Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Santa Cruz island is the center of tourism in the Galapagos. It is a large island with a variety of geology, vegetation and wildlife. The largest settlement area is Puerto Ayora which is home to the National Park Services and the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Other attractions on the island include the spectacular coastal region. On the north shore of the island, accessible only by sea, is an extensive mangrove lagoon called Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove). The highlands offer visitors a variety of life and geology, particularly the viewing of wild tortoises.

Things to See and Do

* Las Bachas beach
* Puerto Ayora
* The Highlands
* Caleta Tortuga Negra – Mangrove Lagoon
* Wildlife viewing

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – U.S. dollar2 (USD)
Language – Spanish
Population – 40,000 approx (Galapagos islands)
Land Area – 585 km²
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time – GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 593

Port Location – The main port town on Santa Cruz island is Puerto Ayora.

Transport Links – Flights to the Galapagos are relatively easy to arrange and depart from Quito and Guayaquil on a daily basis for the Isla Baltra airport, which is about two hours by public transport from Puerto Ayora, the main settlement of the Galapagos, on the central island of Santa Cruz.