The 9 Best Nature & Parks in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

October 23, 2021 Myesha Cogley

Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador. Located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. The town is named in honor of Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz.
Restaurants in Puerto Ayora

1. Las Grietas

Trail From West of Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,453 reviews

Las Grietas

Reviewed By F336MVjohnd

From Puerto Ayora, take an 80-cent water taxi to Finch Bay, and then a walk past the German beach to get to this strikingly beautiful volcanic fissure that has connected out to the ocean... so it's also a great place for a swim. The water is cold... so you won't regret a wet suit. And do wear the snorkel mask as the view underwater is remarkable, and there are some interesting fish to see as well. The thing to be careful of here is that there are several pools separated by some very sharp and VERY slippery rocks. You CAN cross over them, but my wife and I each got several scrapes and bruises in the process. Also, there is no "life guard on duty". There is a guide who you sign in with at the top of the fissure... but if you need help it will be 10-15 minutes away, so do be careful if you venture past the first pool.

2. El Garrapatero

NE of Puerto Ayora 19 km, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador +593 5-252-6189 http://www.galapagospark.org/sitio.php?page=el_garrapatero
Excellent
52%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 691 reviews

El Garrapatero

Reviewed By cesarmantillaand2018 - Quito, Ecuador

Accesible through paved road and pathway (rode a bike from Puerto Ayora). Top notch kayak and snorkeling equipment rental . Kayaking was great, through calm bay, to three other nearby beaches. Saw lots of sea turtles, marine iguanas, small bullsharks and lots of birds.

3. Reserva El Chato

Isla Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador http://www.galapagospark.org/sitiosdevisita/reserva_el_chato.html
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,900 reviews

Reserva El Chato

Reviewed By Tempusfugit2015 - Roslyn, United States

Great place to see the tortugas in the highlands There us also a lava tube option You get a pair if boots to walk around It was drizzling so bring a poncho and water There are clean facilities and a restaurant avail

4. Playa de los Perros

Puerto Ayora Ecuador
Excellent
44%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Playa de los Perros

Reviewed By Potreropeggy - Playa Potrero, Costa Rica

We got to this beach on a tour with a glass bottom boat company. The guide was very knowledgeable about the environment and allowed plenty of time for us to explore the beach and photograph the sea iguanas that were nesting/resting there. ( hundreds of them) We were there as the sun was setting and the colors were beautiful.

5. Charles Darwin Research Station

Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador +593 5-252-6146 http://www.darwinfoundation.org/
Excellent
39%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3,272 reviews

Charles Darwin Research Station

Headed by a team of more than two hundred scientists, educators, research volunteers and support staff, this world-wide foundation is dedicated to preserving the Galapagos ecosystems.

Reviewed By shannav227

Charles Darwin Research Station is the place to start your trip in the Galapagos. You get assigned a nature guide at the entrance, and they will walk you around and explain the history of Darwin and the animals of the Galapagos, with the main highlight being the Giant Galapagos Tortoise. You get the opportunity to see baby tortoises in the breeding center from each of the islands, as well as tortoises of all different ages. We enjoyed our time here.

6. Laguna las Ninfas

Parque Nacional Galapagos, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Excellent
39%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 454 reviews

Laguna las Ninfas

Reviewed By LesGML

We visited Las Ninfas as part of our city tour with our Hotel Torre Mar Galapagos Boutique Suites. We enjoyed it so much we went back by ourselves. It is a nice peaceful walk in town that I really enjoyed.

7. Playa de los Alemanes

Puerto Ayora Ecuador
Excellent
31%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 457 reviews

Playa de los Alemanes

Reviewed By Tempusfugit2015 - Roslyn, United States

Located in front of Finch Bay hotel on the way to Las Grietas OK for snorkeling You need to take a water taxi $1 from the main pier in Pt Ayora to get there

8. Playa de La Estacion

Puerto Ayora Ecuador
Excellent
29%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
7%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 137 reviews

Playa de La Estacion

Reviewed By lisam291 - Brighton, United Kingdom

The view is lovely but the sharp rocks makes it unsuitable for swimming. Try Tortuga beach, you won’t be disappointed. However, there are lots of small brightly coloured fish in the rock pools and it’s worth a visit on the way to the. Charles Darwin station.

9. Parque San Francisco

Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Excellent
10%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
70%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 10 reviews

Parque San Francisco

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