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Puerto Ayora
KNOWLEDGE OF Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador. It is located on Santa Cruz Island, and it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. It is named after Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz.
Puerto Ayora is the most populated town in the province, with approximately 10,000 inhabitants. It also has the most advanced tourist infrastructure in the archipelago. Most flights from Ecuador fly to the small island of Baltra just off the north end of Santa Cruz. Tame and Areogal are the two airlines available. Tame will generally cost tourists (extranjeros) around 400 dollars round trip. Areogal is often less expensive, but the planes are older and less flights are offered.
It is often unclear to tourists what to expect upon arrival in Baltra. Expect to pay a 100 dollar park entrance fee immediately in the airport terminal. Once you have recovered your luggage you need to get on a bus at the front of the airport, this is first come first serve so be prepared. The 10-minute bus ride takes you to a small ferry that crosses the narrow straight to Santa Cruz. From there you will take one more bus for an hour through the center of the island to Puerto Ayora. All these providers charge a small fare. Be sure to bring small change.
The vast majority of tourists arrive with reservations already made for a charter vessel. If you plan to look for a boat on arrival, just walk the main street and inquire in any of the many charter offices around town. In the busy season, however, be prepared to wait up to a week for a space. I recommend anyone interested in a more well-rounded Galapagos experience to consider spending a week in town, anyway. Puerto Ayora itself has the Charles Darwin Research Station, some touristy shopping and some interesting restaurants and bars. Tortuga Bay, a long white sand beach just outside of town, is good for a day of relaxing, as are the Las Grietas swimming fissures. Outside of town are the lava tubes, horseback riding, tortoise reserves, scuba diving, etc.
Puerto Ayora is the most populated town in the province, with approximately 10,000 inhabitants. It also has the most advanced tourist infrastructure in the archipelago. Most flights from Ecuador fly to the small island of Baltra just off the north end of Santa Cruz. Tame and Areogal are the two airlines available. Tame will generally cost tourists (extranjeros) around 400 dollars round trip. Areogal is often less expensive, but the planes are older and less flights are offered.
It is often unclear to tourists what to expect upon arrival in Baltra. Expect to pay a 100 dollar park entrance fee immediately in the airport terminal. Once you have recovered your luggage you need to get on a bus at the front of the airport, this is first come first serve so be prepared. The 10-minute bus ride takes you to a small ferry that crosses the narrow straight to Santa Cruz. From there you will take one more bus for an hour through the center of the island to Puerto Ayora. All these providers charge a small fare. Be sure to bring small change.
The vast majority of tourists arrive with reservations already made for a charter vessel. If you plan to look for a boat on arrival, just walk the main street and inquire in any of the many charter offices around town. In the busy season, however, be prepared to wait up to a week for a space. I recommend anyone interested in a more well-rounded Galapagos experience to consider spending a week in town, anyway. Puerto Ayora itself has the Charles Darwin Research Station, some touristy shopping and some interesting restaurants and bars. Tortuga Bay, a long white sand beach just outside of town, is good for a day of relaxing, as are the Las Grietas swimming fissures. Outside of town are the lava tubes, horseback riding, tortoise reserves, scuba diving, etc.
Alfred