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Destinations / Ecuador

Galapagos (Puerto Ayora)

Fearless wildlife on volcanic islands

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Plan your trip to Galapagos (Puerto Ayora)See the top 10
17,233Population
SpanishLanguage
USDCurrency
7 daysIdeal stay
$250-400Typical day

The Galapagos Islands are a remote archipelago famous for giant tortoises, sea lions and marine iguanas. This guide is based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island and covers island day tours, with distant sites marked as day trips. Visitors pay a park entrance fee and many sites need a licensed guide. It is costly but unique.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The research station of the Charles Darwin Foundation on the edge of Puerto Ayora, with a tortoise breeding center. The preserved body of Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island tortoise, is displayed. Paths also show land iguanas.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. A long white sand beach reached by a paved path of about 2.5 km from town. The main beach has strong currents, so swim at the sheltered cove at the far end. Marine iguanas rest on the sand.

    Half dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    See on the map

  3. A highland reserve where wild giant tortoises roam among the grass and ponds. You can walk among them at a safe distance. Lava tunnels are on the same property.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    See on the map

  4. A narrow crack in the lava filled with clear, cool water, good for swimming and snorkeling. It is reached by a short water taxi and a walk. Go early to avoid crowds.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    See on the map

  5. A small, flat island north of Santa Cruz with nesting blue footed boobies and frigate birds. Trails pass close to the birds. Visits require a licensed boat tour.

    Full dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Guided boat tour.
    See on the map

  6. The largest island in the archipelago, with active volcanoes, flamingo lagoons and the town of Puerto Villamil. Speedboats from Santa Cruz take about 2 hours. It is worth an overnight stay.

    Full dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Ferry about 2 hours.
    See on the map

  7. A small island famous for Pinnacle Rock and a viewpoint over volcanic landscape. Snorkelers may see Galapagos penguins. Day trips leave from Santa Cruz by boat.

    Full dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Guided boat tour.
    See on the map

  8. Underground lava tubes in the highlands of Santa Cruz. They are lit and easy to walk through. Some are on private farms that charge a small fee.

    1 hourTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    See on the map

  9. A small open air fish market on the Puerto Ayora waterfront. Sea lions and pelicans wait for scraps beside the fishermen. It is a fun stop in the late afternoon.

    30 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    See on the map

  10. A pair of tall rocks off San Cristobal island, known as Leon Dormido. Snorkeling and diving trips see sharks, rays and turtles. It requires a day trip from San Cristobal.

    Full dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Galapagos in three days

Day one Santa Cruz, day two North Seymour, day three Isabela.

  1. Charles Darwin Research Station2 hours · Free
  2. Tortuga BayHalf day · Free
  3. El Chato Tortoise Reserve2 hours
  4. Las Grietas1.5 hours · Free
  5. North Seymour IslandFull day
  6. Isabela IslandFull day
  7. Bartolome IslandFull day
  8. Lava Tunnels1 hour
  9. Puerto Ayora Fish Market30 minutes · Free
  10. Kicker Rock SnorkelFull day
Beyond the city

Day trips

San Cristobal Island

Sea lions and Kicker Rock.

50 mi · Ferry, about 2 hours

Santa Fe Island

Land iguanas.

16 mi · Boat, about 1 hour

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: December to May and June to November. Warm seas or cooler, richer marine life.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

80°F
Typical daily high
Average78°F
Rain1.7 in
About6 rainy days
Sun strength5.8 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

Ecuador is at US State Department Level 2 (exercise increased caution); but the islands themselves have low crime; sun and sea are main risks.

3/5
Walkability

Puerto Ayora is walkable.

2/5
Public transport

Water taxis and tours.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123

1. Puerto Ayora

$$$

Best for: first-timers

Main town.

2. Puerto Villamil (Isabela)

$$$

Best for: couples

Quieter.

3. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

$$

Best for: families

Sea lions in town.

Getting there and around

Main airportSeymour Airport (Baltra) (GPS), 28 mi from the center
To the centerBus, ferry and taxi take about 1 hour to Puerto Ayora.
Around townDay tours and inter island ferries.
Taste it

What to eat

Ceviche

Citrus seafood.

Lobster

In season.

Good to know

PlugsType A and B, 120 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTip guides and crew.
PaymentsCash is useful; ATMs are limited.
EtiquetteDress modestly in religious sites and greet people with a simple hello.
  • Pay the park entrance fee and transit card on arrival.
  • Keep 2 meters from wildlife.

A short history

The islands were found by chance in 1535 when the Bishop of Panama's ship drifted off course. For centuries pirates and whalers stopped here, taking thousands of giant tortoises for food. Ecuador claimed the islands in 1832, and Charles Darwin's visit in 1835 helped shape his theory of evolution. Most of the land became a national park in 1959, and the islands were among the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978. Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz is the largest town and the main base for day trips.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Galapagos (Puerto Ayora)