Interpretation Center

Learn about the history and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands on a self-guided walking tour at the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island. The center is located on the outskirts of Baquerizo Moreno, within walking distance of the town. Discover interesting facts like the volcanic origin of the archipelago, learn about conservation efforts, and explore the islands’ human history.

Cerro Tijeretas

Hike to the top of Cerro Tijeretas with a naturalist guide on this one-hour walk. The summit reaches 650 feet above sea level and provides scenic views of Wreck Bay to one side and the town of Baquerizo Moreno on the other. Charles Darwin landed on this island on September 16, 1835, during his only trip to the Galapagos. Cerro Tijeretas translates to Scissor Hill, named after the scissor-shaped tails of the frigatebirds that nest in the area. Here you can observe both magnificent and great frigatebirds, along with endemic creatures like mockingbirds and lava lizards.

Leon Dormido

Located off the coast of San Cristobal Island, Leon Dormido offers an excellent spot for snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. This famous landmark, the remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rises almost 500 feet from the ocean. Erosion gives the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a sleeping African lion, or Leon Dormido in Spanish. Within the rich waters, you can search for creatures like sea turtles, sea lions, and Galapagos sharks. So don’t forget your underwater cameras in this incredible location.

Manglecito Beach

El Manglecito consists of two visiting areas: the mangrove area and the beach area. The mangrove section consists of a brackish water lagoon, providing an ideal place to observe shore birds, finches, and waders. At the beach, enjoy the perfect place for recreation and swimming in crystal clear waters. The contrast between the blue sea and the white sand beach against the backdrop of green mangroves makes for a scenic and captivating experience.

Charles Darwin Research Station

Learn about the conservation efforts happening throughout the Galapagos at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. At the giant tortoise breeding center, observe baby tortoises from various islands in the archipelago. A special highlight showcased here is the embalmed body of Lonesome George, the last known tortoise species from the island of Pinta. It is also your one and only chance to observe the shell shapes of the different species of giant tortoise located in the various corrals on the site.

Charles Darwin Foundation is a nonprofit organization and the work we carry out depends entirely upon our donors. Additionally, the Charles Darwin Foundation has just renewed its agreement with the Government of Ecuador in July 2016 for 25 more years of science in the archipelago.

Santa Cruz Highlands

With an area of 381 square miles, Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galápagos archipelago and has a maximum altitude of 2,835 feet. Due to the altitude, the highlands of Santa Cruz provide you with a nice break from the ocean and marine life. Admire this unique habitat with Galápagos tortoises, Darwin’s finches, and many other unique animals that call this place home. If you are an avid birdwatcher, the highlands offer a great chance to identify more than eight species of finches, some warblers, and, of course, the elusive vermilion flycatcher.

South Plaza Island

Located just off the eastern coast of Santa Cruz Island, South Plaza Island was formed by the uplifting of the sea floor. During your hike, search for the yellow dragons of the island, the Galápagos land iguanas. As you trek up the small island, admire the views from the edge of the cliffs and watch for birds like frigates, yellow-billed tropic birds, and swallow-tailed gulls. Along the trail and up the cliff tops, keep an eye out for Galápagos sea lions lazily resting on the rocky boulders. And finally, admire the prickly pear cactuses scattered throughout the entire landscape.

Punta Carrion

Located northeast of Santa Cruz Island, Punta Carrion is a rocky cliff region that offers great opportunities to explore the marine diversity of the islands. It is one of the most popular snorkeling sites in the central area of the archipelago. Snorkel among a variety of colorful fish and stingrays, and if you are lucky, there might be a chance to see whitetip reef sharks or the magnificent Galápagos shark.

Cerro Allieri

Take in the panoramic views of the island as you trek up to the highlands of Floreana. Along the way, observe endemic birds and plants in one of the richest locations on Floreana Island. The unique vegetation found in the area makes it one of the main attractions—of 48 species of identified plants, 56% are native and 33% are endemic. This site also offers a good opportunity to find Darwin’s finches, including the medium tree finch, a species considered critically endangered and found only on Floreana. Along the walk back, you can stop at the island’s main cemetery and view the graves of famous settlers.

Asilo de la Paz

Located on the slopes of Cerro Pajas (2100 ft), in the agricultural area of ​​the island, the Asilo de la Paz is a site with great historical significance in Floreana, because it provided fresh water and shelter to the first visitors of the Galapagos. Here you can see the caves used by pirates and home to the first inhabitants of the island; first, Patrick Watkins, then Dr. Ritter and his companion Dora Strauch and finally the Wittmer family. The caves were used by the latter as a temporary den to build a house proper. Visitors will pass through a Scalesia forest and visit a corral with Galapagos tortoises (of several islands) in captivity, (the native Floreana tortoises have gone extinct).

Post Office Bay

On Floreana Island, trek through the highlands and across the lowlands to Post Office Bay. This adventurous hike offers you a chance to observe the different ecosystems found on the island. The final part of the hike leads to Post Office Bay, which contains a rich human history. There you can find a barrel filled with postcards following in the tradition of the early whalers and buccaneers who visited the island. The tradition goes, if you see a letter addressed to someone who lives near you, you should take it and deliver it by hand.

The Baroness Lookout

Considered one of the most historic sites on Floreana Island, The Baroness Lookout was named after one of the more colorful characters among the early twentieth-century settlers. Within walking distance, search through the ruins of what is known as the “House of the Baroness”. Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrborn, the self-proclaimed baroness of the island, lived there with her two lovers. Learn about the murder mystery involving her disappearance that has yet to be solved. Afterward, take a short hike to the top of the hill and soak in the impressive landscape that makes up Floreana Island.

Floreana Farmers Area

Immerse yourself in the agricultural world of Floreana Island. This tour aims at promoting community tourism for the residents of the islands. Visit their livestock and farms and learn how agricultural products are distributed to the many tour boats in the Galapagos. Observe how farmers plant and harvest products such as cassava, coffee, and vegetables. Watch the process of how locals transform sugar cane into moonshine, and perhaps try a shot or two if you dare!

Isabela Breeding Center

Follow a boardwalk trail leading across wetlands and opuntia cactus fields to the Isabela Breeding Center. Along the way, observe different species of mangroves, native trees, and coastal lagoons. Observe flamingos, black-necked stilts, herons, and oyster catchers that inhabit the area. Once at the breeding center, you can see five different subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoise, all native to Isabela Island. Learn about the tortoise breeding program that aims to increase the populations of these remarkable animals and ensure their survival as a wild species.

Sierra Negra Volcano

Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes on Isabela Island, rises to an elevation of 4,400 feet with a caldera stretching 6-miles long in diameter, making it the second-largest crater on earth. The massive caldera offers the perfect setting for hiking on this beautiful volcanic terrain. As you begin the trek up to the summit, make your way through fern-covered vegetation and listen to the beautiful songs of Darwin’s finches. At the top of the caldera, enjoy the scenic landscape that surrounds this impressive volcano.

Volcan Chico

Volcan Chico is located northeast of the Sierra Negra Volcano at an altitude of approximately 2,800 feet above sea level. Throughout the five-mile hike to the volcano, the terrain changes quite a bit, going from areas covered by vegetation, such as ferns and guava trees, to areas covered by volcanic rock where some candelabra cactuses grow. The area that surrounds the crater almost feels like being on another planet with the volcanic stone, arid surface, and sulfur smell.

Las Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras is a chain of uninhabited islets that spreads across Isabela’s southern coast. Venture out on a two-hour hike through a mangrove forest and across dark black volcanic rocks. Search for whitetip reef sharks within crystal-clear pools of water. Look for endemic creatures such as the Galapagos marine iguana, the only species of iguana that dives under the water in search for food. After your hike, cool down and enjoy some time snorkeling as you look for sea lions, penguins, and other varied marine life.

Puerto Ayora

Situated on the island of Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora is by far the largest town in the Galápagos and is the center of the tourism industry for the islands. It is also the home of the Galápagos National Park headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station. The town has several hotels, bars, and restaurants as well as numerous other amenities. Why not take a stroll to the fish market of Puerto Ayora and delight yourself as hungry sea lions and sea birds pester the workers for a fish or two? Or perhaps head down to the pier after dinner to watch tired sea lions resting on the park benches.

Los Gemelos

Marvel at the geological spectacle of Los Gemelos, a pair of large sinkholes surrounded by Scalesia forest, up in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The collapse of the volcanic roof of an empty magma chamber created these large chasms into the depths of the earth. Many plant species like bromeliads, orchids, mosses, and lichens inhabit this region. You can also find the famous vermilion flycatcher, one of the rarest bird sightings in the Galapagos archipelago, along with a number of finches ranging from vegetarian finches, tree finches, and woodpecker finches. This short walk offers much to be seen for birdwatchers and lovers of geology.

Baltra Island (Departure)

After spending your pleasant days in Galapagos and you are returning to Guayaquil or Quito from Baltra, you must take into account certain recommendations. If your trip was aboard a yacht and on the same day that your trip ends, you return to the mainland, the company in charge of your cruise will normally provide and makes the bus service's arrangements to go to the Itabaca Channel, then cross by ferry to Baltra and finally, by bus go to the airport of Baltra Island. This whole journey takes at least a couple of hours, so you must coordinate with your naturalist guide the departure time from Puerto Ayora. In case your trip ends in Baltra, the trip to the airport is much faster (approximately 15 minutes) than from Puerto Ayora. You must disembark at Aeolian Bay and wait for a bus to the airport. The Naturalist Guide of your yacht will give you the corresponding indications. Be clear that the bus you take on Baltra Island counts USD $ 5.00 per person.