Things to do in  Puerto Ayora

Santa Cruz is easily the most central island for Galapagos visitors. One of only four islands where visitors are allowed to stay the night, the island can serve as the perfect home base from which to explore the archipelago. In addition to being the most cosmopolitan, Santa Cruz also offers beautiful beaches and wildlife, plus the Charles Darwin Research Station is located here.

On Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, the Charles Darwin Research Station is a great way to take in some interesting facts about the wildlife of the archipelago in between relaxing on the beach and sipping a piña colada. The station offers information on local conservation, habitats, and other relevant statistics, and is home to a tortoise breeding center.

See the famed Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild at El Chato Tortoise Reserve (Reserva El Chato), one of the few places visitors can watch these creatures roaming in their natural habitat. Then, explore the lava tunnels and nature trails, while looking out for other endemic wildlife, such as short-eared owls, Darwin finches, and more.

A brief hike through Santa Cruz’s majestic cactus forest leads you to The Cracks (Las Grietas), a popular Galapagos Islands swimming destination for locals that often gets overlooked. The aptly named volcanic crevices are known for their crystalline brackish waters, perfect for laidback aquatic exploration.

One of Santa Cruz’s most peaceful and tranquil settings, El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise, stretching for almost 2 miles (3 kilometers). Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an array of birds, most notably, flamingos and mockingbirds. You may also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, and oystercatchers among the white sands and crystalline blue water.

Despite what its name suggests—alemanes means Germans in Spanish—you won’t find any currywurst or lederhosen on this pristine stretch of sand. Playa de los Alemanes serves up Galapagos’ signature white sand, turquoise waters, and a wealth of marine life. Plus, the cove-like shape of the beach means its waters are generally much calmer than other Santa Cruz beaches.

In the south of Santa Cruz Island, Laguna las Ninfas is a peaceful body of water home to sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays. It’s surrounded by mangroves and encircled by a wooden boardwalk that lets you wander around its perimeter in search of Galapagos wildlife.