Ribeiro Frio - Portela
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ribeiro Frio - Portela worth booking?
Ribeiro Frio - Portela is a 4-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $53 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (21)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $53 per person
This walk is where you will see the natural beauty of our Laurissilva forest, with many endemic species of plants and birds. A walk that will convey a calming and peaceful ambience and give you a remarkable opportunity t
What you get
About this experience
This walk is where you will see the natural beauty of our Laurissilva forest, with many endemic species of plants and birds. A walk that will convey a calming and peaceful ambience and give you a remarkable opportunity to admire the unique and oldest laurel treed along the way.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Government fees
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Madeira Free Spirit walks
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
7 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for Ribeiro Frio - Portela. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful walks with amazing guides
The walks are amazing, the guides are so enthusiastic and have amaxing knowledge about the flora, fauna and history of the levadas and of the island. I did 4 walks with 2 different guides and they were all amazing. Larono was my favourite for the varied surroundings. The walks are well organised and even when changes to my planned walks were necessary the office handlef it wirh no difficulty. I would absolutely recommend booking with Free Spirit Walks, ilI can't wait to return and see what else has been added to the list of walks.
via Tripadvisor
Ribeiro Frio
The guide abandoned the original walk due to very incremental weather but took the group on an excellent lower level hike of similar distance with great views if the Eagle Rock. The guide Susanna was fabulous at arranging this and in her commentary
via Viator
Great walks with great guides
I cannot believe you will find better walking tour company in Madeira. We walked three levadas this February and two the previous year. Pick-up from our hotel was always on time. Suzanna and Alvaro are brilliant and very likeable guides, each with their own particular style. Both were so knowledgeable on the flora, fauna and history of the island pointing out so much we would not been aware of during the walks. My only other comment is that although booking is online, payment is cash at the time of the walk.
via Tripadvisor
Great walking experience
I actually did 3 walks. All great and matched my experience last year. Small groups. Lots of local information and history..well organised highly recommended. Guides were very knowledgeable which made it even more interesting..still fall for Alvaro's jokes !
via Tripadvisor
Two fantastic Levada walks.
We had been thinking of getting the bus to a point and then doing a levada walk and getting the bus back to the hotel at the end, but trying to understand the bus timetable was not easy so we thought we would start with a half day guided walk where all that hassle is taken away. Bus picks you up from the hotel and drops you off there at the end. One of the guides will drive the bus to the end of the walk so it is there waiting for you. So we started off with the Levada do Norte easy flat walk and were really impressed with out guide, Alvaro. His knowledge of every element of the walk was outstanding, knowing exactly where you would get the best views from, as well as pointing out some of the interesting flora along with way which if we had been walking by ourselves, we would have missed. He was also extremely conscious of safety steering us away from potentially dangerous edges of the path or telling us which was the best to traverse a path. We were so impressed with the slick organization that as soon as we got back to the hotel we booked the Ribeiro Frio – Portela walk for the next day. Again, we had Alvaro as our guide and exactly the same quality of knowledge plus this time he even had bird seed with him so that we could feed the birds from our hands once he had called them. Also bread to get the trout jumping in one of the pools along the way. So much better than just walking by yourself and it was just a pity we did not have longer on the island to do more of their amazing walks. We will be back to do some more walks with Madeira Free Spirit Walks.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ribeiro Frio - Portela: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.
How much does Ribeiro Frio - Portela cost?
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Prices start at $53 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Funchal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ribeiro Frio - Portela take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Funchal is not rushed.
Is Ribeiro Frio - Portela worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Funchal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ribeiro Frio - Portela?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ribeiro Frio - Portela suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ribeiro Frio - Portela?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Funchal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Funchal and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ribeiro Frio - Portela start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Funchal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Funchal?
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On Outty we rank every Funchal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4, West Tour-Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz Natural Pools Small Groups. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Funchal?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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