Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
frigatebirds. There's also a sea-lion
bachelor colony, where defeated males
congregate. Like north Seymour, day
tours cost $125/person, combined with
Punta Carrion.
hub with hotels, restaurants, tour
operators, and a pleasant waterfront and
beach usually covered in sea lions.
A fifteen-minute walk north of town
past the small, popular Mann Beach
is the Centro de Interpretación (8am-
5pm daily; free), which provides a more
in-depth overview than the exhibition
at Charles Darwin Station in Puerto
Ayora. Learn about the islands'
history, development and current
environmental problems, split into
three galleries. Continue walking past
the centre and you will find a forked
path that leads to Cerro Tijeretas
(Frigatebird Hill) to observe the birds
and enjoy sweeping views over the bay
below. Then take the other path down
to Playa Cabo de Horno, which has
good snorkelling. On the opposite end
of town, it's a forty-minute walk to
La Lobería, a large sea-lion colony,
which is not technically part of the
national park. There's also good surfing
nearby (taxi from port $2).
Isla Santa Fé
Southeast of Puerto Ayora, the small
island of SANTA FÉ has great snorkelling
as well as opportunities to see white-
tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas,
sea lions and stingrays. Santa Fe land
iguanas laze around the trails that wind
through a forest of 10m-high Opuntia
cacti. Access to the island's land sites is
restricted to cruise boats, but there are
day-trips from Puerto Ayora (around
$60), which are of limited appeal
because you can only visit selected
offshore sites and are not permitted to
land on the island itself.
6
ISLA SAN CRISTÓBAL
The most easterly island of the
archipelago, this is the administrative
centre of the islands. It's quieter than
Santa Cruz, which may appeal to you,
and the large population of sea lions in
the main port is a particular highlight.
TOUR OPERATORS
Tours to Leon Dormido and the highlands can be
arranged with most tour operators in town, including
Sharksky (Española; T 05 252 1188, W sharksky.com),
Chalo's (Española; T 05 252 0953) and Galakiwi (Darwin;
T 05 252 1562, W southernexposuretours.co.nz). The best
diving option is Dive and Surf Club (Melville; T 099 409
5450, W divesurfclub.com).
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
The most popular boat trip ($60)
combines Isla de Los Lobos, where
you can snorkel with playful sea lions,
and Leon Dormido, one of the best
snorkelling and diving sites in the
archipelago, with great opportunities to
see reef sharks, turtles, stingrays and even
hammerhead sharks. Inland, highlights
include El Junco Lagoon, one of the
few freshwater lakes in the islands,
with abundant birdlife. Nearby is the
Galapaguera, a giant-tortoise reserve
set in dry forest. To visit these two
attractions as well as nearby beach Puerto
Chino, either take a guided tour ($50) or
hire a taxi. On the far east of the island is
Punta Pitt, an excellent dive site, visited
only by cruises.
ACCOMMODATION
Casa Blanca Malecón, at Melville T 05 252 0392,
W casablancagalapagos.com. This Moorish Moroccan
throwback is the most elegant mid-range place in town
with rustic a/c r ooms, wide balconies and an art gallery
downstairs. $50
Hostal Leon Dormido José de Villamil, at Malecón T 05
252 0169. The best-value bud get option - clean rooms
with private bath, fans and TV. $40
Hotel Mar Azul Alsacio Northia, at Esmeraldas T 05
252 0139. The inland location on the main road is not
ideal, but ch eap rooms with a/c and cable TV make it
worth a look. $33
Hostal San Francisco Malecón T 05 252 0304. A cheap
option with no-f rills, basic rooms, ideal for those on a
tight budget. $20
Suites Bellavista Malecón, at Melville T 05 252 0352.
This is an excellent mid -ran ge option with smart, a/c
rooms on the waterfront. $50
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
The capital is smaller than Puerto Ayora
and it has the feel of a quieter tourism
 
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