Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. It is located on the southern side of Santa Cruz island, and is connected by road and ferry to the airport on Baltra island.

Get in

From Baltra airport busses will await the airplanes to transport the passengers to the Itabaca channel between Baltra and Santa Cruz. At the other side you can take another bus to the terminal Puerto Ayora, or one of the pick-up trucks ($15 per truck to Puerto Ayora).

There are daily boats to San Cristobal and Puerto Villamil on Isabela. They leave at 2pm and the 2 hour rough and noisy boatride cost $30.

Get around

Puerto Ayora is small enough to explore by foot. Most of the tourist stuff is concentrated along the waterfront. Truck taxis operate within town and generally cost about $1 for trips in town, $5 - $7 for trips to the Highlands, and $15 for trips across the island. Water taxis charge $0.50 for local trips, although prices are sometimes higher after 9:00 PM.

See

• Cámara de Turismo, infocptg@capturgal.org.ec. This is the tourist information in Puerto Ayora. They have useful information about things to do on the islands. They also keep a list of complaints about tour operators, guides and boats. There is also a small info-kiosk near the docks.

• Charles Darwin Research Station. Located at the end of the road on the eastern edge of town, the Charles Darwin Research Station has extensive exhibits on the natural history of the islands. The breeding programs at the station allow visitors to see many iguanas, tortoises, and other animals in various stages of their lives. The most famous resident of the station is Lonesome George, a tortoise found on Pinta island who is believed to be the last of his sub-species. More information can be found at www.darwinfoundation.org/research.html.

Do

Scuba diving

Diving in the Galapagos isn't cheap, count on at least $60 per dive. The following two diving schools are widely recommended:

• Scuba Iguana, Av Charles Darwin (close to the entrance of the Darwin station), (593-5)2526497 / 2526330 (email: info@scubaiguana.com).
• Sub-Aqua, Av Charles Darwin, (593-5)2526350 / 2526633 (email: sub_aqua@accessinter.net).

Buy

Money

The Banco de Pacifico is the only bank on the island. It gives cash advances on mastercards, change cash or cashes in travellers cheques. It also has a mastercard/cirrus ATM, but it will not always work, so bring at least enough money to survive the first few days.

Eat

If you want a traditional rice, bean and meat dish you can find some reasonable deals for around $2. If you want something different expect to pay at least $5.

• San Antonio (next to hotel Santa Cruz). The place is popular with the locals, which is always a good sign. It offers good setmeals for $2.
• Aquelarre, Kilometer 14 via a Baltra. Located outside of town in the Highlands, this very elegant restaurant offers amazing food in a clean and beautiful setting. The friendly host, Oswaldo, will likely greet you on arrival before seating you in the midst of trees, music, and artistic decorations. The food is a set menu of three courses and includes coffee and drinks. Price is $16 per person for dinner and a reservation is required. The cab ride up to the Highlands should cost between $5 and $7.

Drink

• Limón y café, Av. Charles Darwin. Chill out with a beer or play some pool or tablefootball. There is also small dancefloor to watch latins dance salsa or non-latins try to dance it.

Sleep

Accommodation in Puerto Ayora is in general over-priced. It's hard to find something decent for less than $10 a night. In low season or for stays over two nights try bargaining.

• Hotel Santa Cruz. It's one of the cheapest hotels in town, but it has not much more to recommend for. Rooms have private bathrooms with cold water. Price is around $7.00.
• B&B Peregrina, Av. Charles Darwin. Clean rooms have airco and a private bathroom with hot shower. A small breakfast is included in the price. A room is $15 per person.
• Finch Bay Galapagos Eco Hotel. The Finch Bay Galapagos Eco Hotel, provide the finest accommodation in Galapagos Islands combined with activities like Scuba diving, snorkelling, mountain biking, also offers PADI diving programs in their facilities, starting with OWD and advanced PADI courses certification, check for rooms spaces and activities at their official site.

Get out

Puerto Ayora is the best and probably the only place on the islands to arrange a boattrip. Or go a few day to one of the other islands like Isabela or San Cristobal