San Cristobal Airport

San Cristobal is one of the most visited islands in the Galápagos. Most of the commercial flights to and from mainland Ecuador come through the airport located there. One of the great advantages to staying in San Cristobal is the proximity of the airport to the town—only a quick five-minute taxi ride. The capital of the Galápagos is also located on the island of San Cristobal, in the town of Baquerizo Moreno. In town you can find many modern-day amenities, including hotels, stores, banks, and restaurants.

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.

Punta Pitt

The trail on Punta Pitt begins on a secluded olivine beach and ascends to the top of a volcanic tuff hill, passing through several natural viewpoints. The walking trail is nearly one mile, with an estimated walk time of two hours round trip. This is the only site in the Galápagos archipelago where you can find three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds nesting in the same area. Another added attraction is the presence of Galápagos sea lions at the landing beach. After the hike, jump into the water for a quick cool down before heading back to the ship

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.

Puerto Grande

Puerto Grande is a well-protected little cove with a beautiful white sand beach suitable for swimming, birdwatching, or stretching your legs with a walk along the scenic coastline. Hermit crabs are a very common sight here, covering the area near the lagoons behind the beach. The cove is also a blue-footed booby feeding area. Occasionally you can find a sea lion or two lazily resting on the beach, making for a picture-perfect moment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Puerto Villamil

Puerto Villamil is a small port village located on the southeastern edge of Isabela Island. When visiting Puerto Villamil, it is easy to imagine what the other inhabited islands of San Cristobal and Santa Cruz might have looked like twenty years ago. Of the 2,500 people who live on Isabela Island, the majority live in Puerto Villamil and earn a living either through tourism, agriculture, or fishing. Just a five-minute walk from town is a secluded lagoon containing a number of flamingos. Not too far away lies a picturesque white sand beach, ideal for those who want a little bit of tranquility and contact with nature.

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.

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.

Wall of Tears

Along the trail to the Wall of Tears, enjoy a scenic walk with diverse and beautiful views of Isabela Island. Search for pink flamingoes, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintail ducks in the brackish water lagoons surrounded by a mangrove forest. At the old prison site, learn about the history behind the Wall of Tears, which dates back to the end of World War II when the Ecuadorian government used this area as a penal colony.

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.

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.