If upon arriving in the Galapagos, you do not know Santa Cruz, then you will not have known the heart of the Enchanted Islands, a magical place where the beauty of nature makes a perfect match with the kindness of its people. But you may wonder what places to visit in Santa Cruz? We answer that and many more questions in this article.
An island full of endemic forests, where everywhere you go you can find giant tortoises roaming freely; Santa Cruz Island is a populated island, its capital Puerto Ayora, located in the coastal area, becomes the axis for the economic activities carried out on the islands, mainly tourism.
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How many days is it advisable to stay in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is full of activities for tourists, you will need to make plenty of free space in your calendar before visiting; However, we recommend staying on the island for a minimum of 5 to 7 days so that you can fully enjoy and explore its main attractions.
For many tourists, touring the Galapagos Islands by cruise is an excellent alternative due to the comforts it provides. The specific itinerary that will allow you to take advantage of each of the planned activities. We have one wide variety of cruises that you can choose depending on your travel goals.
If you still don't know which cruise to choose, we recommend the
Infinity
, board with us and get to know Santa Cruz up close.
What can be found in Santa Cruz?
You can enjoy the magnificent landscapes that Santa Cruz offers you and also the underwater wonders. It is home to a varied fauna such as frigates, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, manta rays and giant tortoises.
Como testimonio de su pasado volcánico existen dos enormes cavidades llamadas “Los Gemelos” que se formaron a partir de una cámara de magma. La Isla está llena de encantos naturales, hermosas playas, especies animales únicas, vegetación exuberante, cráteres y túneles de lava.
Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station It is located in Puerto Ayora and is the operational branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). It is a site of interest for tourists where you can learn a lot about flora and fauna. You will learn all the curious and scientific facts about giant tortoises, since it is a breeding center that houses small tortoises from the island. These are taken there to be assisted in their birth and first days, since they lack sufficient maturity to do so on their own. Once this stage has been passed, they are returned to their places of origin. In this way, it helps to avoid a decrease in the number of turtles. Our cruise Ocean Spray make a stop at the station if you dare to visit it.
Tortuga Bay
One of the most beautiful beaches you can visit during your stay in the Enchanted Islands, a little piece of paradise on earth, delimited by mangroves and bathed by turquoise waters. It is populated by marine iguanas, colorful crabs and pelicans.
To get to know Tortuga Bay you must walk along a 2.5 km long path and its journey lasts about 40 to 50 minutes. Once on the beach you can practice surfing, snorkeling or trekking.
In Playa Brava there are quite strong currents, you must be very careful when you swim, it is ideal for surfing.
Playa Mansa is an area of mangroves and a bay with a stream, recommended to relax for a moment.
Las Grietas
These are natural pools surrounded by the biological spectacle that the Galapagos has accustomed us to, in which sea and rainwater mix. This creates a healthy ecosystem that forms pools suitable for swimming and snorkeling since here you can find various types of colorful fish.
Although you do not need a naturalist guide to enjoy this place, we do recommend looking for one to fully understand the characteristics of the site.
Garrapatero Beach
“El Garrapatero” is a virgin beach with white sand and crystal clear sea, surrounded by some nearby lagoons, it is the perfect place to observe local birds such as flamingos or finches, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Santa Cruz, and you can enjoy it with Total tranquility since not many people usually go.
It is located about 22 km from Puerto Ayora, keep in mind that as it is a virgin beach it does not have tourist services, so it is advisable to bring everything you need such as water, food, etc...
Los Gemelos
A spectacular place that tourists love, surrounded by a native escalcía forest. It is characterized by being one of the most important natural attractions of the Galapagos Islands, Los Gemelos are located in the rural area of the canton, in the Santa Rosa parish. They are a geological formation, formed by sinkholes of volcanic origin, when the islands were still active. Several species of land birds live here, among which is the witch bird. The cruise Aquamare allows you to see the Twin Craters among many other activities on its itinerary.
FREE ACTIVITIES IN SANTA CRUZ
When visiting Santa Cruz Island, or the Galapagos Islands themselves, you will realize that there is an infinity of natural beauty to explore, for which on certain occasions you do not need to invest in an entrance fee or a guide, we show you some activities that you can do on Santa Cruz Island for free.
- City Walk: Explore Puerto Ayora on foot and enjoy the local architecture, craft shops and restaurants. It's a lively, colorful place with lots of free activities, like walking along the pier and enjoying the seascapes.
- Wildlife viewing: The Galapagos Islands are famous for their unique fauna, and in Santa Cruz you can observe some species up close for free. For example, at the Puerto Ayora dock, you can see sea lions resting and playing. You can also see marine iguanas on the shore of the bay.
- Mirador Las Grietas: This is an impressive place where you can hike and swim, access is free and you can enjoy a pleasant walk, take photographs and take a refreshing swim in the natural pools.
- Tortuga Bay Beach: You can visit this beautiful beach with white sand and crystal clear waters for free, it is a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. It has an impressive landscape.
- Visit the interpretation center: The Galapagos Interpretation Center offers interesting information about the natural history and conservation of the Galapagos Islands, entry to the center is free and you can learn a lot about the flora, fauna and the importance of preserving this unique ecosystem .
What is the weather like in Santa Cruz?
The climate in Galapagos can be divided into two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season; The climate is quite unique and is influenced by ocean currents and winds. You can check the Galapagos weather before starting your trip.