San Cristobal Island was one of our favorite stops in the Galapagos Islands because of the unique wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Sea lions lay on the street like stray dogs, and their barking and interactions with one another are so amusing to watch.
What makes San Cristobal so unique is that it has the largest sea lion colony in the Galapagos, making it easy to see dozens of sea lions taking a nap on the beach, playing in the water, and we even saw one walk into a bar. I’m not even trying to make a joke here. While having lunch one day, we literally saw a sea lion waddle into a bar. It’s incredible moments like this that many people, myself included, rant and rave about the Galapagos.
You can watch our full video below to see why we loved San Cristobal so much!
The Galapagos really do live up to the hype and we find that San Cristobal Island is the perfect place to start your Galapagos adventure. So in this article, I’ll share 10 amazing things to do in San Cristobal, our 5-day Galapagos itinerary with a cost breakdown so you can get an idea of how affordable this unforgettable adventure can be as well!
How to Get to San Cristobal Island
You can reach San Cristobal either by boat or by plane. By air, you can land directly in San Cristobal Airport. Since the Galapagos are a protected area you can’t fly directly to the islands from your home country. You must fly either to the capital of Quito or to Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil. From here, you will need to pick up all your checked baggage so it can be inspected for invasive plants, seeds, and foods. Only after thorough inspection can you continue to fly to the Galapagos. So, make sure to allow plenty of time between flights to complete the inspection process.
You can also fly into Baltra Airport which is the closest airport to Santa Cruz Island. You can spend your first few days on Santa Cruz Island and then take a ferry to San Cristobal Island afterward. There are 2 ferries daily usually at 7 am and at 3 pm, and the two-hour journey costs around $30 USD. This is a great way to see multiple islands on one trip as well.
Although we stayed on 3 of the Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela, we can honestly say that San Cristobal was our favorite and offers the best of the Galapagos.
The Best Things to Do on San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal has a variety of activities that you can do by land or by sea. Many activities are even free, so there is something for every budget.
1. Walk the Malecon
One of our favorite free things to do in San Cristobal is to walk the malecón which is the seafront sidewalk that will get you up close and personal with some charming wildlife. I must admit that the sea lions don’t smell the best, nonetheless, they draw you in with their funny barking and charming waddling. It’s fun for the whole family and always free.
Plus, there were also marine iguanas, red crabs, and sometimes even string rays that you can see swimming in the water. It really is a fascinating walk!
2. Take the 360° Tour
The most popular tour on the island is the 360° Tour and it’s with good reason. This tour takes you completely around the island of San Cristobal, a full 360 degrees showing you the best views and the most amazing wildlife on the island like blue-footed and red-footed bobbies.
The highlight of this tour is its 3 amazing snorkeling spots. Although you can snorkel on your own, our biggest tip is to stay with your guide because you will see the most wildlife that way. Your guide has more experience than you and knows all the best spots for finding wildlife. When we tried to snorkel on our own we only saw a few fish, but once we started to snorkel with our guide we saw several types of turtles, rays, and sharks.
This tour even includes a stop at the famous Kicker Rock, a very popular stop on the island. Travel agencies even offer a half-day tour to just Kicker Rock, but we highly recommend seeing it all in just one day with the 360° tour.
When you walk the malecón, you will find dozens of travel agencies offering this 360° Tour. Tour prices range from $150-$180, so shop around to try to find the best price. You also might want to ask about what type of boat you will be on and what type of wetsuit suit they provide because it can be a lot more comfortable on a bigger boat and in a longer wetsuit as the water can get very cold.
We decided to book with Galapagos Xcursion because they offered long wetsuits and used one of the bigger boats so we were able to spread out onboard and be a bit more comfortable on the full-day tour.
The Highland Tour
Another great tour to take on San Cristobal Island is the Highland Tour, which consists of 3 stops in the interior of the island. On this tour, you will explore a lagoon, the turtle breeding center, and a lovely beach. You can organize this tour with any taxi driver on the island. Just stop any taxi driver and negotiate your price. The four-hour tour usually costs about $70-$80 per taxi. So, this tour can also be quite affordable if you split the costs between 2-4 people.
3. El Junco Lagoon
The first stop of the Highland Tour is El Junco Lagoon, which is a short 10-minute hike up a hill to see a lagoon with majestic frigate birds that glide around it. It was cloudy the day we went put in was so lovely to see. The hike itself is free and is a nice way to experience some of the unique landscapes of the Galapagos Islands.
4. The Land Turtle Breeding Center
The next stop was my favorite on the Highland Tour, and it was to see the Land Turtle Breeding Center (Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Terrestres). The turtles here were huge and numerous! Many are sitting on the walking trail so you really get to be up close and personal with them.
We also got to learn how they are raising young turtles at the center to increase their dwindling numbers in the wild. It was inspiring to see their process and the progress that they are making to save these gentle giants. You won’t regret coming to this one!
5. Puerto Chino Beach
The last stop on the Highlands Tour is Puerto Chino, a lovely beach on the east side of the island. You can climb up the rocks on the right side of the beach to get an amazing view of the landscape and the stunning blue waters. There were also a lot of sea lions here so it was amusing to see how they bark, socialize, and interact. The waves can be strong here, but if the water is calm enough you can even snorkel here as well.
Overall, we found that the Highland Tour was a relaxing and informative way to spend a half-day in San Cristobal and we can highly recommend it!
6. La Loberia Beach
La Loberia Beach is a rocky, free beach that is perfect for snorkeling. Here, you can swim with sea lions, turtles, and fish. And because this beach is just a 30-40 minute walk from the city center, it’s a must in our opinion. It’s also possible to take a taxi here for about $4 USD if you prefer to skip the walk.
You can either bring your own snorkel or rent one from a travel agency in the city center. There are no restaurants, restrooms, or snorkel rental spots at this beach, so remember to bring everything that you need with you. The snorkeling here is definitely worth the effort though!
7. Playa Mann (Mann Beach)
Playa Mann is a short 10-minute walk from the city center and offers stunning blue water, great views, and charming sea lions. We sat here and just marveled at the sea lion’s behavior.
There’s also a restaurant nearby this beach so it’s easy to get a drink or lunch here and still feel connected to the beautiful nature of San Cristobal.
8. Environmental Interpretation Center (Centro de Interpretation Ambiental)
Not far from Playa Mann is a small museum called the Environmental Interpretation Center or El Centro de Interpretation Ambiental. This museum gives a lot of valuable information about how the Galapagos Islands were formed, Charles Darwin’s research here, and the evolution of the animals. This center is free to enter and makes for a really enlightening experience.
This museum is also the start of a short hike to the Tijeretas Hill Viewpoint, the next activity on our list.
9. Mirador Cerro Tijeretas (Tijeretas Hill Viewpoint)
From the Environmental Interpretation Center, this viewpoint is just a quick 20-minute walk away. The trail is well-paved and mostly flat until you get to the staircases that lead to the viewpoint. You’ll enjoy getting an eagle-eye view of Darwin Bay before heading down for a swim in its waters.
10. Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay is another great, free snorkeling spot on San Cristobal Island. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the Environment Interpretation Center. This is another spot without any restrooms, snorkel rental shops, or food vendors, so you will have to bring everything that you will need for the day with you.
From the bay, we also recommend taking the trail to Punta Carola, which is another lovely beach with sparkling blue water, a picturesque lighthouse, and adorable sea lions. It’s the perfect way to close out your hike to Tijeretas Hill.
The Perfect 5-Day San Cristobal Galapagos Itinerary
The itinerary below is a relaxed and easy 5-day San Cristobal itinerary that will allow you plenty of time to see these sights at leisure without rushing. However, if you are short on time, then Days 1 and 2 and/or Days 4-5 can be combined if you get an early start.
Day 1-Arrive and Check-In
On your first day, you will just be arriving by plane or by ferry, so we suggest getting checked in and resting after your long travel day. If you have time and energy, you can also walk the Malecon and get a bite to eat at one of the many seafront restaurants.
Day 2-Book your 360° Tour, walk the Malecon, and visit La Loberia Beach
Enjoy your first full morning wildlife watching on the Malecon. Then, shop around for the best 360° tour option, schedule it, and get fitted for your wetsuit. End the day, by snorkeling at La Loberia Beach.
Day 3-Take the 360° Tour
Spend a full day seeing wildlife and sailing around the entirety of San Cristobal island on the 360° tour.
Day 4-Take the Highlands Tour
Hire a taxi driver to take you on the three stops of the Highlands Tour. Remember to bring your swimsuit and snorkel for the final beach stop!
Day 5-Playa Mann, The Interpretation Center, and Hike to Tijeretas Hill
Take a walk to see Playa Mann, the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, Darwin Bay, and Punta Carola. Don’t forget your swimsuit, snorkels, water, and snacks as it will be a day of beach hopping!
Where to Eat on San Cristobal Island
Although San Cristobal is a small island, it really does have some great food options for every budget. The most economical place that we ate was Fer’s Grill House. The prices here range from $8-$13 per dish and both of our dishes here were really flavorful and the service was good as well. So, it’s a budget option that we can highly recommend.
Our favorite restaurant on the island was Midori Restaurant which specializes in Asian Fusion. We ate here several times because it has a nice sea view from the second-floor seating area, plus their food and drinks were some of the best that we had on San Cristobal Island. As they offer wok stir-fries, sushi, and flavorful ramen bowls from around $13-$22 per dish.
La Regata was another great option for TexMex on the island. We ate fajitas here a couple of times and loved their flavorful salsa and drinks, with prices at $10-$17 per dish it was also quite affordable.
Where to Stay on San Cristobal Island
You should stay in San Cristobal’s main port city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This is where all of the action is including all the travel agencies, bars, restaurants, and shops that you will need to have a convenient stay. We stayed in an Airbnb so we could have a kitchen and save by making our own breakfast and dinner.
There are also plenty of hotels and hostels to choose from here. Just keep in mind that staying in the city center can be a little noisy as all of the bars are open air and the noise carries really easily. For that reason, I recommend either bringing earplugs or staying in an accommodation that is within a 10-minute walk of the city center. The further away from the malecón, the quieter it’s going to be at night. We personally prefer the convenience of being in the city center and wearing earplugs, but this is really up to your personal preference.
Find the best San Cristobal hotels here!
5-Day San Cristobal Price Breakdown
Seeing the Galapagos by land is by far the most affordable way to see the islands. Most 5-day cruises cost around $1000-$2000 USD per person, but by staying on the islands and booking your excursions yourself, you can see all the same wildlife for almost half of the cost.
We were able to find Airbnb accommodations for $50 USD per night, the 360° Tour for $160 per person, the Highland Tour for $70 total, restaurants for $19-$44 per meal, groceries for $32, and park entry fee for $120 per person. We also had 2 days of completely free activities that we could enjoy. Altogether we wound up paying $1123.12 total for two people to experience so much during a 5-day adventure on San Cristobal Island. Most organized tours don’t even include the park fees in their prices so there is a significant saving when you plan this trip yourself.
What to Prepare Before You Come to the Galapagos
Before you come to the Galapagos, there are some things that you should consider bringing with you to make your trip even better.
Bring Plenty of Cash
The first thing that you need to bring is plenty of cash! To my surprise most businesses on San Cristobal Island only take cash. When we first arrived and had to pay the $100 USD Galapagos Park entry fee, we were surprised that they only accepted cash, so make sure at the bare minimum you bring enough cash to pay for your family’s park entry fee at the airport.
We also find that you can get large discounts as much as 12% discount for paying for your tours in cash. So, you should also bring enough cash for tours as well. Although the island does have plenty of ATMs because the withdrawal maximum is only $200 USD, sometimes you can not withdraw enough cash at one time to cover the price of your tours. This is why it’s better to bring the cash so you don’t have to run to the ATM multiple times nor have to worry about ATM fees.
Bring Your Own Snorkel and Fins
If you plan to go to several free snorkeling spots on the island, then you might want to consider buying your own snorkeling equipment and bringing it with you. Of course, you can also rent snorkels when you get to the islands but these rental fees can really add up over your days. Plus, it can also waste valuable time trying to find a rental shop. You can check out quality snorkel and fin sets here!
Bring Long Swimwear with UV protection
The water in the Galapagos can be quite cold so long-sleeved swimwear like the one pictured below can be so helpful for holding in your body heat and keeping you warmer longer. In addition, if you get UV-blocking swim gear you can skip lathering yourself down with sunscreen that can be harmful to the coral and fish that live in the ocean. It’s one step that you can take that is both beneficial to you and to the environment.
Get Travel Insurance
I also recommend getting travel insurance for every trip to cover yourself for flight cancellations, lost luggage, or unexpected illness when you travel. Safetywing offers affordable travel medical insurance, and I have used it for years to protect myself from the unexpected as I travel. So, get your free personalized quote here to see just how low your coverage could be for your next trip.
What Else to See in the Galapagos
While San Cristobal Island is amazing, the Galapagos has so much more to offer as well. If you have time, you should definitely consider extending your trip by visiting Santa Cruz Island and Isabela Island as well. It’s just a 2-hour ferry ride to get to San Cruz and another 2-hour ferry to Isabela and these other islands are definitely worth seeing.
My Final Thoughts on San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal was by far my favorite island in the Galapagos and may be one of my favorite travel experiences to date. The landscapes and the wildlife here are so incredible that they really should not be missed when you come to the Galapagos. There are tons of opportunities here to create some unforgettable memories from that sea lion who walked into a bar or swimming with a pack of hammerhead sharks. It’s a place that you will talk about for years to come, and I hope that these tips will help to make your visit a great one!
Want another fabulous island adventure? Then check out our Belize Cayes guide here!
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