Places to Visit in San Cristobal Island
- Tortoise Reserve – the longest walk in San Cristobal. From the beach to the Media Luna Cone is approximately 5 km (3.1 miles) one way and maybe quite warm. However, this is an excellent site for viewing giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Many of the species native to San Cristóbal may be seen on this hike, including the giant tortoise, lava lizard, gecko, and mockingbird.
- El Progreso – the oldest settlement is near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and was established in 1869. Approximately, 500 people reside in this small farming community, which is on the side of an extinct volcano.
- Galapagos National Park Visitor Center – opened in 1998 in San Cristóbal. It gives a thorough and documented history of the Galapagos, its ecosystems, flora and fauna. The Center attends mostly to the history of the archipelago, beginning with volcanic origins up to the present time. Two interpretation panels, representing the natural and cultural history of the archipelago, are linked together in chronological order. The center has a small auditorium, meeting rooms, and audiovisual equipment for the entire community to utilize. It is typically used for activities such as theater, exhibitions, and workshops (dance, painting, etc.) The Visitor Center is about a 20-minute walk from town and is open to the public every day from 7 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
- La Galapaguera/Jacinto Gordillo Tortoise Breeding Center – a new visitor site in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island and can now be traveled in one hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The Breeding Center houses hatchling tortoises from birth until they are 120 days old. At that time, the grown tortoise are taken to their natural habitat.
- Geographically, San Cristobal is one of the oldest Galapagos Islands. It is also one of the more developed islands.
- Puerto Baquerizo Moreno – the capital of the Galapagos province that is located on San Cristobal and offers a wide range of accommodations for tourists
- La Loberia beach – harbors one of the Galapagos’ largest colonies of sea lions and one of the largest colonies of marine iguanas.
- El Junco – the only freshwater lake in the Galapagos Islands.
- Leon Dormido or the “sleeping lion» – just off the coast of Kicker Rock and is a volcanic formation created in an explosion of hot lava. It is now a serene habitat for boobies and frigates, among other Galapagos birds.
- Kicker Rock/Leon Dormido – a striking rock formation and has many divers and kayakers visiting throughout the year. Located off the western shore of San Cristobal and sticking out of the water, these two rocks are standing vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Marine life in this area includes turtles, sharks, octopi and reef fish.
- Ochoa Beach – north of San Cristobal Island, about 30 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Visitors are only allowed in the beach area of 160 meters or 524 feet. In the area, there is a large colony of sea lions. One of the outstanding floras in this site is Piscidia or matazarno (Piscidia carthagenensis). This species is known for its toughness and long life. Ghosts and hermit crabs are also common species here.
