Madeira’s best views come with a steering wheel. This full-day East-Side Jeep tour to Santana strings together big-name lookouts, UNESCO forest time, and a bit of off-road fun in one long, varied day. I especially like the eight-person maximum and the way the route mixes forest, coast, and high mountain scenery. One drawback: the scenery stops are very weather-dependent, so fog or rain can force route swaps.

You also get a human-sized tour feel. With guides such as Francisco, Justino, and Maurício (depending on your date), the day often runs with real flexibility—especially when conditions change. The result is less waiting around and more time at the spots that actually work that day.

And the value comes down to where you’ll spend extra cash. Most viewpoint stops are free, but lunch is on your own, and there’s one place (Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio) where an admission charge is not included. If you’re the type who needs a set lunch plan, that’s the main trade-off.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Eight participants max means more attention and easier conversation in the Jeep
• UNESCO Laurissilva Forest time plus a levada-style walk at Ribeiro Frio
• Pico do Arieiro delivers a top-mountain view early enough to set the mood for the day
• Santana village brings the thatched-roof houses and a waterfall stop
• East Madeira change of scenery from greener interior to drier, cliffy Ponta de São Lourenço

How the East-Side loop actually moves across Madeira

This tour is built like a long “from peak to coast” circuit. You start from Funchal and work your way toward the island’s high interior views, then down through forest and villages, and finally out to the eastern tip where the rock and cliff colors get dramatic. It’s the kind of day that makes Madeira feel bigger than you expected—without you needing to drive and park yourself.

Expect a mix of short photo breaks and a few longer stops where you can walk a bit and take your time. The itinerary also includes a small walk, and if conditions allow, there’s an opportunity to go for a swim. If your dream is slow travel, you’ll still get moments to linger—but it won’t be a long hike day.

Price and value: what $78.10 buys you

At about $78.10 per person, the big value is transportation plus access. You’re paying for Jeep driving across roads and tracks that typical buses can’t handle well, along with a guide who knows where to stop for the best views.

Most of the major scenery stops are listed as free admissions (you don’t add ticket costs every time you hop out). The two cost items to plan for are:

• Lunch, which is not included (you can eat in a typical restaurant when you reach Santana)
• Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, where an admission ticket is not included

If you compare this to renting a car for the same day, the math often comes down to time and comfort. Here, you can focus on the views and let the driver handle the turns.

Pickup in Funchal and the pace of an 8-person Jeep day

This tour offers pickup. Tell the operator where you’re staying, and they’ll pick you up—though an extra fee applies if your pickup point is far from Funchal. The tour is also near public transportation, so you can ask as needed if you’re staying outside the busiest hotel zones.

A day like this works best when you’re mentally ready for movement. You’ll spend time in the Jeep between stops, and some viewpoints are quick. With only eight people, it’s easier to get a clear plan for pictures and quick breaks, and it feels less crowded than larger coach-style tours.

Also, be honest about fit. The company notes that people over 190 cm or over 100 kg should inform them in advance. That matters in a Jeep where space isn’t unlimited.

Pico do Arieiro: the third-highest payoff in 40 minutes

Pico do Arieiro is one of those stops that instantly explains why Madeira has a reputation for big views. You’ll reach it early in the day, and the scheduled time is about 40 minutes—long enough to breathe, look around, and grab a few photos, but short enough to keep the rest of the loop moving.

The view is the point: mountain walls, cloud layers, and that unmistakable high-altitude feeling. The catch is simple—if weather is low or rainy, the “wow” factor can drop fast. This is where the guide’s flexibility matters. When one viewpoint doesn’t work, the plan often shifts toward another location that gives you a clearer angle.

Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio and the levada walk with a small extra fee

Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio is where the tour adds texture. Instead of only cliff and mountain views, you get a pause in a more lived-in natural setting: garden trees and ferns, plus fish-farming linked to the local waters. The route also connects to laurissilva forest and a leveada-style water channel walk.

There’s also an off-road segment after this stop—described as a secret place off-road through the forest. It’s one of the moments that makes the Jeep feel more than just a shuttle.

Practical note: the itinerary lists admission ticket not included for this stop. So factor in a small extra cost and bring a bit of cash or card depending on how that site handles payment.

Fortress of Faial: sea views, volcanic rock, then Santana

In the village area of Faial, the tour shifts toward ocean scenery. You’ll get sea views and a view angle toward Penha de Águia. Then there’s a beach stop where you can see volcanic rock formations—another reminder that Madeira’s beauty isn’t only greenery. It’s also geology doing its thing.

After Faial, the day tilts toward Santana village. This is a helpful sequencing choice: you’re not rushing into Santana without enough context. By the time you reach the thatched-roof houses, you’ve already seen high mountain and forest—so the village feels like a real destination, not a quick photo stop.

Santana village: thatched roofs, local waterfall time, and lunch options

Santana is famous for its thatched-roof houses, and this stop is built around getting close to that look. You’ll have time to visit the houses and see what the traditional village architecture feels like in person, not just on a postcard.

There’s also an important checkpoint for your timing: this is where you’ll likely think about lunch. Lunch is not included, but the itinerary says there’s a chance to eat in a typical restaurant in the area. If you want a simple local meal without hunting, this is your moment.

You’ll also stop for a waterfall described as the magic waterfall within Santana village. The stop isn’t framed as a long hike, so treat it as a scenic visit rather than a full waterfall exploration.

Miradouro do Guindaste and the Porto Santo reveal

Miradouro do Guindaste is a viewpoint stop with the kind of edges that make you lean slightly forward without realizing it. Sea cliffs, mountains, and—on a clear day—views of the neighbor island Porto Santo.

This stop is about conditions. In bright, sunny weather, the distance views are more likely to show up. If clouds sit low, the cliffs still look dramatic, but the far island might not be visible. Again, the guide’s judgment matters here: if the sky doesn’t cooperate, they’ll usually steer the day toward another workable viewpoint.

Porto da Cruz promenade and a chance for sugar cane history

Porto da Cruz brings a calmer rhythm. You get a seafront promenade where you can walk a bit, look out along the north coast, and reset before the final eastern sweep.

The itinerary also notes an opportunity to visit a very old sugar cane distillery. Whether that time is available can depend on pacing that day, but it’s included as a possibility. This is one of those stops where you can trade one more photo moment for a bit of local production history—without turning the day into a museum marathon.

Ponta de São Lourenço: the eastern tip that feels different on purpose

Ponta de São Lourenço is where Madeira changes mood. The tour describes the eastern tip as drier and more arid, with volcanic rocks showing different colors. It’s a totally different vibe from the greener interior stops earlier in the day.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here, which is enough to soak in the cliff scenery and walk near the viewpoints if paths allow. This is also a good stop for people who like contrast: if you came for forests and levadas, you still get them—but you also end the day with a more rugged coastline.

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto and Cristo Rei do Garajau

Two more viewpoints handle the “final wow” phase.

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto focuses on cliff colors and an edge-of-the-view feel. The itinerary notes it’s impressive and different because of the way the rock tones show up. This is one of those stops where your best photos depend on the light angle and sky clarity.

Then you finish with Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau. You’ll see the statue of Jesus Christ and get views back toward Funchal and the beach area of Garajau. It’s a strong end-of-day capstone because it ties the whole loop back to where you started.

The Jeep part: the fun, plus the real-world considerations

The off-road driving is part of the point here. The tour is described as having a little dose of adrenaline, and the route includes off-road movement through forest near Ribeiro Frio. That makes this feel like a “Madeira experience,” not just sightseeing points you could hit with a bus.

That said, being in a Jeep also means:

• You’re more exposed to weather (rain and mist feel more “physical” than inside a large vehicle)
• Short stops can mean quick transitions—bring your essentials within reach
• Fit matters, especially if you’re tall or heavier, since the company asks you to inform them in advance

On the human side, the guides named in the info emphasize safety and control, and some guides are known for adjusting the day when weather breaks the original plan. That’s a big deal on Madeira, where conditions can flip fast.

What to bring for comfort (so the day stays fun)

You’ll be doing lots of getting out of the Jeep, walking a bit, and spending time at viewpoints. I’d plan around comfort and weather:

• A light rain layer even in pleasant forecast days
• Comfortable shoes for uneven ground during the small walk
• Sun protection, since some stops are exposed cliff areas
• A plan for lunch timing in Santana if you want a specific kind of meal

If the day allows swimming, bring the basics to actually use that chance. The tour says swimming depends on weather, so keep expectations flexible.

Who should book this East-Side Jeep Tour to Santana?

Book this if you want a full-day Madeira hit that covers a lot of geography in one go. It’s a great fit for first-timers who want the big scenic markers—Pico do Arieiro, UNESCO Laurissilva areas, Santana village, and Ponta de São Lourenço—without worrying about driving.

You’ll also like it if you enjoy photo breaks but still want at least one more “move-your-feet” nature moment through the levada/water-channel area. And with only eight participants, it feels more personal than the larger tour formats.

Skip it if you want a slow, deeply hiking-focused itinerary or if your day depends on guaranteed clear weather. The tour requires good weather, and even with Plan B, you can’t force the clouds to move.

Should you book it?

If you’re choosing between a standard sightseeing day and something that adds off-road access, I think this Jeep route is the smarter pick. The price is fair for the driving style, the varied scenery, and the fact that you’re not paying admission at nearly every stop.

Just be strategic: come with a flexible mindset for weather, and plan for lunch on your own at Santana and the extra admission at Ribeiro Frio. Do that, and you’ll get a memorable east-side Madeira day that feels like it goes beyond the usual highlights.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Tour to Santana (East Side)?

It runs about 8 hours on average.

Is pickup from Funchal included?

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

What’s the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What language is the tour in?

It’s offered in English.

Does the tour include lunch?

No. Lunch isn’t included, but there’s an opportunity to eat in a typical restaurant during the Santana portion of the day.

Are any entrance fees included?

Many stops are listed as free, but at Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio an admission ticket is not included.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is only possible if the weather is good. The tour includes a small walk and may include a swimming stop depending on conditions.

What if the weather is bad?

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