Galapagos Islands
Galapagos, San Cristobal Island
This 558-sq-km island is the fifth-largest in the archipelago and has the second-largest population.
The provincial capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is on the southwest point. Despite being the capital, there is less tourist traffic here than in the larger town of Puerto Ayora, on Isla Santa Cruz.
There are several visitor sites on or near San Cristobal, but they are not frequently visited by boats from Santa Cruz. The Chatham mockingbird, is common throughout the island and found nowhere else.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
This is the capital of the Galapagos. It's a laid-back little fishing port village with a vacuum-like ability to suck you in and not let you leave. The surfing is world-class, and you can explore many places on the island from here on your own. It's much smaller than Puerto Ayora. If your tour does go to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, you will no doubt visit the beautiful Interpretation Center, which is an excellent facility.
About 1.5km southeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is Cerro de las Tijeretas. It can be reached without a guide via a foot trail. From the hill, there is a view of a bay below and the town behind. Both species of frigatebirds have nested here, but pressure from the nearby town appears to be driving them away. The tour is usually capped off with a stop and at the beach Playa Mann.
A road leads from the capital to the village of El Progreso, about 8km to the east and at the base of the 896m-high Cerro San Joaquin, the highest point on San Cristobal.
Smaller than its name suggests. Puerto Grande (Sapho Cove) is located on the west coast, near Kicker Rock. This well-protected cove has been used as a safe anchorage by sailing ships for hundreds of years. Today it is used by local fisherman to refit their boats and as a swimming area for tourists. There is a wet landing on the beach. continues...
Next page...
San Cristobal Island
About an hour northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno by boat is the tiny rocky Isla Lobos...
