There is a small natural history museum (Franciscan) to visit of interest as well as a cathedral on Avenida Northia with painted murals depicting Galapagos themes. Entrance fee US$2.

Close by is Playa Punta Carola entered via the coastline trail on the way back, here you can go surfing but for swimmers try further north to Playa Mann through Avenida Northia, also here lies Playa de Oro where you can find in a small town various hotels.

Rosita.- Varied menu & set meals.

Barracuda.-Grilled fish and meat.

Pizzería Bambú.- Set meals and pizza.

Miconia.- Bar, varied menu, pizza and Italian specialties. Address: Av. de la Armada Nacional (by the navy).

Genoa.- Good ambiance and A la carte menu. Located on Malecón Charles Darwin (by the Post office).

Galapaluz.- Snacks, coffee and drinks. Address: Malecón Charles Darwin and Manuel J. Cobos.

Albacora.- Good set meals. Address: Av. Northía and Española.

Panaderia Fragata.- Yoghourt, bread and pastries. Address: Northía and Rocafuerte.

Casa Blanca.- Varied menu, Mexican snacks & ceviche. Located on the Malecón (by the whale statue).

Out of town (In the highlands, El Progreso)

Quinta de Christi.- Ecuadorian dishes.

La Casa del Ceibo.- Local specialties & grill.

Opposite each other for young crowd are: Neptuno and Blue Bay on the Malecón Charles Darwin and Herman Melville (by the whale statue).

El Barquero.- Bar & peña. Located on Hernández and Manuel J. Cobos.

La Terraza.- Disco. Located at the end of Manuel J. Cobos (by the waterfront).

Fabo Galería de Arte.- Address: Malecón Charles Darwin, (Opposite the whale statue).

The best season to practice surfing in San Cristóbal is December to March. The best surfing beach is Punta Carola close to town. Also, on the second week of February, during the local festivities there is a surf competition.

There are some diving sites around San Cristóbal. The most visited are Roca Ballena, Punta Pitt and Kicker Rock. Chalo Tours offer tours to these sites. See tour operators.

Most travel agencies rent Mountain bikes for about US$1.00 per hour.

Chalo Tours.- Book exchange. Bay tours to several islands such as: Isla de los Lobos & Kicker Rock. bike rentals, surf boards and snorkeling gear. Also, Boat and highland tours. Address: Malecón Charles Darwin and Villamil. Tel. 520953.

Boat

Money matters

Airline offices

TAME.- Is located at the airport. Reservations: Tel. 521089. Confirm your flight at least two days in advance.

Pacifictel office.- Address: Av. Quito (some 3 blocks from the Malecón) same services as in Puerto Ayora.

Internet (Prices run between US$6-US$7 per hour)

Cyber Jean Carlos.- Address: Española and Malecón.

Useful services

The provincial chamber of tourism.- (CAPTURGAL) Is located on Malecón Charles Darwin and Española. They provide a good breakdown of all services in town.

Farmacia San Cristóbal.- Well stocked pharmacy. Address: Villamil and Hernández.

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