I spent the majority of my time in Puerto Ayora when I visited the Galápagos Islands in 2019. Although it is definitely not the most popular island to visit, it is the most populated town and home to the most permanent residents. Because of this, the town as a whole felt a lot less touristy than I expected! Here are the best things to do in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, in the Galápagos Islands.
Visit the Charles Darwin Foundation
The Charles Darwin Foundation was one of the biggest reasons I chose to visit Santa Cruz island over the more popular islands in the Galápagos. As a scientist myself, I have always wanted to walk in Darwin’s footsteps!
The Charles Darwin Foundation is home to a number of locations you can tour. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, current research projects are underway to study and conserve the environment and wildlife on the Galápagos Islands. Their work is absolutely incredible! Be sure to read up and follow the environmental rules they have placed to protect the islands before you visit.
Also surrounding the Research Station are captive wildlife being used for controlled breeding and veterinary care, beautiful natural beaches, and the famous Charles Darwin Statue. Wildlife is also abundant on the beaches and surrounding areas. There is also a nice museum to visit on the grounds.
To look into volunteer positions, thesis scholarships, and how to donate, check out their website!
Visit Tortuga Bay
Tortuga Bay is a wildlife haven where you can spot wild Galápagos iguanas, crabs, tortoises, and white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the water. The occasional sea lion and Darwin’s finch also make appearances! It’s an excellent spot to snorkel, swim, or kayak to observe aquatic life or lounge in the sand. However, as I lived in Florida at the time, the beach and water were definitely NOT warm enough for me to lounge in shorts or swim without a wetsuit. If you are coming from a colder climate, it may be perfect for you!
A Galápagos Iguana lounging on the beach at Tortuga Bay, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos
Tortuga Bay is about an hour’s walk south from Puerto Ayora. The walk itself takes you through nature and is an excellent opportunity to bird watch! If you prefer not to walk, or if you have water gear with you, you can take a water taxi from Puerto Ayora for about $10USD.
Visit El Chato Tortoise Reserve
El Chato is one of the most unique destinations I have ever visited. Chock full of some of the biggest tortoises I have ever seen, this wildlife reserve is the perfect place to snap some incredible wildlife photography. Just be sure to follow their environmental guidelines!
So excited to see these giant tortoises at El Chato!
El Chato is the best place on the island to see fully grown Galápagos tortoises in their natural habitat. And BOY will you see a lot of them! They’re pretty difficult to miss, at 5 feet (1.5m) in diameter and up to 550 pounds (250kg) in weight! There are dozens of other wildlife species you can find on the reserve as well, due to the local rangers and walls that keep predators away from the highly protected tortoises.
El Chato also has unique lava tunnels you can visit! The Galápagos, like most volcanic islands, were formed by layer after layer of cooled lava over time. In these natural lava tunnels, you can clearly see this process! It’s incredible to see a piece of natural history that took place over millions of years right in front of you.
Walking through one of the lava tunnels at El Chato Reserve
Visiting El Chato costs roughly $3 USD per person for access to the tortoise reserve, a fresh cup of Ecuadorian coffee, and exploring the lava tunnels. You will need to grab a taxi from Puerto Ayora unless you’d prefer to walk the 13 miles (21km) to the reserve.
Birdwatch at the Santa Cruz Fish Market
If you want to find Galápagos’ birds, think like a bird! The local fish market becomes completely swarmed with birds, sea lions, and other wildlife as they unload and gut hundreds of fish every morning. It was a bit chaotic but in the best possible way! We saw dozens of new species of birds, and even a sea lion begging like a puppy for a piece of fish from a worker.
A sea lion begging for fish scraps at the fish market, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos
Dine Like a King at Los Kioskos
While there are high-end restaurants around the island you may want to try, my favorite meals in Puerto Ayora were all at the local food market, Los Kioskos. Every night, local food vendors set up shop along a street and set out communal tables and chairs for visitors. At Los Kioskos, you will have some of the freshest seafood in your life, fresh from the Santa Cruz fish market that morning! I had a full lobster dinner one night for $15!
Food kiosks and communal tables and chairs lining the street for the nightly food market!
If seafood isn’t your thing, there are dozens of other traditional Ecuadorian options ranging from grilled meats and vegetables, fresh-baked pastries, and fruity cocktails, all budget-friendly. It’s an incredibly lively place with locals, travelers, delicious food, and live music. I ate there two nights in a row!
The affordable lobster meal I had at Los Kioskos!
Go Island Hopping
There are dozens of tour groups lining the streets offering scuba diving, snorkeling, and island hopping day trips. I highly suggest taking one!
We took a day trip to Isabela island, the largest island of the Galápagos. There, we went snorkeling in a hidden area where the water was unseasonably calm to swim with green sea turtles, black-tipped reef sharks, and dozens of species of fish. During the tour, we also saw some of the only native flamingo flocks in the world, baby sea lions, and visited a tortoise hatchery and breeding site. It was incredible!
A wild flamingo, one of the only native flamingoes in the world!
Before deciding on a tour, shop around! Don’t be afraid to barter either. We snagged free wetsuits and snorkel gear for our trip by bartering with the vendor. Bartering is part of the culture in Ecuador, and not at all rude.
Visiting the Galápagos was an absolute dream come true for me, and is the perfect destination for wildlife lovers worldwide! If you’d like to visit, be sure to read up on their environmental laws and check out my budget guide to make the most of your trip!
My Galápagos Essentials
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