Stroll around Puerto Ayora, the capital of Santa Cruz Island, known as the most touristy of the three main islands. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, and trendy shops to explore. Impress yourself with the lively nightlife and diverse food and drink options, including international cuisine and craft beers. Don’t forget to visit the bustling fish market, where pelicans and sea lions often come for a snack and check out the famous statue of a giant tortoise. The area around the dock also hosts events and offers stunning views of golden rays and reef sharks during the day. If you’re searching for free things to do in Santa Cruz, take some time to explore Puerto Ayora! You won’t regret it!

The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) is a world-renowned research and conservation institution located in the heart of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. For over five decades, CDRS has endeavored to provide scientific advice to help manage the beautiful Galapagos Islands. Led by a diverse team of more than 75% Ecuadorian staff, its amazing spaces open to the public include an exhibition hall, native gardens, public library, and areas for terrestrial and marine investigations. In addition, the innovative Inspiration Complex will be the centerpiece of cutting-edge technologies, providing essential data to help guarantee the future of the Galapagos. The CDRS has a free entrance but if you want to see the tortoises, there is a guided tour that costs 10$USD where a guide takes you around the breeding center.

The Station Beach or Playa de la Estacion is a very calm beach located inside the Charles Darwin Research Station. It is the perfect place for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life on the island and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. If the weather is too hot while exploring the Research Station it's a good idea to go for a swim here.

La Ratonera Beach, located inside the Charles Darwin Research Station, is an ideal destination for surfers and snorkelers looking for some unforgettable beach adventures. With its close proximity to the open sea, and its abundance of rocks and crags, La Ratonera has earned a reputation as one of the best surfing spots in the islands. The waters are usually calm and shallow, perfect for those looking to take on some snorkeling too! What's more, the beach is free and offers beautiful views thanks to its relative isolation from the hubbub of local towns. So grab your surfboard or your snorkel and get ready for a wild beach experience at La Ratonera.

Pit Craters is a unique geological formation located on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Visitors to the area can take in the stunning forest filled with endemic Scalesia trees and birds, many of which are easily spotted along the 2-hour hike. The terrains are flat, forming easy hiking conditions, and classic views include the vermillion flycatcher. It's a perfect destination for those wanting to explore the diversity of the Galapagos wildlife and take in the natural beauty that it has to offer. This location is usually visited on the Highlands Tour (Tour Parte Alta), that also takes you to the Lava Tunnels and to a Giant Tortoise Ranch.

Take an unforgettable tour out of Isla Santa Cruz in Ecuador to the incredible lava tunnels. The tunnels are more than 1km in length and were formed from a molten-lava flow that solidified. As if that's not cool enough, the tunnel has electric lighting, so visitors can explore them safely and without fear. Tours to the lava tunnels are offered in Puerto Ayora, making it the perfect excursion for adventurers. This tunnels are usually visited on the Highlands Tour (Tour Parte Alta), that also takes you to the Pit Craters "Los Gemelos" and to a Giant Tortoise Ranch.

Rancho "Primicias" is the ultimate destination for witnessing the giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat. Located in Santa Cruz, visitors are welcomed to wander around the ranch, where there are no fences or barriers, and discover the tortoises amid the ponds, trees, and lush vegetation. The highland climate offers cool temperatures that the tortoises prefer, and visitors will need rubber boots provided by the facility if they plan to go exploring further. After some memorable moments with the majestic creatures, travelers can even explore the nearby lava tunnels before returning to Puerto Ayora. Visitors will be left with an unforgettable experience of this extraordinary wild species. This visit is usually part of the Highlands Tour (Tour Parte Alta), that also takes you to the Pit Craters "Los Gemelos" and to the Lava Tunnels. You can also go to Rancho "El Chato"