Charles Darwin made his first landing in the Galapagos archipelago in Ecuador on San Cristobal Island and it might be your first stop as well. Our San Cristobal Island Travel Guide includes travel tips so you can make the most of your time there, including a beach that locals love and hotel recommendations.

San Cristobal Island travel guide

The capital city of Galapagos province, a town called Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (named for the first Ecuadorian president to visit the Galapagos), is on San Cristobal Island, which formed from a series of fused extinct volcanoes. It’s the fifth-largest island in the Galapagos archipelago, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, and the most eastern island in the archipelago.

The oldest still-inhabited settlement in the Galapagos is also on San Cristobal Island and the island is now home to the second-largest population in the Galapagos after much busier Santa Cruz Island. Though San Cristobal is more laid back than Santa Cruz, it’s still a major tourist hub because one of the two airports in the Galapagos Islands is located here.

But there’s still plenty of room for the island’s wild inhabitants too. Sea lions often take over the benches along the waterfront in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, flop into unattended boats in the port, take over streets, and generally commandeer any other comfortable place to sun themselves.

What to do on San Cristobal Island

Many areas of San Cristobal Island are only reachable by boat, however, here are some things to do in and around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno that don’t require a boat.

Explore Puerto Chino

Puerto Chino (Chinese Port) is a beach about 15 miles (24 km) from the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The taxi or land tour vehicle will drop you off at the parking area and from there it’s a 1-mile (1.5-km) walk to the beach itself where white sand, calm water, and lazy sea lions await.

Locals love this beach and camping is also allowed here with prior authorization from the Galapagos National Park.

Relax on Playa de Oro

This somewhat golden color of the sand here gives this beach, just a few minutes on foot from central Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, its name. Sea lions love it as do students from the nearby satellite campuses of San Francisco University in Quito in affiliation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This beach is especially lively and lovely at sunset.

Visit the Interpretation Center of San Cristobal

For a good overview (in English and Spanish) of early Galapagos inhabitants, Darwin’s visit and influence, human inhabitation today, Galapagos wildlife, and modern conservation efforts and challenges in the archipelago, visit the Interpretation Center of San Cristobal. Expect a lot of maps, historical photos, and dioramas as you move through this well-laid-out and never overwhelming center. which is about a 20-minute walk from town.

Where to sleep on San Cristobal Island

For style, location, and green initiatives, you can’t beat the 21-room Golden Bay Galapagos. Located on the edge of central Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, this hotel is just a few feet away from the water. It’s common to walk past Galapagos sea lions on your way to or from the hotel lobby and you will certainly hear their grunts from your room.

The stark and sleek decor lends a Miami-like look and feel to common spaces and the hotel’s large rooms, most of which have a sea view. Corner suites overlooking the water are worth the splurge with spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows that open completely and elegant bathtubs with a view.

Eco measures at the hotel include the use of wood reclaimed from palettes used to ship goods to the Galapagos, an on-site water reclamation system that turns grey water into water for the toilets, 100% solar hot water, paper straws, and more.

The hotel restaurant, called Muyu, uses mostly local, sustainable, and organic ingredients to turn out polished plates, creative cocktails (such as a cosmopolitan made with aguardiente), and a great breakfast spread including homemade granola. In 2019, Muyu (which means seed in the Quechua language) was honored as a 50 Best Discovery by the organization behind the list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Book Now

Casa Iguana Mar y Sol is a luxury B&B with character. Within easy walking distance to central Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, this five suite hotel is the creation of owners Luis and Patricia.  The 3-level building which was built by Luis and Patricia handled the decor including hand-carved wood shutters, hand-made wooden beds, and playful touches like leopard print sheets. The result is a laid-back beach-chic atmosphere with sea views and gracious hosts.

Bonus for families or groups traveling together: you can rent the whole house.

Bonus for coffee lovers: Luis and Patricia grow their own organic coffee on the island and there’s usually a small amount drying in the sun at the hotel, ready to be fresh ground for you to enjoy at breakfast.

See more of San Cristobal Island in our Galapagos travel video.

More Galapagos travel tips

Use our Galapagos Islands Travel Guide index post to quickly navigate through the entire series, or choose specific posts below.

• Part 1 in our Galapagos Islands Travel Guide series gives you the facts you need to plan your trip to the Galapagos Islands.
• Part 2 is our Santa Cruz Island Travel Guide including what to do and where to sleep on this tourist hub island.
• Part 3 tells you what to expect during boat trips to landings around Santa Cruz Island.
• Part 4 covers highlights from North Seymour, South Plaza, and Daphne Islands.
• Part 6 covers what to expect during boat trips to Cerro Brujo, Punta Pitt, and Kicker Rock around San Cristóbal.
• Part 7 reveals highlights of visiting Santa Fe Island.
• Part 8 tells you what to expect on Genovesa Island.
• Part 9 gives you travel highlights from Fernandina Island.
• Part 10 helps you explore Isabela Island.
• Part 11 takes you around Santiago Island.
• Part 12 tells you what to expect on Floreana Island.
• Part 13 reveals what makes Española Island so special.
• Part 14 tells you how to take the best travel photos in the Galapagos.
• Part 15 brings you all the adventure of SCUBA diving in the Galapagos Islands.
• Part 16 helps you pack like a pro for the Galapagos.
• Part 17 delivers answers to 5 top Galapagos travel questions.
• Part 18 reveals our favorite shots of wildlife in the Galapagos.
• Part 19 reveals our favorite shots of landscapes and sunsets in the Galapagos.

 

Note: By using the affiliate booking links in this post, your price remains the same and we receive a small commission which helps keep our Trans-Americas Journey travel blog ad-free. These links do not influence our recommendations and our opinions remain our own.

 

Here’s more about travel in Ecuador

Here’s more about Galapagos Travel

Here’s more about Islands in the Americas

Here’s more about Adventure Travel in the Americas