Contents:
97% of the islands constitute the Galapagos National Park (GNP) and can only be visited with an official National Park Guide. The remaining 3% can be visited without a guide. National Park Rules (see ‘Conservation and useful links’) regarding proximity to the animals and others apply to 100% of the islands. Although cruises, most of which start in Baltra, will always be the best way to see the Galapagos islands, the town of Puerto Ayora provides a springboard for several day tours and dive tours.
Puerto Ayora is a great base to explore several great visitors’ sites of the Galapagos National Park. The range of visits and tours you can do vary according to distance, accessibility, price, quality and regulations amongst others. Please note that the tours and visits listed below are just suggestions, and that all prices are for reference only and may vary. Once in Puerto Ayora, you will certainly find a wider offer of travel agencies and prices, but we have listed the tour operators based on previous visitors’ experiences and comments. If you’d like to make these arrangements beforehand please let us know so we can help you. Otherwise we are providing you with a list of day tour operators.
We have classified the visits and tours as follows:
A. Tours and sites within Santa Cruz Island.
1. Places that can be visited without a GNP naturalist guide (but are greatly enhanced with a knowledgeable one, the first two in particular!):
2. Beaches that can be visited without a GNP naturalist guide.
Always remember to take the right precautions against sunburn and dehydration! Don’t take valuables to the beach. Do check tides and warnings from coastal authorities or the locals before you set off.
3. Places that must be visited with a GNP naturalist guide.
Tips:
-The tours in option 1 and 2 are easy to work out and you can leave the house and go out for the amount of time you want, between 6h00 and 18h00.
-You can hire a taxi ($30 for a cab and driver for up to 4 people) and do 1a and 1b together. 1c could be done in about 2 hours. We recommend making a day out of 1a, 1b, 1c & 3a with a guide in order to get more out of it. Remember that this particular day almost always constitutes a whole day of a one-week cruise that many will pay around $500/day/person for!
-Option 2a could be done over a morning, an afternoon or you could make a day of it.
-We had good feedback for option 3d, the ‘Bay Tour’. It costs around $35/person and takes you around the waters of Puerto Ayora which includes viewing and snorkeling with sea lions among other things. It might vary in enjoyment quality depending on how calm the sea is. However, for the price, it’s definitely worth a shot!
B. Day tours to other inhabited islands.This involves taking a launch with a naturalist guide to do excursions and snorkeling in visitors’ sites around other ports. Departure early morning and return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon. The Launches are fast and can be uncomfortable, especially in rough seas.
a. Floreana
b. Isabela is a smaller town, built on beach plains. All the roads are sandy and there are long beaches within it.
c. San Cristobal is a town similar to Puerto Ayora. It is a great place to see lots of sea lions.
Yacht Queen Karen, operated by GALAPAGOS DEEP.
Tel: (593 5) 2526307 / (593 5) 2527045 (Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]
C. Day tours to other islands near Santa Cruz.
This involves taking a launch with a naturalist guide to do excursions and snorkeling in uninhabited, more natural sites. Departure early morning, return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon.
Tips:
-All of the above sites fall within the 97% National Park area and permitted visits there are restricted.
-In our opinion, North Seymour, South Plaza and Bartolome (options a, b & c) are A-list visitor sites on a live-aboard cruise. Santa Fe (option d) is B-list. All options can offer excellent snorkeling if the local conditions are good.
-Options a-d are hard to come by as there are only a few boats operating this type of tour, so advance booking is strongly recommended if you are a large group or during peak times. Note: The Park Service manages the conservation of the national park by maintaining the number of day tour boats that are allowed to visit the uninhabited islands. In the recent past, there were more day tour boats but their owners had the option of converting their license to the more lucrative live-aboard cruises, leaving a shortage in the number of day tour vessels available. The GNP has been preparing itself for granting more day tour licenses in the future (however, personally, we would rather they maintained the number of boats and not change this as this is key to the future of the National Park!).
-The day tour boats have become better organized in recent years although the service and size of the boat vary. Costing around $120-$150 per person per day, they will leave at 6-8am and return to port for 5-6pm, giving adequate time for good activity during the day. The journey to an island EACH WAY can be anything from 30mins (e.g. for North Seymour) to 2.5hrs (e.g. Bartolome). We have included the contact details of the most reliable day tour operators (see list below) although we particularly recommend the Queen Karen, operated by Galapagos Deep as the boat is bigger, the service is the best and the cruising itself is pleasing on the longer journey to Bartolome.
-Some local hotels operate day tour boats and offer last-minute deals when they have free spaces left for $180+. However, they give no service of preference to clients from elsewhere.
-In light of this information, we recommend you do the following:
i. Try for one or two of the day tours of option C on the Queen Karen if you’re fine with a local guide. Most people are happy with these and you can book them ahead of time.
ii. Book one or two of the option B tours at around $80-95/person.
iii. Fill in the gaps with option A.
DAY TOUR CONTACTS (IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE!)
Queen Karen, operated by GALAPAGOS DEEP.
Tel: (593 5) 2526307 / (593 5) 2527045 (Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]
Yacht Altamar, operated by SCUBAGALAPAGOS.
E-mail: [email protected]
Yacht Narel, operated by GALAGENTS, S.A.
Tel: (593 2) 2431188 – 6022355 (Quito, Ecuador)
Toll free from USA and Canada at 18669788096
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Yacht Santa Fe II (only after trying with the first two, as there is a distance in quality here)
Tel: (593 5) 2526593 (Puerto Ayora, Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]
C. Short escapades to Isabela Island
Another great option is to take a launch from Puerto Ayora and visit the more rustic Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. With a minimum stay a couple of nights, you could visit Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkel off the beach in the town itself and then return to Santa Cruz. At Sierra Negra, there’s a great hike you can do along the rim of a huge caldera. Tour operators there offer horse-back rides but you can walk the 10-miles round trip. There are packages for 2 nights to Isabela including the transport from island to island, accommodation, food and the volcano tour for around $200/person. They’re pretty good and very economic. Launches leave Puerto Ayora bound for Isabela (Puerto Villamil) at 2pm daily. To return, the launches leave at 6am to reach Puerto Ayora in time return to Baltra for the last flights of the morning. Please note that quarantine restrictions and checks also apply when travelling between ports.
ISABELA CONTACTS
Hotel San Vicente, operated by GALAPAGOS NATIVE
Tel: (593 5) 2529140 / Fax: (593 5) 2529439 (Puerto Villamil, Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
www.sanvicentegalapagos.com
D. Diving
There are many companies and several destinations, and your level of diving experience required varies according to the dive site.
We recommend the best company in terms of safety and service. We try to monitor this all the time, so if you use their services (or any other local dive company) please send us your feedback.
There are outings to:
North Seymour, Beagle Rocks, Cousins Rock, Gordon Rocks, Daphne, Floreana, Santa Fe, Guy Fawkes, Pinzon, Academy Bay.
To dive at Gordon Rocks you will need to have at least 30 dives on your dive log.
The price of a scuba day dive tour is around $190 per person per day and includes all the gear, tanks, weights, lunch, water, towels, dive master, bilingual guide and transportation.
Often, adverse visibility may reduce the experience and it’s obviously impossible to know this even a day ahead. Tours still go out and make the most of it. Hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays, spotted eagle-rays, golden rays, sting rays, green turtles are all possibilities anywhere on these tours but myriad of tropical fish are guaranteed.
SCUBA DIVING AGENCIES (DAY DIVES)
Scuba Iguana
Address: Av. Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Tel: (593 5) 2526497 / (593 9) 3008749
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.scubaiguana.com
1. INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL SERVICES
Country code: +593 (Ecuador)
Area code: 05 (Galapagos)*
* Add the area code when dialing from a cellular phone.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police 2526101
Fire brigade 2526111
HOSPITALS
Hyperbaric medical centre 2524576
Hospital Republica del Ecuador 2527437
Hyperbaric chamber 2526911
PHYSICIANS
Dr Gabriel Idrovo.- General Physician, gerontologist, osteopath, diving & hyperbaric Medicine. Calle Marchena and Charles Darwin Av. Cellular phones: 084 488231. Email: [email protected]
Dr Max Gutierrez.- General Physician & hyperbaric medicine. Calle Marchena and Charles Darwin Avenue, at the Medical Centre. Phone: 2524576 / cellular phones: 084 363669 / 086 368339.
DENTISTS
Dr Karina Galvan. Av. Charles Darwin & calle Piqueros. Tel: 2524398 / 094 079333. Web: www.dentalgalapagos.com
OPTICIANS
Optigal.- Av. Charles Darwin & Tomas de Berlanga. Opens Mon-Fri 9h00-13h00 & 15h00-19h00, Sat 09h00-13h00, 15h00-17h00. Closed on Sundays. Tel: 2526063.
ATM MACHINES
Banco del Pacifico.- Av. Charles Darwin.
Banco del Pichincha.- Av. Baltra, in the outskirts of Puerto Ayora.
Proinsular Supermarket.- By the Municipal dock. Two ATM machines only, no banking services.
LAUNDRY SERVICES
Monyfri.- Calle 12 de Noviembre, next to Hotel Fernandina.
Lavagal 2527076
Peregrina.- In Pelican Bay, opposite the fishermen’s dock. Tel : 2526323
POST OFFICE
CDE Correos del Ecuador.- At the small square by Proinsular Supermarket, Municipal dock.
LIBRARY
Behind the Municipio (town hall). Opens Mon-Fri 9h00-12h00 & 14h00-18h00, Sat 09h00-12h00. Tel: 2526614 extension 32.
WHERE TO EAT
Allow some waiting time for your order, unless you choose the menu of the day!
SUPERMARKETS
*Except for Proinsular, supermarkets in Puerto Ayora usually close at midday until 3:30pm and on Sundays. Always double-check expiry dates when you purchase goodies.
Proinsular.- By the Municipal dock. Open on Sundays, mornings only.
Primavera.- Av. Baltra, opposite San Francisco school.
MegaPrimavera.- Located three roads from the Mercado Municipal.
Comercial Rocio.- Av. Baltra, opposite Banco del Pacifico.
FRESH FRUIT & VEGGIES
Mercado Municipal.- Av. Baltra. Open daily. Best selection of the limited supply of fresh goodies.
Feria.- opens Saturday mornings only, from 6h00-10h00. Get there early for better choice and prices.
FRESH FISH
Pelican bay.- A very picturesque corner of town so don’t forget to bring your camera along. Fishermen arrive with fresh catch any time of day. Just turn up and find out what the choice of the moment is.
TAXIS
*These are reference prices, and they may be subject to change without notice!
Any taxi ride within Puerto Ayora costs $1.00. Puerto Ayora-Bellavista: $3.00. Puerto Ayora-Santa Rosa: $6.00. Puerto Ayora-Canal de Itabaca: $18.00. Puerto Ayora-Garrapatero: $15.00. Puerto Ayora-Media Luna: $6.00.
Movil Hugo.- Driver Hugo Chapi. Tel: 094 606163
Movil Iguanita.- Driver Giovanni. Tel: 086033489
Movil Guido.- Driver Guido. Tel: 095179782
Movil 24.- Driver Milton. Tel: 094452073
Movil Tango.- Tel: 097375246
MASSAGE & AROMATHERAPY
Chi Spa.- Av. Charles Darwin. Tel: 095 239784 / 097 838830.
Asheraya.- Barrio Las Acacias, opposite Disensa. Tel: 092048876.
HAIRDRESSERS & BEAUTY
Top Ten.- Calle Floreana s/n, up from the Tortoise statue by Tintorera Restaurant.
… or shop around charming Puerto Ayora for more choices and offers!
Galapagos National Park Service official webpage and Park Rules for visitors:
http://galapagospark.org/onecol.php?page=turismo_reglas_visitantes
Charles Darwin Research Station and Foundation:
http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php
Quarantine service webpage (in English):
http://www.hear.org/galapagos/invasives/index.html
- What to do from Puerto Ayora
- Information on local services
- Conservation and useful links
- WHAT TO DO FROM PUERTO AYORA
97% of the islands constitute the Galapagos National Park (GNP) and can only be visited with an official National Park Guide. The remaining 3% can be visited without a guide. National Park Rules (see ‘Conservation and useful links’) regarding proximity to the animals and others apply to 100% of the islands. Although cruises, most of which start in Baltra, will always be the best way to see the Galapagos islands, the town of Puerto Ayora provides a springboard for several day tours and dive tours.
Puerto Ayora is a great base to explore several great visitors’ sites of the Galapagos National Park. The range of visits and tours you can do vary according to distance, accessibility, price, quality and regulations amongst others. Please note that the tours and visits listed below are just suggestions, and that all prices are for reference only and may vary. Once in Puerto Ayora, you will certainly find a wider offer of travel agencies and prices, but we have listed the tour operators based on previous visitors’ experiences and comments. If you’d like to make these arrangements beforehand please let us know so we can help you. Otherwise we are providing you with a list of day tour operators.
We have classified the visits and tours as follows:
A. Tours and sites within Santa Cruz Island.
1. Places that can be visited without a GNP naturalist guide (but are greatly enhanced with a knowledgeable one, the first two in particular!):
- ‘Los Gemelos’ (‘Pit Craters’) and surrounding forest in the highlands.
- The giant tortoises of the highlands (Steve Devine’s Butterfly Ranch, Primicias Ranch, El Manzanillo or Miguel-Angel Arias Ranch).
- Charles Darwin Research Station & Tortoise Breeding Centre.
- Las Grietas (don’t forget to take your mask and snorkel along!)
- Lava tunnel of “El Mirador”
- Lava tunnel of Bellavista
2. Beaches that can be visited without a GNP naturalist guide.
Always remember to take the right precautions against sunburn and dehydration! Don’t take valuables to the beach. Do check tides and warnings from coastal authorities or the locals before you set off.
- Tortuga Bay.- From Av. Baltra, follow the sign to Tortuga Bay. 2.5km walk (one way from the edge of the town) to meet the first beach, then another kilometer to reach the calm bay (or “playa mansa”), where it is safer to swim. Beware of the first beach, as there are strong currents and an undertow! Low tide is the best time to visit. Kayaking is available on the calm beach and sometimes local launches will take you back to port for $5-10/person from the calm beach.
- CDRS beach or “Playa de la Estacion”.- On the way to the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), pass the GNP information office, walk another 200m then on your right hand side there is a small sign and a white sandy narrow trail to the beach. This beach is tiny but getting into the water at low tide can be a great experience.
- Playa de los Alemanes.- On the “other side” of the town. At the municipal dock, take an aquataxi ($0.80 per person) and quote “muelle del Hotel Finch Bay”. Then, follow the trail for 5 minutes to the hotel. This beach fills up in the afternoon and especially on Sundays and national holidays. A good place to snorkel and great early morning. Kayaking available here if you speak with the hotel.
- Garrapatero.- Located in the SE of Santa Cruz. You must take a taxi for a 25 min ride to the beginning of the trail, then a 10 min walk to the beach. Calm beach but beware of the rocks you don’t see underwater! Take plenty of water, snacks and sun protection. Look out for flamingoes and pintail ducks behind the beach, but make sure to follow the National Park rules. Kayaking is available here.
3. Places that must be visited with a GNP naturalist guide.
- “El Chato” giant tortoise Reserve in the highlands
- El Puntudo, Media Luna and Cerro Crocker (summit of Santa Cruz island)
- Playa de los Perros and Tintoreras (by hired dinghy only)
- Tour of Academy Bay (by hired dinghy only)
Tips:
-The tours in option 1 and 2 are easy to work out and you can leave the house and go out for the amount of time you want, between 6h00 and 18h00.
-You can hire a taxi ($30 for a cab and driver for up to 4 people) and do 1a and 1b together. 1c could be done in about 2 hours. We recommend making a day out of 1a, 1b, 1c & 3a with a guide in order to get more out of it. Remember that this particular day almost always constitutes a whole day of a one-week cruise that many will pay around $500/day/person for!
-Option 2a could be done over a morning, an afternoon or you could make a day of it.
-We had good feedback for option 3d, the ‘Bay Tour’. It costs around $35/person and takes you around the waters of Puerto Ayora which includes viewing and snorkeling with sea lions among other things. It might vary in enjoyment quality depending on how calm the sea is. However, for the price, it’s definitely worth a shot!
B. Day tours to other inhabited islands.This involves taking a launch with a naturalist guide to do excursions and snorkeling in visitors’ sites around other ports. Departure early morning and return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon. The Launches are fast and can be uncomfortable, especially in rough seas.
a. Floreana
b. Isabela is a smaller town, built on beach plains. All the roads are sandy and there are long beaches within it.
c. San Cristobal is a town similar to Puerto Ayora. It is a great place to see lots of sea lions.
Yacht Queen Karen, operated by GALAPAGOS DEEP.
Tel: (593 5) 2526307 / (593 5) 2527045 (Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]
C. Day tours to other islands near Santa Cruz.
This involves taking a launch with a naturalist guide to do excursions and snorkeling in uninhabited, more natural sites. Departure early morning, return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon.
- North Seymour & Bachas Beach
- South Plaza & Punta Carrion
- Bartolome & Sullivan Bay
- Santa Fe
Tips:
-All of the above sites fall within the 97% National Park area and permitted visits there are restricted.
-In our opinion, North Seymour, South Plaza and Bartolome (options a, b & c) are A-list visitor sites on a live-aboard cruise. Santa Fe (option d) is B-list. All options can offer excellent snorkeling if the local conditions are good.
-Options a-d are hard to come by as there are only a few boats operating this type of tour, so advance booking is strongly recommended if you are a large group or during peak times. Note: The Park Service manages the conservation of the national park by maintaining the number of day tour boats that are allowed to visit the uninhabited islands. In the recent past, there were more day tour boats but their owners had the option of converting their license to the more lucrative live-aboard cruises, leaving a shortage in the number of day tour vessels available. The GNP has been preparing itself for granting more day tour licenses in the future (however, personally, we would rather they maintained the number of boats and not change this as this is key to the future of the National Park!).
-The day tour boats have become better organized in recent years although the service and size of the boat vary. Costing around $120-$150 per person per day, they will leave at 6-8am and return to port for 5-6pm, giving adequate time for good activity during the day. The journey to an island EACH WAY can be anything from 30mins (e.g. for North Seymour) to 2.5hrs (e.g. Bartolome). We have included the contact details of the most reliable day tour operators (see list below) although we particularly recommend the Queen Karen, operated by Galapagos Deep as the boat is bigger, the service is the best and the cruising itself is pleasing on the longer journey to Bartolome.
-Some local hotels operate day tour boats and offer last-minute deals when they have free spaces left for $180+. However, they give no service of preference to clients from elsewhere.
-In light of this information, we recommend you do the following:
i. Try for one or two of the day tours of option C on the Queen Karen if you’re fine with a local guide. Most people are happy with these and you can book them ahead of time.
ii. Book one or two of the option B tours at around $80-95/person.
iii. Fill in the gaps with option A.
DAY TOUR CONTACTS (IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE!)
Queen Karen, operated by GALAPAGOS DEEP.
Tel: (593 5) 2526307 / (593 5) 2527045 (Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]
Yacht Altamar, operated by SCUBAGALAPAGOS.
E-mail: [email protected]
Yacht Narel, operated by GALAGENTS, S.A.
Tel: (593 2) 2431188 – 6022355 (Quito, Ecuador)
Toll free from USA and Canada at 18669788096
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Yacht Santa Fe II (only after trying with the first two, as there is a distance in quality here)
Tel: (593 5) 2526593 (Puerto Ayora, Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]
C. Short escapades to Isabela Island
Another great option is to take a launch from Puerto Ayora and visit the more rustic Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. With a minimum stay a couple of nights, you could visit Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkel off the beach in the town itself and then return to Santa Cruz. At Sierra Negra, there’s a great hike you can do along the rim of a huge caldera. Tour operators there offer horse-back rides but you can walk the 10-miles round trip. There are packages for 2 nights to Isabela including the transport from island to island, accommodation, food and the volcano tour for around $200/person. They’re pretty good and very economic. Launches leave Puerto Ayora bound for Isabela (Puerto Villamil) at 2pm daily. To return, the launches leave at 6am to reach Puerto Ayora in time return to Baltra for the last flights of the morning. Please note that quarantine restrictions and checks also apply when travelling between ports.
ISABELA CONTACTS
Hotel San Vicente, operated by GALAPAGOS NATIVE
Tel: (593 5) 2529140 / Fax: (593 5) 2529439 (Puerto Villamil, Galapagos)
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
www.sanvicentegalapagos.com
D. Diving
There are many companies and several destinations, and your level of diving experience required varies according to the dive site.
We recommend the best company in terms of safety and service. We try to monitor this all the time, so if you use their services (or any other local dive company) please send us your feedback.
There are outings to:
North Seymour, Beagle Rocks, Cousins Rock, Gordon Rocks, Daphne, Floreana, Santa Fe, Guy Fawkes, Pinzon, Academy Bay.
To dive at Gordon Rocks you will need to have at least 30 dives on your dive log.
The price of a scuba day dive tour is around $190 per person per day and includes all the gear, tanks, weights, lunch, water, towels, dive master, bilingual guide and transportation.
Often, adverse visibility may reduce the experience and it’s obviously impossible to know this even a day ahead. Tours still go out and make the most of it. Hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays, spotted eagle-rays, golden rays, sting rays, green turtles are all possibilities anywhere on these tours but myriad of tropical fish are guaranteed.
SCUBA DIVING AGENCIES (DAY DIVES)
Scuba Iguana
Address: Av. Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Tel: (593 5) 2526497 / (593 9) 3008749
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.scubaiguana.com
1. INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL SERVICES
Country code: +593 (Ecuador)
Area code: 05 (Galapagos)*
* Add the area code when dialing from a cellular phone.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police 2526101
Fire brigade 2526111
HOSPITALS
Hyperbaric medical centre 2524576
Hospital Republica del Ecuador 2527437
Hyperbaric chamber 2526911
PHYSICIANS
Dr Gabriel Idrovo.- General Physician, gerontologist, osteopath, diving & hyperbaric Medicine. Calle Marchena and Charles Darwin Av. Cellular phones: 084 488231. Email: [email protected]
Dr Max Gutierrez.- General Physician & hyperbaric medicine. Calle Marchena and Charles Darwin Avenue, at the Medical Centre. Phone: 2524576 / cellular phones: 084 363669 / 086 368339.
DENTISTS
Dr Karina Galvan. Av. Charles Darwin & calle Piqueros. Tel: 2524398 / 094 079333. Web: www.dentalgalapagos.com
OPTICIANS
Optigal.- Av. Charles Darwin & Tomas de Berlanga. Opens Mon-Fri 9h00-13h00 & 15h00-19h00, Sat 09h00-13h00, 15h00-17h00. Closed on Sundays. Tel: 2526063.
ATM MACHINES
Banco del Pacifico.- Av. Charles Darwin.
Banco del Pichincha.- Av. Baltra, in the outskirts of Puerto Ayora.
Proinsular Supermarket.- By the Municipal dock. Two ATM machines only, no banking services.
LAUNDRY SERVICES
Monyfri.- Calle 12 de Noviembre, next to Hotel Fernandina.
Lavagal 2527076
Peregrina.- In Pelican Bay, opposite the fishermen’s dock. Tel : 2526323
POST OFFICE
CDE Correos del Ecuador.- At the small square by Proinsular Supermarket, Municipal dock.
LIBRARY
Behind the Municipio (town hall). Opens Mon-Fri 9h00-12h00 & 14h00-18h00, Sat 09h00-12h00. Tel: 2526614 extension 32.
WHERE TO EAT
Allow some waiting time for your order, unless you choose the menu of the day!
- Hernan’s Café.- Av. Baltra and Charles Darwin. Opens daily 7h00-23h00. International food. Home delivery pizzas. Tel: 2526573 / 093448001 (mobile phone)
- The Rock.- Av. Charles Darwin, opposite the Capitania (Port Captain’s headquarters). International food & bar. Opens daily 9h00-23h00, closed on Tuesdays.
- Tintorera.- Pelican Bay, Av. Charles Darwin and Floreana. International food. Opens 8h00-22h00 mon-sat. Closed on Sundays.
- La Garrapata.- Av. Charles Darwin. International food. Opens 08h00-22h00 mon-sat, closed on Sundays.
- La Dolce Italia.- Av. Charles Darwin. Italian food. Opens 11h00-15h00 and 17h00-22h00.
- El Salvavidas.- By the Municipal Dock. Typical Ecuadorian food. Opens 07h00-21h00 daily.
- The Red Sushi.- Av. Charles Darwin, part of the Red Mangrove Inn. Japanese food. Opens daily.
- Angermeyer Point.- Across the bay, view of the water (take a water taxi to get there). International food. Opens daily 17h00-22h00, lunchtime on Sundays. Tel: 2527007.
- Finch Bay Hotel.- At Punta Estrada.
- Waterfront Inn.- At Punta Estrada.
- Kioscos Street.- Look out for “ServiSabroson” or “William’s Kiosk” for Ecuadorian home-made dishes. Open daily from 18h00-22h00 (William’s closed on Mondays).
SUPERMARKETS
*Except for Proinsular, supermarkets in Puerto Ayora usually close at midday until 3:30pm and on Sundays. Always double-check expiry dates when you purchase goodies.
Proinsular.- By the Municipal dock. Open on Sundays, mornings only.
Primavera.- Av. Baltra, opposite San Francisco school.
MegaPrimavera.- Located three roads from the Mercado Municipal.
Comercial Rocio.- Av. Baltra, opposite Banco del Pacifico.
FRESH FRUIT & VEGGIES
Mercado Municipal.- Av. Baltra. Open daily. Best selection of the limited supply of fresh goodies.
Feria.- opens Saturday mornings only, from 6h00-10h00. Get there early for better choice and prices.
FRESH FISH
Pelican bay.- A very picturesque corner of town so don’t forget to bring your camera along. Fishermen arrive with fresh catch any time of day. Just turn up and find out what the choice of the moment is.
TAXIS
*These are reference prices, and they may be subject to change without notice!
Any taxi ride within Puerto Ayora costs $1.00. Puerto Ayora-Bellavista: $3.00. Puerto Ayora-Santa Rosa: $6.00. Puerto Ayora-Canal de Itabaca: $18.00. Puerto Ayora-Garrapatero: $15.00. Puerto Ayora-Media Luna: $6.00.
Movil Hugo.- Driver Hugo Chapi. Tel: 094 606163
Movil Iguanita.- Driver Giovanni. Tel: 086033489
Movil Guido.- Driver Guido. Tel: 095179782
Movil 24.- Driver Milton. Tel: 094452073
Movil Tango.- Tel: 097375246
MASSAGE & AROMATHERAPY
Chi Spa.- Av. Charles Darwin. Tel: 095 239784 / 097 838830.
Asheraya.- Barrio Las Acacias, opposite Disensa. Tel: 092048876.
HAIRDRESSERS & BEAUTY
Top Ten.- Calle Floreana s/n, up from the Tortoise statue by Tintorera Restaurant.
… or shop around charming Puerto Ayora for more choices and offers!
- CONSERVATION AND USEFUL LINKS
Galapagos National Park Service official webpage and Park Rules for visitors:
http://galapagospark.org/onecol.php?page=turismo_reglas_visitantes
Charles Darwin Research Station and Foundation:
http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php
Quarantine service webpage (in English):
http://www.hear.org/galapagos/invasives/index.html