Puerto Ayora

Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galápagos Islands, located on the southern coast of Santa Cruz Island. It serves as the archipelago's main tourism hub, with a busy waterfront along Academy Bay, dive shops, tour agencies, hotels and restaurants. The town is closely linked to conservation work at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where visitors can see giant tortoise breeding programmes and learn about the islands' ecosystems.

Puerto Ayora has a relaxed, small-town atmosphere shaped by the sea. Along Avenida Charles Darwin and the waterfront, travellers can watch sea lions, marine iguanas, pelicans and frigatebirds, while the lively fish market becomes a daily gathering point for wildlife and locals alike.

Key attractions include the Charles Darwin Research Station, the white-sand beach at Tortuga Bay, and the crystal-clear lava crevices of Las Grietas. In the Santa Cruz highlands, visitors can observe giant tortoises in the wild at reserves such as El Chato and see the twin sinkholes of Los Gemelos.

As the main departure point for Galápagos cruises and day trips, Puerto Ayora is central to both independent travel and guided exploration. Its mix of science, conservation, nature tourism and small-town hospitality makes it a practical base for leisure travellers and professionals attending research, conservation or tourism-related activities.

Whether arriving to explore the islands, study their wildlife or begin an expedition, Puerto Ayora offers a compact, walkable gateway to one of the world's most distinctive natural destinations.