El Garrapatero beach in the Galapagos: All you need to know

Playa el garrapatero galápagos turismo actividades en las islas galápagos

El Garrapatero Beach is a beautiful beach located on Santa Cruz Island of the Galapagos archipelago, this beach is well known for its white sand and crystal clear water; It is located in the southern part of Santa Cruz Island, about 30 minutes by car from the city of Puerto Ayora.

El Garrapatero is considered a paradise away from any settlement and welcomes all visitors who opt for a day of relaxation and contact with nature.

This site should definitely be on the itinerary of any traveler who plans to visit this site. visit the enchanted islands, It is a beautiful virgin beach where you can enjoy the turquoise water, behind the beach there is a lagoon where you can observe flamingos if you are on your lucky day, also Galapagos finches and migratory birds.

Descubre la tranquilidad del Garrapatero en uno de nuestros cruceros 🛳️🐢 Contáctanos!!!

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Playa El Garrapatero – Galápagos – Ecuador / Foto de Responsible Travel

How to get to El Garrapatero beach?

First, you must get to Santa Cruz Island, which is one of the main islands of the Galapagos archipelago. You must do so by taking a flight from the Ecuadorian mainland to the Seymour Airport in BaltraFrom the airport, it takes a short bus ride and a ferry to reach the island itself.

Once on Santa Cruz Island and in the main town, Puerto Ayora, you have several options to get to El Garrapatero Beach: You can take a cab from Puerto Ayora, another option is to rent a bicycle; once you arrive at the parking area near the beach, you will have to walk a short distance to get to the beach itself. The path is relatively easy and takes you through beautiful natural surroundings.

Playa el garrapatero galápagos turismo actividades en las islas galápagos
Entrance to El Garrapatero Beach / Foto archivo RT

Price of flights to Galapagos

Prices for flights to Galapagos vary depending on the airline, the season, how far in advance you buy your tickets and also the city of origin. Keep in mind that there are two main airports in the Galapagos Islands: the Seymour Airport in Baltra (GPS), and the san Cristobal Airport (SCY). 

Los precios promedio para vuelos desde Ecuador continental a Galápagos suelen oscilar un valor de entre $250 y $600 por persona roundtrip, If you are interested, you may find special offers or promotions at certain times of the year. 

Map of El Garrapatero Beach

To visit the Garrapatero beach you must take a car for 33 minutes from Puerto Ayora, here you will find transportation services that will take you to your destination in a few minutes. The trip from Puerto Ayora to Garrapatero beach is 21 kilometers.

Playa el garrapatero  galápagos turismo actividades en las islas galápagos
Distance between Puerto Ayora and El Garrapatero / Google Maps

Activities to do at El Garrapatero Beach

El Garrapatero beach offers a variety of activities to enjoy its beautiful natural environment, you can swim and snorkel in its crystal clear waters, they are ideal for this type of activities and observe the local marine life, including tropical fish and sometimes sea turtles; You can take advantage of your time in El Garrapatero to have a relaxing moment and enjoy the soft white sand under the sun, we recommend you to bring a towel or a beach chair and take some time to rest and enjoy the scenery.

Around el garrapatero beach there are trails that will allow you to explore the surrounding natural environment, you can take a walk to reach a viewpoint from where you will have a panoramic view of the beach and its surroundings. This beach is also ideal for bird watching, you can find several species of shorebirds and seabirds, as well as endemic birds from the Galapagos

El Garrapatero has shaded areas and trees where you can enjoy a picnic, I recommend you bring food and drinks to enjoy an outdoor meal in this paradisiacal environment.

List of activities to do on El Garrapatero beach

  1. Swimming: Enjoy the crystal clear water and gentle waves while swimming in the sea.
  2. Snorkel: Explore the unique marine life of the Galapagos Islands with snorkeling equipment. You can see tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and maybe even reef sharks.
  3. Birdwatching: The Galapagos Islands are a birdwatcher's paradise. At El Garrapatero, you can see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and many other species of shorebirds.
  4. Hiking: There are trails that surround El Garrapatero beach and take you through breathtaking landscapes, such as mangroves and dry forests. These hikes offer excellent opportunities to observe terrestrial wildlife such as land iguanas and turtles.
  5. Picnic on the beach: Take your picnic basket with you and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beautiful beach.
  6. Photography:: With breathtaking scenery and rich wildlife, El Garrapatero is a perfect place to take amazing photos.
  7. Beach volleyball: If you are with a group of friends, you can bring a volleyball and play an exciting game on the beach.
  8. Relaxation:: Just lie on the beach, enjoy the sun and listen to the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
  9. Camping: If you are looking for a more adventurous experience, some areas near the beach allow camping. Be sure to obtain the necessary permits and follow all regulations.
  10. Sea turtle watching: If you visit at certain times of the year, you may be lucky enough to witness sea turtles nesting on the beach. Be sure to respect the conservation rules if you witness this event.
Panoramic view of the beach El Garrapatero - Galapagos / Video by Responsible Travel

What is the best month to visit El Garrapatero beach?

Visiting the paya garrapatero in Galapagos can be a beautiful experience in any month of the year. As in other tourist destinations, there is no ideal time to go.

Our recommendation is to visit the Garrapatero beach all year round but if you are looking for beach conditions, you can visit it during the months of January to May. In these months the Galapagos beaches are warm and you can enjoy an ideal water temperature.

Don't forget to visit our blog about the climate in the Galapagos to that you know the conditions of the islands each month.

Garrapatero Fauna

The fauna at Garrapatero Beach is diverse due to its isolation and unique ecosystem. Although the number and variety of species may vary, some of the species you may encounter are sea turtles, shorebirds and seabirds such as gulls, frigates, pelicans, curlews and sandpipers; you can also observe marine iguanas, tropical fish, crabs and endemic birds which the Galapagos are home to as the Darwin's finch, which played a crucial role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Playa el garrapatero galápagos turismo actividades en las islas galápagos
Aerial view of El Garrapatero beach

Clothing and recommendations for visiting El Garrapatero beach

When you visit El Garrapatero it is important to take into account the environment and the specific conditions of the area to be prepared and enjoy your experience to the fullest. We give you some recommendations that will help you a lot: Bring sunscreen and insect repellent, the Galapagos have a sunny weather,, It is essential to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen; you should also wear light, breathable clothing, such as short-sleeved shirts, shorts and a hat, as the weather can be hot and humid.

If you plan to swim or snorkel it is essential that you bring your swimsuit, towel and change of clothes. See our comfort cruises where you can snorkel. here .

It is essential to stay hydrated, take a reusable water bottle with you, the weather and physical activity can make you need to drink more water than usual.

FAQ

Is it possible to camp at El Garrapatero beach?

Yes, there is the possibility of camping at El Garrapatero beach. However, it is necessary to obtain permission to camp in the area. Visitors interested in camping should contact local authorities or the tourism agency for information on requirements and regulations.

Is wildlife viewing allowed on the beach?

Yes, at El Garrapatero beach it is possible to observe seabirds, such as pelicans and frigate birds, it is also quite common to see sea turtles in the waters near the coast, do not forget to keep a respectful distance from the wildlife and do not disturb their habitat.

Is it necessary to hire a guide to visit the beach? 

It is not strictly necessary to hire a guide to visit El Garrapatero, but they can provide you with valuable information about the area, its ecology and the wildlife you may encounter, in which case, if you prefer to explore on your own, be sure to research and inform yourself about the area before arriving.

Where is El Garrapatero beach located?

El Garrapatero beach is located on Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos, on the south coast of the island, approximately 19 kilometers from the city of Puerto Ayora.

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Domenica

Galapagos travel specialist

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