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All locations Ferry routes

Main islands

Santa Cruz San Cristóbal Isabela Floreana

Other islands

Baltra Bartolomé Daphne Major Española Isla Lobos Las Tintoreras Mosquera North Seymour Pinzón Santa Fe Sombrero Chino South Plaza

Landmarks

Asilo de la Paz Canal del Amor Cerro Brujo Cerro Tijeretas Concha de Perla Cousins Rock Darwin Station Devil’s Crown El Garrapatero Flamingo Lagoon Gordon Rocks Interpretation Center Itabaca Channel Kicker Rock La Lobería Las Bachas Las Grietas Los Trillizos Los Túneles Post Office Bay Punta Cormorant Punta Pitt Sierra Negra volcano Sullivan Bay The Highlands Tortoise Center Tortuga Bay Wall of Tears

Towns and airports

Baltra airport Puerto Ayora Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Puerto Velasco Ibarra Puerto Villamil San Cristóbal airport

Visitor site · Santa Cruz

The Highlands

The green, misty middle of the island: giant tortoises roaming farmland at El Chato, a lava tunnel you walk through, and the twin sinkholes of Los Gemelos.

Wildlife

Giant tortoise
Darwin’s finches
Galápagos hawk
Lava lizard

Why go: The one place to meet giant tortoises in the wild without a boat, often within a few metres.
Getting there: Half an hour by taxi from Puerto Ayora; the half day tours include the tortoise ranch, the tunnel and Los Gemelos.