What to see on Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the island where most tours start as it is central and the islands around can be reached easily. However, the island itself and Puerto Ayora are less attractive than other islands. Nevertheless there are some things to see. Like the fish market, where there are always some sea lions.

Charles Darwin Foundation

The Charles Darwin Foundation is taking care of the tortoise population and does educational work for environment protection. It is free to visit and situated in the north east of Puerto Ayora. A nice path with explanations leads toward the breeding center where tortoises in each state of there live can be seen. This sector ends with the “mausoleum” of lonely George, the last tortoise of the Pinta Island species (Every island has a different species of giant tortoises). Later on there are some more information centers, such as the Centro de Interpretación Van Strealen, which informs about sharks around the islands. There is also a library, two beaches, a restaurant and a shop with a general museum about the species of the Galapagos Islands.

Wild Tortoises and the tunnels in the highlands

This places can be either visited by bus, bicycle or taxi (40$), depending on how much time somebody has. If you go by taxi you have the advantage, that the taxi driver is doing all the organisation with paying and so on. Therefore it feels more like a private tour than a shuttle service. He also brings you to los geminis, two craters or earth holes. If you are enough to fill a taxi it isn’t that expensive at all. A bike for a day costs around 15$.

El Chato is a farm where there are a lot of wild tortoises in the big backyard living. They are also sitting in the middle of the road that leads to this Finca. A short tour around the grounds is 5$. You can also get a pair of boots for the muddy path.

There is a tunnel close by this Finca, through which one can walk. A part of about 1m has to be done on the belly though. There is a wooden board, that lets you stay more or less clean though. Walking through takes about 15 minutes.

Los Gemelos is on the road to Baltra. There is a path that takes about 15 minutes to walk around. This place can get pretty foggy and rainy.

Las Grietas

Las Grietas is a natural pool, where the freshwater meats the saltwater. Therefore it is cristal clear and good for snorkeling. The hike to this place is 20 minutes after crossing by watertaxi to the other side of the Academia bay. The landscape is worth a visit, there are a lot of giant cactuses and the nice Playa Alemana on the way. Opening hours all week from 6am – 6pm.

Playa Alemana

El Garrapatero

This paradise like beach lures with turquoise water and a bunch of birds just around its corner, such as flamingos, finches and black necked ducks. Open all week from 6am – 6pm. For reaching this spot you need to take a taxi.

Tortuga bay

This is the largest beach of the archipelago. It is suitable for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and kayaking. Sea iguanas, sharks and sea turtles can be seen along a small trail. Opening hours 6am – 6pm all day. This is a hike of 45 minutes from Puerto Ayora starting at the end of Charles Binford street.

Day tours

There are several day tours to the small islands around Santa Cruz all starting at 100$ or more. The tour to Bartolomë, the most beautiful island is more than 200$. Depending on what you want to see, you can choose the according.

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