Charles Darwin Research Station
Charles Darwin Research Station, Puerto Ayora: Hours, Address, Charles Darwin Research Station Reviews: 4/5
Charles Darwin Research Station
Charles Darwin Research Station
4
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
About
Headed by a team of more than two hundred scientists, educators, research volunteers and support staff, this world-wide foundation is dedicated to preserving the Galapagos ecosystems.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
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75 within 5 kms

Almar Seafood & Grill
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343
1.1 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Dessert • Italian • American

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363
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Attractions
19 within 10 kms

Playa de La Estacion
140
0.2 kmBeaches

Rancho Primicias
221
0.8 kmRanches

Santa Cruz Fish Market
869
0.9 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Samay Latin Art
95
0.7 kmArt Galleries

Malecon de Puerto Ayora
102
1.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Piers & Boardwalks

GalerÃa Exótico Ecuador
26
0.9 kmArt Galleries • Art Museums

Laguna las Ninfas
457
1.5 kmBodies of Water

Playa de los Alemanes
463
1.4 kmBeaches

Las Grietas
2,473
2.1 kmGeologic Formations

Monumento de la Tortuga
44
0.9 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Popular mentions
4.0
3,319 reviews
Excellent
1,284
Very good
1,033
Average
738
Poor
203
Terrible
61
GoFSUSeminoles
21 contributions
May 2022
We opted to take the $10 tour with a very knowledgeable national park guide and learned quite a bit about the breeding program. While on tour we were excited to see Galapagos tortoises of various ages. The visitor center was interesting and there is a gift shop on site. And don't forget to get your "passport" stamp before you leave!
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TrewinDorset
Christchurch250 contributions
Apr 2022
We visited as part of a tour to see the tortoise breeding and research station, then returned on our own to explore at our own pace. You can only visit the tortoises with an NP guide so there is a charge, the rest though is free.
The marine centre unfortunately was closed when we visited, but we enjoyed the museum & exhibits that were open. Also the walk to and from, stopping at the 2 little beaches with lots of iguanas and birds.
If walking from the town, there's also a little (free) ceramic garden on the right before you get to the CD station & museum. Shady & pretty for a few photos, very unusual and creative.
The marine centre unfortunately was closed when we visited, but we enjoyed the museum & exhibits that were open. Also the walk to and from, stopping at the 2 little beaches with lots of iguanas and birds.
If walking from the town, there's also a little (free) ceramic garden on the right before you get to the CD station & museum. Shady & pretty for a few photos, very unusual and creative.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kevin K
Dublin, Ireland47 contributions
Apr 2022
Visited here to but presents, the t-shirts, caps and jackets are top quality and fairly priced.
Nearly didn't get to the shop, you enter the station with an information point, then guides try to sell you a tour of the turtles for $10 a person, aggressively enough to make you think that unless you do their tour that you can't visit the actual station itself. Ignore them and keep walking, the station itself has a great cafe as well.
Nearly didn't get to the shop, you enter the station with an information point, then guides try to sell you a tour of the turtles for $10 a person, aggressively enough to make you think that unless you do their tour that you can't visit the actual station itself. Ignore them and keep walking, the station itself has a great cafe as well.
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Amy C
Arizona117 contributions
Apr 2022
Had higher expectations for The Charles Darwin Research Station.Stayed in Puerto Ayora 3 nights after our cruise ended. We had visited El Chato Ranch with our yachts naturalist, coming here was a huge disappointment after experiencing that. It's run down and a bit smelly. However it's Charles Darwin so it's a must go to contribute to the research & science...
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mary S
Durham, NC8 contributions
Mar 2022
Time well spent learning about research and preservation in the Galapagos. The exhibits are interesting and well presented.
Written 27 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RAMV_MIami
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL112 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
We had a wonderful and informative guide who provided us a wealth of information about not only the tortoises and the park but also life on the islands. Although the center is interesting and I was happy to support it, I believe it could benefit from some analysis as to how to make the exhibits more interesting and the visit more comfortable.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dave B
Grand Rapids, MI577 contributions
Feb 2022
I was part of a group of a dozen people that visited the Research Station and we all enjoyed our hour-long visit and learned about the islands, Charles Darwin's long-ago visit, and the amazing Galapagos Tortoises. Wrapped up the visit with a trip to the gift shop for t-shirts for the kids.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Denise
20 contributions
Mar 2022
Take care, about the guides! Jhover Alvarez sells tours on the black market during/after the tour to the turtles. He’s tours are completely overpriced and not worth it!! Don’t book with him. I think the Darwin center should try to take care, that things like this don’t happen during their tours there and choose their guides better.
The turtles in the center are very interesting, definitely worth a visit!
The turtles in the center are very interesting, definitely worth a visit!
Written 3 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
b2run
Huatulco, Mexico202 contributions
Feb 2022
The site is within walking distance of town. We got there, paid the $10 per person fee and then waited for a guide. When none showed up, we were taken to the museum which had a few interesting things but was underwhelming. Finally a guide showed up and toured us through the museum which we had just seen. More people kept getting added to the tour and it took a long time. The turtle breeding center was interesting as was the hike but we enjoyed the breeding centers on Isabella and San Cristobal more.
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adventure beyond imagination
Munich, Germany14,605 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
Our guide shared all different knowledges related to the station while we walked through this wonderful place. Very informative and great job to serve the nature and save turtles.
Written 9 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Que precio tiene llegar a la estación Charles Darwin? Y que costo tiene la entrada por favor :)
73travelbug65
Seaford, NY274 contributions
I don’t speak Spanish but I think your asking about entrance cost
The guards told us it was 10$ per person this included a guide through the park
Yolanda C.
1 contribution
Hi. I am trying to find out if people visiting the Charles Darwin Research Center in the past month or so had to make a reservation to go there (or if you could decide when you get there whether you want to visit). Thank you!
I arrive at 430pm to Puerto Ayora. Would I have enough time to visit the station? Or what other activities could we do to not waste the first day at santa cruz?
Harv R
Campbell River, Canada87 contributions
I’d leave it until tomorrow when you have more time. Walk along the waterfront because it’s Saturday night and there will surely be something to see. The big pier has lights into the water so that’s a pretty good time after dark.
63football
Bronx, NY2 contributions
Would you recommend booking?
lobstaluva
Springfield, MA645 contributions
You do not need to book. We simply showed up. Definitely worth visiting. Enjoy!
Francina183
Atlanta, GA
Hi -Are you open on Christmas Day? Thank-you.
Curtis S
27 contributions
No idea sorry. But if you do find it open explore every possible corner as things are tucked away. Particularly Diego and the taxidermed Lonesome George.
Joanne D
Purcellville,VA8 contributions
Trying to decide if we should hire a guide for visiting the center or do a self guided tour. Any recommendations?
Asummer7
Princeton, NJ98 contributions
We had a guide but realized that we probably didn't need one. There are enough displays with information that covered everything he said. The only thing the guide added was in identifying birds snd plants as we were walking around the center.
Roaming Italian
London, UK46 contributions
Hello, can you tell me if there is an entry fee to the research centre? Sure it would be worth it but simply trying to budget my activities
lookitsrhonda
Virginia319 contributions
It's free and in my opinion, the best place to start your visit to the Galapagos. We went the day we arrived in Puerto Ayora
Sheila S
Leeds, UK12 contributions
The Charles Darwin was on our holiday itinery and we were very disappointed that this was closed. There were a few tortoises about but not really worth the walk. When was the research centre closed and why did our travel company not tell of this I wonder.
POTCLover
South Windsor, CT179 contributions
I actually do not remember when they started closing down areas for the renovation (it was told to us when you group REACHED Galapagos so that we could make a decision then whether or not we wanted to take that part of the planned excursions), so I cannot honestly answer to that part of the question. However, IF it was on your group's itinerary, I would think that they should have at least apprised you of the situation so you could make alternate plans if necessary. As this was not the focal point of our hopes for the islands, we were not that disappointed (other than suffering the heat when we could have been doing other activities that WOULDN'T cause heat exhaustion). However, I can see that if you were looking forward to this particular group of exhibits how you might have been disappointed. I hope that you found something else that made the trip special for you (like those crazily friendly sea lions at the dock!) In light of the problems being suffered by the unfortunate events in the Guayaquil region, I am not in the position to complain much about anything right now :-( I am thankful that we have heard from the Ecuadorean guides that we have since friended that they are safe.
javierdade
Madrid, Spain16 contributions
Hola ¿saben a qué hora se puede realizar la última visita?
CConleyC
La Serena, Chile58 contributions
Hola, cuando yo visité, los horarios de visita para todos los lugares pertenecientes al parque nacional cerraban a las 18:00 horas. Si te levantas temprano alcanzas a hacer varias cosas durante el dÃa y creo que alcanzaras sin problemas a visitar la reserva. Saludos y disfruta el viaje!
javierdade
Madrid, Spain16 contributions
Hola, ¿Sabes a qué hora abren más o menos por la mañana?
alfajos
Montevideo, Uruguay139 contributions
Hola que tal, buen dia. Disculpa la demora en responderte.
Si habre temprano, igual tienes todo el dia para ir, no concurre mucha gente ya que estaba en reparacion y la verdad no esta muy atractivo por esta causa. Se ven pocas tortugas y unas Iguanas anaranjadas en cautiverio tambien.
Las otras Islas tambien tienen sus reservas y muy lindas como la de Isla Isabella, alli hay muchas tortugas y el parque muy arreglado , te la recomiendo.
Espero haberte sido de utildad a las ordenes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charles Darwin Research Station
- Charles Darwin Research Station is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Sun - Sat 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
- We recommend booking Charles Darwin Research Station tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 60 Charles Darwin Research Station tours on Tripadvisor
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- Restaurants near Charles Darwin Research Station:
- (0.05 km) Choco Coffee Galapagos
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- (0.74 km) Midori Sushi & Pub