Early this year, we took our kids and spent four days on San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands. We visited the Galapagos Islands using a land based itinerary. San Cristobal was our favorite island in the Galapagos, with incredible wildlife, amazing scenery, and beautiful snorkeling. This is a list of the best things to do on San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands that you don’t want to miss!
Things to do on San Cristobal, Galápagos Islands: Explore and Learn
See Giant Tortoises at La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado
Visiting La Galapaguera is one of the most amazing things to do on San Cristobal Island. This reserve serves as a human run breeding program for giant Galapagos tortoises.
The animals walk freely around the Galapaguera reserve, and guests can navigate along a path and observe the tortoises in their natural habitat.
Ages range from hatchlings to older large tortoises. You can easily spend an hour or two here immersing yourself in the peaceful environment and beautiful animals.
If you are on a land based itinerary of San Cristobal, and you decide to visit La Galapaguera, we recommend hiring a driver for the day and combining your trip with a visit to Puerto Chino Beach and El Junco.
Visit the Interpretation Center
The Interpretation Center is a short walk from town, and the perfect place to start your exploration of San Cristobal. The Interpretation Center has several exhibits providing information about the history of the multiple settlements of the Galapagos Islands. It also goes into the unique geology and biodiversity of the island, with exhibits about conservation efforts.
It was a good intro for our kids into where we were and why it was special. The Interpretation Center doesn’t take more than 30 minutes to explore, but it is a perfect starting point for a day spent walking the trail to Cerro Tijeretas and Playa Punta Carola.
Things to do on San Cristobal, Galápagos Islands: Hike
Hike to Cerro Tijeretas
We recommend spending at least half a day exploring Cerro Tijeretas in San Cristobal. The hike to Cerro Tijeretas leaves directly from the Interpretation Center and is about 2 km. It is a paved and easy path, and leads to incredible views and look out points.
There is a popular snorkeling cove along the path, which is great for experienced snorkelers. We took our first try at snorkeling here (we were beginners!), and there were some challenges as the area was rocky and there tides were strong. (We recommend La Loberia as the best place for snorkeling beginners on San Cristobal.) However, for strong swimmers, this is an amazing place to get to snorkel with sea lions, turtles, and rays.
If you have little kids with you and you aren’t planning to snorkel, this hike to Cerro Tijeretas is still very worth it. The views are gorgeous and you are sure to see a variety of birds along the way.
Climb to El Junco
El Junco located in the San Cristobal highlands is the only source of fresh water on the island. It is a 2 km up and back hike from a small parking lot at the base.
At the top of the El Junco hike, you are treated to beautiful views of the San Cristobal highlands, and the water filled crater that supplies the island.
The hike is all stairs, and might be strenuous for some, but we really enjoyed it. The scenery was beautiful, and seeing the lake gave our family an appreciation of how precious water can be in areas like this.
If visiting this, we recommend combining it with a day trip to the Galapaguera and Puerto Chino Beach.
Things to do on San Cristobal, Galápagos Islands: Beaches
See Marine Iguanas at Playa Punta Carola
Playa Punta Carola is the perfect beach to spot marine iguanas on San Cristobal. It is easy to access on the tail end of the hike to Cerro Tijeretas. There is a large population of sea lions on the beach. It is easy to spend 2-3 hours here.
The Playa Punta Carola beach is peaceful, with soft sand. We sat out here, enjoyed a picnic, and watched the wildlife. Our kids loved watching the marine iguanas dive into the water and swim from rock to rock.
Snorkel at La Loberia
La Loberia was our favorite beach during our land based itinerary of the Galapagos Islands. You need a driver/taxi to get you there as it is south of the airport and about 2 km from town. I wouldn’t recommend hiking to it (no shade), although we almost got stranded because it was difficult secure a ride back :). Make sure you coordinate a pick up time with whoever drops you off, cell reception here is spotty.
La Loberia is a beautiful beach that was shallow enough for our boys to try out snorkeling. My son and I saw a giant sea turtle together, which was really the highlight of our trip. We also had sea lions pop in and out of our view as we were swimming.
This is a great place to spend a beach day. The beach is less crowded than others on the island, and its perfect for families.
Swim at Puerto Chino Beach
Located in the San Cristobal highlands, Puerto Chino Beach is the most scenic on the island. With beautiful topography and clear blue water, you won’t regret stopping here for an hour or two.
We brought a picnic and had a great time swimming in the clear blue water of Puerto Chino Beach. There is less wildlife than other beaches on the island, but we saw some birds that we didn’t catch elsewhere.
If on a land based itinerary of San Cristobal, we recommend hiring a driver and combining this trip with your visit to La Galapaguera and El Junco.
Things to do on San Cristobal, Galápagos Islands: Food
Dine at Chakana
We came across this restaurant our first evening in San Cristobal and fell in love. They served up beautiful beautifully prepared traditional dishes. From pork ribs to ceviche, everything we tried was delicious. If you go, don’t miss their pan de yuca which was the best thing we ate in Ecuador.
Their cocktails are also delicious. Choose an old standard, or venture to one of their suggested tropical cocktails – you won’t be disappointed. We loved this place so much we visited twice.
- Address: Herman Melville, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
- Read Reviews on TripAdvisor
Have Drinks at The Pier
The Pier is another great spot on San Cristobal. It was our favorite spot for afternoon drinks and a bowl of ceviche.
The Pier is in a perfect spot, on a quiet street overlooking the ocean. You can listen to the waves crash and watch playful sea lions dive in and out of the water. Our kids loved watching the wildlife here. It was the perfect spot to relax after a long day at the beach.
- Address: Muelle De Pescadores, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
- Read Reviews on TripAdvisor
Enjoy Fresh Baked Bread at Sabor Cuencano
Each morning in San Cristobal, our day started with fresh baked bread. There was no better place on the island to get delicious Ecuadorian baked goods than at Sabor Cuencano.
From blackberry pastries to cheese croissants, this cafe serves up delicious and fresh items perfect for a light breakfast or a mid day treat.
- Address: Av. Alsacio Northia s/n Federico Garcia, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
- Read Reviews on TripAdvisor
Read Our Other Blog Posts…
- The Galapagos Islands with Kids – A Land Based Itinerary
- Easter Island with Kids: A Five Day Itinerary
- Easter Island for Kids: Family Fun at the End of the Earth
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