Puerto Ayora
From Wikitravel
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.
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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 food. Most of the tourist stuff is concentrate along the waterfront. There are white pick-up trucks which function as taxies, they are a bit pricy though.
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 (http://www.scubaiguana.com/), Av Charles Darwin (close to the entrance of the Darwin station), (593-5)2526497 / 2526330 (email: info@scubaiguana.com).
- Sub-Aqua (http://www.galapagos-sub-aqua.com), 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.
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.
Get out