Holy Cross
Adventure

Aventura extrema en Holy Cross: Adrenalina pura

Vive la aventura en Holy Cross con actividades que desafiarán tus límites.

Coast
Ecuador
Coast: Holy Cross

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and its main economic and tourist center. Its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the most populated city of the islands and has a vibrant offer of restaurants, hotels and excursion agencies. Unlike other more arid islands, Santa Cruz has a wide variety of microclimates ranging from dry coastal areas to green, humid highlands. It is the place par excellence to observe the famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat, explore underground lava tunnels and enjoy white coral sand beaches. Its central location makes it the perfect base for daily sailing tours to other uninhabited islands in the national park.

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Holy Cross
Aventura

Nature & Adventure

Explore stunning landscapes and outdoor activities in Holy Cross

99/100Extreme

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and its main economic and tourist center. Its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the most populated city of the islands and has a vibrant offer of restaurants, hotels and excursion agencies. Unlike other more arid islands, Santa Cruz has a wide variety of microclimates ranging from dry coastal areas to green, humid highlands. It is the place par excellence to observe the famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat, explore underground lava tunnels and enjoy white coral sand beaches. Its central location makes it the perfect base for daily sailing tours to other uninhabited islands in the national park.

Available activities

Snorkeling in Las GrietasSurface and Depth DivingKayaking in Tortuga BayReserve El Chato / Rancho PrimiciasTrail to Tortuga Bay

Adventures & Experiences

Reserve El Chato / Rancho Primicias

Naturaleza y senderismo

Trail to Tortuga Bay

Naturaleza y senderismo

Snorkeling in Las Grietas

Swim in a giant fissure between two volcanic rock walls where fresh water mixes with seawater, creating amazing visibility.

Surface and Depth Diving

Santa Cruz is the starting point for diving tours to world-renowned sites such as Gordon Rocks, famous for hammerhead shark sightings.

Kayaking in Tortuga Bay

In Playa Mansa you can rent kayaks to paddle near the mangroves, where it is common to see sea turtles and small sharks.

Natural Wonders

Featured

Snorkeling in Las Grietas

Swim in a giant fissure between two volcanic rock walls where fresh water mixes with seawater, creating amazing visibility.

Featured

Surface and Depth Diving

Santa Cruz is the starting point for diving tours to world-renowned sites such as Gordon Rocks, famous for hammerhead shark sightings.

Featured

Kayaking in Tortuga Bay

In Playa Mansa you can rent kayaks to paddle near the mangroves, where it is common to see sea turtles and small sharks.

Featured

Reserve El Chato / Rancho Primicias

Areas in the highlands where Galapagos giant tortoises roam freely through grasslands and forests. It is the best experience to see them in their natural environment.

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and its main economic and tourist center. Its capital, Puerto Ayora, is the most populated city of the islands and has a vibrant offer of restaurants, hotels and excursion agencies. Unlike other more arid islands, Santa Cruz has a wide variety of microclimates ranging from dry coastal areas to green, humid highlands. It is the place par excellence to observe the famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat, explore underground lava tunnels and enjoy white coral sand beaches. Its central location makes it the perfect base for daily sailing tours to other uninhabited islands in the national park.

Naturaleza y senderismo

Reserve El Chato / Rancho PrimiciasTrail to Tortuga Bay

Natural Parks

Reserve El Chato / Rancho Primicias
Trail to Tortuga Bay
Naturaleza

Nature & Adventure

Reserve El Chato / Rancho Primicias

Areas in the highlands where Galapagos giant tortoises roam freely through grasslands and forests. It is the best experience to see them in their natural environment.

Trail to Tortuga Bay

A 2.5 km paved trail through a forest of giant cacti and palo santo trees that ends at the spectacular beach.

Snorkeling in Las Grietas

Swim in a giant fissure between two volcanic rock walls where fresh water mixes with seawater, creating amazing visibility.

Surface and Depth Diving

Santa Cruz is the starting point for diving tours to world-renowned sites such as Gordon Rocks, famous for hammerhead shark sightings.

Kayaking in Tortuga Bay

In Playa Mansa you can rent kayaks to paddle near the mangroves, where it is common to see sea turtles and small sharks.

Cerca: port-ayora, baltra

Holy Cross

Beaches and Coasts in Holy Cross

Best Beaches

Turtle Bay

★ Top

Famous for its extensive fine white sand that looks like talcum powder. It is divided into Playa Brava (strong currents, ideal for surfing and iguanas) and Playa Mansa (a quiet lagoon surrounded by mangroves).

🏖️ fine_sand💧 crystal_clear

Services

Shallow waterssecludedvirgin

Germans Beach

A charming small beach with calm waters located near Puerto Ayora, ideal for a quick swim and snorkeling.

🏖️ fine_sand💧 crystal_clear

Services

family friendlyShallow waters

The Garrapatero

★ Top

A beautiful virgin beach about 20 km from Puerto Ayora. It has a coastal lagoon behind the beach where you can often spot pink flamingos.

🏖️ fine_sand💧 crystal_clear

Services

secludedvirgin

Ratings

Scores by category

Nature

99

Overwhelming. The contrast between the black volcanic rock, the green of the high vegetation and the turquoise blue of the sea creates unique landscapes in the world.

Overwhelming. The contrast between the black volcanic rock, the green of the high vegetation and the turquoise blue of the sea creates unique landscapes in the world.

Safety

95

It is an extremely safe place. Crime rates are extremely low and you can walk through Puerto Ayora at night with complete peace of mind.

It is an extremely safe place. Crime rates are extremely low and you can walk through Puerto Ayora at night with complete peace of mind.

Transport

70

There are very cheap taxis (white vans) in Puerto Ayora and buses that connect with the Baltra canal and the highlands. There is no mass transportation to the secluded tourist sites.

There are very cheap taxis (white vans) in Puerto Ayora and buses that connect with the Baltra canal and the highlands. There is no mass transportation to the secluded tourist sites.
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