Lonely PlanetSep 22, 2026
A Guide to the Galápagos Islands
Plan your visit to Ecuador
24 things in this story
- San Cristóbal Island AirportPlaceserves the east of the archipelago
- Cerro BrujoSightwhite sand beach on San Cristóbal
- Elsewhere
- IsabelaPlaceGalápagos Islands, Ecuadornear Alcedo Volcano and Wall of Tears
- BartoloméSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorsnorkel with penguins
- Santa CruzSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadormeet giant tortoises
- Galápagos National ParkSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorrequires a certified guide to visit sites
- Seymour AirportPlaceBaltra, Ecuadorprimary airport for the Galápagos Islands
- Itabaca ChannelSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorwater taxis carry you over to Santa Cruz
- Puerto AyoraNeighborhoodSanta Cruz, Ecuadorarchipelago's biggest town and ferry hub
- Finch Bay HotelHotelSanta Cruz, Ecuadorpremium resort on Santa Cruz
- Tortuga BaySightSanta Cruz, Ecuadortrail from Puerto Ayora, good for marine iguanas
- North Seymour IslandSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorgreat places to walk among cactus and trees
- Bartolomé IslandSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorgreat place to see resident penguins
- Rancho El Chato ReserveSightSanta Cruz, Ecuadorhighlands of Santa Cruz, easily spot giant tortoises
- Wall of TearsSightIsabela, Ecuadorbuilt by penal colony prisoners near Puerto Villamil
- Gardner BaySightEspañola, Ecuadorgood for sea lions
- Galápagos Marine ReserveSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuadorteems with underwater wonders
- Wolf IslandSightGalápagos Islands, EcuadorIt has an area of 1.3 km2 (0.5 sq mi) and a maximum altitude of 253 m (830 ft) above sea level.
- Charles Darwin Research StationNature reservePuerto Ayora, EcuadorThe station is operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation which was founded in 1959 under the auspices of UNESCO and the…
- Ruta de la TortugaTrailPuerto Ayora, Ecuadorwalk to spot Galápagos giant tortoises
- Sierra Negra volcano hikeTrailIsabela, Ecuadorcrosses lava cinders to Volcán Chico viewpoint
- Volcán ChicoSightIsabela, Ecuadorviewpoint atop Sierra Negra volcano hike
- Darwin IslandsSightGalápagos Islands, Ecuador
- Charles Darwin Exhibition HallMuseumPuerto Ayora, Ecuador