Galapagos - Santa Cristobal

San Cristóbal Island is home to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Province as well as the largest town on the isle. The town houses the island’s main tourist facilities. Currently the entire island is being developed as a main tourist center, second to Santa Cruz.

Whether you get here by airplane (recommended) or boat from Puerto Ayora (noisy and rough), getting around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and the island is relatively easy. A taxi anywhere around town should not be more than $1. To make the journey to neighboring towns such as El Progreso and Cerro Verde, consult the information board at the Tourist Pier for costs to and from, as the local government has established official prices for these places.

San Cristóbal is known on the archipelago as the spot to view a wide variety of animals such as sea lions, giant tortoises, blue and red-footed boobies, dolphins, swallow-tailed gulls, and most especially, frigate birds. These fowl make their nests here following their well-known courtship. To see these magnificent birds in their natural habitat travel one mile east of the port to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill). On a cloudless day, travelers can get a great view of the bay from this point.

Situated on the western part of town is the Centro de Interpretación (Galapagos National Park Visitors Center) where visitors can see the wonderful display on the conservation efforts and the history of the islands. Admission is free.

Not a particularly pleasant location, La Loberia is a rocky beach that is an ideal place to see blue-footed boobies, yellow canaries, a sea lion colony, and marine iguanas. Travelers can walk a bit further to the cliff to spot rays and tortoises but it is advised that they do not leave the designated trail.

Buses from San Cristóbal make the journey out to the town of El Progreso daily as there are various attractions in the small town that hosts many farms. It is a 2 ½ hour walk from the town to El Junco Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Galapagos Islands.

Also in the area is the La Galapaguera Natural, a section of land used solely for the re-population of the famous Galapagos giant turtles. Admission is free to this attraction that also houses a small breeding center. Another interesting place to visit is Isla Lobos, a large nesting bird colony, as well as a sea lion colony.

Punta Pitt in the far northeast region of the island is the definitive spot to view all three species of the booby bird – blue-footed, red-footed, and masked. This attraction also features interesting lava formations, and Frigate Birds will make an occasional appearance.

Finally, do not miss Kicker Rock, the rock remains of a crater, which is situated off the northwest coast of the island. Nazca and blue-footed boobies can be found on the cliffs of Kicker Rock. The waters are also a great place for snorkeling or scuba diving.