THE 30 BEST Things to Do in San Cristobal, Ecuador
Places to Visit in San Cristobal
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Kicker Rock, La Loberia, Beaches, Points of Interest & Landmarks. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Kicker Rock, La Loberia, Beaches, Points of Interest & Landmarks. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Powered by AI
BETA
Explore popular experiences
See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a close-up look at San Cristobal.
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)₹21,414
Adventure Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)₹1,49,296
Full-day Toursfromper adult₹22,102
Ports of Call Toursfromper adult₹1,84,900- fromper adult (price varies by group size)₹2,89,475
- fromper adult₹21,070
Full-day Toursfromper adult₹23,927
Adventure Toursfromper adult₹2,05,196- fromper adult (price varies by group size)₹2,56,968
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)₹2,60,580
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Beaches
Beaches
Nature & Wildlife Areas
National Parks
Beaches
Beaches
Islands
Natural History Museums
Beaches
What travellers are saying
- DesertRose538 contributionsKicker Rock is really one of those things you must see if you're in the Galapagos.
It is fantastic just to see even if you don't snorkel there. I had never snorkeled before so was too nervous but just swimming next to it was great.
Some things to keep in mind are that the water is very cold so I recommend a wetsuit and the boat ride out there is pretty long so be sure to wear a lot of sunblock.Written 23 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Eyeluv2TravelWinnipeg, Canada610 contributionsSea Lion colony has moved to town.
We went specifically to see the sea lions and were sad that the colony moved to town. The beach was rocky and water shoes are a must.
There were also horseflies when you got out of the water.
Snorkeling was good and we did see fish, turtles and a few sea lions in the water.
The walk from the road wasn't bad and the path was easy.Written 26 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Han46 contributionsIf you're going to do a Kicker Rock tour, try to get on a tour that has a stop at Puerto Chino. I don't think you could get here any other way, and it is very tranquil.Written 17 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Paradise581511822512 contributionsThis was one of the highlights of our stay in Galapagos. I suggest going with a guide. It’s not that you need a guide to navigate the park — you just follow the trail — but they can add a lot of context. Our guide knew so many things about the wildlife and plants. He was able to tell us how old each tortoise in a group was. He knew the feeding spots to take us too. Even more cool — he could identify Genesis, the first tortoise confirmed as being born in the island — and knew the places she was most likely to hang out at/rest. So we were able to see her! If you were without a guide, you would have just thought she was just some random tortoise.
You will get within feet of the tortoises. It’s amazing to be up close with them! And although they must be accustomed to seeing humans, they still act like wild animals — for example they will often hiss and tuck themselves inside their shell if you get too close or move too fast.
You’ll also get to see the area where they put baby tortoises until they get around ~6 years old, I think. There are different areas for the tiny ones, and as they get older they are put into open air enclosures that mimic the rest of the island so they can practice being a turtle in the wild. This is also where the guide comes in handy because he can identify the age groups of tortoises. There’s no information posted so you figure it out on your own.
Our guide also had us take the trail in reverse, probably because the “start” of the trail has you navigating a rock path downhill which is not great for non-outdoorsy people. It’s not necessarily a challenging trail, but if you’re out of shape or don’t have great balance, some of the parts may be challenging. no parts of the trail are what I’d consider steep, but there are some gradual uphill climbs. I AM out of shape and am not the most coordinated person, so I was red faced and out of breath and tipped over once. But it was so worth it. A more in shape person would have been fine.
I’d suggest wearing closed toe shoes with a good tread for the rocky parts. Bring water. Most of the trail is under shade, but sunscreen and a hat never hurts.Written 12 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ChemtrailerCanada404 contributionsFantastic snorkeling in crystal clear waters. Typically there are plenty of sea lions and marine iguanas. Go in the morning when conditions are calm. The entry/exit is a set of stone steps and if the afternoon conditions build up, getting in/out can be a challenge in the strong currents.Written 28 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sixersgirlParadise, PA61 contributionsMy favorite beach from our 2 week tour of 3 islands. Absolutely beautiful … and the sea lions are the main attraction! So glad we had extra days to spend here!Written 1 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DublinTravelerChicago, IL278 contributionsWhen visiting San Cristobal, this beach is a must see! Try to arrive at this beach early in the morning before other boats and people arrive. The white sand and beautiful water along with the many types of animals make this beach so unique.Written 17 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Donna GJohnstown, PA62 contributionsWe enjoyed our afternoon excursion to Isla lobos in the Galapagos. We had a cruise of shoreline of San Cristobal. We learned about blue footed boogie birds and the frigates. We learned about the red underbeak of the male frigate bird and the mating rituals. We got to snorkel and saw the marine lizard eating sea algae. And the highlight of the snorkeling was when a playful sea lion came up to me, face to face, and looked into my eyes. I felt the contact of this creature. And I watched the older sea lions playing with each other. The cruise folks gave us snacks and drinks. Danny, our guide,was the best.he was very informative. We ended the trip on the shoreline of a pretty beach, after chasing some stingrays along the way, in our dingy to the sand.Written 8 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DublinTravelerChicago, IL278 contributionsThis beach is full of sea lions and birds! The water is not calm and provides large waves to experience. This beach is worth exploring!Written 17 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ChemtrailerCanada404 contributionsVery informative. Well worth the short walk to an interesting interpretive center. Provides good perspective on the natural history and human history of the archipelago. Combine this with a nice two hour walk along the well built trails.Written 28 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EmpathyFrankfurt, Germany103 contributionsPlace of red footed booby. Had extensive coastal sight seeing of coast cliffs to see the red footed booby. Beautiful with lots of birds.Written 27 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Daniel H25 contributionsThis is an interesting place that is is lush and green in contrast to the lanscape of the lowlands. It was part of the San Cristobal Highlands tour we booked with Galapagos a la Carte. The views would have been better on a clearer day, I'm sure.Written 11 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
