Puerto Ayora, Ecuador: travel guide
The main town of the Galapagos Islands on Santa Cruz, base for visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, Tortuga Bay, the giant-tortoise highlands and day trips to nearby islands for snorkelling and wildlife.
- Country
- Ecuador
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- Pacific/Galapagos
- Nearest airport
- GPS
Top places to visit in Puerto Ayora
Tortuga Bay
Beach · 4.9 rating · about 3 h
A spectacular white-sand beach reached by a 2.5 km paved trail from Puerto Ayora, with marine iguanas, white-tip sharks, a calm lagoon for kayaking and surf on the main beach.
Charles Darwin Research Station
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
The Galapagos National Park's research and giant-tortoise breeding centre on the edge of Puerto Ayora, with interpretive trails explaining the islands' unique ecology and conservation.
Las Grietas
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
A series of crystal-clear water-filled volcanic crevices near Puerto Ayora, reached by water-taxi and a short trail, popular for swimming and snorkelling between rock walls.
Puerto Ayora Fish Market
Wildlife · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h
A small dockside fish market where pelicans and sea lions queue for scraps beside the fishmongers — a fun, free wildlife-watching spot in town.
El Chato / Rancho Primicias (Tortoise Reserve)
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 5
Highland farms and reserve on Santa Cruz where giant tortoises roam free in the wild, plus lava tunnels you can walk through.
Los Gemelos (Twin Craters)
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Two large sinkhole craters in the Scalesia cloud forest of the Santa Cruz highlands, good for short walks and spotting vermilion flycatchers and finches.
Playa El Garrapatero
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h
A quiet white-sand beach northeast of Puerto Ayora with a flamingo lagoon, mangroves, sea turtles and good snorkelling, reached by road then a short trail.
Things to do
- Bartolomé Island Day Tour Boat · 10 h · from USD 180 per person
- North Seymour Island Day Tour Boat · 9 h · from USD 190 per person
- Santa Cruz Highlands & Giant Tortoise Tour Nature · 4 h · from USD 60 per person
- Scuba Diving at Gordon Rocks Diving · 8 h · from USD 220 per person
Day trips and tours
- Santa Cruz Highlands & Tortuga Bay Day 7 h · from USD 95
Where to stay in Puerto Ayora
- Puerto Ayora (Av. Charles Darwin) about USD 160 per night
The main town strip with most hotels, restaurants, dive shops and tour agencies.
Hotels
- Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel 5-star · USD 450 to USD 750 per night
- Galápagos Habitat by Eco Luxury 4-star · USD 200 to USD 360 per night
- Hotel Silberstein 3-star · USD 120 to USD 200 per night
- Hostal España 2-star · USD 40 to USD 75 per night
Where to eat
- Kioscos de Charles Binford Seafood, Ecuadorian · about USD 18 per person
- Isla Grill Seafood, International · about USD 20 per person
- Il Giardino Italian, Seafood · about USD 22 per person
- The Rock International, Bar · about USD 18 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced "last-minute" Galapagos tours
Puerto Ayora agencies
Pressure to buy overpriced day tours or cruises of dubious quality.
How to avoid it: Compare several licensed operators, confirm the boat and itinerary in writing, and check the guide is national-park certified.