South of Santa Rosa is El Chato Tortoise Reserve, where you can observe giant tortoises in the wild. When these virtually catatonic, prehistoric-looking…
Must see attractions in Isla Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)
- Top ChoiceEl Chato Tortoise Reserve
- MTop ChoiceMAPRAE
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…
- Charles Darwin Research Station
Just northeast of Puerto Ayora is this iconic national-park site, where over 200 scientists and volunteers are involved with research and conservation…
- TTortuga Bay
In terms of sheer white-sand beauty, this beach is the rival of any in South America. You’ll find it at the end of a 2.5km paved trail southwest of Puerto…
- RRancho Primicias
Next to El Chato is this private ranch, where there are dozens of giant tortoises, and you can wander around at will. The entrance is beyond Santa Rosa,…
- LLava Tunnels
These impressive underground tunnels southwest of the village of Santa Rosa are more than 1km in length and were formed when the outside skin of a molten…
- LLas Grietas
For nice swimming and snorkeling, head to this water-filled crevice in the rocks. Talented and fearless locals climb the nearly vertical walls to plunge…
- PPlaya Mansa
If you walk the length of Tortuga Bay, you'll reach this picturesque lagoon lined with mangroves. Here you can spot marine iguanas, brown pelicans and…
- EEl Garrapatero Beach
A 30-minute taxi ride from Puerto Ayora through the highlands, plus a 15-minute walk, brings you to this beautiful beach. It has tidal pools that are good…
- TTortoise Statue
Among the various statues of prominent Galapagos wildlife around Puerto Ayora, this is probably the most photographed of them all.
- CCerro Crocker
A path north from Bellavista leads toward Cerro Crocker (864m) and other hills and extinct volcanoes. This is a good chance to see the vegetation of the…
- LLos Gemelos
Part of the highlands that can be visited from the road are these twin sinkholes (not volcanic craters), surrounded by scalesia forest. Vermilion…
- LLaguna de las Ninfas
This peaceful lagoon has a short boardwalk path, where you can stop to take in the mangroves while looking for stingrays, baby sharks, sea turtles and…
- PPunta Estrada Beach
The small beach in front of the Finch Bay Hotel is a good place to while away a few hours. The water here is pristine and sharks have been known to pass…