Puerto Ayora brings together the Charles Darwin Research Station and the harbor on Academy Bay. The station welcomes visitors interested in research and conservation work; the waterfront is typically lined with boats for island transport, private yachts and fishing boats. If you are considering the town as a base for an overnight stay, it is worth distinguishing between facilities in Puerto Ayora and visitor sites in the surrounding area.

Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz

Puerto Ayora is located in the south of Santa Cruz Island, in the central part of the Galápagos Islands, 12 meters above sea level. The climate is tropical and dry, with an average temperature of 24 °C. In Puerto Ayora, you can see pelicans, marine iguanas, herons, sea lions and numerous blue-footed boobies. The wildlife thus includes birds as well as marine iguanas and sea lions, offering another perspective on the island’s nature alongside the station’s research and conservation themes.

Research and Collections

The Charles Darwin Research Station was inaugurated in 1964 and served as a research base for scientists conducting research in the Galápagos Islands. Today, it welcomes visitors who want to learn more about its scientific research and conservation work. The station includes a library, archive and museum. They manage textual and audiovisual documents, archival materials, and objects of historical, institutional and cultural value to the station and the communities of the Galápagos Islands. The station’s profile therefore encompasses institutional and cultural collections as well as research work.

Visitor Sites in the Surrounding Area

Las Grietas is near Puerto Ayora and is traditionally used by residents of Santa Cruz. The Ruta de la Tortuga visitor route explains the development of the islands and includes the Fausto Llerena Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Center. Playa de los Perros is 15 minutes from Puerto Ayora and can be reached by Tour de Bahía boats authorized for this activity. The white-sand beach is suitable for watching seabirds; blue sharks rest in a channel. National Park staff updated the information boards about the area’s flora and fauna at Tortuga Bay. Check current access conditions before visiting sites in the surrounding area.

Bike Path, Harbor and Island Connections

A wide, safe bike lane runs through Puerto Ayora and connects various tourist destinations on the island. It has vertical and horizontal signage and solar-powered lighting. Puerto Ayora is also located on the shores of Academy Bay, a busy harbor. The harbor is usually home to boats transporting tourists between the islands, private yachts and fishing boats. In the wider region, water taxis travel from Baltra Airport to Santa Cruz Island via the Atabaca and Baltra channels.

Local Cuisine

Puerto Ayora’s traditional Calle de los Quioscos offers a variety of dishes to suit different tastes, as well as sweets and cocktails. If you want to consider dining options alongside nature and research when choosing where to stay, the street is a specific culinary point of reference. The offerings may change over time.

Discover more destinations: San Cristobal, Seymour, Puerto Villamil, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Bellavista, Santa Cruz

Return to the main travel overview: Galápagos.