Puerto Ayora Travel Guide
Travel to Puerto Ayora - Central hub of Galapagos
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On the south coast of Santa Cruz Island, the buzzing town of Puerto Ayora overlooks the beautiful, yacht filled Academy Bay. Home of the Charles Darwin Research Centre and Parque Nacional de Galapagos headquarters, it is the largest town in the archipelago. The close proximity of Baltra airport, plentiful supply of hotels, bars, restaurants, travel agencies and range of places of interest ensure that this town is visited by the vast majority of travellers who come to the islands.
First settled in the 1920s, the town grew slowly as fishing, farming, conservation and tourism in the region began to develop. Today the town is rapidly expanding, with over 15,000 people currently living here. Almost without exception, every Galapagos Cruise will call here to stock up on provisions, pick up new passengers and bid farewell to others. It is also an excellent place to spend a few days on land, perhaps doing day trips out to local attractions before or after a cruise.
The most famous inhabitant of Galapagos, Lonesome George the sole surviving tortoise from Pinta Island lives a short distance away from Puerto Ayora in the Chales Darwin Research Centre. There are also beaches, bays, boat trips and scuba excursions daily from here, as well as a good number of souvenir shops and tasty restaurants.
Attractions in Puerto Ayora
There are many attractions available as short visits or day trips from Puerto Ayora, either by land or by boat.
Activities in Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora is a perfect base for joining many of the activities available in Galapagos, such as biking, hiking, scuba diving, snorkelling or boat trips out to the islands.
Relaxing
Get some good local sea food and a cool beer in one of the many small kiosks and cafes on the road named ‘Charles Binford’. Simply delicious.
Getting Around
There are regular buses out of Puerto Ayora to the highlands and beyond towards Baltra airport. This is a 40 minute journey to the channel that separates the two islands. A short passenger ferry ride over to Baltra Island and 10 minute bus journey complete this trip. Collectivos and taxis are also common.
Flights to Isabela Island, San Cristobel Island and the mainland all depart from Baltra.
Regular boats depart the harbour – the majority of which are cruise vessels, but there are also many day-trips and several passenger ferries to the other settlements on the archipelago.
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