Ecuador / Gallapagos Islands
Peru
My comments go here.
Writings
NOTE: Galapagos Island’s Itinerary is 1st because it was my trips first & main focus.
Link to MAIN Ecuador Itinerary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Galapagos ISLEs: 13 main Islas & 6 smaller isles, which together embrace some 50,000 sq km (19,500 sq miles) of ocean,
AIR TRANS-IN: (usually > Santa Cruz ISL (Ayora twn)
1) Quito > Santa Cruz (Baltra): (SCY) Isla Baltra AP, Santa Cruz: 620mmi off SA coast
SEE Galalpagos Islas pages +/- $450 -$538: RT (?) , ~3½h
NOTES:
- BUY 2-5 days B4 DEPART @ local Quito TRAV agency SAVE ~ up > $200 ?.
- AVE online price: FLTs often included Guayaquil (GYE) stopover, BUT TAME : some non-stops, but shows restricted ?
- San Cristobal RET Option: > Quito (GYE)
AIR-IN
Avianca Ecuador (Aerogal:
IN> Seymour/Baltra: SU, S, M.TH
OUTof Seymour/Baltra: ??
TEST: $438; * 1/18 10:15a > 1/30 ; 12:45p; NOTE: SAT $ jumps up>$466
Tame [26]:
IN> Seymour/Baltra: SU, TU
OUT of Seymour/Baltra: ??
TEST: $402; *
LATAM (LAN) [27]::: in morning, rt in afternoon (min 1 nite stay)
IN> Seymour/Baltra: SU, TU, W
OUT of Seymour/Baltra: ??
TEST: * $538
TRAV AGENCIES: Mariscal:
PROCEDURES: Quito airport “GI pre-flight” PROCEDURES::
(Mariscal Sucre Int’l Airport in Tababela) > Galapagos (as of April 2014).
1) Begin @ mestic ("nacional") TERM. Go > far end of mestic TERM.
2. $20 "visa" booth: Next > ticket ("boleto") booths (TAME, LAN etc.) $20 "visa" booth
NOTE: Really ARV/DEPART Record Form > complete B4 Galapagos ARV.)
2a: N, look 4 sm or @ my immediate R. 4 pre-registry needed in http://preregistro.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec:8082/SentinelAeropuertos/
3. N, THRU sm or 4 ag products bag scan check. MUST B4 checking in & getting tickets in Step 4.
NOTE: $100 CASH PK entrance fee on Galapagos landings.
4. Now GO> ticket counter & buy.
5. N, opposite ticket counter -- go >> security: only looking 4 metal. So n't need > take off shoes (unless contain metal), remove computer bag, or empty water bottle.
3) Baltra Airport (Santa Cruz) > Puerto Ayora twn: 2 hrs,
NOTE 1: 2 sets of BUSs --
- passes old abandoned WWII US Air force base set up > protect Panama Canal.
- cruisers : 1 BUS from airport direct > boat
- > Itabaca channel btwn Balta & Santa Cruz Isla
NOTE 2: If fly into San Cristobal instead take ferry - 2per day, 1 early morning, 1 afternoon, ($30) - > Puerto Ayora.
Procedure: look on TV screens
1) free airport BUS > sm barge (.80US)
2) local BUS > Puerto Ayora b us TERM ($1-2US)
3) Taxi > twn ($1-2)
Puerto Ayora: don’t spend much time in Porto Ayora.
sm TWN, BUT best GI infrastructure -- most hotels, REST groc MKT, phar, sm hospital. Galapagos Nat’l PK, Darwin Found & Charles Darwin’s Interpretative CNTR
TRANs-Around:
Taxis: wht PU trucks. ~ $1 > in city; outside city: negotiate 1/2 or full d $/ > wait etc
ACCM:
1) Galapagos Best HOS: 0.9k (88mi), 7.9 4xDM$20; Barrio Escalesia, Calle Piqueros; 15 min from pier, LOC
2) La Mirada del Solitario George: ?, ?, ?$20-25/ night) in Puerto Ayora (HW- Not avail)
LOC
Galapagos Dreams: 1.1k, S$27.50
Mi Caleta Inn: ?, 1.2k, 4D$23 i Caleta In
Duncan Suites:NR, 0.7k, S$15/p 3-5 bed rms
Hotel Espana: $25
HOS Micona: .05k, $13
Posada del Caminante: $16.25
Hostal El Pariso: NO Ds
Gloria Galapagos Inn $22
Hostal Vista Mar:
Hostal El Pinzon
HOS Los Amigos : finest budget lodgings here.
Hotel Castro: 1.5k, $22
Hostal Costa del Pacifico: 0.4k, 2-3bd R$23/pp
NOs:
Hostal Gardner G: ?, ? 4D$23; 3 day cancel,
TIP:
FACTS TRAV agent won’t tell
Flights > Galapagos operate daily
IND TRAV: cheaper, see MORE; stay 4 longer.; ATMs,
NOT book anything online B4hand!!! ; Every agency on every Isla sells last min spaces on all cruise ships @ rock bottom prices; use online 4 high EST
Both of following exceptionally helpful.
Galapagos People’s [email protected] / Phone 05-252-7117 / Cel 092-097-852
Galicia Tours [email protected] / Phone 05-524-534 / Cel 093-327-525
IND TRAV:
GUIDE/BOAT ONLY SITES::
Isla & Specific INFO including: IND DTs vs Cruise ONLY:
IND or CRU Floreana, IND Isabella or ?/NO! Fernandina.
CNTR ISLAS:
* IND 1) Santa Cruz:
Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz Isle (): GI ENTRY/BASE
OOmost DEV, main twn; GI hub
TRANS IN/OUT: Baltra Airport > Puerto Ayora twn: 2 hrs,
Procedure: look on TV screens
1) free airport BUS > sm barge (.80US)
2) local BUS > Puerto Ayora BUS TERM ($1-2US)
3) Taxi > twn ($1-2)
NOTE: Direct > cruisers : airport direct > boat
NOTE: Baltra Isla: aka S Seymour Isla, LOC: Near GI CNTR;
US air base 4 Panama protect; former
TRANS - Around: -- Ayora TAXI: wht PU trucks, $1 > anywhere in city. Outside: deral ½/full d $ w/ wait @ sites.
Inter-Isla flights [28] btwn Baltra & San Cristobal) 4 FLTs btwn Islas;~$160-$170 1w/ $260 RT.
FOOD:
BRKF: eat local.
Early morn DTours: 1) Bakeries: INT pastries TIP: Go night B4 4 sweet chocolate bread or cheese-filled rolls 4 early next morn tour start times NOTE:REST: open > late 4 tours start times (8:00 or 9:00) , OR ….2) supermarket w/ pastries $0.50-$0.80.
bolon ( ball of plantains & cheese), Descanso Del Guia (by PA ferry docks : >-go in plastic bag, $2, or sit 4 more.
outdoor café @ ferry docks: friendly guy makes simple, great, grilled cheese ---- perfect pre-ferry breakfast snack.
LUNCH: set menus aka “almuerzos.”: ‘meriendas’-like: start @ $3.50: huge soup, main dish w/seafood & sides, & fresh squeezed juice!
DINNER“kioscos” eateries: $5 main; 
LOC: 2 blk up hill, behind hospital > section of Charles Binford AVE,
dinner almost every night @ “kioscos”, mainly sm mom & pop REST;
Procedure: On tables w/ fresh fish & lobster displayed -- pick size wanted, cook 4 U lobster & fish w/ dif sauces. Most w/ rice, beans & plantains or salad.
Loved pan fried ones w/ garlic (Al ajillo).
Set meal: GO inside @ tables w/locals 4 specials 
aka “meriendas.” on wht boards (MUST look 4) ; 2-course dinners w/ juice for $4. OPTION: fish or shrimp: fried, grilled, or smored in tasty garlic sauce; always filling, delicious, & grt value @ $4!
RESTs: $8 - $15/ main; some awesome food & service! BLOGs FAVs: 1) Garrapata (great seafood, meat, vegetarian, excel service!) 2) La Giardina’s ice-cream parlour, huge waffles , 3) Rock: hugely popular.
supermarket -- Only 1: LOC: R opposite ck.
Water: shop cuz $ varies. Lrg btl
ACCM:
1) Galapagos Best HOS 4xDM: 0.9k, ?, 7.9 4xDM$20;
DIRECS: Barrio Escalesia, Calle Piqueros y, 200350 Puerto Ayora
REV: GUD: beds, KIT, MKT & bakery near, wifi (pub areas),lug STOR, /c, bikes, pool, NO pets,
BAD: ruff area, but OK, GUD mgm’t / staff, 15 min walk from CNTR,
2) La Mirada del Solitario George ($20-25/ night) in Puerto Ayora
FAC: brk, tow, KIT?, 24 Reception, CUR EXC, ATM,
REV: GUD: LOC:metro/,.TRN bkkg, Staff; Wifi-OK, /c, bat8h
Gloria-Galapagos Inn: 8.2, $18
Duncan Suites: ?, 0.7k, S$15/p 3-5 bed rms
Galapagos Dreams: 1.1k, S$27.50
Mi Caleta Inn: ?, 1.2k, 4D$22i Caleta In
HOS Los Amigos : S$8; finest budget lodgings here. LOC: Av. Charles Darwin – in front of TAME. Puerto Ayora ; DIRECS: walk up Charles Darwin St from harbor, seek white wall w/ flaking paint w/ name in fading brown letters.
HOS Micona: .05k, 5.3, $13
Posada del Caminante: $16.25 Hostal El Pariso: NO Ds
Hostal El Pinzon
Hotel España: 8.5, $25– REV: find better in PA); Note: solo TRAV, book $30 walk-in rate 4 econ rooms, GUD LOC, /c, steal..
Hostal Gosen Hostal Vista Mar:
Hospedaje Germania –$40 LOC: GUD, /c,
Hotel Castro: 1.5k, $22Hostal LOC:(?) Costa del Pacifico: 0.4k, 2-3bd R$23/pp
NOs:
Hostal Gardner G: ?, ? 4D$23; 3 day cancel,
Check: Booking.com (biggest listing, often lowest $; Expedia/Hotels.com offers lower prices.)
Airbnb i(several hostels) 1st time -- use this coupon!
MISC:
HIST: newly-IND EC claimed, 1832, mere 3 yr B4 Darwin's visit on Beagle. During 19th & early 20th Cs, Islas inhabited by very few settlers & used as penal colony, last closing in 1959 when Islas declared national PK. Galapagos subsequently listed as World Heritage Site in 1978.
NOTEs:
Siesta time btwn 2-4 p /// IMP; USE Sunblock,
Quito > San Cristobal airport > Puerto Baquerizo Moreno CNTR: daily, AP 20 min walk >
San Cristobal Airport: < than 10 min by car from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
definitely more convenient airport > fly into & out of.
.
TODOs-Free: (23h +…) 3D
Biking: quicker access from ports > far sites. Bike rentals: Santa Cruz ~ $15/day.
* PA fish mkt; LOC: Ave Charles Darwin near turtle STAT & Banco Pacifico ½
* Charles Darwin Research CNTR: allow 2 hrs, 15min walk, 1½
LOC: 1.5 km W of twn CNTR, Giant Tortoise breeding & rearing (mandatory cruise stop ); baby giant tortoises, marine iguanas on bch behind CNTR
Hike: 1 mile-trail just B4 its entrance.
* El Chato Tortise Reserve - 3 km from Santa Rosa; gigantic tortoises in wild. 2½
Also adjacent: Rancho Primicias farms similar: tortoises just roam freely separated by flimsy fence. 100s of tortoises ; sm ponds w/ several tortoises submerged in mud.
* Tortuga Bay (Bahia Tortuga): gorgeous, 3
DIRECS: 2½k trail SW of Puerto Ayora N, 10 min> top of twn, N, 30 min shaded, paved trail >> cactus forest, N, 15 min on bch (iguanas & turtles wandering around beautiful bch ) >Tortuga Bay bay; kayaks; strong undertow. Open: 6a>1830 daily
Lagunas de las Ninfas (40-min walk on boardwalks )> Tortuga Bay/BCH. 2½
El Mirador de Tuneles LOC: N of Puerto Ayora >: 2
only free lava tunnel site; Also, sm isla & lava rocks visit 4 lrgst marine iguanas; kayaking,
* Los Gemelos - few ks of highlands trails > collapsed, sunken VOL 4
LOC: 7 k from Santa Rosa on/ close > Baltra rd.
craters on cloud forest high point. Mandatory guide tour
Vermillion flycatchers, woodpecker finch & short eared owls.
NOT craters, but magma (lava) mess, hardened EXT w/flowing hot lava inside creating huge empty chambers which N collapsed.
RIM WALK: > appreciate hole’s size. Likely, endemic Galapagos short ear owl
? Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragón): OOBest land iguana sites; 4
trail: lasso shape: leads inland > hill, up & around hill, N, back out same trail > bch.
saltwater lagoon: if lucky, Pintail Ducks or Flamingos.
Hike Difficulty: 4/5 mi; long hike includes rocky scrambles, mayB mud when rain.
Highly Probable > see: 1. Land Iguanas, 2. Marine Iguanas, 3. Flamingos,4. Sally Lightfoot Crabs
? Las Grietas (aka “ crack”): 3
DIRECS: Water TAXI: 1-min across harbor, N, sht
walk: furr up trail from Punta Estrada bch following grn & wht posts sm, stunning gorge w/ crystal sea water, snorkeling 
(get equip in twn)
worth hike (snorkeling >> lava canyon); clear, turquoise watered pool nestled btwn 2 VOL cliffs, snorkeling through Las Grietas lava canyon,
NO! Lava Tunnels - longest (up > 3 k), LOC: @ PRIV property off farms near Bellavista or Santa Rosa, $5.00 fee. ALSO, sm 1 2.5 k on Baltra rd > Baltra, FREE.
? Kayaking: water freem --- @ Tortuga Bay in Santa Cruz ; mayB see fish & sea turtles; CAUTION: local safety conditions
Santa Cruz Isla DAY TOURS: in person, BK from many agencies; 7Ds
Tours: run only on certain days, not every day
NOTE: Only few day tours allowed on se islands.
day tours. Sm discount 4 cash, or multiple tours Or agencies may vary.
TRAV AGENCIES:
Galapagos Deep tours: generally GUD REV
Galapagos Peeps [email protected] / Phone 05-252-7117 / Cel 092-097-852
Galicia Tours [email protected] / 05-524-534 / Cel 093-327-525
LOC: just behind CUST inspection ‘shack’ directly in front of port - orange sign)
* DTour 1a) N Seymour Isla $90; 45 min; ONLY w/ Official NP guide 1D
blue-footed boobies, frigate birds nesting & baby sea lions , swallow-tailed gulls: lrgst MAG frigatebirds POP, Galápagos land iguanas.
visitor trail ~ 2 k (1.2 mi) Xing island’s inland & rocky coast.
Galápagos land iguana captive breeding program stock from Baltra Isla, 1930s; .
cliffs mere meters from shoreline w/ ledge perched swallowtail gulls / tropicbirds.
extraordinary 4 breeding birds: lrgst nesting blue- footed boobies POP/MAG frigate birds.
Blue-footed boobies pairs: mating ritual -- offer ea or gifts, whistle & honk, stretch necks skyward, spread wings, & dance—showing off bright blue ft.
MAG frigatebirds perch in low bushes, near boobies, watching over lrg chick; huge, dark aerobats w/ 90-inch (2.3 m) wingspan. Male frigates puff up scarlet throat sacks like giant red balloons.
Boobies & frigates: interesting relationship --- . Boobies: excel hunters fishing in flocks while frigates R pirates: dive bombing boobies forcing m > drop prey, N, aerobatic frigate swoops wn grabbing food B4 it hits water
Isla Mosquera LOC: btwn islands of Seymour & Baltra, ; LOTs sea lions unafraid of humans
* ? DTour 1b) S Plazas (& Santiago Isla ?): LOC: E Santa Cruz isla coast: 1D
CAUTION: TOO pop w/DTs from Puerto Ayora. avoid peak times 4 plenty > see in sm space. NOTE: only land on S Plaza, but boats anchor btwn 2 Islas.
Golden iguana, (Galapagos Alternatives: on Sea Finch, 16 tourist yacht. Tide pool & deep H2O Snork~: sharks, rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, Wht Tipped sharks, Sea Tortoises;
?DTour 1c) Isla Santa Fe $90: GI CNTR, Wet landing(?) SE of Santa Cruz 1D
Geologically: OOOld 4 MIL yr old VOL rocks
2 endemic species: choc brown(?) Barrington land iguana , Barrington leaf-toed gecko
2 endemic subspecies: Santa Fe marine iguana & Santa Fe rice rat
sea lion bch leads > 2 dif trails.
1) >> Opuntia cactus forest: Yellow Warblers, Galapagos Mockingbirds, Galapagos ves, Lava Lizards &, of course, Darwin Finches.
Tours -- Be aware: some tours strictly snorkelling tours w/o touching Santa Fe Isla. Walking bch actually Santa Cruz Isla: CHK w/ tour operator
* DTour 2a) Santiago: Local Know (aka San Salvar ) 1D
(1st isla Columbus discovered in Caribbean) also, aka James Isla.
2 overlapping VOL;
Puerto Egas, S of James Bay & W side of Santiago:---- OOBest sites; long, lava shoreline w/ eroded rock formations house variety 
of wildlife. Marine iguanas, Tide pools may contain Sally Lightfoot crabs.
Follow trail > seal lions.
Geology & volcanology. walk over un-eroded, blk lava flow covered w/ lava bubbles & surface tree-trunk molds; also, 2 sm turtle nesting BCHs
Sombrero Chino (Chinaman's Hat) VOL cone: LOC: sm islet off SE Santiago’s tip; 171 ft hi; resembles conical Asian hat. CHI Hat: Sombrero Chino (Chinaman's Hat), islet offshore of Santiago Isla in Galápagos
?DTour 2b) Bartolome: OO”younger" islands; OOmost beautiful 1D
landscapes; extinct VOL w/ variety of red, orange, grn, & glistening blk VOL formations ;
Visitor sites. 1) swim / snorkel around Pinnacle Rock; impressive underwater world w/ penguins, marine turtles, wht- tipped reef sharks, & or tropical fish..
Galápagos penguins: frequently
Sm cave LOC: behind Pinnacle Rock ; w/breeding colony. In season, grn turtles mating / nesting site & w/ herons, use gentler BCHs. Galápagos lava cacti colonize new lava fields.
Easy hill climb 4 GI views
?DTour 2c) Rabida (aka Jervis): 1D
Flamingos, bachelor sea lion colony, pelicans, wht-cheeked pintails, boobies, & nine finch species ; 1971 National PK Service successfully eradicated goats
Bay tour $35 (runs every day)
NO! Gorn Rocks – DIVE SITE good 4 Hammerheads (?)
NO! Daphne: research ONLY -- highly restricted
N of Santa Cruz Isla / just W of Baltra Airport
NO! cuz ANT Isla Bartolome $140 - best 4 penguins, if haven’t seen m on cheaper DT
NO! Isla San Cristobal –cuz all independently FREE
NO! 1d) Pinzon (aka Duncan Isla) ; ($130-$140);giant Galápagos tortoises, Galápagos sea lions , & or endemic species. no visitor facilities / permit required > visit. ; cuz C tortoises elsewhere
Mid 18th C non-native rats infestation by Euro sailors devastated tortoise POP by eating eggs & young hatchlings unable > defend. 2012, dropped rat bait -- now rat-free. Dec 2014, 1st new generation of tortoise hatchlings spotted on Pinzón.
S ISLAS
* DTour 1) Isla Floreana $80 ; – only visit Floreana on day tour or cruise 1D
Puerto Velasco Ibarra:
HIST aka Charles Isla (after Charles II of Eng), & aka Santa Maria after Columbus boat
19th C, whaler’s PO Bay wooden barrel: `4 mail picked up & delivery by homeward ships -- mainly Euro /US;
TODAY: Cards / letters still in barrel w/o stamp Visitors sift >> letters / cards hand deliver.
ANECDOTE (prank): 1820, isla set alight as by helmsman Thomas
Chappel, Nantucket whaling ship, “Essex” which cuz dry season burned out of control. After full sailing day fire still visible. Many yr later Thomas Nickerson, Essex cabin boy, returned > Charles Isla finding blk wasteland: "neir trees, shrubbery, nor grass have since appeared." SUM: extinction of some originally species
September 1835, 2nd HMS Beagle voyage brought Charles Darwin > Charles Isla.
NOTE 1: @ prison colony SEE “.pdf” Darwin told tortoises differed in shell shape from isla > isla, but since NOT obvious on islands Darwin visited, did NOT collecting shells. Darwin DID industriously collected all animals, plants, insects & reptiles, & speculated -- about finding "from future comparison > what district or 'CNTR of creation' organized beings of archipelago must be attached."
TODOs:
- La Loberia – sandy & rocky path, of 900m length, covered in sea lions, marine iguanas, followed by snorkeling, (possible) turtles;
- Asilo de La Paz –HIST w/ ‘cave of pirates’ & freshwater lake @ 450m; Likely: lphins, whales (in season).
- @ Punta Cormorant, grn olivine bch: sea lions, (after short walk past lagoon >): flamingos, rays, sea turtles, & Grapsus grapsus (Sally Lightfoot) crabs. Pink flamingos & grn sea turtles (nest from Dec > May.)
- "joint footed" petrel: nocturnal sea bird spending most of life away from land.
- Post Office Bay: opportunity > send post cards home w/o stamp via over 200-yr-old post barrel & or travelers.
?/ NO! 1a) Espanola Isla: (aka Hood Isla[ENG])
Cuz too far & dying > 12-h trip by boat from Isla Santa Cruz
OO driest & oldest, ~ 4 MIL yr ; Isla Española, OOMost beautiful & only w/ albatross).
W CNTR ISLAS:
NOTE: some cruises allow drop-off @ San Cristobal ...or Isabela
* IND 1) Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela $90 – most auntic GI experience:l 1D?
Villamil :retains "most remote place on earth" feel, even w/15 yr development.
FOOD: Bolon: brkf: mashed 
plantain, cheese & egg.
BRKF: bakery on main St, $1 per item.
‘meriendas’ dinner on main St, Antonio Gil, for slightly more: $4-$7
ACCM:
Hostal Terito – GRT ‘Solo’ OPT --$20+, FAV, Booking.com
Casa de Jeimy – budget room w/ /C,GUD REV, GUD rooftop terrace 4 sunset
Hostal Muyuyo
Posada del Caminante
Hostal Loja
Hospedaje Cerro Azul: Hospedaje Cerro Azul
SITES/TOs:
* Tortoise breeding CNTR: (BIKE) (Cruise -mandatory. ?
Concha de Perla: penguins, sea lions, & rays 1?
Lagunas Salinas short boardwalk hike: flamingos ……. 2
N, trek along furr > Wall of Tears. Or bike > wetlands
* Wetlands (mangroves & lava formations);
* Las Tintoreras, Isabela- nice walk >> lava forms > 2
iguanas, penguins & ‘shark alley’ ;
* Sierra Negra caldera.hike: mostly flat 4 1h walk 3
Only VOL tour can hike >/along rim w/guide; ~ 6 hs RT, // 6mi w caldera: wrld’s 2nd lrgst
N, depending ? -- 2 OPTs: 1) trail > Volcanchico or 2) new trail > VOL last eruption site
NO! 1a) Fernandina: cuz little of INT( aka Narborough Isla (ENG),
3rd lrgst, youngest isla formed by Galápagos hotspot, active shield VOL erupting since April 11, 2009.
While anchored in Banks Bay, Capt Benjamin Morrell recorded 1 of lrgst eruptions in Galápagos' HIST @ Fernandina VOL.
Mostly rocky surface w/ LITTLE plant life current VOL activity; Visitors: only crater’s outskirts (safety).
Punta Espinoza: narrow area w/ 100s of marine iguanas on blk lava rocks. famous flightless cormorant, penguins, pelicans & sea lions. 2 types of lava flow, ʻaʻha & pā hoe hoe. Mangrove forests N ISLAS:
? 1) Genovesa: LOCAL KNOW DT?- none avail 4 Genoa & Christopher Columbus, (aka Tower Isla (ENG) also aka Bird Isla cuz lrg, varied nesting bird colonies), shield VOL horse-shoe shaped isla w/ collapsed VOL caldera forming Great Darwin Bay, surrounded by cliffs.
Lake Arcturus, w/ salt water, in CNTR w/ <6000 yr sediment: frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, tropicbirds, Darwin's finches, & Galápagos mockingbirds.
Prince Philip's Steps: steep: 82 ft >> seabird colony > cliff top, N, trail inland past more seabird in thin palo santo woods w/rocky plain overviews. Storm petrels dif cuz active during day, returning > nest holes @ night > avoid killers. Smst marine iguana IND Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (PBM), San Cristobal ISL 2 nites:
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno : RENT BIKE ; ($10/d -- most B mt bike, BUT OK 4 TWN & rd > El Progreso (or TWN on Isla)
- hike, bike, sea lions, iguanas, frigate birds; FAV: gorgeous malecon w/ sea lions
- ONLY IMP site Kicker Rock
- not much > though in evening & morning unless book anor tour or hire bike
- BUT, still retains sleepy provincial TWN atmosphere, because not tourist hub
Transport btwn islands: ‘ferry’ (sm PRIV owned power boats; ~ 25 peeps).
Must buy ferry ticket from agency @ $30 one-way 4 all islas BUT……....
Only one agency in all islas booked ferry tickets for $25.
DIRECS: kiosk ladies btwn CHR & 
supermarket & across from PA ferry docks. ID: “Cristine” sign below anor saying: “Operadora Turistica TRAV Agency.” Here’s picture below > help you find it. It saves you $5 per ferry ticket, so booking se tickets for $25 instead of $30 will ulimtately save couple $50 if taking multiple ferries throughout islands.
-- Santa Cruz – San Cristobal – 2pm $25, mayB also 6am; 1½-2 hrs
-- San Cristobal – Santa Cruz 7am $25, mayB also: 2pm, btw 1½-2 hrs
NOTE: If fly into San Cristobal instead of ferry - 2per day, 1 early morning, 1 afternoon, ($30) - > Puerto Ayora.
TRANS-IN/OUT: OPT: > Quito (GYE)
Quito > San Cristobal AP > Puerto Baquerizo Moreno CNTR: daily,~ 20 min walk >
San Cristobal Airport less than 20 min walk/ 10 min: car from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
definitely more convenient airport > fly into & out of.
FROM: Puerto Baquierizo Moreno 3 h ferry > Puerto Ayora 4 $25.
OUT: Ferry > Puerto Ayora, $25: 3 h. FLY >: GYE or UIO
TRANS-Local: Taxis: wht PUs: In City: $1 anywhere; Outside city: negotiate 1/2 day or full day w/ wait w/ driver.
FOOD:
BRKF: Sabor Cuencano bakery: best GI baked goods, .60).
Instead of meriendas, try food vendors @ Playa Mann: grill up variety of things-on-- stick around lunchtime & sunset.
ACCM:
Hostal Suiza – low rates; GUD CNTR LOC, cln, No /c; $30 rm: no /C but fans.; Booking, or Airbnb. (1st time coupon: save $40
Dolphin HSE: Dolphin House
HOS Terito
Hostal Cann's House
Mar Azul - good bargain;
FOOD: not gud
MISC:
Climate: 2 seasons:
1) DEC-JUN: hot & rainy, hi humid, ave temp: 80s; peak
2) JUN-NOV: cool winds w/misty temp: 70s; choppy seas
TODOs:
Biking: quicker access from ports > far sites. Bike rents: San Cristobal ~ $15/day.
San Cristobal:
Free TOs: (12½ -…) 1½D
best free snorkeling sites Las Tijeretas & Playa Loberia
HIKES: most hikes easily accessible from town
hiking opportunities that were. We recommend from
1) Playa Loberia > Barranco, rocky, rugged hike, step over marine 3
iguana > steep cliff w/ blu-fted boobies; well maintained trail network that climb atop
2) Cerro Tijeratas’s hike: start @ San Cristobal 2
> fantastic lookout point
by boat & short hike Isla Lobos - Nesting bird colonies & sea lion colony.
Galapaguera de Cerro Colora -FREE: Boat accessible ONLY , guide req’d
LOC: on rd btwn El Junco & Puerto Chino.
SEE “La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado Tort Res,. San Cristóbal.pdf “
wild giant tortoises re-population reserved land: ALSO, Sm tortoise breeding CNTR & interpretation CNTR, some short trails,,
Cerro Brujo - (Wizard Hill): old collapsed craterous outcrop demonstrating diff in VOL rocks w/ wht-sand bch. LOC: just N of Kicker Rock; sea lions, blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, brown pelicans, frigate birds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, & rays.
Punta Pitt - Guide/Tour REQ’d: Wet landing site
LOC: NE isla’s end crazy volcanic landscape
3 species of booby (Blue Footed, Red Footed, & Nazca). Boobies mating dance if lucky.
Also: lava formations, Frigate Birds (?).
* Galapagos Interpretative CNTR (MUS): excel; surrounded by 1
hiking trails; excel on GI HIST: geog & biology; mandatory cruise stop?, Path > Cerro de las Tijeretas Hill loop
Cerro de las Tijeretas Hill loop wall: 3.5mi, 2hr, 2½
Nat’l Pk Office: LOC: rd > Playa Man.
LOC: start @San Cris~ Inter~ CNTR w/in walk PBM. DIRECS: entry >>St > "Mann Bch".
Nearby: La Predial: fishing society: 1952 > 1960.
BCH cove reached from Interpretation CNTR: lookout points > hike; snorkel gear w/ sea lions & turtles IMP NOTE: Only place 4 2 frigate bird species nesting in same colony, panoramic views
Hike’s Miradors:
1) US-made WWII cannon used by EC Navy, 1970s 4 MIL exercises.
2) Wide view of island’s N coast includ: Kicker Rock (León Dormido), Cerro Mundo & Cerro Tijeretas.
3) Charles Darwin STAT: his San Cristóbal stay
4) ? Upper vista LOC: on Cerro Tijereta.
visit can be combined w/ tour > Interpretation Center because re path that links m directly.
inlet where you can go snorkeling.
? Puerto Chino – sm quiet wht sand BCH 4
LOC: 25 km from PBM on Isla’s E side; via only isla crossing rd.
TRANS: public BUS from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno > Puerto Chino -- Sundays ONLY.
opportunity 4 viewing wildlife. BIKE: (No .far)? MTR Bike ?Local Know
? Playa Mann – great starting point > see sea lions up close. 4 those traveling independently, sm BCH.
NO! Playa Cabo de Horno walk: 15-20 min w. Sea lions, iguanas & surfers
NO! El Junco - LOC: 19 km outside PBM; fresh H2O lake, 600m alt.; intrinsic micronia zone plants, frigate birds cuz > clean wings. w/ panoramic view of isla.
LOC: On way > Puerto Chino (typical highlands tour) TRANS: taxi ~ $20 rt including h @ lake.
1) 10-15 min walk: car PK > crater rim (good path) 2) N, rougher paths wn > lake & around rim. Allow 1 hr > enjoy lake & frigate birds. NO GUIDE REQ’D (March 2016), possible > cycle here, although long distance uphill.
Hiking: restricted in all National PK land, BUT ---- ‘IND hike’:
Kayaking: water free --- @ San Cristobal port; mayB see fish & sea turtles; CAUTION: local safety conditions
NO! Tour: Kicker Rock, BUT less $ etc from Santa Cruz
(León rmi) - natural CATH look; ONLY if I will snorkel
Click Here
Subscribe!
Join my mailing list to get new content notifications.