The 12 best things to do in San Cristobal – the Galapagos
Last updated on June 15th, 2026 at 05:24 am
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Wondering about the best things to do on San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands?
No problems – I’ve got the list! These are the top things you can do from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, as well as two fantastic day trips to take from the island. If you are a nature lover you will be in heaven – the sea lions simply “own” the town! And there is plenty of other wildlife, hiking, and swimming! What more could you want?
The main center in San Cristobal is the great little town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and everything is run from there! San Crsitobal is the second island you can fly into from the mainland, and i highly recommend it – it is a wonderful intro to the Galapagos!
2-5 day itinerary for San Cristobal Island
Before we jump into all the great things to do on San Cristobal, this is how you can put them together into an itinerary. You will find links to the locations and any tours below.
2 day trip
Day 1 – The highlights around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno – the wildlife, the beaches, Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint, the Interpretation center
Day 2 – Kicker Rock or the 360 tour
3 day trip:
Day 3 – Add on a Highlands tour with sunset at Playa Mann.
Ultimate 4-5 day trip:
Day 4 – Day trip to Espanola or go kayaking and enjoy the walks and beaches nearby before you fly out.
Day 5 – Playa Punta Carola or kayaking, with an afternoon swim and sunset at La LoberÍa.
To start planning your trip in detail, scroll down for more details.
The best things to do on San Cristobal Island
In no particular order, these are the top things to do on the island:
1. Wander and watch all the wildlife in town
Just taking the time to wander around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is an absolute must. Sealions play in pools along the waterfront, with crabs scuttling around them, and boobies and pelicans hang out on convenient railings. Iguanas and sea lions are everywhere! Down on Playa de Oro there are even more sealions and birds. The antics of the sealions will make you laugh. Don’t be surprised if they take the best seats at your favorite cafe.
2. Get out on the water and watch the wildlife in its element
Just seeing the sea lions and blue-footed boobies in town is amazing, but its even better getting up close and personal with them in the harbor. Get out on a kayak and see them play up close. This is a great tour in a glass kayak with a guide that will tell you all about the animals and answer all your questions. San Cristóbal Island: Transparent kayak tour with photos.
3. Visit the Galapagos Interpretation Center
San Cristóbal has the best museum in the islands – the Galapagos Interpretation Center. It is completely free and gives you all the history of the penal colony, human impact, and Charles Darwin’s first landing (which happened right on this island in 1835) as well as a lot of information on the flora and fauna on the island. Visit it before exploring the rest of the island – it makes everything else you do meaningful.
4. Hike to Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint and swim with sea lions at Muelle Tijeretas
Another ‘must-do’ is to hike to the Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint (about 45 mins one way). Its an interesting walk along a paved pathway through the local lava fields with the quite spectacular local cacti-strewn vegetation. The walk begins just beside the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre – you can find the AllTrails map here.
Cerro Tijeretas is named after the frigate birds that hang out there. (Tijeretas is Spanish for frigate bird.) From around March to May you will see the males puffing out their big red chests which is quite the sight! You will see other birds as well, and can keep an eye out for Darwin’s famous finches.
From the lookout at the viewpoint you will see Shipwreck Bay and in the distance Kicker Rock (see below about the fantastic day trip there). You will also see the very blue inlet below you – Muelle Tijeretas. You should head there next! Time it for high tide as there is no beach. But its a fantastic place to snorkel and swim with the sea lions. They totally get in your face – and I mean in your face! Its hard to get photos as they are too close!
This was one of the two best places overall in the Galapagos for swimming with the sea lions for me.
5. Swim and watch the sunset at Playa Mann
On the walk back to town after your hike to the Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint, have another swim at pretty Playa Mann. Its on the edge of town and you can enjoy mixing with the locals at the beach – sealions and iguanas included!
And you can also come for sunset. Because Puerto Baquerizo Moreno faces directly west, it gets the absolute best sunsets in the Galapagos. Playa Mann turns into a giant local community social hour every evening at about 5.30pm, when tourists, locals, and dozens of sea lions sit on the sand together to watch the sun go down.
6. Hang out at Playa Punta Carola
Playa Punta Carola is way more than nice – its considered one of the best beaches in South America!
Honestly – you could easily while away a whole day here. All the superlatives – crystalline azure waters, golden soft sand etc apply here. But it is also fantastic for the Galapagos wildlife. Marine iguanas sunbathe next to you, turtles swim alongside you, and sea lions play with you in the water. What’s not to love?
Even better if you walk to the pretty red and white lighthouse at the end of the rocky point you, will see pelicans and gorgeous blue-footed boobies. Could you ask for more? Not really – except it is a great spot to share the sunset with lounging sea lions too!
7. Climb El Junco, walk around the crater rim watching the frigate birds cleansing ritual
Whatever you do, don’t rush this – or let anyone else, like a taxi driver, rush you. El Junco is the only permanent freshwater lake in all the Galapagos and it attracts a lot of birdlife. Aside from that, the views are fabulous. This does depend on the mist, which in itself can have quite the dramatizing effect!
The mist does come and go – very quickly. So if you have a good patch, take your photos straight away! I loved the swirling misty moments though – its all pretty cool.
Hike up to the top of the crater viewpoint (15-20 mins). Then climb down to the lake and back again, and then walk the crater rim (another 45 mins). Its one of the best 2km (1.2 miles) walks you will do! Taxi tours will often just give you time to go to the top so check first.
It is a marvel watching the frigate birds swooping and diving into the crater lake where they cleanse the salt from their wings! They can’t land on the water making it even more fascinating to watch. Its also great to see the other birds that like to hang out here – plenty of ducks and waders, including the white-cheeked pintail duck, moorhen, common gallinule, cattle egret and pied-billed grebes. But the frigates do steal the show!
Getting to El Junco
From Puerto Baquerizo Moreno it’s 16km along a paved road to the trail. The cheapest way to get there is hiring a taxi and negotiating wait time and a return trip to El Junco. You can also rent an e-bike to get you there: Rent E Bikes San Cristobal Galapagos Tour. Renting an e-bike would be my preferred option, but if you don’t like cycling, then take a tour as follows:
BUT, I would consider taking the whole day and covering what’s known as the “highland tour.” This includes visiting the Galapaguera – the giant tortoise reserve (no 7 below). It also includes Playa Puerto Chino – a beautiful beach for swimming and lazing (no 8 below). On the way home visit the giant ceiba tree in El Progreso – complete with treehouse accommodation! Negotiate with taxi drivers for the amount of time and money – or take this organised tour with no hassles:
San Cristobal: Highlands, Beach, and Snorkeling Tour
A final option – you can walk!! This is the AllTrails map all the way to Playa Porto Chino beach!
Tips for visiting El Junco:
- Go early – it is usually clearer in early morning, and the birds are more active.
- The weather (mist) changes fast at El Junco – wait and see what happens if its misty when you arrive at the top – don’t be in a rush. Take your photos as soon as it is clear!
- Wear good shoes – it can get muddy especially in the rainy season Jan-April.
- Its free and open from sunrise to sunset every day.
- Bring your sunnies, hat, sunblock, water, rain jacket, mosquito repellent – then you are prepared for everything!
8. Visit the Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado – the tortoise reserve
La Galapaguera is one of the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve’s breeding centers for the Giant Galapagos tortoises. You can visit via taxi, or again via an ebike or on a highlands tour:
It’s a great facility as they keep the tortoises in semi-natural conditions. The young ones are kept here only until they are big enough to have some protection against introduced predators. They don’t use incubators to hatch the tortoises and only feed them 3x a week. The rest of the time they have to fend for themselves.
There is a path around the center that you just wander along – taking it as fast or slow as you like. You are going to see a ton of tortoises, including the babies, which are very cute of course. What’s even better is that this is entirely free and you don’t need a guide – unlike the centers on Isabela or Santa Cruz. It makes it a good place to buy a little something / souvenir from the boutique to take home.
Tip: Aim for Mon, Wed, or Fri morning for the feeding.
9. Swim at Playa Puerto Chino
This is another lovely beach on the island – my personal favorite actually! I loved the short paved walkway down to the beach through the local cacti and other hardy plants. And there’s great swimming in easy rollers. There is no shade on the beach itself, but rocks to explore, sea lions (of course), turtles. Its just generally a lovely spot.
It is 25km from town and again you can visit via taxi, or again via an e-bike or on a highlands tour along with La Galapaguera and EL Junco:
- San Cristobal: Highlands, Beach, and Snorkeling Tour
- Rent E Bikes San Cristobal Galapagos Tour.
- A final option – you can walk!! This is the AllTrails map all the way to Playa Porto Chino beach!
10. Go surfing
San Cristobal is “the” surf spot in Ecuador. If you surf, the point breaks at Punta Carola and Tongo Reef offer world-class waves. You can rent boards from local dive and surf shops along the waterfront malecón for about $30-40 a day. For intermediate to pro surfers you can go on this Surf Guiding Session with Local Pro Surfer.
11. Snorkel at La Loberia Beach
A popular white sandy beach snorkeling spot, near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is La Loberia Beach. There are plenty of sea lions – with another resident colony who will dip in and out of the water they share with you. The water was pretty clear when I was there so don’t forget your snorkel gear. We took electric scooter-bikes out to the beach which was a fun way to go for the day. To walk takes about half an hour.
Tip: You do want a calm day as it can get rougher in the water there.
12. Go on a fantastic day trip
Day Trip 1: Snorkel or Dive with hammerheads at Kicker Rock
If there is one day trip to add to the best things to do on San Cristobal Island – a trip involving Kicker Rock is the one!
Diving with hundreds of hammerhead sharks is a huge drawcard. Obviously its not guaranteed as they are wild. But its very common to see at least some of them – even when you are just snorkeling as I was. Kicker Rock sticks straight out of the water and is the remains of an ancient volcano cone. Even the boat ride there is great – we had dolphins playing at the bow on the way.
Snorkeling through the channel between rocks with its steep drop-offs was a favorite for me – it was soooo clear. For me, I got turtles, sea lions, surgeon fish, parrot fish, eagle rays, tons of little fish, a couple of Galapagos sharks and best of all around 10-15 Hammerhead sharks!
What I loved as well on our trip was the stop off on the way back at Playa El Manglecito. It was beautiful to walk around and huge manta rays were jumping and flipping just offshore. It was also perfect for swimming and the sea lions were like at Muelle Tijeretas – in your face. One played with me for so long it was crazy! Most trips will stop at one other beach or island on the way back like this. Try either of these well rated tors:
- Galapagos San Cristóbal Full Day Kicker Rock Más Playa
- Full-day Adventure Tour at Kicker Rock (León Dormido)
Tip: If you are snorkeling, avoid trips that also take divers as they may scare away the sharks and other things you want to see.
Day Trip 2: The 360 tour with Punta Pitt and all the boobies
Boobies – as in birds! And just an fyi – the name “booby” comes from a mishearing of the Spanish “bobo” – which means clumsy, or clown. Its obvious why when you see them 🙂
If you want to see all the local boobies – Blue footed, Red footed and Nazca boobies then one of the best day trips to do in San Cristobal is a 360 tour that goes to Punta Pitt as well as Kicker Rock and other beaches you cannot get to by land. Punta Pitt is a group of volcanic cones located on the eastern side of the island and known as a bird-watcher’s paradise.
You should see all three types of boobies and also two species of frigate birds. As far as I know this is the only place to see all three boobies. However, note that it is a bit of a tough uphill walk even though its only 2km (1.4 miles).
This tour stops at Punta Pitt as well as Rosa Blanca Bay, Playa Sardina, and Playa Ochoa (beautiful beaches) and is a brilliant alternative to the straight Kicker Rock tour – it would be my first choice:
San Cristobal: 360 Island Tour with Snorkeling
These two trips are also 360 trips but you may not be able to stop or walk at Punta Pitt:
- San Cristobal Galapagos 360 – Snorkeling Tour (Kicker Rock)
- Galapagos San Cristobal Full-day Tour 360
Day trip 3: Española for the huge albatross colony
If you are in the islands between April and December, and want to see an incredible spectacle, then a trip to Espanola should be on your list.
One of the most incredible sights on offer in the Galapagos is walking alongside the Waved Albatross breeding colony. With a population of 25,000 to 30,000, it is nearly the entire world population of these birds!
You will also see Galapagos Hawks, blue footed boobies, Nazca Boobies and of course iguanas, sea lions and turtles on this trip.
Bonus things to see and do on San Cristobal
These are a few other things to see and do as well:
- The “San Cristobal” sign – if you look closely at the letters, they each show a different animal that you can find on the island.
- The Charles Darwin Statue just before Playa de Oro is fun to see – along with the replica of the good ship The Beagle! There is some basic information about Darwin there too.
- The San Cristobal Market is open every day but great on Saturdays – very fresh avocados, tomatoes, papaya, fresh fish and seafood etc.
- You can camp on the island – read How to camp on the Galapagos Islands for more info!
How do I get to San Cristobal Island
You can fly directly into San Cristobal from Quito or Guayaquil. (Quito (UIO) and Guayaquil (GYE).)
You can also get to Isabela on the local ferry from Santa Cruz leaving twice a day, or you can fly from either Isabela or Santa Cruz with a local airline. This is more expensive but can be a great time saver if you want to visit all three main islands – fly from San Cristobal to Isabela or vice versa to cut out the 2 boat trips via Santa Cruz. For example, fly into San Cristobal from mainland Ecuador, fly to Isabela, boat / ferry to Santa Cruz and fly out from there, or vice versa.
You can also come on a day tour from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz – Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling if you are really short of time.
Or San Cristobal is included as part of one of these great package tours:
- 8-Day Galapagos Complete Island Hopping Adventure (has the best of all the islands)
- 8 Days Trip to Galapagos Island – Discover the wildlife
- Galapagos: Tour Island Hopping 7 days – 6 nights
Things to pack for Santa Cristobal and the Galapagos
- Cash! The ATMs can run out of cash (especially in weekends) and not everyone accepts cards. They may also refuse to take or give change for $50 or $100 notes. Keep your notes small.
- Sunscreen (reef safe – I like ocean potion) and hat.
- Good and comfortable walking / hiking shoes.
- Mosquito repellent (deet free) – during rainy season in particular. Its needed against horseflies as well – especially at sunset! Also lightweight clothes that cover arms and legs as protection.
- A reusable insulated water bottle to cut down on single-use plastic waste, which is heavily discouraged on the islands.
- Your camera and power bank for day trips! Plus a water-proof pouch for your phone. You’re going to be snapping pics a lot!
- Rash suit, wetsuit (if prone to cold), and swimsuit. Water shoes can be useful too.
- A sand-free quick drying towel.
- Seasickness medication if you are that way inclined – like me!
Quick Travel Tips for San Cristobal Island
- Fly to the easiest airport arrival ever: Unlike Santa Cruz (where the journey from the airport takes an hour and involves multiple buses and a ferry), San Cristóbal’s airport (SCY) is located right on the edge of the main town, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You can literally walk into town in 10-15 minutes, or take a quick 2-minute pickup-truck taxi for a couple of dollars!
- Don’t bring fresh food, nuts or seeds: They will be confiscated. Also do not try and take any of these things between the islands when you are there – they will be confiscated again!
- Bring your snorkel gear: San Cristóbal is the absolute best island for free, land-based snorkeling. You don’t need a boat tour to swim with sea lions and sea turtles. Walk 10 minutes from town to Playa Mann or take a quick taxi ride to La Loberia. Walk straight into the water with your mask—the marine life is right there in the shallows.
- Cheap eats: Visit the San Cristobal Market for cheap meals and fresh produce! Also look for the almuerzo (large lunch for a set basic price) at local restaurants.
- Keep to the Sea Lion distance rule: While they might look cute and clumsy, the sea lions on San Cristóbal are wild animals. Alpha bulls can guard their territories aggressively, especially during mating seasons. Always keep 2 meters (6-foot) between you and them – and never get between a sea lion and the water!
- Hike Tijeretas Hill early to beat the sun: The trail to Cerro de las Tijeretas is amazing, but the volcanic rock trail absorbs a lot of heat. Hike it early e.g. at 6 or 7am when it’s cool.
- Book the “360° Tour” Over the Standard Kicker Rock Tour: If you want to go to Kicker Rock (León Dormido), definitely consider booking the “360° Island Tour” rather than just a direct tour. The 360° tour goes around the entire island, combining the snorkeling at Kicker Rock with stops at beautiful (inaccessible by land) white-sand beaches like Bahía Rosa Blanca and Cerro Brujo.
- Visit the Interpretation Center first: San Cristóbal has the best museum in the islands – the Galapagos Interpretation Center. Visiting it before exploring the island makes everything else more meaningful.
- Rent a taxi for a Highlands day trip: To see the interior of the island, hire a local white pickup-truck taxi for a half-day (usually around $50). Get the driver to take you to El Junco, the Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado to see giant tortoises roaming, and down to the remote beach of Puerto Chino.
- Catch the best sunset at Playa Mann: Because Puerto Baquerizo Moreno faces directly west, it gets the absolute best sunsets in the Galapagos. Playa Mann turns into a giant local community social hour every evening at about 5.30pm, when tourists, locals, and dozens of sea lions sit on the sand together to watch the sun go down.
- Taste the local Highlands coffee: Because of San Cristóbal’s unique volcanic soil and microclimates, the highlands produce incredible, organic, shade-grown coffee. Check out local brands in town or do a tasting at a sustainable highlands coffee farm like Petrels Farm.
- Its a Surfer’s Paradise: San Cristóbal is the undisputed surfing capital of Ecuador. If you surf, the point breaks at Punta Carola and Tongo Reef offer world-class waves. You can rent boards from local dive and surf shops along the waterfront malecón for about $30 a day.
- Bring cash: There are some reliable ATMs on San Cristobal, but they can run out of cash near the end of the week. Bring US dollars in cash – especially small bills ($5, $10, $20) for taxis, eating out etc.
- Camping is possible: You can camp on the island – read How to camp on the Galapagos Islands for more info!
Frequently asked questions for San Cristobal Island
Q: Is it better to fly into San Cristóbal or Baltra (Santa Cruz)?
A: If you are doing an independent island-hopping trip, the absolute best strategy is to fly into San Cristóbal and fly out of Baltra (or vice versa). This saves you from an extra (often unpleasant) boat ride backwards just to catch your flight home, saving you time and money. Personally I would fly into San Cristobal first, and if I had the money fly to Isabela next, then go to Santa Cruz.
Q: Can I see Kicker Rock without a guided tour?
A: No. Kicker Rock is a protected marine site and can only be accessed on an authorized boat tour with a licensed Galapagos National Park naturalist guide.
Q: Where can I see giant tortoises on San Cristóbal?
A: The best place is La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado in the southeast highlands. It is a semi-natural breeding and reserve center where giant tortoises roam completely free in a protected forest.
Q: How many days are recommended for San Cristóbal?
A: You need at least 3 full days to really experience the island. This gives you one day for the free beach and cliff highlights around town, one day for a boat trip out to Kicker Rock / 360° Tour, and one day to hire a taxi to explore the lush highlands, crater lake, and Puerto Chino beach.
Q: Can I see Red-Footed Boobies on San Cristóbal?
A: Yes! San Cristóbal is one of the very few places in the Galapagos where you can spot them – from a day-tour boat that goes to Punta Pitt.
Q: What is the cost of getting around the island?
A: Within the main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, everything is totally walkable. If you’re tired, you can grab a white pickup-truck taxi for a couple of dollars anywhere inside the town limits. A trip out to the further beaches like La Loberia costs about a few dollars – or you can hire an e-scooter.
Q: Are there functional ATMs and card services on San Cristóbal?
A: Yes, there are a couple of major bank ATMs in town (like Banco del Pacífico) near the waterfront. But sometimes they run completely out of cash e.g. during busy weekends or when tour boat groups arrive. Credit cards are accepted at high-end spots, but cash is needed for day to day things.
Q: What wildlife can I expect to see right in town?
A: The amount of wildlife right in the town is jaw-dropping. You will walk past hundreds of sea lions sleeping on paths, marine iguanas sunning themselves on the docks, sally lightfoot crabs on the black volcanic rocks, and pelicans diving for fish right off the pier.
Q: How do the ferries to Santa Cruz work from here?
A: They run twice daily between San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz – early morning and afternoon. There are also private operators that do the same run (see getting to San Cristobal above). Always book your slot a day or two ahead as spaces are limited to protect the marine park.
Q: How do I get to San Cristobal Island?
A: See the section on getting to San Cristobal above.
Q: Where do I stay on Isabela Island?
A: See the next section about where to stay on the island.
Q: Can I drink the tap water on San Cristobal?
A: No – and its best to clean your teeth with filtered or bottled water too.
Q: How bad is the WiFi and internet connection in the Galapagos?
A: It has dramatically improved! Older travel guides will tell you the internet situation is bad, but Starlink has rolled out across the islands now and most hotels, hostels, and restaurants in the main towns have fast, reliable WiFi. However, still keep these things in mind:
*The cell service drops out quickly outside of the main town limits.
*Even with Starlink, hotel networks are shared among dozens of guests. Speeds can drop noticeably in the evenings when everyone returns from tours and hops online at the same time.
*Its still best to download any big items that you need before you fly.
Where to Stay on San Cristobal Island
Stay in the main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for easy access to everything. Book a hotel there with booking.com or a hostel with Hostelworld.
As always there is a lot of choice, but these recommendations are a good place to start. They all have very high review ratings!
High End – Golden Bay Galapagos or this villa – Bahía Gardner Apartment
Mid Range – Hotel Casa Blanca or Suites en el paraíso San Cristóbal Galápagos
Good Value – Hostal Gosen or Hostal Pimampiro (for small families or couples / friends), or Hostal La Posada De Jose Carlos
Budget / hostel – Casa Alexita or Casa Puka
Plan your trip checklist
These are the booking platforms I personally use for all my travels. If you book through these affiliate links, it helps support this site and keeps me producing free travel guides – at absolutely no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for the support! Cheers!
All in one – if you want to book flights and accommodation as a package, use expedia
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. Safety wing is particularly good if you are from the USA. As I am not, TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld – I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – DiscoverCars are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. Two key activities on San Cristobal Island are:
- A day trip to Kicker Rock or the 360 tour.
- A day trip to Espanola to see the waved albatross (in the season
Thanks so much if you used one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
Related posts – in the Galapagos and beyond
14 brilliant wild things to do on Isabela Island in the Galapagos
10+ fantastic wild things to do on Santa Cruz – the Galapagos Islands
7, 10, 14 and 20 day itineraries for the Galapagos Islands!
How to camp on the Galapagos Islands!
How to visit the Galapagos Islands on a budget!
15 things not to miss in the Galapagos Islands
For something completely different and great ideas for the next wild side adventure:
10 remote and off the beaten path islands for the explorer
