REVIEW · FUNCHAL
Jeep Tour To Santana: Old Forest Full-Day East-Side
Book on Viator →Operated by Just Go Tours · Bookable on Viator
Madeira by Jeep means drama and views all day. This full-day East-side ride is built for a small group (max 8), with stops that hit major highlights like UNESCO-listed Laurissilva and the thatched-roof village of Santana.
I like the way the route mixes big-ticket scenery with quick breaks that actually let you look, breathe, and take photos, especially around Pico do Arieiro and the sea-cliff viewpoints. The one drawback is simple: this kind of mountain touring depends on weather, and the off-road vehicle is designed for normal-fit travelers, so taller guests may want to think twice (or message the operator first).
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Why an East-Side Jeep Day Works in Madeira
- Getting picked up in Funchal, and staying comfortable in the Jeep
- Pico do Arieiro first: start with Madeira’s wow factor
- Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: levada walking plus forest time
- Faial and Santana: volcanic sea views, thatched roofs, and a waterfall break
- Miradouro do Guindaste, Porto da Cruz, and the north-coast style of views
- Ponta de São Lourenço and the cliff-color show
- Timing, walking level, and the swimming maybe
- Price and value: what $78.10 buys you here
- Guide style and safety on steep, off-road tracks
- Should you book the Santana East-Side Jeep Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Jeep Tour to Santana on the East side?
- What price should I expect per person?
- Is pickup included, and do they serve all of Funchal?
- How big is the group?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Is lunch included in the price?
- Are there any entry fees during the day?
- Is there walking, and can I swim?
- What happens if it’s bad weather?
- Can I get a full refund if I cancel?
Key things to know before you go
- Small-group cap of 8 means less crowding at viewpoints and more time for your questions.
- Off-road access gets you to spots regular buses can’t reach, including a forest area reached by Jeep.
- Several 30–40 minute scenic stops gives you time to walk a bit and get photos without feeling rushed.
- Santana + Laurissilva + Pico do Arieiro in one day is a high-value combo for first-time Madeira visitors.
- Swimming is optional and weather-based, so plan for it, but don’t count on it if conditions are rough.
- Jeep comfort depends on your size, with guidance to contact the company if you’re over 190 cm or 100 kg.
Why an East-Side Jeep Day Works in Madeira
This is the kind of tour that makes sense when you want a full-picture day without renting a car or playing logistics tag. Madeira’s north and south sides feel totally different, and the East side leans drier and cliffier toward the Ponta de São Lourenço area.
You’ll also notice the pacing: you’re not just driving through scenery. You’re stopping often enough that you can actually experience places—forest edges, miradouros, village lanes, and ocean viewpoints—rather than only seeing them from the window.
Finally, the Jeep format adds value beyond excitement. You’re able to get off the main roads and into terrain that normal transport can’t manage, which is a big deal on an island where the best views often come from the “hard to reach” roads.
A few more Funchal tours and experiences worth a look
Getting picked up in Funchal, and staying comfortable in the Jeep
Pickup is offered, and you’ll let them know where you’re staying in Funchal. There may be an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal, so it’s worth confirming your exact location when you book.
The operator notes a mobile ticket, and the tour runs daily between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM during the listed season. Most travelers can participate, but height and weight matter here: if you’re over 190 cm or over 100 kg, you should inform the company in advance.
That matters because this is a Land Rover-built style Jeep, intended for normal-fit travelers. If you don’t fit comfortably, your enjoyment drops fast, especially on bumpy off-road sections. If you’re in that edge zone, message ahead and ask what seating options are available.
Pico do Arieiro first: start with Madeira’s wow factor
The day kicks off from Funchal and heads up toward Pico do Arieiro, with a pass by Monte as you climb. Pico do Arieiro is treated as one of the island’s top viewpoints, and the stop here is about 40 minutes—long enough to step out, orient yourself, and take in the mountain scale.
What you’ll love most is the feeling of standing in the middle of the island’s dramatic spine. Madeira’s interior has a different mood than the coast: sharper peaks, more changing light, and that sense that the island keeps going.
One practical note: this is a high-altitude stop, so if fog rolls in or rain is heavy, your view might be reduced. That’s where a good guide makes the difference, since they can often shift you to better angles later in the day.
Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: levada walking plus forest time
From the heights, the route moves into Balcões de Ribeiro Frio, where the scenery changes again. Expect a stop around a garden area with trees, ferns, and a fish-farming setup tied to local water systems, plus time in/near Laurissilva forest.
This is the part of the tour that feels calmer. You’ll have about 30 minutes here, and the idea is to take a short walk along a levada (Madeira’s water channel system). Even if you’re not a “hike person,” this short stretch is a nice way to understand how the island works and why people historically depended on these channels.
Then comes an extra off-road moment: after the main stop, you go to a forest area through off-road tracks by Jeep. The timing is about 30 minutes, and there’s a note that an admission ticket may not be included for that segment—so budget for a small extra cost if they charge at the entrance.
If it’s dry, this section can be one of the day’s best. If it’s wet, it can still be scenic, but you’ll want proper shoes and patience as roads and paths slow down.
Faial and Santana: volcanic sea views, thatched roofs, and a waterfall break
Next you’ll reach the village of Faial for a coastal viewpoint focus. This stop leans toward sea views and dramatic rock formations, including a volcanic-looking area you can see from the beach where the group pauses before heading inland toward Santana.
This is where the East side starts to feel “old Madeira.” The route then shifts to Santana Village, famous for its thatched-roof houses. You’ll have about 1 hour here, which is a good length for actually walking around, not just snapping pictures and leaving.
The tour also includes a chance to lunch in a typical restaurant in the village, but lunch isn’t included in the price. I like that this keeps your options open: you can choose something simple that fits your tastes and budget, or skip the full meal if you’d rather save calories for later viewpoint stops.
And yes, there’s also a waterfall stop in Santana. Even for people who think they’ve seen waterfalls before, this one is worth the short stop because of the village context. It’s not just water in a forest; it’s water tied to where people live and built their routines.
Miradouro do Guindaste, Porto da Cruz, and the north-coast style of views
After Santana, the route moves through more miradouros—viewpoints that are basically Madeira’s signature. Miradouro do Guindaste is one of them, with sea cliffs and mountain views, plus on a clear day you can see toward Porto Santo.
These short stops are useful because they let you re-check the island’s shape. If your earlier views felt like mountain drama, here you’ll get a heavier dose of ocean edges and cliffs.
Then you’ll reach Porto da Cruz, where the focus becomes the seafront. You get about 30 minutes for a promenade-style break and the chance to visit a very old sugar cane distillery if that interests you.
If you’re thinking in terms of variety, this is a smart choice. A lot of Madeira days become all-natural scenery. Here you get a coastal village vibe plus a taste of the island’s production history.
The only drawback at these stops is that they’re often outdoors and exposed. If it’s windy or raining, keep your camera strap short and expect your time outside to feel quicker. That’s still fine, since the driving sections keep the day moving.
Ponta de São Lourenço and the cliff-color show
Now you’ll hit one of the most different areas on the island: Ponta de São Lourenço. This eastern tip feels drier and more arid than much of Madeira, with volcanic rocks and sea cliffs in more varied colors.
You’ll have about 30 minutes here. That doesn’t sound long, but on a coastline like this, you don’t need a marathon to get the point. You mainly want time to walk a bit, look for viewpoints, and enjoy the stark contrast with the lushness you saw earlier in the day.
Then you’ll roll to Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto for another cliff viewpoint stop. The time is again about 30 minutes, and the key is the edge views and the unusual cliff color mix.
Finally, the route includes Miradouro do Cristo Rei do Garajau, where you’ll see the Jesus Christ statue overlooking Funchal and the beach of Garajau. The stop is about 30 minutes, giving you a solid chance to take photos from the viewpoint and then settle into the final leg back toward Funchal.
Timing, walking level, and the swimming maybe
This is an 8-hour tour in total, with frequent breaks that range from about 20 minutes near the end to 40 minutes at the higher-priority viewpoint. Many stops are short, which helps you see a lot without turning the day into one long grind.
Included in the day: a small walk and, if weather is good, the chance to stop for swimming. That swimming part is weather dependent, so I treat it like a bonus, not a guarantee. If the conditions are rough, you’ll still get plenty of scenic stops and walking breaks.
Footwear matters. You’ll be stepping around viewpoints, and some walking sections may be uneven, especially if it’s been raining. Bring layers too; mountain weather can change fast.
And remember: lunch is not included. The tour plan includes the option to eat in Santana at a typical restaurant, and it’s smart to plan for a meal stop you’re comfortable paying for. If you snack in between, you’ll keep your energy up through the later cliff viewpoints.
Price and value: what $78.10 buys you here
At $78.10 per person, this tour is priced like a premium day trip, but it still feels like good value because you’re paying for transportation plus access to places you’d struggle to reach easily.
The big value driver is the combination of:
- a small group (max 8),
- Jeep access to off-road terrain,
- multiple high-impact viewpoints spread across both mountain and coast,
- and time in key cultural spots like Santana’s thatched houses.
If you were to DIY this with a rental car, you could do it, but you’d still be juggling parking, driving stress on narrow roads, and losing the off-road advantage. With the Jeep tour, you get a prepared route and the option to adapt when weather changes.
The trade-off is that you’re not in full control of the day. Your schedule is set by stops and timing. If you prefer wandering with zero structure, you might feel a bit guided. If you like a plan that hits the island’s best variety, the price feels easier to justify.
Guide style and safety on steep, off-road tracks
This tour’s success is tied closely to the guide. The named guides linked to this experience, including Francisco, Mauricio, and Justino, come up repeatedly for a reason: they’re flexible when weather interferes and they’re comfortable driving on tricky mountain roads.
In practical terms, that means you’re not stuck with one-viewpoint-only plans. If a location is impossible due to clouds or rain, a good guide helps you shift to a workable viewpoint.
Safety also matters on this kind of route. The operator emphasizes that the Jeeps are in top condition and built by Land Rover for normal people, and they advise contacting them for height/size fit issues rather than hoping you’ll “make it work.” If you do fit comfortably, you’re likely to feel the benefits of an experienced off-road driver more than the stress of the terrain.
What you should expect: a day with little adrenaline, lots of photo stops, and a driving style that aims to keep you safe while still getting to the roads that make the tour special.
Should you book the Santana East-Side Jeep Tour?
Book it if you want a single-day overview that balances mountain drama, UNESCO-area forest time, classic village scenery, and cliff-coast variety. It’s also a strong choice if you’d rather not drive yourself on Madeira’s steep, curvy roads and would enjoy the off-road access a Jeep brings.
Skip it or think carefully if weather usually bothers you. You’ll be outdoors at multiple miradouros, and fog or rain can change what you see. Also, if you’re on the taller side (over 190 cm) or heavier (over 100 kg), message ahead so you don’t end up squeezed in a vehicle seat built for typical sizing.
If you like guided days with enough freedom for photos and short walks, this one makes sense. You’ll come away feeling you covered the East side’s most memorable “Madeira flavors” without turning the day into a headache.
FAQ
How long is the Jeep Tour to Santana on the East side?
It runs for about 8 hours (approx.), depending on conditions and stop timing.
What price should I expect per person?
The price listed is $78.10 per person.
Is pickup included, and do they serve all of Funchal?
Pickup is offered. You tell them where you’re staying, and there may be an extra fee if your pickup point is far from Funchal.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Is lunch included in the price?
No. Lunch is not included, but there is an option to eat in a typical restaurant during the Santana stop.
Are there any entry fees during the day?
The itinerary lists several stops with admission ticket free. One forest off-road segment is marked as admission ticket not included, so there may be a small extra cost for that part.
Is there walking, and can I swim?
There’s a small walk included. If the weather is good, the tour may include a swimming stop, but it’s not guaranteed.
What happens if it’s bad weather?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I get a full refund if I cancel?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Less than 24 hours before start time is not refundable.
