There are many
places in the world to see wildlife. But only one where this wild fauna is one
with the human being: the Galapagos Islands. Five million years
of isolation and in the absence of large predators made Galapagos animals the most trusted in the world, which has
undoubtedly been one of the main attractions of the Enchanted Islands for
tourists in the world.
Since Charles
Darwin set foot on the Galapagos Islands in 1835, the natural charm of the Archipelago has continued to surprise and
trap those who come to this island territory.
According to data
from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, annually, theislandsattract more
than 200 thousand visitors, of whom about 70% are foreigners. However, the
arrival of Ecuadorians to the Galapagos
Islands has been growing year after year.
The large group
of foreigners who visit the Archipelago agree on certain islands as the favorite ones
in the Galapagos and are the following:
Isabela
It is the largest island and the one with the most breathtaking landscapes. The most suitable also as a base for who is going to do island hopping (jumps from one island to another with accommodation on land). Isabela is a very young island that still shows the shield volcanoes (Hawaiian type) with its intact volcanic buildings. The most spectacular landscapes are on the west coast, in the Bolívar channel. The only flightless cormorant in the world lives in it, capable of diving up to 80 meters deep, but unable to fly back. The largest penguin community in the Galapagos Islands also lives here.
Isabela IslandFloreana
It is a good island for diving and snorkelling. It has beautiful volcanic landscapes at the top and a lagoon with a colony of flamingos. Quiet and calm life.
Floreana IslandSan Cristóbal
In it is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the islands, which is a bit more authentic and relaxed than Puerto Ayora. In it there are all kinds of accommodation and services. A very modern and well-equipped interpretation center was built on the outskirts of the town, which is worth visiting to learn more about the archipelago.
San Cristobal IslandEspañola
It is the southernmost island and should be an essential visit on your trip to the Galapagos. Being the southernmost, it is the first to receive the Humboldt current, making it very rich in plankton and food. That is why it has large colonies of seabirds: boobies of various types, cormorants, frigates, seagulls. It is full of marine iguanas, which lie indolent in the middle of the dock, without caring if you pass within inches of them, or on the black volcanic rocks of the coast.
Española IslandSanta Cruz
The Baltra airport, built on a neighboring islet, is one of the most popular flights, making Santa Cruz a must-see for many travelers. It is not the most beautiful island, but it does have many places of interest. For example, the captive giant terrapin breeding center next to the Charles Darwin Research Station. It is one of the three centers (the others are in Isabel and San Cristóbal) that have allowed the recovery of 10 of the 14 species of turtles that were on the islands before the indiscriminate killing of the 19th century almost ended them.
Santa Cruz IslandBartolome
It has wonderful and unchanged volcanic landscapes and a path enabled by the park to see fauna and volcano craters. Bathing and snorkeling is authorized in the Pinnacle cove, where there is the possibility of seeing wolves and penguins. Data from the Ministry of the Environment refer that the most visited island is Santa Cruz, where the Fausto Llerena Turtle Breeding Center is located, whose average number of visits exceeds 50% of all visitors arriving on the Galapagos Islands. Do not miss this wonderful tour, live it yourself, aboard the beautiful Fragata Yacht!
Bartolome Island