The Galápagos Islands are a really magical place. They deserve a spot on each journey traveler’s bucket listing for his or her beautiful landscapes and world-renowned wildlife.
San Cristóbal, Galápagos is just not essentially the most well-known island of the archipelago, however it’s undoubtedly a particular place. It’s the easternmost island, fashioned by a number of volcanos that melded collectively earlier than going extinct. It was the first island Darwin ever visited when he first got here to the Galápagos.
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On our first journey to the Galápagos, we had the prospect to discover 4 completely different islands, and every of them had one thing distinctive to supply. San Cristobal was simply one in every of our favourites. We spent a whole lot of time exploring each on land and beneath the ocean and extremely suggest a go to for anybody who’s up for an journey.
Issues To Do on San Cristóbal Island
San Cristobal is brimming with enjoyable actions and presents a singular pure and human historical past. From scuba diving to climbing your means round craters, there are numerous issues to do in San Cristobal Island.
Admire the Sea Lions
When visiting the island, you definitely will see a number of sea lions. In truth, San Cristobal Island has the most important colony of sea lions in all the Galapagos—incomes it the title “Sea Lion Island.” The ocean lions can are noticed dominating the seashores, docks and previous boats across the island.
One of the simplest ways to rise up shut and private with a few of these pleasant creatures is to dive proper in! Go for a swim at Playa de Oro or Playa Mann Seaside, and also you’re prone to see them of their pure habitat. Or, simply cruise the seafront promenade in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno as sea lions will be seen basking within the solar on the benches.
Discover the Island on a Bike
Biking was one in every of our important actions on San Cristóbal Island. It’s a nice strategy to get a brand new perspective on the island that most individuals by no means see whereas touring through bus or cruise ship.
Our Galakiwi group within the Galapagos
In your San Cristobal biking journey, you possibly can pedal your means by the excessive espresso farms. This is among the most under-the-radar points of interest on San Cristóbal Island. Relying on the time of 12 months, you possibly can even snag a bag of espresso beans straight from the supply. The highlands can get sizzling and humid however are dwelling to many birds and different wildlife.
One other nice choice is to bike downhill from La Soledad lookout level above Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You’ll be handled to an unimaginable sea view, full with a panorama of the port city all the way in which to Kicker Rock. Nearly all of the trail is paved, and there are many good locations to cease for a break.
Biking on San Cristóbal Island is a good way to discover, and with few vehicles and a few devoted bike paths, the island permits some nice biking. You should definitely maintain your eyes peeled for Galapagos wildlife alongside the way in which too. You’re prone to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and, when you’re fortunate, a San Cristobal mockingbird. We extremely suggest doing so while you go to San Cristóbal, Galápagos.
Go Stand-Up Paddleboarding
If you wish to see San Cristóbal Island’s surrounding ocean from a unique angle, strive a stand-up paddleboarding tour.
You’ll get to go at a leisurely tempo round ocean coves and calm bays, all of the whereas facet by facet with playful sea lions, dolphins, and different wildlife. The various seashores in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno are good for SUPing, with crystal clear waters teeming with marine life. Some standard spots embrace La Loberia Seaside, Playa Ochoa, and Puerto Grande.
When you’re on the lookout for one thing that strikes a little bit faster, strive browsing or kayaking. Probably the greatest locations to surf on San Cristobal Island is Puerto Chino Seaside. It’s positioned on the island’s southeast coast and has white sandy shores with the one seaside break on San Cristobal. It’s an incredible addition to a day journey to the freshwater lake at El Junco Lagoon.
View of Kicker Rock from San Cristobal Island
Snorkel and Scuba Dive
The Galapagos Islands are identified for his or her mind-blowing biodiversity, and nowhere is that this extra distinguished than within the ocean. World-class diving and snorkelling will be discovered all around the archipelago, however San Cristobal has some distinctive websites. For sure, snorkelling is among the greatest issues to do on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos.
Snorkelling with the Sea Lions on San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
Kicker Rock is one such spot. This unbelievable, towering rock formation juts out of the ocean off the coast. It’s much more thrilling beneath the floor, the place hammerheads, manta rays, and sea lions all collect and play. That is among the best dive websites in all the Galapagos Islands.
The elusive hammerhead sharks discovered within the waters of the Galapagos Islands
One other nice dive website is Whale Rock, the place you possibly can see giant colleges of fish, rays, and sea turtles. It’s about half-hour from the port in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and located between two completely different currents. This can be a dive website suited to all ranges and one of the standard on San Cristobal Island.
Equally, a go to to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Hen Hill) is unbelievable to see birds however even higher for San Cristobal Island snorkeling. It’s a little bit of a trek to get all the way down to the bay, however it’s nicely value it! The water is ultra-clear and surrounded by reef fish, sea lions, rays and sea turtles.
And for extra skilled divers, enterprise previous Tijeretas to discover a sunken shipwreck in Naufragio Bay. Naufragio truly means “shipwreck” and is aptly named as soon as the Australian SS Carawa obtained wrecked in 1920. Discover the 60-metre ship and marvel in any respect the marine life that now calls it dwelling.
Go Mountaineering
It will be loopy to not lace up your boots and hit the path in a spot as inexperienced as San Cristobal Island. There are a number of nice climbing routes on the island, similar to Crater Lagoon, a big volcano lake excessive up on the island. Known as El Junco Lagoon, it’s one of many solely freshwater lakes on the island and climbing round its perimeter takes about 1.5-2 hours. It’s a comparatively straightforward trek and an incredible place to admire the distinctive wildlife of the highlands.
One other nice choice is Punta Pitt, a difficult however rewarding hike on the island’s northeastern tip. It’s one of many solely locations on San Cristobal the place you possibly can see all three species of pink, blue, and Nazca boobies and frigate birds. Finishing this hike gives you unrivalled views of the ocean and shoreline beneath. Simply you should definitely come ready, this northern coast hike takes about 8-9 hours to finish.
These on the lookout for some extra accessible hikes ought to head to the Interpretation Middle, positioned on the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It’s a launch level for a number of completely different routes, together with Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Hen Hill), Playa Punta Carola, and Playa Baquerizo.
Plus, visiting the Interpretation Middle itself is a good way to study sustainable tourism and among the best free issues to do within the Galapagos.
How To Get to San Cristobal Island, Ecuador
To succeed in San Cristóbal Island, you’ll must fly to the principle airport in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island’s important city. There are each day flights from each Quito and Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador. The island will also be reached by cruise ship or diving liveaboard boat.
Finest Motels in San Cristóbal, Galápagos
There are a number of lodging choices on the island, however we suggest the next:
Galapagos Eco Pleasant Lodge
For the good mixture of consolation and sustainability, ebook your keep on the Galápagos Eco Pleasant Lodge, a household run lodge on San Cristóbal Island for the right mixture of consolation and sustainability. The Galapagos Eco-Pleasant Lodge has been licensed as an eco-hotel by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and was awarded the GreenLeader Platinum degree standing by TripAdvisor. On the property, you’ll discover vibrant rooms, views of the ocean, and a unusual backyard space. That is our prime decide of San Cristóbal, Galápagos accommodations.
Cactus Lodge
Proper within the coronary heart of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Cactus presents shiny, trendy rooms with trendy decor and complimentary breakfast. It’s steps to all town’s eating places and cafés and only a brief stroll to Playa de Los Marinos. Cactus has eradicated all single-use plastics and pays homage to the pure atmosphere with group packages and regionally sourced meals.
Area Blanca Eco Lodge
When you’re on the lookout for one thing barely extra upscale, strive the Area Blanca Eco Lodge in San Cristóbal, Galápagos. With such facilities as an outside pool, spa, and chic restaurant, you’ll be hard-pressed to search out one other lodge on San Cristóbal Island that provides such a pleasing keep whereas nonetheless being sort to the atmosphere.
Finest Eating places on Sal Cristobal Island
Calypso
Calypso is an Ecuadorian model restaurant is proper on the water and is greatest identified for its ginger coconut seafood platter. This restaurant has all kinds of various seafood dishes in addition to pizza, burgers, truffles, and extra.
Cuencan Style
Cuencan Style is the very best spot on the town for baked items, afternoon snacks, and sinful sweets. Ensure to provide their cinnamon bread a strive.
El Descanso Marinero
El Descanso Marinero is one other unbelievable restaurant in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno serving up freshly caught seafood. Better of all, you possibly can eat it outdoors of their inviting backyard space.
The place Else to Go to within the Galapagos Islands
For a whole island-by-island overview of the Galapagos Islands, try our Islands of the Galapagos Information. Right here’s a quick rundown of a few of the hottest Galapagos Islands to go to in your subsequent journey.
Isabela Island
Isabela Island is the most important island within the Galápagos and is nicely value your go to. Whereas there, benefit from the magnificent seashores, hike the volcanos, and pay a go to to the enormous tortoises.
The Tunnels on Isabela Island, Galapagos
Mountaineering on Cerro Negro volcano on Isabela Island, Galapagos
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is the most developed of all of the Galápagos Islands and is the house of Darwin’s well-known analysis heart. Spend a few days right here to discover the ecological reserves, lava tunnels, and vibrant markets.
Santa Cruz Island from above
Tortoise on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Floreana Island (Santa Maria Island)
Floreana Island is the longest inhabited island within the Galápagos. Go to Pirate and Whaler Caves and benefit from the shoreline from a stand-up paddleboard whilst you’re there.
SUPing on Floreana Island, Galapagos
San Cristóbal, Galápagos may not get the similar quantity of vacationers as a few of the different close by islands, however in our opinion, you completely shouldn’t miss it! We had a unbelievable time exploring San Cristóbal Island by bike, paddleboard, and snorkel, and we’d not hesitate to suggest a go to to anybody touring to the Galápagos.