The island of San Cristóbal is the perfect holiday destination for the beauty of its landscapes and the variety of activities you can do there, such as hiking, diving with sea turtles, sport fishing or bird watching. You can also relax on its paradise beaches and learn about the island’s rich biodiversity at its Interpretation Centre.
When preparing your trip to San Cristóbal, keep in mind that you’ll need a permit issued by the government of Ecuador. There are nature reserves on the island where endangered species are protected, so every precaution is a small precaution. In this post we tell you everything you need to know about your trip to the island of San Cristóbal; how to get there, what to see, where to eat and the best places to stay. We’ve also prepared a section where we give you some travel tips to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Ready? Let’s get started.
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What are the best places to see on the island of San Cristóbal?
1. Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint, the best views of the island
At the top of this small hill you will find the viewpoints with the best views of the whole island of San Cristóbal, you can even see the mythical Kicker Rock, or the Sleeping Lion, an islet that is a symbol for the whole island.
To get to the top there is a trail that starts from the Interpretation Centre and starts inland and then goes along the coast, where you can see iguanas and turtles. The walk takes between 20 and 30 minutes
2. Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Centre
The Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Centre is one of the must-see stops on San Cristobal Island. There you’ll learn about the history of the Galapagos Islands, its biodiversity-rich ecosystem and the traditions of its people. You can also read about Darwin’s work on the island.
Admission is free, and as it’s located next to the trail that leads to Mirador Cerro Tijeretas, it’s often recommended to do it all on the same day as the museum can be visited in less than 1 hour
3. Laguna el Junco
It is the largest freshwater lake in the Galapagos Islands. It’s volcanic in origin and is round in shape as you can see from above. It won’t take you long to see it. From the car park there are stairs that will take you to the lagoon in about 10 minutes. It is usually a common stop when we are touring the island.
4. Cerro Colorado Breeding Centre
Between the Junco and the beach of Puerto Chino is the Cerro Colorado Turtle Breeding Centre, also known as Galapaguera. There you can see several specimens of the giant tortoise endemic to San Cristóbal and learn about the differences between this species and the other tortoises on the other islands.
5. The best beaches on San Cristobal Island. Carola Beach and Mann Beach
Carola Beach and Mann Beach are two of the most famous beaches on the island. Mann Beach is usually quite lively as it is right in front of the Interpretation Centre and there are several chiringuitos and restaurants where you can eat. It’s a good place to snorkel and relax next to iguanas and sea lions.
On the other hand, Carola Beach is the perfect place for surfers. But you can also relax and sunbathe among the sea lions.
6. Puerto Chino beach and its turquoise waters
Puerto Chino Beach is a magical place. This small, white-sand beach with crystal-clear waters is completely protected by a lush forest, and is often frequented by sea lions resting on the shore. It’s also a good spot for snorkelling.
To get there tourists usuallytake a taxi into town, which will cost about $45 return. Once there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around San Cristobal Island
1. Isabela Island, the most impressive of the Galápagos
Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos archipelago and the most impressive for its natural beauty and unique ecosystem. There are many activities and places to visit on Isabela Island, so it is recommended that you spend at least a few days there in order to explore it properly.
Must-sees on Isabela Island include the Sierra Negra volcano, which has one of the largest craters in the world; Los Flamingos Lagoon, home to a colony of pink flamingos; the beaches of Amor, Playa Puerto Villamil and Concha de Perla; and Isabela’s giant tortoise breeding centre. There are also many opportunities for hiking, diving and snorkelling, bird-watching and other water sports.
2. Santa Cruz Island, the most touristic of the Galapagos Islands
Santa Cruz is one of the most visited islands in the Galápagos archipelago and is considered the “tourist capital” due to its central location and the large number of tourist activities and attractions available.
Most popular attractions on Santa Cruz Island include the Charles Darwin Research Station; Las Grietas, a stunning crystal-clear canyon that’s ideal for swimming and snorkelling; and Tortuga Bay Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach that’s a paradise for surfers and sun worshippers. From there you can also book excursions to nearby islands such as Seymour Island, Bartolome Island and Plazas Island, as well as snorkelling.
In general, it is recommended to spend at least 2–3 days on Santa Cruz Island to enjoy all the attractions and activities available on the island and the nearby islands.
What to see in 1 day on the island San Cristóbal?
Generallyit is advisable to spend between 5 and 7 days in the Galapagos Islands, which means that one day will be enough to see San Cristobal. Bear in mind that many of the island’s activities, such as snorkelling, can also be done on the other islands in the archipelago, so plan your trip with the best places to do each thing in mind.
In the case of San Cristóbal Island, we recommend taking time to see the Centro de Interpretación y el Centro de Crianza de Cerro Colorado. The giant tortoises of San Cristóbal, endemic to the island, are a must-see, so we encourage you to read more about them at these centres. It’s also worth climbing up to the Mirador Cerro Tijeretas and sampling the island’s wonderful seafood-based cuisine.
Where and what to eat on the island San Cristóbal?
The island of San Cristóbal in the Galápagos is known for its rich gastronomy, with influences from the sea and the traditional cuisine of Ecuador. Some typical dishes you can try are seafood ceviche, grilled lobster or rice with stew and grilled meat. Here are some recommendations for you to enjoy the cuisine of San Cristóbal:
- Muyu Galápagos: is an upscale restaurant specializing in Ecuadorian-style seafood. The food is delicious and the presentation of the dishes will make you want to try everything. The price is around €50.
- Rosita: is a bar-restaurant of Ecuadorian home cooking where we highlight the elaborations with seafood and soup, as well as the closeness of its employees. The cuisine is simple, hearty, delicious and unpretentious. The menu of the day costs $6.
- Restaurante Miconia: This steakhouse has some of the best barbecue on the island and unbeatable views of San Cristóbal harbour. They have both Ecuadorian and international dishes.
Where to stay on San Cristobal Island
There are several islands in the Galápagos where you can stay and San Cristóbal is one of the best options, although it’s not as quiet as Isabela or as lively as Santa Cruz. The main town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where you’ll find most of the accommodation. There’s a wide variety and you can choose from luxury resorts, flats or more modest hotels. We recommend you book your accommodation well in advance as the island is a very touristy destination.
Here are a few of our favourite places to stay on the island:
- Hostal Cann’s House:is a small hostel located 500 m from Mann Beach. It is a very cosy place with double and triple rooms from €105 per night. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TV, air-conditioning and wifi. Breakfast is included in the price and tourist reviews are very positive.
- Arena Blanca Eco Hotel: This pleasant 3-star hotel offers an outdoor pool, restaurant, hot tub and free Wi-Fi. Room rates start from €158 per night and breakfast is included.
- Eco Hotel Katarma: This is a very intimate eco-friendly hotel with just 14 beautiful ceramic-decorated rooms. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, bar-restaurant and free Wi-Fi, and the price per night starts from 150€ including breakfast.
How to get to San Cristobal Island
There is an airport on the island of San Cristobal, but it only handles local flights. So you’ll have to fly from either Quito or Guayaquil international airport. There are three local airlines that handle these 2-hour, 10-minute flights: LATAM Airlines, Avianca and TAME.
From the airport you can take a taxi or bus to the city centre. And if you’re moving between the islands, you have the option of hiring a private boat or going by ferry, which is cheaper. Prices vary greatly depending on which island you visit. The price for a boat and return trip is around €35 per adult.
What to consider before travelling to San Cristobal Island
- The official currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar (USD).
- Spanish citizens do not require a visa for a stay in Ecuador of up to 90 days.
- Always carry cash on you, not all shops accept credit cards.
- Always have mosquito repellent on hand.
- The official language in Ecuador is Spanish.
- Plugs have 120V voltage and A and B plugs, you will need an adapter.
- It is advisable to wear light, comfortable clothing, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent
- The best time to travel to San Cristobal Island is between December and May, when temperatures are warmer and the currents make the sea calmer.
- To visit the Galápagos Islands, you need a special permit issued by the Ecuadorian government.
- The water is safe to drink in San Cristobal, but we recommend drinking bottled water.
- Always keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious if you’re travelling alone.
- Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to San Cristobal Island
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see on San Cristobal Island.
If you have doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter
Frequently asked questions about a trip to San Cristobal Island
The best time to travel to San Cristobal is between December and May, when temperatures are warmer and the currents are calmer and the sea is calmer.
One day is enough to see the island of San Cristobal if you also want to visit the rest of the Galápagos Islands.
It is recommended to buy bottled water.
Some typical dishes of the island that you can try are seafood ceviche, grilled lobster or rice with stew and grilled meat.
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