Puerto Ayora is the most populated city of the Galapagos Islands, in the Galapagos province of Ecuador. The city is located in the southern zone of the Santa Cruz Island, one of the main islands of the Galapagos Archipelago and the center of tourism in the archipelago, because of its central location in the archipelago. The city has around 15 000 inhabitants and is the main tourist center within Galapagos Islands. It is a small town with a relaxed ambiance and beautiful landscapes.

The development of Puerto Ayora as well as Santa Cruz Island started between the World War I and the World War II, because of the migration of many people from United States and Europe. At the beginning the Santa Cruz Island was used to cultivate coffee, avocados, sugarcane, bananas and lemons. The Climate of Puerto Ayora is very special like the weather in the entire Galapagos Archipelago. From December to June the climate is quite mild with temperatures from 24ºC (75ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF). From July to November the temperatures decrease, and they fluctuates between 17ºC(63ºF) and 20ºC(68ºF), this period is known as “garúa” (drizzling rain), because of the light rainfalls that occur during these months.

Puerto Ayora

Puerto Ayora hosts also the Darwin Foundation which is the main environmental organization in Galapagos and it is dedicated to the conservation of the Galapagos ecosystems, scientific research, technical assistance and information. The Charles Darwin Research Station consists of a National Park information center, a museum and a beautiful baby tortoise house. Here, you can also admire the famous Galapagos giant tortoise known as “Jorge Solitario” (Lonesome George), which is over 50 years old and is the last survivor of his specie from the Pinta Island.

Another great attraction in Puerto Ayora is Tortuga Bay, one of the most spectacular beaches of Galapagos, which is only to half hour from Puerto Ayora, this is the favorite snorkel beach in Galapagos; besides, this beach is also one of the preferred places of the surf lovers. One of the main landmarks of the city is Academic Bay, beautiful natural harbor where you can to see ships of all kinds, large boats, private luxury yachts and local fishing boats. This Bay is also an excellent place to see part of the Galapagos fauna; since, here it can find marine, iguanas, herons, lava gulls, Galapagos sea lions golden rays, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. Near Puerto Ayora at the north of Santa Cruz Island is Caleta Tortuga Negra, a beautiful landscape created by three mangroves species that crowd the area from the shore out into lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.

Puerto Ayora concentrates most banks, schools restaurants stores and night clubs of the Galapagos province. The city has also a modern hospital, which is well equipped. Most tourists arrive to Galapagos using the airport of the Baltra Island which is a neighboring island. The flights to Galapagos arrives everyday from Quito and Guayaquil in the continental Ecuador. The trip from Quito lasts around 3 hours. But, it can reach Puerto Ayora as well as several islands of Galapagos by Ferry. Puerto Ayora is a beautiful city in the heart of the Galapagos that worth visiting.