Sightseeing in Galapagos - what to see. Complete travel guide

The Galapagos Islands are a picturesque sunny paradise that impresses tourists with nature attractions and clean sandy beaches. The weather here is hot and sunny all year round, so there are the perfect conditions for beach recreation and water entertainments.

Cuisine of Galapagos for gourmet with top restaurants and cafe

It is safe to say that each traveler will find a national dish to taste here. Local cooks actively use different ingredients and food processing methods when cooking. They cook interesting …

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The biggest island of the archipelago is Isabela. There are several picturesque lagoons and striking attractions on its territory. Travelers should also visit the Urbina Bay where a lot of turtles, penguins and iguanas dwell. Mangrove groves called Punta Morena will impress you with a diversity of flora. Here, you can see the rarest species of exotic plants and flowers. There is the magnificent volcano Sierra Negra, which crater is almost 10 km and included in the top 5 biggest craters of the world.

The most populous island of the archipelago is Santa Cruz. There is the most popular tourist center of global significance on its territory, Puerto Ayora. Fashionable hotels, a lot of different restaurants and cafes, unique attractions, and cozy beaches make this resort one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. In the city, there is a famous research station named after Charles Darwin. It is aimed at controlling the breeding of turtles, as over ten species of them dwell on the island. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Authentic traditions, festivals and lifestyle of Galapagos inhabitants

The main feature of the Galapagos Islands is its wonderful nature. More than 90% of the archipelago is a protected area. The tourists can move around its territory only with a guide. This …

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Fernandina Island is also rich with nature attractions and attracts divers. If you scuba dive here, you can see incredibly beautiful coral reefs and a lot of colorful fish. You will experience unforgettable emotions walking through tropical thickets where you can see rare butterflies and birds.

The “darkest” Galapagos island is San Salvador. The matter is that the vast territory of its coastal zone is occupied by black volcanic rocks. As for local volcanoes, Santa María Island should be mentioned too, as there is the huge crater of the extinct volcano. This nature attraction is called “Devil’s Crown” for its unusual shape. Inquisitive travelers can climb up the top of the volcano and admire the panoramic view it has. Each of the Galapagos Islands is unique and inimitable. Travelers are very impressed by their beauty and come back here again and again.

Your active city break in Galapagos. Attractions, recreation and entertainment - best places to spend your day and night here

The archipelago is a large protected area, some part of which is allocated to tourist areas. The travelers’ main entertainments are walks along picturesque places. They can also drop …

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Unique natural landmarks remain the main treasure of the archipelago. At the moment, as much as 90% of the islands’ territory is occupied by the national park. It is a fabulous place to watch albatrosses and rare sea turtles. Among visitors of the islands, there are many not only curious travelers but also scientists. Currently, there are more than 60 different trails in the national park. However, tourists need to remember that they are allowed to explore it only together with a guide.

Hispaniola Island is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting destinations for all eco-tourists. This island is located in the southern part of the archipelago. The picturesque piece of land is home to waved albatrosses – the beautiful birds nest on the island, and this is the only place where they nest. All exploration trails for tourists cover the coastal territory where they can admire iguanas, seals, and other rare marine animals.

Advices to travellers: what you should know while being in Galapagos

1. Despite the fact that the climate in the islands is quite hot, it is easily endured. It most often rains in the period from December to April. Despite this, the weather is the hottest at …

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There are several scientific and research stations on the island, and tourists are welcome to visit some of them during excursions. One of the most interesting stations is open in Puerto Ayora and is named after Charles Darwin. During an excursion there, travelers will learn interesting information about unique animal world of the Galápagos Islands. Many local animals are not present anywhere else in the world. The main aim of the research station is to take care of the rare sea turtles and help to increase their population. There are more than ten species of these sea animals on the island. On a particular time of the year, travelers can see a unique picture – numerous small turtles appear on local beaches and head to the water.

Not many know that the Galápagos Islands are home not only to turtles but also to penguins. The majority of penguins live near Elizabeth Bay on Fernandina Island. This area is also home to one of the largest populations of pelicans. Divers are simply in love with local beaches because there are magnificent coral reefs not far away from the shore. The archipelago includes several dozens of small uninhabited islands, and excursions to them are always very popular. The period starting from December and until May is considered the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands. This is the time when sea turtles lay down their eggs, so it is possible to see these rare creatures on all islands of the archipelago.

This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Galapagos is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.

Galapagos - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6

City tours, excursions and tickets in Galapagos and surroundings

Reference information

Map of all parks

National and city parks around Galapagos
♥ National Park 'Galápagos' , 74.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Sights around Galapagos from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Galapagos Islands

From the series “15 Sparsely Populated Places for Solitude with Wildlife”

Check on the map: Galapagos Islands on map

Distance from Galapagos center - 16.7 km.

The largest island of the archipelago is Isabela island. There you can not only walk in a picturesque area but also visit locals and their houses. Travellers will like this place so much. Rabida island has marvellous Martian sceneries. During one of the volcanic explosions, there has appeared the stone high in the iron soil. That explains the unusual red colour of the earth. The most populated island in the archipelago is Santa Cruz island. There travelers can walk in a picturesque mangrove and see wonderful lava tunnels. … Read further

Sightseeing in Ecuador: things to see

Among multiple landmarks of the city, it’s important to mention the President Palace, the Independence Square, San Diego Monastery, San Francisco and La Compania Churches. The Museum of Colonial Art exhibits large collections of works of famous Latin American artists. Many interesting artefacts can be found in the Museum of Natural History and Archaeological Museum. They throw light upon the history of Ecuador and let visitors know more about culture of ancient tribes. This is a true journey to the past. The best way to get acquainted with traditions of local people and try national dishes is to visit the newer part of the city. There are many small restaurants that serve local food there, and squares often become the scene for numerous theatre and music performances. … Open

Sightseeing in Galapagos - what to see. Complete travel guide

City tours, excursions and tickets in Galapagos and surroundings

Sights around Galapagos from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Galapagos Islands

Sightseeing in Ecuador: things to see

Search touristic sites on the map of Galapagos

Sightseeing in regions nearby Galapagos