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| Puerto Ayora: | Overview
| Excursions | Accommodation | Restaurants | Bars & Discos | Shopping | Activities | Tour operators | Transport | General interest | Write a review about Puerto Ayora  | Located in Santa Cruz, the central island of Galapagos. The port is also the largest of all the islands and has a current population of 12,000 which is expanding quickly doubling since the early 1990s. The town has many shops, restaurants, stores, bars, telephone services
through Pacifictel as well as a TAME office, a hospital, churches, tourist agencies and even a local radio station while the airport is one hour away at Isla Baltra. The boat owners' cooperative office is located opposite the Ministerio de Turismo, they can help you with some information and advice. The cost of living all throughout the Galapagos Islands is higher than in the mainland. Most food is imported, though the islands have its own production of vegetables, meat, fish and fruit. Bottled drinks for example are very expensive. While in the mainland a
beer costs US$ 1.00 in Galapagos it is US$ 3.00. |  Excursions from Puerto Ayora | | | A top beach 5 km west of the port worth viewing is Tortuga Bay. Although the sunsets are spectacular here do take care in the water as the undertow is very strong, for surfers the adjacent cove further west is safer and more tranquil, but take food and water as there are no nearby amenities. Southwest 20 minutes from Hotel Delfin lies Las Grietas gorge that has a small pool suitable for bathers. Just follow the green and white posts and walk with a good pair of shoes uphill towards the lagoon signs. For
a good view of marine iguanas you can head past Darwin Station to the Tomas Fischer dwelling and on to a trail to a very rocky beach. If you want a professional guided tour on the island to the higher grounds. There are various operators charging around US$15-25 each including highland ranches such as Rancho Mariposa and Rancho Altair. Finally, there are also aquatic tours in glass-bottom boats to view marine life in Punta Estrada, Las Grietas, Isla Caamaño, Playa de los Perros and Franklin Bay. Although be prepared to walk also to view the birds, sea lions, marine iguanas and various marine life. You may also snorkel from 09:00-14:00 costing around US$30.00 each with prior booking on the pier or
with a local operator. |  | | Restaurants | | | Most of the restaurants listed below are on the main street, starting at the harbor towards the Darwin Station. Also, there are several kiosks selling cheaper local food along Charles Binford (close to Padre J. Herrera street). Toldo Azul.- Seafood, popular with tourists. Located at the harbor. Salvavidas.- Set meals & seafood. Located on the seafront overlooking the pier.Happy Tummy.- Varied menu. Located opposite Capitanía del
Puerto. Rincón del Alma.- Varied menu. Located on the north side of the harbor.Rocky's.- Grill & Bar. Located in front of the bay. Cucuve.- Local delicacies (tamales, humitas, etc.)Limón y Café.- Good music & pool table. Located on 12 de Febrero street (at the corner). La Garrapata.- Traveler's meeting place, good grilled seafood. Located north of TAME (next to a disco called La Panga).Capricho.- Vegetarian food. Located by the tortoise roundabout. New Island.- Seafood & ceviches. Located close to Moonrise Travel (by Charles Binford).Chocolate Galapagos.- Good for snacks. Located opposite Banco del Pacífico. Spondylus.- Local & International food. Located on the north side of Indefatigable street. Bakeries
On
Charles Binford is the most popular bakery almost opposite the telephone office, it has a nice hot bread and yoghourt. It opens early. Outside Puerto Ayora Rancho Mariposa.- Reservations and groups only (through Moonrise Travel). Located close to Santa Rosa.Narwhal.- Set meals. Located along the road to Santa Rosa (Km 14). Rancho Altair.- Located close to the lava tunnels (in the Cascajo
area). | | | Bars & Discos | | Five Fingers.- Disco. Located on Av. Charles Darwin (opposite Capitanía del Puerto). La Panga.- Disco. Located on Av. Charles Darwin and Berlanga. Salsa 10.- Salsa. Located on Naveda street. Galapasón.- Salsa. Located at the tortoise roundabout. | | Shopping | | | Food
supplies can be purchased in the islands but, remember that everything is more expensive than on the mainland. The mercado municipal.- Medicine, mosquito coils, sun lotions, film, etc. Located on Padre J. Herrera, along the way out of town towards Santa Rosa. The Proinsular supermarket.- Located opposite the pier. The best for groceries and local yoghourt.Galapaguito.- A wide selection of souvenirs and other items. (Remember not to
buy black coral souvenirs). Located along Av. Charles Darwin. | | | Activities | | | Diving There are several agencies offering diving courses, tours and equipment rental in Puerto Ayora. Most tours are within Academy Bay or to other central islands. Check rates with the tour agencies listed below. Galapagos Sub-Aqua.- Located on Av. Charles Darwin (by Pelican Bay). In Guayaquil:
Dátiles 506 and Sexta. Tel. 2304132, Fax: 2314510. In Quito: Pinto 439 and Amazonas, office 101. Tel. 2565294, Fax: 2569956.Scuba Iguana.- Located at the Hotel Galapagos. Tel. 526296, Tel & Fax: 526330. In Quito: Scala Tours, Foch 746 and Amazonas, Tel. 2545856, Fax: 2258655. Surfing
Most surfing is practiced at Tortuga Bay (See excursions) and also other beaches accessed only by boat. The best surfing is close to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in San Cristóbal. Galapagos Discovery.- They rent surfboards for about US$15 per day. Cycling (most travel agencies in town offer mountain bike rentals for some US$ 20,00 per day) Galapagos
Discovery.- They run mountain bike tours around the highlands for about US$ 40.00 per day. Horse riding Moonrise travel has some interesting horse riding tours to the highlands. Snorkeling The best place to snorkel is by the beaches close to the Darwin Station. All equipment can be rented through dive shops or travel agencies for about US$5-10 per day, with a deposit of around US$70. Scuba Iguana (See diving) for example, offers snorkeling within their bay tours, which costs around US$40 including all the equipment. Kayaking and windsurfing Red
Mangrove Inn.- (See accommodation)They rent equipment and run tours for about US$15 per hour. | | | Tour operators | | | Important Notice: If you wish to book in advance through any of the below listed tour operators in Puerto Ayora for Galapagos cruises, surfing, snorkeling or any other desired activity in the Galapagos Islands. Direct reservations are available through our online Travel Agencies and Tour operators network reservation form,
a BOE specialized agent will direct your inquiry and search for the best and most affordable tours and rates!. Galasam.- Airline tickets, tours, etc. Address: Padre J. Herrera and Pelícano (Close to the port). Reservations: Tel & Fax: 526126. Moonrise Travel Agency.- Cruise bookings, highland tours, bay tours and airline reservations. Address: Located on Av. Charles Darwin (Opposite Banco del Pacífico). Tel. 526348. Reservations: Tel & Fax: 526403. Short budget? Neptuno Tours.- Highland tours. Address: Av. Charles Darwin (El Chato restaurant), close to Hotel Angermeyer. Tel. 526246.
Galapagos Discovery.- Tours, motorcycle and bicycle rentals. Also, equipment for surfing and snorkeling. Address: Padre J. Herrera (Opposite the hospital). Tel. 526245. There are many other agencies along Av. Charles Darwin (On the block
opposite Capitanía de Puerto) such as:Galapagos Cruises 2000.- A DHL and Western Union representative. Tel. 526097. Enchantours.- For snorkeling equipment rental. Tel. 526657. | | Transport | | | Taxi To Santa Rosa US$5. BusThere is a frequent bus service to Santa Rosa and Bellavista in the highlands for around US$0.50. BoatThere
are frequent boat water taxis running from the pier to the nearby beaches such as Las Grietas, for around US$0.50. To Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, tickets are available from Galapagos Discovery tour agency, or from Galamar. To Puerto Villamil, through Estrella de Mar (Tickets sold at Galasam agency) or through the captain at the boat. | | | General interest | | Ministerio de Turismo/CAPTURGAL.- Is located on Av. Charles Darwin (south side of Pelican Bay).
Tel. 526174. Money Banco del Pacífico.- Cirrus ATM, TCs and cash advance on Mastercard. Address: Av. Charles Darwin by Pelican Bay. Please note: Most boats accept Traveler's checks. Mastercard is the only accepted credit card on the islands. Some businesses may take others. A surcharge is always applied to purchases on credit cards and most places don't take credit cards at all. Airline offices Emetebe.- Address: Av. Charles Darwin (Opposite the port), on the 3rd floor of the post office building. Tel. 526177. TAME.- Address: Av. Charles Darwin (North of 12 de Febrero). Tel. 526165.
Communications Pacifictel.- Located on Padre J. Herrera, some four blocks from Av. Charles Darwin. No collect calls are available. Bell South and Porta have International calls available from their public cellular card phones. Post Office.- Is located by the port. Internet (Rates run between US$6-7 per hour) Shark.Net.- Address: Av. Charles Darwin and 12 de Febrero. Casvernet.- Located at Pelican Bay, close to the tortoise roundabout. Galapagos.Com.- Address: Av. Charles Darwin (in the back side of Moonrise Travel agency). Medical services There is an hospital located on Padre J. Herrera. The consultation cost
is around US$15 and they don't perform operations. Useful services Lost property.- Radio Santa Cruz, is in charge of information and retrieval of lost property (next to the Church). Immigration.- Only in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal. They are the only ones authorized to extend tourist visas on the Islands. Embassies and consulates British Consul.- Address: David Balfour, c/o Etica (Barrio Estrada). | | | Puerto Ayora: | | Overview
| Excursions | Accommodation | Restaurants | Bars & Discos | Shopping | Activities | Tour operators | Transport | General interest | Write a review about Puerto Ayora | | More about Galapagos: | Santa Cruz | Puerto Baquerizo Moreno | Isabela | Floreana Classification | Geology | Climate
| History | Evolution & conservation | General advice | Scuba diving | FAQ | Island cruises | Booking a cruise | Recommended boats | Galapagos wildlife |
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