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The Galápagos Islands

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Iguana on the Galapagos Islands.

© Sebastian Modak/Lonely Planet

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Overview

The Galápagos Islands may just inspire you to think differently about the world. The creatures that call the islands home, many found nowhere else in the world, act as if humans are nothing more than slightly annoying paparazzi.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • MAPRAE

    MAPRAE

    Puerto Ayora

    The first of its kind in the world, this museum uses augmented reality to showcase a permanent exhibition of 55 pre-Columbian artifacts. The ancient…

  • Volcán Alcedo

    Volcán Alcedo

    The Galápagos Islands

    The summit of this volcano (1097m) is famous for its 7km-wide caldera and steaming fumaroles. Hundreds of giant tortoises can be seen here, especially…

  • Crater of Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island.

    Volcán Sierra Negra

    The Galápagos Islands

    Northwest of the tiny settlement of Tomás de Berlanga lies the massive Volcán Sierra Negra (1490m), which last erupted in late 2005. An 8km trail leads…

  • Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos giant tortoise

    Charles Darwin Research Station

    Puerto Ayora

    Just northeast of Puerto Ayora is this iconic national-park site, where over 200 scientists and volunteers are involved with research and conservation…

  • A mother Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) has an intense argument with her pup. They are endemic to Ecuador. Puerto Egas, James Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. 14069818 two, fin, fur, cub, sea, rock, seal, wild, fight, shout, water, ocean, scream, mammal, dialog, marine, mother, nature, animal, quarrel, sealion, ecuador, endemic, whisker, zalophus, argument, shouting, wildlife, galapagos, wollebaeki, sea lion, endangered, vulnerable, sea lions, sea mammal, californianus, puerto egas, wild animal, south america

    Puerto Egas

    The Galápagos Islands

    Puerto Egas is one of the most popular sites in the Galápagos – a long, flat, black lava shoreline where eroded shapes form lava pools, caves and inlets…

  • Mail box in Post Office Bay, Floreana Island, Galapagos.

    Post Office Bay

    The Galápagos Islands

    Most groups spend several perfunctory minutes on the north coast at Post Office Bay, where scraps of wood covered in graffiti surround a a few gone-to…

  • Darwin's Lake in the Galapagos at Tegus Cove; Shutterstock ID 1082654849; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI 1082654849

    Darwin Lake

    The Galápagos Islands

    A dry landing deposits you at the beginning of a 2km-long trail that brings you past this postcard-perfect saltwater lagoon. It has twice the salinity of…

  • Wall of Tears on Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

    Muro de las Lágrimas

    The Galápagos Islands

    Some 7km west of Puerto Villamil is the Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears), a 100m-long wall of lava rocks built by convicts under harsh and abusive…

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