San Cristobal is the easternmost island of the Galapagos, and most visitors stay in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Everywhere you go in town you find dozens of sea lions, on benches, on the beach and in the middle of the road. These are my guides to the island, from the 360 Tour and Kicker Rock to beaches, hikes and free things to do.
Hi, I'm João. I have been to San Cristobal three times, most recently in January 2026. More about me
Best places
Things to do
The full list, the free list and the beaches.
Tours and day trips
Land tours and boat days around the island.
Snorkeling and diving
The spots and the dive tours I have written up.
My hotel picks
My picks from the hotel guides, chosen for location, guest ratings and value. Affiliate disclosure
Luxury resort
Golden Bay Galapagos Hotel
Golden Bay Galapagos Hotel is on Playa de Oro (Golden Beach), facing the sea, and has 19 rooms.
Photo: Goldenbay.com.ec
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Comfort hotel
Vila Bonita Guest House
Villa Bonita Guest House is a villa in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno with a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, a fully equipped kitchenette, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
Photo: Booking.com
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Budget hotel
Hostal Terito
Hostal Terito is a family-run hostel five blocks from the malecón of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in a residential neighborhood with a lot of vegetation. It is the one I stayed at.
Photo: Booking.com
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San Cristobal questions, answered
Where do you stay on San Cristobal?
Most visitors stay in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on the easternmost island of the Galapagos. My hotel guide lists 15 hotels there, picked by location, what each property offers and guest ratings. Hostal Terito is the one I stayed at. This is from my San Cristobal hotel guide.
Which beach near town is best?
Playa Mann is the locals' beach, about 10 minutes on foot from town, with kiosks, sea lions and a lively crowd at sunset. Punta Carola is quieter, 15 to 20 minutes on foot, and it is my favorite beach on the island by far. I went back to it on all three of my trips. Both are free. This is from my Playa Mann article and my Punta Carola article.
What is the 360 Tour?
A daily speed boat trip around the island that always passes Bahia Rosa Blanca and Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido). It takes the entire day, you have to be at the agency at 6:30 am, and it costs about US$180 (it was US$150 when I did it in April 2022). It is common to get sea-sick on this trip, and I advise a sea-sickness pill 30 minutes before you start if you go to Bahia Rosa Blanca first. This is from my 360 Tour article.
How does the Kicker Rock tour work?
It is an 8-hour dive or snorkel tour, with a boat trip of 2 hours, about one hour each way. My article lists US$190 to 200 for the dive and US$135 for the snorkeling. I saw hammerheads there on my second trip. This is from my Kicker Rock article and my best time to visit article.
Can you see the highlands by taxi?
Yes. The Highlands Tour can be done with any taxi on the island. It takes around 4 to 5 hours (7 hours with a lunch break) and costs around US$60 to 70 per taxi. The stops are El Junco crater lake, the tortoise reserve La Galapaguera and Puerto Chino beach, and the beaches close at 18h. I did it by taxi. This is from my Highlands Tour article.
Where do you see sea lions?
In the downtown of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno: everywhere you go you find dozens of them, on benches, on the beach, inside stores and in the middle of the road. Most of the colony has moved from La Loberia to Playa de Los Lobos, next to the main pier. This is from my free things to do article and my La Loberia article.
Can you rent a car on San Cristobal?
No. You cannot rent a car, and motorcycle rental is not common, so most things are done by taxi, bus, boat, bicycle or on foot. This is from my free things to do article.
Each answer names its source, so you can check the latest rules and advice before you travel.
