Puerto Ayora Walks and Trails
Walks you can do alone, and walks that need a guide
The Galápagos park rules split the walking here into two camps. On town streets, the Tortuga Bay path and a few beaches you are free to wander. Everywhere else in the protected areas, a naturalist leads and you follow. Knowing which is which saves you a wasted morning.
Free to walk without a guide
Along the waterfront. Avenida Charles Darwin links the municipal pier with the Charles Darwin Research Station. Pelicans and sea lions turn up at the Pelican Bay fish market on the way, and the station’s exhibition hall is open from 8 am to 6 pm at no charge.
Out to Tortuga Bay. This is the longest unguided walk, at about 2.5 km of paved stone each way. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in each direction. A park booth at the trailhead asks walkers to sign in on departure and sign out on return. The trail is open from about 6 am to 6 pm, and the park may close it at short notice in heavy seas. It arrives first at Playa Brava, a surf beach with rip currents. Playa Mansa, the sheltered bay, is 20 minutes beyond along the sand, or you can take a mangrove path. Vehicles, buses and bicycles are not part of the picture, because there is no road.
Playa de los Alemanes. A short water taxi across the harbour (USD 1 to 2) lands you on this free beach.
Walks that need a guide
To Las Grietas. From the landing, a 15 to 20 minute walk takes you past Playa de los Alemanes to the entrance. Only guided visits are allowed, costing about USD 10 per person for about 1.5 hours in total. A licensed operator arranges them.
The Tortoise Route. Guides lead this loop through the breeding center beside the station between 8 am and 4:45 pm. It costs around USD 10. Along the route is the room where Lonesome George’s preserved remains are displayed.
In the highland reserves. El Chato and Rancho Primicias sit side by side on the road to Santa Rosa, 30 to 45 minutes from town. Your guide takes you over open ground where wild tortoises feed and into a lava tunnel, for roughly USD 10 each. Gates are open about 8 am to 5:30 pm. Ground is often muddy and boots are frequently lent. Never come closer than 2 m to a tortoise.
What to carry
Water, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and small US bills for the water taxi and the reserves. Leave single-use plastics behind, because they are not allowed into protected areas. Skip the flash on your camera. After 6 pm the park is closed to visitors, so plan to finish your walks before dusk.
Check the UK’s Ecuador travel advice before booking. The islands are outside the mainland areas it advises against.
Read more: sightseeing in Puerto Ayora describes each stop, and the Galápagos Islands guide covers the rest of the archipelago.
Sources: the Darwin Foundation visitor page and the park rules . Guided walks can be found at GetYourGuide .