Galapagos Islands attractions

A remnant of a dark moment in Isla Isabela’s history, the 65-foot (20-meter) Wall of Tears was constructed by hundreds of prisoners held captive in a penal colony created by then President José María Velasco Ibarra. From 1945 to 1959, prisoners were forced to cut and haul chunks of volcanic rock to build the wall, which had no practical use.

Cerro Brujo is a magnificent white coral sand beach along the northern coast of San Cristóbal. One of the first landing spots of Charles Darwin, “Witch Hill” is home to sea lions, turtles, marine iguanas, brown pelicans, crabs, and rays. Coastal and migratory birds such as blue-footed boobies, egrets, and great blue herons take refuge in the adjacent lagoon.

Each island within the Galapagos Islands has its own distinct flora, fauna, and wildlife; South Plaza Island is best known for its marine iguanas, land iguanas, a range of birds that nest on the sea cliffs, a sea lion colony, and a cactus forest. This crescent-shaped island is open to the public, while nearby islands—including North Plaza Island—are for research purposes only and closed to visitors.