Travel to Puerto Ayora

Puerto Ayora is your destination to visit the Galapagos Islands which inspired Charles Darwin towards his theory of evolution. A chain of 19 Islands, some of them uninhabited offers wonderful communion with Mother Nature. Peace and tranquility are the hall marks of a Puerto Ayora vacation. The chains of Islands have very thin human population. But the varied species of wild life, aquatic life and even plant life make up for the absence of human life around this place.

Getting to Puerto Ayora

Though several enthusiastic travelers have experimented alternate means of reach Puerto Ayora from Quito, the Ecuador capital, flying in with the domestic carrier TAME or Aerogal is by far the most viable means. Using these services are relatively challenging and you should acquaint yourself with complete details before you embark on your journey to the Ecuador capital. Baltra is the airport which services Puerto Ayora.

About Puerto Ayora

Puerto Ayora is a buzzing town on the south coast of Santa Cruz Island overlooking the yacht filled enchanting Academy Bay. This is also home for the Charles Darwin Research Centre as well as Parque Nacional de Galapagos headquarters. Within the archipelago, Puerto Ayora is the largest town. The town has plenty of Puerto Ayora hotels to cater to the ever increasing tourist traffic, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, money changers and most other needs of travelers. This town acts as the base for exploring the magnificent Galapagos Islands. You can explore this wonderful exhibition of unblemished and bountiful nature, either on land or through cruise boats/yachts. Puerto Ayora is also home for the only surviving tortoise Lonesome George from Pinta Island , at the Charles Darwin Research Centre.

For those who need a break from the natural wonders, there are opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving and biking.

Getting around

Regular buses ply between Puerto Ayora to the Baltra airport via the high lands. The journey takes about 40 minutes and involves a ferry ride over to the Baltra Island . Taxis and Collectivos are common in the region. Flights to San Cristobel Island, Isabela Island and the mainland depart from Baltra airport. From the harbor, you can also take a day trip on cruise vessels , or ferries to some of the settlements in the archipelago.

Cafes and tiny kiosks dot the Charles Binford road where you can look for local sea food to the accompaniment of cool beer.

Puerto Ayora hotels

San Cristobal and Santa Cruz which are the main Islands, offer hotel accommodation and restaurants comparable to international standards. Budget conscious travelers too can find regular hotels at prices which are moderate. The important thing about Puerto Ayora hotels is that there is room for every one and every pocket. The prices range from a cool $1000 per night down to as low as $50. The dictum that you get what you paid for will apply though.

The Alternatives

An alternative to Puerto Ayora hotels accommodation in the region is the cabins in the cruise ships and yachts. This is however a pricey proposition. A few days in such close proximity to the seat of evolution may not hurt many and for them the price charged for the cruise becomes affordable. You should have a clear understanding of what to expect on the cruise cabins, as opposed to the hotel rooms. Some of the features available on land will be absent. But, what do you get instead?

Younger generation tourists interested in saving every dollar they can, should take a good look at the tourist friendly hostels. They come at down to earth prices and Ecuador is one country where your negotiating skills can be put to test.