If you can talk at all about a tourist centre in the Galapagos it is the island Santa Cruz. Once you get there, what you read in the travel guides may appear slightly exaggerated. The harbour Puerto Ayora with Charles Darwin Station is included in almost every travel programme of all Galapagos round tours and has numerous small travel agencies and souvenir shops. There are also some boarding houses. Once you leave the road parallel to the waterfront everything becomes relatively quiet and even the well attended bars or pubs do not turn Puerto Ayora into a noisy party location.
The Charles Darwin Station is the centre of scientific work on the archipelago and is definitely worth a visit. Its most famous inhabitant is called “Lonesome George”, the last survivor of the giant tortoise sub-species of the island Pinta (Geochelone elephantopus abingdoni). He was brought to Santa Cruz in 1973 for closer observation and mating endeavours which so far have proved unsuccessful.
The island is an excellent starting point for boat excursions to Plaza Sur, Seymour Norte and Bartolome which can also be booked in the local travel agencies. As a rule these trips also offer opportunities for snorkelling. During a highly recommended several day stay on Santa Cruz, the twin craters Los Gemolos can be explored and giant tortoises can be experienced in their natural environment in the spacious reserves (La Caseta). Certainly a memorable experience. Santa Cruz has the second largest population of giant tortoises after Isabela.
For many years Hotel Angermayer of the German immigrant family was one of the most recommended addresses on the island. The new family owners Silberstein are continuing this tradition and have since renamed the Hotel Silberstein, Domizil. Another very attractive alternative is the eco hotel “Finch Bay” which offers 21 very attractive, lodge-style rooms.
Helpful links with further information on the Internet can be found in the Directory. For a collection of photo impressions plese refer to "Impressions: Santa Cruz".
