Things to do at San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal, the easternmost island of the Galapagos archipelago, is an amazing destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Although each Galapagos Island has its own charm, San Cristobal is one of the most visited destinations for all the amazing activities that can be done and how easy is to reach this location.

This beautiful island invites visitors to admire endemic species, explore pristine sites, learn about history, and enjoy unparalleled adventure activities. In this blog post, Expedition Ecuador shares some of the best activities you can do while visiting San Cristobal. From exploring the islands to discovering the unique wildlife, you are sure to have an amazing, life-changing experience!

Explore the surroundings of San Cristobal

There are many amazing places to visit around San Cristobal and discover how the Galapagos Islands have created an ideal ecosystem for biodiversity and natural landscapes.

Let’s talk about one of the most important places you should know when visiting San Cristobal on any Galapagos tour. Cerro Brujo is located in the northern part of the island and is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the archipelago. The beach is located next to an eroded volcanic cone that supposedly has the shape of a witch’s hat. Hence the name Cerro Brujo (Witch’s Hill). Its main attraction is the coral sand beach and the abundant flora and fauna that can be seen. You can take a walk and see animals such as sea lions, marine iguanas, and a variety of birds. Check out our Galapagos essentials tour here.

Another place to visit is Punta Pitt. This group of eroded volcanic cones has different colors due to the different types of lava that formed them. Wind and rain have created an incredible natural erosion. This tuff formation serves as a nesting site for many sea birds such as boobies and frigates.

Puerto Chino is another place that should be on your Galapagos tour list. This white sandy beach is surrounded by endemic vegetation that you can appreciate as you walk along beautiful trails. The sea of this beach has a unique turquoise color that makes it a paradisiacal natural site. In the area, there are also sea lions, blue-footed boobies, different types of Galapagos finches, mockingbirds, and yellow warblers.

Kicker Rock is a rock formation that measures almost 153 meters (500 feet) from the sea. Erosion has caused the rock to take its characteristic shape. Some people see it as a shoe and others as a sleeping lion. Once you reach the majestic rock formation in the middle of the sea, you will find a beautiful channel of calm water between the rocks, perfect for swimming, snorkeling and wildlife watching. This is one of the best places for snorkeling as you can see sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, sharks, tropical fish, hammerhead sharks and much more. Check out the best places to do snorkeling in Galapagos here.

La Loberia beach is located just 10 minutes from San Cristobal Airport and is a must see if you decide to come to this beautiful island. Here you can see a large number of sea lions that will welcome you to their home. As soon as you enter this stretch of coastline, you’ll see the playful sea lions resting on the sand and rocks. The rocky reefs of the bay are also home to beautiful sea turtles. Getting up close to these animals is an experience you won’t forget!

Learn about the history of San Cristobal

San Cristobal also gives you the opportunity to learn from its history by visiting different sites you should include on your list. One of these sites is the Hacienda El Progreso located in the northwest area of San Cristobal. This hacienda was very important for the cultivation of sugar cane and was the first place where there was a human settlement on the island. Its origin dates back to the 19th century around the year 1879. You will also find abundant vegetation of orchids, mosses, ferns, and lichens. The animals that visit this area are iguanas, turtles, blue-footed boobies, and red-footed boobies.

The best place to learn about history, biology, geology, and the impact of humans on the Galapagos Islands, is undoubtedly the Interpretation Center. This center is located in the northern part of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and here you can learn all about the volcanic formation of the islands, the evolution of their species, the history of human settlements, the sea currents, and much more. The different exhibition rooms have very interesting information about the human and natural history of Galapagos.

Discover unique wildlife

Although there are countless amazing animals to see in San Cristobal, here are three species that are a must see during your Galapagos tour.

Sea lions are one of the most popular species in the Galapagos Islands. If you visit San Cristobal, you will find sea lions everywhere, and one of the best places to see them is La Loberia beach. You can see these playful and friendly animals all year round, but if you want to see cute pups, plan your trip between June and November. Bear in mind that the sea lions’ mating season runs from May to January.

Another fascinating animal is the red-footed booby. These colorful birds are not easy to find, as they are only found in certain places on different islands. In San Cristobal, you can find red-footed boobies at Punta Pitt. This is one of the few places where these birds’ nest. Although they can be seen all year round, they are easier to spot during the nesting season from February to September. Check out the best places to do birdwatching in Galapagos here.

Giant tortoises are a symbol of the Galapagos Islands because of their enormous size and because they are an example of the process of evolution. The easiest way to see them is in captivity at turtle breeding centers. The Galapaguera center in San Cristobal is famous for the giant tortoises that walk through a wide area. You can see these amazing animals all year round, but their mating season is usually from June to November in the highlands, while the eggs are laid between January and April in the lowlands.

To sum things up

Traveling to San Cristobal is an incredible experience that should not be missed. From exploring the islands and historical sites to discovering the unique wildlife, there is something for everyone on this amazing trip. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and start planning your San Cristobal adventure today!