Região Autónoma da Madeira Travel Forum

Dear all,
My GF and me are planning to visit Madeira in April, we have few questions for us to plan this trip:

1. The climate indicated in different web sites differ widely, some indicate that the temperature in average is 22 and in some other it is 17, so if anyone knows about the temperature in Madeira during the second half of April please advice.
2. Is the temperature difference very big from the North of the island and the south?
3. Did anyone stay in rural accommodations in Madeira? Does anyone know any reviews about the following places:
- Casa Tia Clementina in Santana.
- Casa das vidieras in Seixal.
- Casa do Papagaio Verde in Sao Martinho.
4. How is the public transport facilities, from and to Sao Martinho/ Funchal/ Faial/ Santana. Is it recommended to rent a car? I heard it is very dangerous to drive there.
5. What would be the most recommended hikes: Rabacal? Nuns valley? Pico Ruivo? Pico do Arieiro?
6. Is it worth going to Porto Santo or are there any beaches in Madeira, we read that there are only puble/stone beaches.
7. Any further recommendations on the top spots to visit and things to do.

Regards,
Mongy

Trying to predict the weather can be difficult because of local on the day variations.
This information should be used as a guide only.
Here is the average weather for Funchal for this time of year.
Enjoy your holiday

April.
High 60f / 16c
Low 51f / 11c
Rain 1.90in / 49.0mm
Rain days 9
Hours of sun 6
Daylight hours 13
UV level 8 = Very High
Sea temp 64f / 18c

The temperatures can vay on the same day depending where you are on the island, eg Funchal and the West can be warm and sunny, up in the forest can be chilly and wet, the North can be cooler than the SOuth, it is said you can experience all 4 seasons in one day. April is towards the end of winter and the temperatures are likely to be very good with lots of sun. Casa Papagaio Verde is a lovely Quinta run by a family and has lovely gardens, she has dogs also so if they are not your thing, beware, but they are very well behaved. The location is to the West of the island and about 1 hours drive from the airport, public transport goes there but the times can be intermittant. Not familiar with the other quintas but the location - Seixal is on the North coast with beautiful scenery along the roads, but they are mostly single lane, with a few of the one way roads open for views. Santana is to the East, again on the North, about 1 hours drive from the airport, some nice restaurants and a very good park there but not much else. If you are confident to drive a car would give you independence but most of the roads are narrow and steep. Walking - it is not recommended to walk alone, the walks are remote, some are dangerous and you need to be aware that if you have an accident (and there are many) the services need to know exactly where you are, also many are not circular so begin and end in differant places. I will add some websites for you to look at to give you a better idea of what to do. There are 2 'golden' sandy beaches in Madeira, one in the West at Calheta and one in the East, Machico, both manmade, nice also but the rest are black volcanic sand or pebbles.
There is a long sandy beach in Porto Santo and you can either go by ferry (daily) about €56 or fly from the airport, very differant to Madeira, much more barren but OK.
www.madeira-seekers.com
www.mountainexpedition.pt
www.madeira-levada-walks.com

Thanks a lot for your answers...
two very specific questions:
1. Casa do Papagaio seems nice, but what do you mean by dogs, are they wild dogs:)?
2. Are taxis easily accessible, if public transport is not...
3. what accidents do you mean in the walking trails?

Regards
Mongy

No the dogs are not wild they belong to the owner and have the run of the gardens, they are www.casadopapagaio.com unlikely to bother you (unless you make a fuss of them)check the website for more details.
www.casadopapagaio.com
Reception should be able to give you bus times but there are also penty of taxis around.
Accidents on walks usually are falls into ravines, trips, slips , that kind of thing. There has been a small number of muggings but the authorities say the perpitrators are now in prison.It is a beautiful way to see the treasures the island holds but safety is paramount and if you are not familiar with the sometimes difficult terraine it is easy to get lost or in difficulties,which is why guides are recommended, also because they are very knowledgeable about the whereabouts and are very keen on what they do. Walks in Madeira can be as diverse as a flat country stroll to what seems like climbing Mount Everest so be prepared but enjoy.