Wild Banana Farm Bungalow, Waterfall, Grotto Pool, Cave Pool, & Sauna | House in Ponta do Sol
1 Bedroom House in Canhas, Ponta do Sol
Soul Sanctuary is not the kind of place you stumble across. You take a road of old cobblestone and cement down through banana palms and forest, navigate a couple of tight corners, and arrive at a paved parking lot beneath a property that feels like the island kept it specifically for you.
The bungalow is designed around a single open floor — living, dining, and kitchen flowing together on the ground level, with a bathroom off to the side. Above it, reached by a stair, a loft holds a king bed and a small desk. A crib is available for families with an infant. It sleeps two adults comfortably, three with the crib. The whole thing feels like somewhere a person actually thought about how to live rather than how to list.
The kitchen has a four-burner hob and oven — enough to cook properly if you want to, close enough to Ponta do Sol and Canhas (both about six minutes by car) if you don't.
Outside, the property has a cave pool carved directly from the rock — cool, still, and fed by the waterfall that runs along the edge of the land. Because this waterfall also irrigates the banana farm surrounding you, the cave pool is occasionally emptied and rested before being refilled naturally. It is one of those details that reminds you this place is genuinely alive and part of the island rather than built for your convenience. The grotto pool and sauna are shared between the two bungalows and the main house — in practice a small and quiet community of people who came here for the same reasons you did.
The waterfall is a ten minute walk through the vegetation. We have planted many things along the path at the both to the waterfall. The path is not manicured. The wildness is deliberate.
The space
— Open plan living, dining and fully equipped kitchen on ground level
— Four-burner hob and oven
— Bathroom on ground level
— Loft with king bed and small desk above
— Crib available on request for infants
— Private terrace with Atlantic valley views
— Wifi
— Towels and linens included
— Cave plunge pool carved from rock, fed by natural waterfall — occasionally rested for banana irrigation, refilled naturally by mountain stream
— Grotto pool, sauna, cave plunge shared between bungalows and main house
— Waterfall a short adventurous walk down 7 terraces to base of the property
Getting around
Ponta do Sol and Canhas are both about six minutes by car — restaurants, cafés, markets, and the coast. Ponta do Sol is also reachable on foot: a beautiful twenty minute walk downhill through the valley, with around two hundred metres of elevation to climb on the way back up. Worth it in one direction at least.
Madeira Airport is 43 kilometres away, roughly forty-three minutes by car depending on traffic. A rental car is not essential but opens up the island considerably. The levada walks, the northeast coast, and the central peaks are all within an hour.
The grotto pool, cold plunge cave, sauna, outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen are shared between the two bungalows. In practice it rarely feels crowded — the property is designed around these spaces and there is room for everyone. The waterfall and its path are yours to explore whenever you want.
The farm rewards those who make the trip. The road to the farm begins with a tight corner, then a mix of rough cobblestone and concrete leading to a paved parking lot. It's manageable in any standard vehicle and takes about 1-2 minutes but if you have never driven off road it will feel uncomfortable. Madeira and our farm is steep with many terraces, because of this our parking lot requires a multiple point turn. Going back uphill you might want a little bit of momentum in the very beginning to get you started out of the parking lot as the cobblestone traction isn't as good as the concrete. We use 2 wheel drive vehicles daily but a small 4x4 with ground clearance makes it easier and can be useful in other parts of the island. The bridge and road starts about 30 meters before "Praceta dos Fregueses Novos" on Google Maps. The parking lot is large by Madeiran standards but we are constrained by geography of the land and the widths of the terraces. We mention it so you arrive prepared rather than surprised.
The way to the waterfall is down 6 sets of rough stone stairs and not the easiest, my 72 year old mom can do it, but it's not a manicured path. Because it's an organic farm and we don't use herbicides the path can get a bit overgrown at times. The path to the waterfall passes through a section of the property wall that has partially fallen. It is safe for any reasonably mobile adult and part of what makes getting there feel like an arrival rather than a stroll. It is not suitable for guests with significant mobility limitations. The road down to the parking lot and way to the waterfall both lead somewhere worth it.
The property has two pools side by side. The grotto pool is a heated 77F°(25C°) saltwater swimming pool fed by city water, kept clear with a salt ionizer. It meets standard swimming pool requirements. The cave plunge is something different. It's fed directly by the same river that feeds the waterfall, filtered through sediment and UV but not chlorinated. Chlorine and organic bananas don't mix. The water carries natural clay sediment so it runs murky at times and stays cool year round. It's what I use to cool off after sauna and sits at roughly 61F°(16C°). Occasionally we empty it overnight to irrigate the banana farm and refill it from the river by morning.
Soul Sanctuary sits in the hills between Ponta do Sol and Canhas, in the quieter southwest of Madeira. It is quiet here. Deliberately and completely quiet.
Wild Banana Farm Bungalow, Waterfall, Grotto Pool, Cave Pool, & Sauna is located in Canhas. Wild Banana Farm Bungalow, Waterfall, Grotto Pool, Cave Pool, & Sauna provides accommodation, featuring among other amenities. This House features 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom and 2 Guests to make your stay a comfortable one.
Wild Banana Farm Bungalow, Waterfall, Grotto Pool, Cave Pool, & Sauna has 1 Bedroom , 1 Bathroom, and max occupancy of 2 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the Canhas has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Canhas, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.
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Policies
Property registration number 176570
FAQ's
Is this property pet-friendly for guests?
No, pets are not allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.
Does the property have a swimming pool?
No, this Canhas house does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.
How much does it cost per night to stay in property?
Best-rates for the Canhas house starts from $269 per night with includes with all other facilities. matches every traveler with their perfect accommodation, whether you are traveling with a group, friends, family, or pets.
Is property a family-friendly place to stay?
Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is not considered to be a family-friendly property. As reported by the owner or manager, the house has not specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.
Is the property wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?
Based on the information received from our partner, the Canhas house has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.
What is the minimum night stay policy for the property?
Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Canhas house indicates 1 day stay policy at this house. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.
What cancellation policy is in place for property?
Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.
