day feels comfortable.

Final verdict, should you book the East-side Jeep Tour to Santana?

I would book this tour if you want a single full day that shows you how Madeira changes from forest to cliff to arid volcanic rock, all with a guide driving a jeep route that typical vehicles often cannot access. The small group size, the mix of Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva Forest, and Santana, and the guide flexibility in changing weather all point to a day that stays fun even when the sky plays games.

I would not book it if your idea of a good day is long, slow wandering with minimal driving. This one is designed for momentum, with lots of short stops and a lot of “look, walk a bit, photo, move on.”

If you have that right mindset, this is a strong value way to spend your time on Madeira’s east side, with enough variety to feel like you did more than one trip in a single day.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Tour to Santana?

The tour runs for about 8 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $78.10 per person.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is pickup included, and do they offer it in Funchal?

Pickup is offered. You need to share where you are staying, and there is an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is a mobile ticket provided?

Yes, a mobile ticket is offered.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. If you want lunch, the tour stops at a typical restaurant.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is not guaranteed, but if the weather is good, the tour notes that there may be a swimming stop.

What should I expect from the walking part?

The tour includes a small walk, and it can involve walking on a levada (water channels).

What happens if weather is poor?

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