Top places to visit in Puerto Ayora

• Tortuga Bay

  beach · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  research_station · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  swimming_spot · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  market · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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)

  tortoise_reserve · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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)

  craters · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Puerto Ayora

Airport: Baltra (Galapagos) (GPS)

How visitors arrive in Puerto Ayora

• Fly to Baltra, then cross to Santa Cruz By air from Baltra · most visitors

  Seymour Airport on Baltra is the entry point; a channel crossing and road transfer lead on to Puerto Ayora. Source: galapagos.gob.ec

• Boat from San Cristobal or Isabela By ferry from San Cristobal / Isabela · possible

  Public speedboats connect Santa Cruz with San Cristobal and Isabela. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Bus to the Itabaca channel

  From Seymour airport on Baltra, a bus takes you to the Itabaca channel. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Channel ferry or water taxi

  Cross the Itabaca channel by ferry or small water taxi to Santa Cruz. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi or bus on to Puerto Ayora unconfirmed

  On Santa Cruz, continue by bus or taxi to Puerto Ayora. Buses from town to the channel run in the morning only; afternoon arrivals need a taxi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle

  Bicycles, including mountain bikes, can be rented from shops in Puerto Ayora for exploring on your own.

• Boat

  Water taxis operate from the main dock, and public speedboats link Puerto Ayora with San Cristóbal and Isabela.

• Taxi

  Taxis in Puerto Ayora are white pickup trucks that serve the town, the highlands and other parts of Santa Cruz island.

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Puerto Ayora

• Jan 27°C
• Feb 28°C
• Mar 28°C
• Apr 28°C
• May 27°C
• Jun 26°C
• Jul 25°C
• Aug 24°C
• Sep 24°C
• Oct 24°C
• Nov 25°C
• Dec 26°C

More in Ecuador

• Quito
• Cuenca
• Baños de Agua Santa
• Otavalo
• Guayaquil
• Mindo

Frequently asked questions about Puerto Ayora

What are the top-rated places to visit in Puerto Ayora?

The highest-rated places in our Puerto Ayora guide are Tortuga Bay, Las Grietas, El Chato / Rancho Primicias (Tortoise Reserve), Los Gemelos (Twin Craters), Playa El Garrapatero.

Where should I stay in Puerto Ayora?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puerto Ayora: Puerto Ayora (Av. Charles Darwin).

How do I get around Puerto Ayora?

Ways to get around Puerto Ayora covered in our guide: Bicycle, Boat, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Puerto Ayora?

Scams reported to us for Puerto Ayora include Overpriced "last-minute" Galapagos tours. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Puerto Ayora?

Average daytime highs in Puerto Ayora run from 24°C in Aug to 28°C in Mar.

Which airport is nearest to Puerto Ayora?

The nearest airport to Puerto Ayora has the code GPS.