Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)

Puerto Ayora is the largest town on the Galapagos Islands with a population of about 20 thousand people. Actually, this is the only town that looks like a resort town, the rest ones are more villages. ATMs are only here and on San Cristobal. However, urbanization is also a problem: locals are too focused on the rich tourists, everything here is very expensive. Although, if you're lucky, you can find a cheap room from $15.

Interesting places here:
 - a beautiful promenade, the main tourist destination
 - research centre of Charles Darwin, on foot
 - Garrapatero beach with flamingos, by taxi
 - Tortuga Bay beach with sea lions, on foot
 - El Chato tortoise reserve, by taxi
 - large lava tunnels, by taxi
 - Marine Reserve Exhibition Hall, where you can learn about the fauna of the islands, on foot
 - Las Grietas, natural canyon with water, on the water taxi
 - Los Gemelos, two large craters right next to the road, which connects the city and the airport
 - excursion to the islands of Bartolome, North Seymour, Santa Fe, Plazas or Floreana.

The size of the town is small, everything is within walking distance. To the great delight of the tourists, seals are everywhere. When we first got to the dock, we sat down on a bench to rest. A minute later we discovered that someone is sleeping beneath us :)


Later, he became impudent and lay down on the bench :)




There are many unusual and even funny houses in the center.






Puerto Ayora is also the best place to start a cruise around the islands.




Getting there: The main airport of the Galapagos islands is located on the Baltra island which is bordered by the Santa Cruz. From the airport by free shuttle bus you can get to the small water channel between the islands. For $1 on a water taxi you will get to the other side and then by bus ($2) or a taxi ($18-20) continue to Puerto Ayora.