Madeira: Santana Jeep Safari and Referta Levada Walk

One day on Madeira, many worlds in motion. I love the Pico do Arieiro photo stop at 1818 m for big-sky views, and the Referta levada walk for those dramatic, green valley perspectives. The main drawback is that the schedule is packed, so you will be moving most of the day, with only short stops to take it all in.

This is a smart way to see eastern Madeira without renting a car. Pickup and drop-off are available from Funchal, and you travel with a live guide in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. Guides I noted from past groups include Gil, Miguel, Pedro, and David da Silva, and the common theme is confident driving plus helpful explanations along the way.

At about $72 per person for an 8 hour outing, the value comes from the combo: Jeep time plus levada walking, plus cultural stops like Santana and a rum visit in Porto da Cruz. Food and drinks are not included, so plan a little extra budget for lunch.

Key highlights you will care about

• 1818 m panoramic views at Pico do Arieiro with a quick, photogenic walk and lookout time
• Jeep off-road driving through Faial and the mountains near Ribeiro Frio for a real change of scenery
• The Referta levada walk paired with viewpoints over Madeira’s valleys
• Santana village and thatched triangular roof houses, a distinctive slice of local culture
• Porto da Cruz rum distillery stop, where you can smell the spirit before you see it
• Ponta de São Lourenço finish, rugged and exposed, with views toward both coasts

Pico do Arieiro at 1818 m: the view that makes the day click

The day starts at Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira’s highest points at 1818 m. You get a photo stop and a short walk, about 20 minutes, which is enough time to grab the big framing shots when the weather cooperates.

This is the moment where Madeira stops being a postcard and becomes a place. From up here, you get long sightlines across deep valleys and jagged peaks, and you can see why the island feels like it was carved by storms and time rather than roads and fences. One reason I like this stop early is that it sets the tone for everything that follows: you are about to spend hours on narrow levada paths, on rugged viewpoints, and in villages that feel tiny compared to the mountains.

Practical note: at altitude, it can feel cooler and windier than in Funchal. Bring the layers you packed, and use your sunglasses and sunscreen, even if clouds are hanging around.

Faial Jeep safari energy: how off-road time changes the scenery

After Pico do Arieiro, the tour shifts into adventure mode with driving through the mountains around Faial and the Ribeiro Frio area. You will have an off-road adventure component, plus scenic stop time and a bit of hiking, with about an hour around this stage.

What makes this part worth it is that the terrain here is not just scenic, it is dramatic. Jeep roads and mountain tracks let you reach viewpoints and trailheads that you simply would not hit by foot or bus alone. And, importantly, the vibe stays fun rather than stressful. Many past participants singled out their guides for safe, expert driving, including Gil and Pedro, which matters on steep, uneven terrain.

If you are sensitive to bumps, keep your expectations realistic: this is not a smooth highway ride. But you should feel comfortable if you listen to your guide and follow basic safety cues during the stops.

Ribeiro Frio and the Referta levada walk: the kind of walking Madeira is famous for

At Ribeiro Frio, you get the more grounded side of the day. The itinerary includes hiking plus scenic viewpoints on the way, and this is where the Referta levada walk fits into the experience. The goal is not a long endurance hike. It is a manageable walk on Madeira’s signature water-transport paths, with frequent chances to look out over green valleys.

Why you will probably like it: a levada walk gives you a different relationship to the island. You are still close to nature and open views, but you are not hiking straight uphill for hours. You can focus on the small details too, like the way the vegetation changes with elevation and how the terrain funnels the light.

Bring the basics seriously. Wear comfortable shoes with grip, and pack a windbreaker. One past participant warned that the jeep can get windy, especially if you shift your stance for photos, so having a jacket you can zip up fast is a smart move.

Santana: triangular thatched-roof houses and time to reset

Next you roll into Santana, where the culture stop feels like a breather after the mountains. You will have a break plus time for sightseeing and lunch, with about 2 hours in the area.

Santana is known for its iconic triangular roof houses, the kind made with thatch and built to last through generations. The local houses you will see here have been standing for over 250 years, and that longevity is part of what makes the stop meaningful. It is not just a quick photo moment. It gives you a sense of how people shaped homes around local materials and weather.

Lunch is the one spot where your experience might vary. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, but you will likely have a place where you can grab lunch during the Santana break. One participant noted that the Santana lunch stop felt more like a tourist stop than charming local life, but they still rated the overall tour strongly, and Santana itself is generally the point of the visit. So: go into lunch with a flexible mindset, and focus on the houses and streets as the main payoff.

Porto da Cruz rum stop: a sensory break on the North Coast

From Santana, you head to Porto da Cruz for a photo stop and a distillery visit, about 30 minutes. This is where Madeira turns playful and fragrant.

The key detail here is simple: you can smell the rum before you even get deep into the explanation. A traditional distillery visit is short, but it gives you a real sense of how the island became famous for its spirit and why Porto da Cruz is part of that story.

If you like tours where you can see and smell a product, this stop hits the right notes. And it also gives you a break from walking, which you will appreciate right before the final stretch.

Ponta de São Lourenço: the rugged, windy finale

The day ends at Ponta de São Lourenço, a peninsula known as the island’s lowest, driest, and windiest area. You get a photo stop, sightseeing, and a short walk, about 25 minutes, with scenic views along the way.

This is the payoff for all the earlier mountain time. The coastline here looks rougher, more exposed, and more sculpted by wind and sea than the lush interior. You get views over both the north and south coasts, which is a rare kind of perspective from a single outing.

In other words, you close the loop: altitude views early, green valleys in the middle, dry rocky coast at the end. If you are the type who likes finishing strong with dramatic scenery, you will like this ending.

What to bring, and what to expect on a full 8 hours

This is an outdoor day that mixes walking, viewpoints, and off-road driving. You will want to show up prepared, because the weather can shift quickly in the mountains and on exposed coasts.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Windbreaker
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen

Wear clothes for warm and cold temperatures, since you can move from sun to cooler ridges. Also, bring your camera, because the tour has multiple quick photo stops that are worth the effort. If you get motion-sensitive, sit comfortably during the Jeep sections and avoid standing for long periods when wind kicks up.

On the physical side, this tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. If you have any mobility concerns, it is worth deciding based on your comfort with uneven ground, short climbs, and getting in and out of the vehicle repeatedly.

Price and value: why $72 works for a Jeep plus levada day

At $72 per person for an 8 hour experience, the cost makes sense because you are buying more than walking. You are paying for guided transport, the off-road Jeep element, and the live guide who connects the stops into one coherent day.

Included items:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (depending on the option selected)
• Driver/guide
• Insurance required by Portuguese law

Not included:

• Food and drinks

So the value equation looks like this: you avoid the hassle of logistics and driving, and you get access to multiple eastern highlights in one shot. Your main extra cost is food, plus any fuel tax that may apply if you are picked up from areas outside the standard zone.

If you are staying in Funchal and you want a high-impact day without a rental car, this is one of the more straightforward ways to do it.

Who should book this, and who might want to skip it

I would book this if you want:

• Big view moments without spending multiple days coordinating hikes and transport
• A mix of Jeep adventure and levada walking
• Cultural stops that feel local, like Santana’s thatched-roof houses
• A rum and coastline finale that breaks up the day

I might skip it if:

• You want a slow, long hike day with lots of time to linger in one place
• You have back issues or you are pregnant, since it is listed as not suitable
• You hate wind and rough-road driving, because the jeep and exposed peninsula ending can be breezy

Solo travelers should also feel fine here. A solo participant described feeling completely comfortable, which is a good sign for a shared-day tour where the guide keeps everyone grouped and moving.

Should you book this Santana Jeep Safari and Referta Levada walk?

Yes, if you want an efficient eastern Madeira day that blends scenery, light hiking, and culture. The strongest reason to book is the pairing: Pico do Arieiro for height and scale, then the levada walk for Madeira’s signature walking experience, then Santana and Porto da Cruz for identity and flavor, and finally Ponta de São Lourenço for a rugged wind-and-sea finish.

Before you click confirm, pack for wind and uneven ground, and go into lunch expecting to buy food since meals are not included. If you do that, you will get a day that feels like three kinds of Madeira, not just one viewpoint loop.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is from Funchal, and pickup is optional and free of charge for pickup from your accommodation or hotel in Funchal. Hotel pickup and drop-off depend on the option you select.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off (depending on option), a driver/guide, and insurance required by Portuguese law.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live guide is available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring comfortable shoes, a windbreaker, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Also plan for warm and cold conditions with the right clothing, plus a camera.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

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