Things to do in Puerto Ayora

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Ecuador

Tortuga Bay Beach

Tortuga Bay Beach is a popular natural beach in the Galapagos Islands. The beach actually consists of two sections. The first section you reach has wide stretches of white sand and large waves, making it a hub for surfing enthusiasts, though the strong currents here make it unsuitable for swimming. Continuing along the beach, you will reach the calmer section, where the bay, sheltered by the natural terrain, has gentle waters suitable for swimming and kayaking. Wildlife is another major highlight here. Marine iguanas are often seen basking on the sand and volcanic rocks or swimming in the sea, and schools of white-tip reef sharks can sometimes be spotted in the shallow waters.

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island is the island with the largest permanent population in the Galapagos Islands. Puerto Ayora in the south is one of the largest towns in the archipelago, where most hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies are concentrated, and most visitors use it as a base to arrange island-hopping itineraries. Sea lions, pelicans, and marine iguanas inhabit the bay year-round. Near the fish market pier, you can often see sea lions and pelicans waiting for fishermen to share their catch. When the weather clears, sea lions even climb onto the decks of anchored sailboats to bask in the sun. The island's attractions are clearly divided between the north and south, with vegetation zones changing gradually from the dry coast to the humid highlands. In the area around Puerto Ayora in the south, walking along the trail from the port to Tortuga Bay, you will find expansive white sand beaches where groups of marine iguanas bask on the rocks, and flamingos are occasionally spotted in the saltwater lagoon behind the mangroves. The Charles Darwin Research Station is located right on the edge of town, where you can see giant tortoises of all ages, from hatchlings to adults, in the conservation exhibits. The highlands offer a different world: on the grasslands around El Chato Ranch, wild giant tortoises roam leisurely between mud pits and pastures. Nearby lava tunnels are underground passages left behind by ancient lava flows, which you can walk through to experience firsthand. The Twin Craters by the road were formed by volcanic collapse, and the deep craters are surrounded by Scalesia forests unique to the highlands. This island has no active volcanoes, but the traces of volcanic activity are present in the form of geological features like lava tunnels and sinkholes.

Parque Nacional Galápagos

Parque Nacional Galápagos is located in the Galapagos Islands and was established in 1959, the centenary of the publication of *On the Origin of Species*, protecting approx. 97% of the archipelago's land area. In 1835, Darwin stayed here for approx. 5 weeks aboard the HMS Beagle; the endemic species on the islands inspired his later theory of natural selection, making this place a natural laboratory for studying biological evolution. The park's landscape is shaped by continuous volcanic activity, with lava fields, craters, highland cloud forests, and sandy cliffs unfolding at different altitudes, each nurturing distinct flora and fauna communities. Giant tortoises are the symbol of the archipelago, with some individuals living over 100 years; marine iguanas bask in groups on the rocks, heading into the sea to graze on algae when hungry; blue-footed boobies are famous for their striking blue feet and courtship dances; you can also see flightless cormorants with vestigial wings, penguins living in equatorial waters, and various small birds known as Darwin's finches. Snorkeling is available at some locations, offering the chance to encounter sea lions and sea turtles. It is advisable to confirm the islands covered in your itinerary before departure, as the animal species visible vary significantly from island to island.

Charles Darwin Research Station

Charles Darwin Research Station is located northeast of Puerto Ayora. It features an information center, a museum, a tortoise breeding center, and large tortoise enclosures that visitors can enter. There is an area where you can feed giant tortoises, and you can see marine iguanas, giant tortoises, and, of course, adorable groups of baby tortoises. You can get up close to these giants of the Galapagos Islands. The famous tortoise known as "Lonesome George" passed away here in 2012.

Camino a las grietas

Las Grietas

Saint Francis Park

Fishing piers

Tortuga Bay

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