Top Things to do in Santa Cruz
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Top 10 Things to do for Honeymoon in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands
How often do you get the chance to walk through a tunnel of lava? Created by the flowing and cooling process of liquid magma, the underground lava tubes of Santa Cruz are simply breathtaking. The most popular is the Tunnel of Love, so named for the heart-shaped hole in the ceiling. Cool down with a splash in the fresh waters of Puerto Ayora, snorkel at Tortuga Bay or the mangrove-lined Garrapatero Beach and get friendly with the giant natives at the El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz
1. Galapagos Alternative
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 350 reviews
At Galapagos Alternative we specialize in personalized land-based tour packages. We offer unique experiences of the islands the way we see them: as locals. Choose the sights and activities most interesting to you, stay at local places, eat at local restaurants, and of course, get up-close experiences with the amazing animals that make the Galapagos Islands so special. We can help you find the best options to fit your timeframe, budget and preferences. We can help with all aspects of your trip, from booking unique accommodations to daily activities and transport between the islands. We are Jill and Javier Moreno, and we'd like to welcome you to our home. We look forward to treating you like family, showing you our favorite places, and ensuring that you have the experience of a lifetime in the amazing and beautiful Galapagos!
2. Guiding Galapagos Expeditions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 423 reviews
We are a local agency in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz and offer customized island hopping tours and cruises to the Galapagos Islands. A different and authentic way to discover the famous archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. All itineraries are designed by a naturalist guide who was born on the islands and has been living and working here ever since.
3. Famai Thai Massage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
What is today called "Thai massage" or "Thai yoga massage" is an ancient healing system combining acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures.Famai Thai Massage is the only place in the Galapagos island where you can enjoy a wide range of different Thai massages.
Reviewed By divanomad
Having lived in Asia for many years it was a very pleasant surprise, to find a real Thai massage in the Galapagos Islands. Khun Famai is a graduate of Wat Po the leading school of massage therapy in Bangkok. She is very professional, kind and caring. I can highly recommend a visit to see her. The shop is a little difficult to find it is located at the end of Charles Darwin Avenue near the corner of Marchena Street. Just ask.
4. Academy Bay Diving
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 341 reviews
Join us exploring the extraordinary that is diving in the Galapagos Marine reserve. We can help you book a diving adventure you will never forget, with daily dive tours, packages for extreme divers, or packages that include land tours so you can experience all that Galapagos has to offer underwater and on land.
5. Las Grietas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,453 reviews
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.
6. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,398 reviews
Reviewed By carlosvelascoteran
We went to Tortuga Bay on 2/21/2020. Day was sunny, warm. We walked from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, which by itself is a nice experience, looking at trees, iguanas and birds. We then got to the area of Tortuga Bay, which by itself has 3 separate segments, Playa Brava, Playa Mansa, and a small lagoon formed by a reef protecting it from the Playa Brava. The experience of swimming around iguanas and small "tintoreras" (sharks) was unbelievable. Water was refreshing. Birds were majestic. We have visited many places in the world, this was one of the best we have seen, highlighted by the successful way in which nature has been protected by the Ecuadorian government.
7. El Garrapatero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 691 reviews
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.
8. Rancho Primicias
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By zuzatravels
As I have written already in previous review for El Chato 2, Rancho Primicias is a natural reserve where you can meet and walk amount giant tortoises. Mostly, it doesn’t have designed paths as El Chato 2, so you walk in the grass same as the tortoises. They offer you boots for free. The admission is 5$/person and it includes the entry to really huge lava tunnel which is not in the park, but taxi drivers usually knows exactly where to take you. As I said before, we visited both ranches and both are really nice and next to each other. I totally recommend to visit both. Do not forget to keep the correct distance from tortoises (min. 2min). Taxi cost is about 50$.
9. Albatros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
We are based in the beautiful Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. We are among the most elite dive operations in the Galapagos and have been hosting land and marine tours since 1999. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service with a genuine Galapagos experience, keeping safety and value in mind. Come experience the terrestrial and underwater world of the Galapagos Island
10. Reserva El Chato
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,900 reviews
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
