Things to do in  Santa Cruz

The must-see attractions in Santa Cruz include the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can see giant tortoises ranging from one month to 100 years of age; Tortuga Bay, where marine iguanas lounge on white sands; and the Sierra Negra Volcano, a hot spot for birdwatching and hiking.

You should spend at least two days in Santa Cruz—that’ll give you time to see the highlights and enjoy the buzz of Puerto Ayora's small town center. Many travelers spend an extra night or two here in between visiting other islands, as speedboats don’t travel directly between Isabela and San Cristobál islands.

You’ll see a great variety of wildlife in Santa Cruz, including giant tortoises and the Galápagos sea lions, which you’ll see lounging almost everywhere. The island is also home to the iconic blue-footed boobies and the jet-black marine iguanas, who enjoy sunbathing as much as they do swimming.

On Santa Cruz, popular outdoor activities include biking around the Galápagos Frontier nature reserve, where you'll see lava tunnels and giant tortoises, and snorkeling and swimming with sea lions on the small islet of La Lobería. You can also go swimming in the natural pools of Las Grietas.

The best place to try traditional Galápagos food is on bustling Los Kioskos Street (officially Charles Binford Street) in the center of Puerto Ayora. Must-try foods include pez brujo (wizard fish), lobster when in season, and arroz con menestra (rice and roast meat stew). You’ll also find plenty of bars with happy hour deals.

The best beaches in Santa Cruz include Playa Peninsula, where you can admire marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies; Playa de los Alemanes, featuring white sand and shallow water ideal for swimming and snorkeling; and Playa Tortuga, which has black lava formations and is a surfing hot spot.