What to Do, Where to Eat, & Where to Stay on Santa Cruz

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Barking sea lions. Crystal swimming pools tucked between volcanic cliffs. Big tortoises. Contemporary, scorching seafood. Santa Cruz Island is likely one of the Galapagos’ most populated islands, and the central city of Puerto Ayora is as near bustling as you’ll discover within the Galapagos: docks ship ferries to and from different islands, eating places and scorching kiosks tucked into hidden alleys promote grilled and fried fish, and tortoises roam the cooler inland air of the elevated Highlands.

Santa Cruz is residence to most of the Galapagos’ finest points of interest, actions, and academic alternatives. It’s a must-visit whether or not you’re planning a land-based Galapagos trip or stopping by on a cruise – like, actually you may’t miss it: you’ll both fly right here or cease right here on a cruise.

Years in the past, we printed the story of our visit to Santa Cruz, Galapagos. It’s an important put up and enjoyable to learn, however in typical 2016-travel-blog style, it’s not terribly helpful. So we created this put up: a definitely-very-useful journey information that may allow you to plan your go to to Santa Cruz, Galapagos!

Psst: Planning a visit to the Galapagos Islands? Check out these different posts that can assist you plan:

We’ve additionally created an in depth 20-page downloadable information to visiting the Galapagos Islands. Enroll under to get the information ship straight to your inbox! 

The right way to Get to Santa Cruz, Galapagos

There are solely two methods to get to Santa Cruz, Galapagos: by air or by ferry.

Santa Cruz’s airport is named Baltra, and also you’ll have the ability to fly right here from Quito or Guayaquil.

When you arrive, everybody will board the shuttle to the docks. Santa Cruz Island is a free 5-minute ferry journey from the Baltra docks. From the docks on the Santa Cruz aspect it’s a few 45 minute drive into Puerto Ayora.

To get to Puerto Ayora from the airport, you may take a white pick-up truck taxi – you’ll discover many ready dockside. The value is about, however everybody goes the identical path, so don’t be afraid to separate a taxi with one other traveler!

The less expensive choice is to take a bus, additionally situated dockside. There are restricted airline arrivals every day, so count on to attend a short while for the bus to replenish absolutely earlier than it leaves. The bus will take you to the market on the heart of city, about half a mile from the ocean and most inns/hostels.

If you happen to’re coming from the opposite major island within the Galapagos, San Cristobal, you’ll take one of many twice-daily ferries to Puerto Ayora. It’s finest to buy your tickets at the least a day prematurely as their seats are restricted – you may book your ticket online on Bookaway. The journey is about 2 hours. Pop a Dramamine earlier than you allow to move off seasickness!

Ideas for Visiting Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Santa Cruz Island is likely one of the 3 inhabited islands within the Galapagos – however although it’s a populated island, it’s nonetheless stuffed with wildlife – the magic of the Galapagos!

The principle city in Santa Cruz is the coastal port city of Puerto Ayora, the place you’ll discover loads of inns, eating places, and the entire comforts you’d count on from a small island city (don’t get too fancy, although. The web might be spotty. Some nights, we couldn’t even watch Netflix! I do know, stunning). Santa Cruz can be residence to one of many two airports within the Galapagos Islands, so there’s a superb likelihood you’ll both by flying into or out of right here.

Round each nook is one other alternative to see brightly coloured crabs, snoozing sea lions, and cuddling marine iguanas. You’ll discover many of the perfect eating places, inns, and day excursions in Puerto Ayora.

• Most locations in Ecuador don’t settle for bank cards, or cost additional to take action. The Galapagos Islands are not any exception: money is king. Fortunately, there are ATMs galore on Puerto Ayora and a great deal of outlets, eating places and bars to spend your money in! Fill up on money right here, as a result of a number of the different islands like Isla Isabela have NO ATM’s in any respect.

• Deliver sunscreen with you from the mainland. It’s insanely costly right here, and also you’ll want it for the additional robust rays because of the proximity to the Equator. Ensure to convey reef-safe sunscreen for if you’ll be within the water, to guard the coral reef and different marine wildlife that stay within the Galapagos!
• There’s a large grocery retailer proper by the principle dock on the town, the place we picked up groceries for snacks and breakfast. You may also pop to the highest flooring for an inexpensive espresso and pastry with a sea view. However needless to say most inns received’t have a kitchen.
• We advocate reserving accomodations and a few excursions on-line prematurely. You may e-book your Puerto Ayora excursions as quickly as you arrive on the island and also you’ll avoid wasting cash this fashion, however there’s additionally a superb likelihood you received’t have the ability to do each tour you’d like as there’s a restricted variety of areas accessible and excursions are topic to strict rules. Plus, it’s simply type of worrying to not know what you’ll be doing till you arrive! (We discovered this from expertise.) If you happen to do wait to e-book in individual, simply discover any tour operator – their places of work are throughout city – or go to the kiosk close to the docks. Remember that you simply’ll must pay in your day excursions upfront with money.

One choice I want we’d identified throughout our journey is that you could find some nice multi-day land primarily based excursions with set itineraries, which takes an enormous quantity of planning off your shoulders! 

Listed here are a number of unbelievable choices:

• 7-day Galapagos on a Budget Experience: This itinerary carefully mirrors our journey. You’ll go to each Santa Cruz and Isabela Island and take what we’d take into account to be the perfect excursions on every. At simply round $1,500 per individual, it’s not far more than what we paid and a unbelievable worth for per week lengthy Galapagos journey.
• 5 Day Galapagos Tour: If you happen to’re quick on time or cash, this 5-day choice for slightly below $1,000 is nice. You’ll keep on Santa Cruz however nonetheless get an opportunity to go to Isabela Island on a day journey and expertise Las Tintoreras, the perfect Isabela tour.
• 8-Day Galapagos Island Tour: If San Cristobal and snorkelling at Kicker Rock are in your bucket record, this 8-day tour is your finest guess! You’ll go to all 3 inhabited islands and do the perfect excursions in every.

Santa Cruz, Galapagos: Issues to Do

Puerto Ayora is the major hub for the Galapagos Islands, and a superb residence base to do the Galapagos with out a cruise. There are lots of actions you are able to do on the island itself, plus a great deal of day journeys and excursions.

For the total story of our go to to Santa Cruz Island – errors, mishaps, and all – head over to this post.

Go to the Fish Market

The Puerto Ayora fish market is a must-see and completely captures the magic of the Galapagos Islands. Sure, it’s the perfect place on the island to buy freshly caught seafood (for those who’re fortunate sufficient to have a kitchen to play with, that is very thrilling!), however it’s additionally simply, like, a vibe. For one factor, there’s Lupe.

Lupe the Sea Lion is an everyday on the Puerto Ayora fish market. She positions herself behind the counter instantly beneath the chopping board, the place she is aware of she’ll get fed scraps and pores and skin from the contemporary fish fillets all day lengthy! She’s like a pet canine that’s additionally an lovable sea lion. We wish one!! 

You’ll additionally discover a small crowd of hovering pelicans and herons, and generally napping sea lions as nicely. Ensure to cease by throughout the week when it’s open!

Snorkel in Las Grietas

Las Grietas is an attractive clear pool between two sheer volcanic cliff faces – therefore the title, which suggests “The Crevices.” Throughout noon when the solar is excessive, the pool is a shiny, clear blue, and the solar’s rays sparkle all the best way to the underside of the deep pool, making for unbelievable pictures and views. You may bounce off the dock into the water for those who like, and climb up the cliffs to leap from the rocks for those who dare! Las Grietas is the perfect snorkeling on Santa Cruz Island by far. 

To get to Las Grietas from Puerto Ayora, take a water taxi from the docks and ask for Punta Estrada or simply say you’re going to Las Grietas – they’ll know what you imply. It’s a ridiculously quick journey and the water taxi is underneath $1.

When you’re dropped off, you’ll stroll previous a flowery lodge and a few high-end bars and eating places (that is the costly aspect of Puerto Ayora). Stroll alongside the boardwalk (it’s the solely choice so that you can stroll on, so that you received’t get misplaced). The boardwalk will take you previous Punta Estrada, a small cove the place you may swim, with a seaside throughout low tide.

Preserve strolling down the boardwalk previous some attention-grabbing pink-tinged salt flats. After about quarter-hour you’ll attain Las Grietas! Preserve strolling down the boardwalk till you get to the doorway the place you sign up and wait in your flip to enter with a information (you might wait 15-10 minutes to go together with a much bigger group). tl;dr observe the one path till it ends. Simple sufficient, proper?

Listed here are a number of ideas for visiting Las Grietas:

• There are literally 3 swimming pools in Las Grietas and two entrances. Your information decides which entrance you’ll go to, and that’s the place you enter, however you may climb by to the opposite ones. Swim all the best way to the top of the primary pool, climb (rigorously!) over the rocks, and swim by the second pool to entry the hidden third pool. To get to it you’ll both must rigorously climb over extra rocks (seriously, watch out. Jeremy slipped and minimize his foot right here) or take a deep breath, dive down, and swim by the underwater cave. When there are not any folks within the pool, there are a whole bunch of fish swimming on this part undisturbed, and it’s completely unbelievable.
• Head to Las Grietas round midday to beat the cruise crowds and catch probably the most sparkly, sunny hours.  When the cruises present up they make tons of noise and scare away all of the fish. You’ll need to filter by 5pm.
• Your go to is proscribed to 90 minutes, however when you’ve completed, you may stroll again and cease at Playa de los Alemanes and spend the remainder of the afternoon and sundown there, so pack loads of water and snacks.
• Snorkeling at Playa de los Alemanes, which you’ll stroll previous in your solution to Las Grietas, could be a blended bag, however in case you are eager to strive, then purpose for the mangroves in your proper to see sharks at excessive tide, or swim proper out to the furthest rocks to seek out sea snakes at low tide.

Go to the Kiosks

The Kiosks/Los Kioskos are the perfect place to eat in Puerto Ayora. The Kiosks are a seafood alley: a road lined with small, locally-owned eating places all cooking variations of extremely contemporary, domestically caught seafood bought from the fish market earlier within the day.

You’ll hear scorching from the charcoal parillas and odor smoky, grilled fish lengthy earlier than you stumble throughout this little alley.

When you arrive, you’ll discover the road crammed with tables, joyful vacationers, and locals mingling among the many numerous kiosks, all of whom are promoting a variation of the identical gadgets, loudly proffered by servers thrusting menus and entire uncooked fish underneath your nostril, all accompanied by the sizzle and tantalizing odor of charcoal-grilled fish.

That is Puerto Ayora’s culinary specialty: an enormous smokey charcoal grill, the Picallada, constructed like a chimney and stoked with blow dryers to remain scorching all night time lengthy.

Every part from contemporary entire fish rubbed with spices and nestled in tin foil, to octopus laid instantly on the grill for an ideal char and sear, to the effervescent seafood casserole in clay bowls, to scorching buttered ears of corn, are all smoked and roasted on that very same grill. And it’s freaking scrumptious.

Strolling by the alley is a bit like sporting a bulls-eye in your brow: each step you’re taking, somebody fingers you a menu or a fish or lists a number of gadgets and their costs at you, all in rapid-fire Spanish. However actually, you may’t go incorrect: decide wherever, and order no matter they advocate. It’ll be nice.

Our favourite half about Los Kioskos? The most effective meals in Puerto Ayora can be probably the most price range pleasant! An entire brujo fish to share is $15 at Sol y Mar, considered one of our favourite kiosks in seafood alley. Their grilled and fried entire fish, grilled octopus, seafood cazuela, sopa de queso (scrumptious cheese soup) and numerous batidos (fruit milkshakes) are all wonderful.

The kioscos are situated at Baltra & Charles Binford. It’s straightforward to stroll from wherever on the town. You may also all the time take an affordable pickup truck taxi. If it’s good to, ask any native for assist discovering los kioskos – they’ll all know. 

Go to the Charles Darwin Analysis Station

The Charles Darwin Research Station in Santa Cruz is much less of a station and extra of a posh: the principle constructing is crammed with info and some small displays, however the principle points of interest are all outdoors.

Turtles are bred in a piece of the middle right here, known as the Fausto Llerena Breeding Middle. Every large island within the Galapagos has its personal land turtle breeding heart, we discovered. Whereas the turtles are raised in captivity, they’re launched again into the wild as adults. One of the crucial profitable conservation packages on the planet, greater than 7,000 tortoises have been launched again into the wild from this heart.

And sure – you may see lovable child turtles right here!

As we watched big outdated tortoises munch on turtle snacks and slowly chase one another round, we discovered that for years, the tortoise breeding heart tried its finest to supply offspring that might proceed the survival of a tortoise species with just one present member: Lonesome George.

Sadly, lack of expertise of tortoise lineage result in a deadly flaw: the females being mated with Lonesome George have been hybrid species, that means that they may not efficiently mate with the outdated tortoise.

He died a number of years in the past, taking his total species with him.

Fortunately, advances in tortoise breeding have made it doable to resurrect this species from extinction: by breeding tortoises containing a excessive proportion of the genes of Lonesome George’s species, after a number of generations a totally genetically equivalent tortoise might be born!

That’s some Jurassic Park sh**, proper there. Science is so cool.

Together with tortoises, you may spy land and marine iguanas basking close to the middle. There are additionally some trails winding by the vegetation to the seaside. However that’s about it – mood your expectations! This can be a scientific analysis and conservation heart, not a zoo.

• You’ll discover the Charles Darwin Analysis Station on the finish of the principle avenue in Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Avenue. From the docks, stroll for about 20 minutes in the wrong way. Simple!
• You’ll want to indicate your Nationwide Park entry ticket (given to you on the airport) for entry to the station.
• You’ll must pay $10 per individual on the entrance and an area information will accompany you.

Eat & Drink in Puerto Ayora

The principle stretch of Puerto Ayora is the perfect place to cease for a meal, a drink, or a nightcap! Listed here are a number of of the perfect locations to eat and drink in Puerto Ayora:

• Attempt a typical native breakfast at Tropic Bird Cafe: dealing with the ocean proper subsequent to the fish market, this $5 breakfast and lunch spot is definitely very talked-about with the locals. Attempt an encebollado with chifle, fish soup with a aspect of fried plantain chips to crush up within the soup.
• The most effective espresso in Puerto Ayora might be discovered at 1835 Coffee Lab, a roastery serving domestically grown Galapagos espresso. 
• You’ll discover loads of locations to get drinks for Completely happy Hour alongside Charles Darwin avenue, the principle road in Puerto Ayora. Stroll by round sundown to make the most of the perfect 2-for-1 drink gives!
• The most effective ice cream after an extended day on the seaside is Galapagos Deli. One scoop is biiiiig and two are an excessive amount of, however we’ve a tip for you: You may ask for 2 flavors in a single scoop, so strive creamy chocolate with an area fruit, resembling Mora, the domestically grown blackberry.
• For a small and low cost dinner, stroll as much as the market (nook of Avenida Baltra and Islas Duncan) from 6pm onwards for empanadas. Two stalls serve savory and candy (Nutella and banana – suuuuuper heavy however so yummy) empanadas for $1.5-2.5, with salads juice or the standard colada morada, a thick drink from cornflour, pineapple juice and berries ($1).
• If you wish to splurge on a flowery foodie meal, the fanciest restaurant on the town is the Finch Bay Restaurant on the Finch Bay Hotel, probably the most luxurious lodge on the island. Dine a-la-carte or go for an outstanding 7-course tasting menu – for underneath $100, it’s a splurge however nonetheless an superb worth. Get pleasure from an unbelievable culinary expertise in a surprising setting, looking over the sundown as waves lap the shore.

Swim in Tortuga Bay

Tortuga Bay is known as as one of the crucial lovely seashores in Ecuador, however it’s due to its pristine white sand, not as a result of it’s teeming with turtles. Additionally, the visibility within the water was terrible for snorkeling. We kayaked across the bay on the lookout for rays, sharks, and turtles, and solely managed to see a number of tiny fish.

It was, nevertheless, an important seaside day, which was well worth the journey even when the snorkeling wasn’t! We advocate spending a day stress-free on the seaside, swimming, and kayaking in Tortuga Bay.

To get to Tortuga Bay, you may take a water taxi ($10 every manner) that goes across the perimeter of the island to and from Puerto Ayora. You may catch one on the major docks in Puerto Ayora. Verify timetables although or you might miss the final one and find yourself strolling.

Nonetheless, we expect the finest solution to get to Tortuga Bay from Puerto Ayora is by strolling. From the Puerto Ayora pier, cross the principle street and attain Baltra Avenue. It’s a purple cobblestone road with a motorcycle lane. Stroll 2 blocks and also you’ll attain Charles Binford Road. Flip proper. Observe Charles Binford Road out of city till you attain the top of the road, after about 10 minutes.

On the finish of the road is a staircase up a brief hill. On the high of the hill is a bit kiosk the place you’ll sign up to enter the park.

From the kiosk is a clean cobblestone path – stroller pleasant, we noticed a number of households – that you simply’ll stroll down for about 45 minutes. It’s not the prettiest stroll until you take pleasure in seeing the identical cactus and stubbly tree surroundings for 45 minutes.

You’ll attain the seaside and be rewarded with an extremely lovely view. The water right here is just too harmful for swimming, so there’s normally no one right here. Flip proper and stroll down the seaside for a surprising 15 or so minutes till you attain the top of the seaside.

To your left are some rocks the place you may see nesting marine iguanas and watch turtles swim within the open ocean. If you happen to come throughout low tide, there’s a secluded little seaside with shade from the place you may see the mile-long Tortuga Bay in its entirety.

To the best you’ll discover Tortuga Bay – search for folks swimming and sunbathing on the shore of an enormous horseshoe-shaped bay!

Stroll to the top of Tortuga Bay and observe the trail to the best to get to Playa Mansa, the calm, lagoon-like a part of the seaside the place you may lastly discover shade and – in case you are fortunate on a quiet day – spot little sharks within the shallow water.

Listed here are a number of ideas for visiting Tortuga Bay:

• Pack in all the things you have to for the day as there’s nowhere to purchase something on the seaside. We advise bringing tons of sunscreen and solar safety (the solar is far stronger right here on the equator!), a variety of water (bear in mind you have got an extended sunny hike to and from Tortuga Bay), a packed lunch and snacks, toilet paper (there isn’t a toilet, however you could find a spot for those who want one within the bushes), a towel, and naturally your swimsuit!
• The water is snug for swimming with out a wetsuit and is fairly shallow throughout low tide.
• We rented snorkel gear for $14 and schlepped it together with us on the stroll, however it undoubtedly wasn’t value it – this isn’t a superb snorkel spot. There are presupposed to be reef sharks, rays, and turtles within the water, however it’s deep and murky and you’ll’t see something.
• We rented kayaks for $20 an hour from the lone vendor on the seaside. We tried to snorkel in numerous spots within the bay that have been too far to swim to, however that didn’t pan out. If you take pleasure in kayaking only for the sake of it, hire a kayak. In any other case, you may skip the kayak rental. In case you are fairly assured in your swimming skills, swim out a bit farther from the seaside and you’ll begin seeing turtles within the water.
• You may see iguanas throughout low tide on the principle stretch of the seaside in addition to sunbathing on the very finish of the seaside earlier than attending to Playa Mansa. You may also discover turtles by strolling left on the finish of the seaside to the little lookout manufactured from lava stones the place you may see them swimming within the water.

Go to a Big Tortoise Reserve

You’re not going to go to Galapagos with out seeing its most well-known inhabitant, proper?

Whilst you could spot them on the aspect of the street or go to a breeding heart, you may see them in all their glory (and gigantic dimension!) at a tortoise reserve – additionally known as a tortoise ranch, although not in the identical sense we imply it within the States – within the Highlands, the inland a part of Santa Cruz Island that sits at about 2,000 ft of elevation increased than the coast. The air up right here is cooler, which makes it the proper habitat for tortoises!

Plus, you’ll get an opportunity to see lava tunnels, too – and you’ll even crawl by them.

There are two major ranches to select from, each price $5 (which features a information to indicate you round) and have a restaurant and café do you have to desire a snack or lunch overlooking tortoise.

You may book a day trip to a tortoise reserve (which additionally contains lava tunnels) on-line, which is the best solution to go to as your transportation will all be taken care of.

Or, for those who favor the cheaper DIY route, to get to the tortoise ranches you’ll take a bus from Puerto Ayora to Santa Rosa ($1-1.5) after which stroll (plan 90 minutes) following the one path within the village and switch left on the signal to the ranches. Observe the street and on the finish, flip left for Primicias (farther away) and proper for El Chato. When you get in Santa Rosa, you can too hope to discover a taxi to take you the remainder of the best way. 

You may also hire a motorcycle and cycle to Santa Rosa (you higher be in excellent form and cycle recurrently) or pop the bike on the bike rack on the bus to Santa Rose, then bike the remainder of the best way there.

Alternatively, you may take a taxi ($40 spherical journey) which can watch for you there.

Listed here are some ideas for visiting tortoise ranches:

• El Chato has three small lava tunnels, so you can begin with a shorter one and work your manner as much as the longer, darker ones (in case you get claustrophobic!). Primicias has one, nearly a mile-long tunnel with no manner of exiting earlier or turning round.
• Don’t put on your finest garments — you’ll be strolling by excessive grass, crawling into an empty tortoise shell, and strolling round muddy fields, so be ready!
• Deliver a sweater and/or raincoat; even when it’s sunny on the coast, it may get very moist up within the higher-elevation highlands. And produce socks! It helps keep away from ant bites within the tall grass. Plus if it’s muddy, the ranches offers you rainboots.

Swings at Highland Views

Highland Views is a farm inland – within the increased elevation, cooler a part of Santa Cruz island referred to as the Highlands – that’s open to vacationers ($5). Right here you may stroll across the farm and take un beautiful views that stretch all the best way throughout the island to the ocean, befriend and feed livestock, and see an illustration of how they make sugarcane juice. However the actual draw are what Instagrammable desires are constituted of: swings! 

How loopy you need to go on the swing is as much as you: there are not any guidelines – and no security belts. Rise up or just sit; both manner, the primary second you swing your ft ahead and overlook the complete island and see all the best way to Santa Fe is exhilarating.

Tip: You’ll get the perfect image in case your photographer stands on the aspect of the massive posts holding the swing.

Oh, and don’t overlook to relax within the hammock and pet the canines earlier than you allow!

• To get to Highland Views, you may take a taxi for $15. Or for the cheaper and extra adventurous route, catch a bus from the nook of Baltra Avenue and Isla Duncan to El Cascajo for $1 – there’s one within the morning and one after lunch. From Cascajo, stroll again down the hill you got here up with and also you’ll discover the trail as much as Highland Views.

Garrapatero Seashore

Garrapatero Beach is a hidden gem within the Galapagos – a surprising quiet seaside (besides on weekends) the place you may swim and kayak within the crystal clear water, loosen up on the tender white sand, or stroll alongside the seaside laced with volcanic lava rock.

There’s not a lot to see within the water, so depart your snorkel gear at your lodge, however the panorama is beautiful. Spend all day sitting within the shade, watching the pelicans on the water and leaping within the waves. And hold a watch out for flamingos!

Plan for an all-day tour and pack a lunch to convey with you (we advocate a pulled pork sandwich from Island Deli). There’s a lavatory and altering space accessible right here, so you may bathe earlier than you head again.

• To get to Garrapatero Seashore, you may take a taxi from Puerto Ayora (about $20 every manner) – make sure to allow them to know you’ll want a return journey. So as to add a scenic vista, negotiate in your taxi to drive you again through the highlands. It prices a bit extra, the views are value it as you come back residence. You’ll additionally get an opportunity to breathe within the cool, high-altitude, air for some time – a refreshing change after an extended day on the seaside!
• You may also hire bikes on the town ($10-15, ask for a lock) and bike there, a bit underneath 5 miles (put together for hills). You’ll cease at the least twice to benefit from the view and snap pics, or simply as a result of there’s a tortoise on the street. For the best way again, e-book a taxi prematurely ($20) as there isn’t any sign and the best way again is STEEP!

Santa Fe Island Day Journey 

We took the Santa Fe Island day tour from Puerto Ayora. The tour was over 8 hours lengthy: we left at 8am and returned at 5pm.

First, we spent over an hour stress-free on a seaside. Not one of the group knew we have been going to be parked at a seaside for over an hour, so no one had introduced something to do, blankets, sun shades, and so on – we have been all ready to only hop within the ocean and snorkel. There was a variety of grumbling and tedium. I spent an hour constructing a sand fort. There are worse methods to waste time, however I do want we’d had some advance discover.

Subsequent we went to a rocky cliff face to snorkel. The present was extremely robust; that is not your common stress-free snorkeling and swimming was tough! We did see some fairly fish – the water was deeper than a lot of the different excursions we went on.

After snorkeling, we went to a different space, a shiny blue lagoon, the place we lastly have been in a position to swim with sea lions alongside the rocks the place they lay stress-free. Then a offered lunch, then one other non-obligatory hour for swimming, after which an odd half-hour of our boat making an attempt to catch fish for the subsequent day’s lunch; then lastly we returned.

The most effective a part of this tour was that it wasn’t rushed; we weren’t consistently having to maintain up with a bunch or all trailing the identical animals. Additionally, there are 3 separate areas, 2 of which have distinctive snorkeling alternatives, so it wasn’t repetitive or boring in any respect.

Listed here are some ideas for the Santa Fe tour:

• If you happen to do that tour, do it earlier in your journey as you’re unlikely to see a lot that’s new and thrilling for those who’ve already been snorkeling loads.
• You may book the Santa Fe tour online in advance, or e-book on the docks when you arrive.
• Our tour didn’t embody wetsuits, however the water is frigid. Lease wetsuits at any company on the town for the day.
• The offered masks have been poorly made – two of the air tubes, together with mine, fell off within the ocean. We have been then requested to pay for the misplaced tubes (I politely refused). But one more reason why we advocate bringing your individual snorkeling gear as a part of our Galapagos Packing List.
• Deliver one thing to do throughout the hour you’ll spend on the seaside, like a e-book in a dry bag or some waterproof playing cards or a towel to take a seat on.

Seymour Island Day Journey

 On this all-day tour you’re prone to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls as you hike across the island. Then, you’ll go swimming and snorkeling with sea lions. You could possibly spot flamingos and sharks, too!

That is an all-day, 8 hour day journey that leaves at 8 am. As soon as picked up, you’ll drive for about an hour to Itabaca Canal earlier than boarding your boat.

You’ll head to an space to hike and stroll round, in addition to go to a blue-footed boobies nest – for those who’re fortunate, you’ll see them doing awkward little courtship dances throughout mating season! You’ll go to Las Bachas Seashore for snorkelling and swimming earlier than heading again to your lodge.

Lunch, snorkel gear, and a wetsuit are offered.

If you happen to’re not visiting Isla Isabela, this is perhaps your solely likelihood to see blue-footed boobies – and people foolish little birds are nicely well worth the tour. In any other case, you may need to wait till you may take the Los Tuneles tour on Isabela Island, which is similiar.

You may book this tour online in advance, or when you arrive in Puerto Ayora at any native tour operator or on the kiosk by the docks.

Santa Cruz, Galapagos Accommodations: The place to Keep

There are many inns on Santa Cruz Island situated in Puerto Ayora, starting from cheap to extra luxurious. Anticipate decently sized non-public rooms with non-public loos, scorching water, towels, drinkable water, and the works for round $50-70 an evening, or a bit increased for those who choose to incorporate breakfast.

Listed here are our picks near the principle stretch of Puerto Ayora:

• Mid-Vary Lodge: Sueno Silvestres is situated near the Charles Darwin analysis heart and some blocks away from the seaside & major road of Puerto Ayora in a pleasant quiet and personal space. Our room was massive, scorching water was plentiful, there have been free towels and drinkable water offered, and the proprietor Carlos was pleasant and welcoming. Breakfast is out there for an additional price.
• Trip Rental: This spacious modern loft has ocean views EVERYWHERE – from the lounge, the non-public balcony. This sunny little apartment nestled within the treetops is only a 5-minute stroll away from the principle city stretch – AND it’s underneath $100/night time!

• Funds-Pleasant Hostel: Hostal Vista al Mar has dorm rooms (together with all-female rooms) and a visitor kitchen and a backyard for $15-20/night time. That’s an incredible worth for the Galapagos!

Most inns in Santa Cruz are situated inside a 10-minute stroll from the docks, kiosks, and grocery shops in Puerto Ayora. However a number of pricier, extra luxurious inns are situated on the Punta Estrada Waterfront close to the quiet Alemanes Seashore. It’s a brief water taxi journey again to the principle stretch in Puerto Ayora. (And really near Las Grietas!)

Listed here are our picks for the place to remain in Punta Estrada:

• Finch Bay Hotel is fingers down the nicest lodge in Santa Cruz.  Suppose luxurious all the things. There’s even a personal dock with a personal yacht for friends. Facilities embody free Wi-Fi, A/C, a stunning swimming pool and restaurant, and a pier with yachts to go to the islands. Breakfast with bacon, sausages, pancakes, contemporary fruits and eggs is served each day.
• Hotel Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is in a picturesque lodge manufactured from lava stones and driftwood. Large home windows overlook the ocean as you dine in your included breakfast or take pleasure in a cocktail by the fireside.  Sunbathe, chill, or snorkel on the non-public waterfront!

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Psst: Planning a visit to the Galapagos Islands? Check out these different posts that can assist you plan:

We’ve additionally created an in depth 20-page downloadable information to visiting the Galapagos Islands. Enroll under to get the information ship straight to your inbox! 

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Our High Journey Ideas & Assets

Listed here are our favourite journey ideas & sources for saving cash and planning journey logistics! For extra ideas, try our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

• Reserving Flights: To attain flight offers, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Cash-saving ideas: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on solely on a price range airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
• Lodging: We normally keep in budget-friendly trip leases, boutique inns or non-public rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to e-book inns (we love their versatile cancellation coverage) and Hostelworld to e-book hostels (low deposit, straightforward change/cancellation, and wonderful opinions). For trip leases, we favor to e-book utilizing VRBO as a result of they have decrease charges and higher assist than Airbnb, and we’re not followers of Airbnb’s unethical monitor document. You may also e-book trip leases on Expedia and Hotels.com. We additionally use TrustedHousesitters as each hosts (for our residence and our fur-child) and vacationers!
• Journey Insurance coverage: We all the time, all the time, ALWAYS purchase journey insurance coverage for worldwide journeys, and we STRONGLY counsel it – go to our Travel Insurance Guide to seek out out why. We advocate both World Nomads or SafetyWing for worldwide journey insurance coverage. SafetyWing is likely one of the few insurance policies that covers Covid-19, they usually have wonderful month-to-month insurance policies which can be excellent for Digital Nomads and long run vacationers!
• Journey Credit score Card: We e-book all of our journeys on our favourite journey bank card. Not solely can we earn money again that we are able to spend on extra journey, however the card gives unbelievable journey perks like journey insurance coverage, journey delay and cancellation protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement, and rental automobile protection, which helps defend us on our travels. Learn more here.
• Vaccines & Meds: We use the journey guides on the CDC website to analysis really useful medicines and vaccines for worldwide journeys. We all the time advocate getting each vaccine really useful by the CDC! You will get them at your major care physician’s workplace or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Excursions: We love reserving guided excursions, particularly meals excursions and strolling excursions, to get an area’s perspective and a historical past lesson whereas sight-seeing! We e-book our excursions utilizing Viator and GetYourGuide.
• Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to determine the way to get from place to put, and e-book native transportation on-line utilizing Bookaway wherever we are able to. Once we e-book a rental automobile, we use Kayak to check rental corporations and discover the perfect deal.
• Baggage Storage: Every time we’re testing early or profiting from an extended layover, we use LuggageHero to soundly retailer our baggage whereas we’re working round. Use the code PRACTICALW for two hours of free baggage storage on us.
• VPN Service: A VPN retains your digital info (like web site login particulars, financial institution information, and so on) protected, even if you’re linked to an unsecured community whereas touring. Plus, it enables you to use Netflix & different streaming websites overseas! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO if you enroll!
• What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we convey on each journey. We even have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and plenty of extra. Check out all of our packing guides!