Before you go

Your trip to Puerto Ayora.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Puerto Ayora – Galápagos Destination Galápagos about 80 km from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

How to get there

Aeropuerto Ecológico Seymour de Galápagos (GPS) Baltra · 40 km
Muelle de Puerto Ayora (barcos entre as ilhas) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. From Quito or Guayaquil, flights land at Baltra airport, on an island north of Santa Cruz. From there, a bus, the ferry across the Itabaca channel and a taxi take you to Puerto Ayora in about an hour. There are biosecurity checks when leaving the mainland and when arriving on the islands, and a national park entrance fee; check the rules before you go.

How many days

Three days are enough for the Charles Darwin Station, Tortuga Bay, Las Grietas and El Chato, with a boat trip to a neighboring island. With five days you can add more boat trips and San Cristóbal.

When to go

From December to May is the warm season, with calmer seas and short rains; from June to November, cooler and drier, with drizzle in the highlands and colder water.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The town is explored on foot, and taxis—white pickup trucks—take you to the highlands, to El Chato and to the Itabaca channel. Trips to other islands are by boat.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Puerto Ayora

Morning
Estação Charles Darwin
Walk along Avenida Charles Darwin, pass the fish market and visit the Estação Charles Darwin and the tortoise breeding center.
Afternoon
Tortuga Bay
Hike to Tortuga Bay and swim at Playa Mansa.
Late afternoon
Pier
Return to the pier to see the sea lions and rays in the sunlit water.
Evening
Rua dos Kioskos
Dine on fish and seafood on rua Charles Binford, the street of kiosks.

2 days in Puerto Ayora

Day 1

Morning
Estação Charles Darwin
Scientific Station and the tortoise breeding center.
Afternoon
Tortuga Bay
Trail to Tortuga Bay, with the iguanas and Playa Mansa.
Late afternoon
Pier
Late afternoon at the pier of Puerto Ayora.
Evening
Rua dos Kioskos
Seafood dinner.

Day 2

Morning
Las Grietas
Water taxi to Angermeyer and a hike to Las Grietas to swim in the fissure; swim at Finch Bay.
Afternoon
El Chato and lava tunnels
Taxi to the highlands to see the giant tortoises of El Chato and the lava tunnels.
Late afternoon
Los Gemelos
Stop at the craters of Los Gemelos, among the scalesias.
Evening
Puerto Ayora
Dinner on Avenida Charles Darwin.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Baltra airport to Puerto Ayora?

Bus to the canal de Itabaca, a short ferry to Santa Cruz and then bus or taxi to Puerto Ayora; about one hour in total.

What boat tours depart from Puerto Ayora?

Day trips to nearby islands, with hiking and snorkeling, always with a licensed guide. Choose based on the islands and the animals you want to see.

How to get from Puerto Ayora to San Cristóbal?

By fast boat, about two hours, with daily departures, or by plane on inter-island flights.

What to eat in Puerto Ayora?

Fish and seafood, such as canhoto, lobster in the permitted season and ceviche, at the kiosks on rua Charles Binford.

Back to Puerto Ayora