Ecuador🇪🇨 | townsPuerto AyoraTortoise research station, Tortuga Bay, pier fish market, Las Grietas | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Puerto Ayora
🏆 Top picktown ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The big decision in Puerto Ayora is whether to book a pre-arranged cruise or stay on land and hop between islands on your own, and the land option wins for flexibility and value. You’ll find Puerto Ayora on the south coast of Santa Cruz island in the Galápagos, Ecuador. Streets here are short, flat and sun-baked, and Avenida Charles Darwin is lined with dive shops and tour agencies. I’d walk the fish market at the pier early, where pelicans and sea lions queue for scraps beside the cutting boards. Cheap water taxis zip you across the harbor, and a short trail leads to Tortuga Bay for iguanas and a long white beach. Evenings are easy: hostels, a few bars, and plenty of backpackers swapping dive and snorkel tips. Arrive by ferry or flight via Baltra, then start your first day with a pier stroll, a lava-rock walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station, and sunset beers on the harbor.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ecuador Travel Guide.

Best time to go: all year round
Population: 12,000
Daily cost: US$55 to 130

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 town in EcuadorWhat makes this town worth visiting

Puerto Ayora is the one place in the Galápagos where independent travelers can build their own days around wildlife instead of a fixed cruise schedule. From here you can walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station, hike to Tortuga Bay, and take day boats to other islands, all without leaving the grid of one small town. Most people stay three or four days, and plenty stretch it to a week because each day trip shows a different landscape: giant tortoises in the highlands, sea lions on the pier, blue-footed boobies on nearby islets. It suits solo travelers, divers, snorkelers and slow travelers who like to plan as they go. The social scene is friendly rather than wild. Hostel terraces and cafés fill with people comparing sightings, so meeting a snorkeling partner takes minutes. If you want nightlife … read more 👉

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

Charles Darwin Research Station: The best-known sight in town, where tortoise breeding and conservation work is explained alongside the pens of giant tortoises. Go in the morning when it’s cooler and the animals are active. Entry is free with the national park fee already paid, and a visit takes 1 to 2 hours.
Tortuga Bay: A 2.5 km paved path from town leads to a broad white-sand beach with marine iguanas and sharks in the shallows. Open roughly 6 AM to 6 PM, free, and best before midday. Allow 3 to 4 hours including the walk, plus time to kayak (about US$10 to 20).
Fish Market at the Pier: Fishermen fillet the catch while sea lions, pelicans and frigatebirds crowd the counters. Come in the morning around 7 to 9 AM for the best action. Free to watch and 30 minutes is plenty, with fresh fish sold

… read more 👉

Charles Darwin Research Station: The best-known sight in town, where tortoise breeding and conservation work is explained alongside the pens of giant tortoises. Go in the morning when it’s cooler and the animals are active. Entry is free with the national park fee already paid, and a visit takes 1 to 2 hours.
Tortuga Bay: A 2.5 km paved path from town leads to a broad white-sand beach with marine iguanas and sharks in the shallows. Open roughly 6 AM to 6 PM, free, and best before midday. Allow 3 to 4 hours including the walk, plus time to kayak (about US$10 to 20).
Fish Market at the Pier: Fishermen fillet the catch while sea lions, pelicans and frigatebirds crowd the counters. Come in the morning around 7 to 9 AM for the best action. Free to watch and 30 minutes is plenty, with fresh fish sold by the kilo.
Las Grietas: A narrow volcanic fissure filled with clear water, reached by a water taxi (about US$1) and a 15 minute walk over salt flats and lava. Best mid morning for light and fewer visitors. Entry is about US$10 and you should allow 1 to 2 hours for a swim and the viewpoint.
Avenida Charles Darwin Waterfront Stroll: The town’s main strip is the place for sunset, with the harbor lit gold and bars setting out tables. Free, best from late afternoon and into the evening, and an hour or two covers the stalls, shops and snack grills.

Nearby day trips include Bartolomé, North Seymour, Floreana and the Santa Cruz highlands with their lava tunnels and wild tortoise reserves. If time is short, skip the avenue stroll and put the hours into Tortuga Bay.

Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

Puerto Ayora is compact enough to cover on foot in a day, and each pocket has its own rhythm, so start at the water and work inland.

Malecón and Avenida Charles Darwin: The waterfront strip is where sea lions flop on benches, pelicans eye the fish cleaners and tour boards line every doorway. Walk it end to end in 20 minutes and you will pass the pier, the Galápagos-themed souvenir shops and the sunset bars with cold beer and ceviche.
Charles Darwin Avenue East: Follow the road past the pier and you hit the Charles Darwin Research Station, 1.5 km of shaded, flat walking. You finish among giant tortoises and land iguanas, which is the best free-roaming wildlife in town.
Calle de los Kioskos (Charles Binford): At night this closed-off street turns into open-air grills. Order grilled fish or lobster

… read more 👉

Puerto Ayora is compact enough to cover on foot in a day, and each pocket has its own rhythm, so start at the water and work inland.

Malecón and Avenida Charles Darwin: The waterfront strip is where sea lions flop on benches, pelicans eye the fish cleaners and tour boards line every doorway. Walk it end to end in 20 minutes and you will pass the pier, the Galápagos-themed souvenir shops and the sunset bars with cold beer and ceviche.
Charles Darwin Avenue East: Follow the road past the pier and you hit the Charles Darwin Research Station, 1.5 km of shaded, flat walking. You finish among giant tortoises and land iguanas, which is the best free-roaming wildlife in town.
Calle de los Kioskos (Charles Binford): At night this closed-off street turns into open-air grills. Order grilled fish or lobster at plastic tables under strung lights, then wander over to the bars for live music and a late dance.
Las Ninfas and Playa de los Alemanes: Cross the little water taxi hop or take the footpath along the inlet to reach lava-rock coves and a quiet beach. You swim and snorkel among marine iguanas with barely another person around.
El Mirador and Bellavista (upper town): Climb inland and the air cools, the streets turn residential and local lunch spots serve set meals. A short trail leads to the lava tunnels and a highland view over tin roofs and the bay.

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

Plan to walk most of the day, using a cheap water taxi for the harbor crossing and taking a long break in the afternoon heat to swim or nap.

7:30 AM: Fish Market at the Pier Start with coffee and watch fishermen clean the catch while sea lions beg beside them. It’s noisy, smelly and entirely photogenic. Then walk along Avenida Charles Darwin.

9:00 AM: Tortuga Bay Register at the trailhead and take the paved path for about 45 minutes. Walk along the beach to the quiet cove on the far side where you can swim, spot marine iguanas, and have the sand mostly to yourself.

12:30 PM: Lunch on Charles Binford Avenue Back in town, look for a set lunch (almuerzo) at a local spot, usually soup, rice and fish or chicken. Sit in the shade and rest through the hottest hours.

2:30 PM: Charles Darwin Research Station … read more 👉

Plan to walk most of the day, using a cheap water taxi for the harbor crossing and taking a long break in the afternoon heat to swim or nap.

2:30 PM: Charles Darwin Research Station Stroll east along the waterfront to see tortoise pens and the land iguanas. The exhibits give context for everything you have seen so far, and the walk back is easy.

4:00 PM: Las Grietas Take a water taxi across the harbor, then walk the lava path. Swim in the cool, clear fissure water and climb to the viewpoint. This is less crowded in the late afternoon and a quiet escape.

6:00 PM: Playa de los Alemanes Near the harbor, this small, rocky beach is often skipped. Stay for the sunset and the pelicans diving offshore.

7:30 PM: Dinner on the Avenue Evening street grills set up tables, serving fresh fish, lobster and cold beer.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

Warm and wet from January to May, cooler and drier from June to December, and wildlife is on show in both.

Warm Season (Jan to May): Air temperatures reach 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), the sea is warm and calm and snorkeling visibility is at its best. Short, heavy downpours come mostly in the afternoon. Prices are lower outside Christmas and Easter.
Cool Season (Jun to Dec): Temperatures sit at 21 to 27°C (70 to 81°F) with a gray garúa drizzle in the highlands. The Humboldt Current brings cold, choppy water, so a wetsuit helps, though marine life is abundant. Daylight is close to 12 hours all year.
Peak Crowds: July and August, Christmas through New Year and Carnival bring full tour boats and higher fares for cruises and last-minute day tours.
Wildlife Timing: Albatross arrive on Española from April

… read more 👉

Warm and wet from January to May, cooler and drier from June to December, and wildlife is on show in both.

Warm Season (Jan to May): Air temperatures reach 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), the sea is warm and calm and snorkeling visibility is at its best. Short, heavy downpours come mostly in the afternoon. Prices are lower outside Christmas and Easter.
Cool Season (Jun to Dec): Temperatures sit at 21 to 27°C (70 to 81°F) with a gray garúa drizzle in the highlands. The Humboldt Current brings cold, choppy water, so a wetsuit helps, though marine life is abundant. Daylight is close to 12 hours all year.
Peak Crowds: July and August, Christmas through New Year and Carnival bring full tour boats and higher fares for cruises and last-minute day tours.
Wildlife Timing: Albatross arrive on Española from April to December, and giant tortoises nest roughly from June to October.

Book day tours after arriving in town in shoulder months such as May or November, when bargains appear.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Most budget travelers sleep within five blocks of the waterfront, where dorm beds cost about US$15 to 25 and private rooms start around US$35 to 60. The streets near the pier, between Charles Binford Avenue and Baltra Avenue, hold the largest cluster of hostels and guesthouses, and you can walk to restaurants, tour agencies, the water taxi dock and the ferry to other islands. This is also the noisier side of town. Bars near the Calle de los Kioskos run until late on weekends, so ask for a room away from the street or bring earplugs.

The second option is the quieter residential area uphill behind … read more 👉

The second option is the quieter residential area uphill behind the main road. You trade a 10 to 20 minute walk or a US$1 to 2 pickup ride for calmer nights, cooler air, and a few guesthouses with kitchens, which saves money in a town where restaurant dinners are pricey. Streets are lit and generally safe for walking at night, but a taxi back after dark is a smart habit.

Book ahead for December to January and July to August, as beds near the water fill quickly. Outside those periods, arriving without a reservation works fine and lets you compare rooms in person and haggle on longer stays.

Best hostels in Ecuador

Best quality hotels in Ecuador

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Puerto Ayora

A water taxi across the harbor costs US$0.80 per person, paid in cash in small bills to the driver, and a taxi truck (pickup) anywhere in town runs about US$1 to 2. Puerto Ayora is small, flat in the center and easy to cross on foot, with little traffic beyond pickups and the occasional bus to the airport.

Walking: Free and the best way to cover the pier, the Malecón, the Charles Darwin Research Station and the main shopping street. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle because shade is patchy and you will pass sea lions on the sidewalks.
Water taxi: Small boats shuttle across the bay around the clock at US$0.80 by day and slightly more after dark. Hail one at the pier and you skip a long walk to Las Ninfas and Playa de los Alemanes, with harbor views from the water.
Taxi pickup: White pickup trucks

… read more 👉

Walking: Free and the best way to cover the pier, the Malecón, the Charles Darwin Research Station and the main shopping street. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle because shade is patchy and you will pass sea lions on the sidewalks.
Water taxi: Small boats shuttle across the bay around the clock at US$0.80 by day and slightly more after dark. Hail one at the pier and you skip a long walk to Las Ninfas and Playa de los Alemanes, with harbor views from the water.
Taxi pickup: White pickup trucks cruise the streets and cost US$1 to 2 within town, around US$5 to 8 for the highlands to see tortoises and lava tunnels. Agree the fare before you hop in, then enjoy the open ride up through green farmland.
Public bus and airport shuttle: The free airport bus from Baltra connects with a ferry across the channel at US$1, then a bus or shared taxi to Puerto Ayora for about US$5 to 10, roughly 40 to 60 minutes of road across Santa Cruz. You watch scrubby desert turn to mist-covered highlands along the way.
Bicycle rental: Rent a bike for roughly US$10 to 15 per day and ride the paved path to Tortuga Bay trailhead or El Garrapatero beach. It is a sweaty, rewarding way to travel at your own pace.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A backpacker in Puerto Ayora should plan on about US$55 to 130 per day, with a high-season total of US$100 for budget travel. The Galápagos is Ecuador’s most expensive region because almost everything is shipped from the mainland, and Ecuador uses the US dollar.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation	US$18 to 30	Dorm beds cost around US$15 to 20 in low season and up to US$30 in high season; the figure counted here is US$25.
Meals	US$20 to 35	Set lunches (almuerzos) cost US$5 to 8, while dinner grills at Calle de los Kioskos cost US$12 to 20; counted here US$30.
Local transport	US$2 to 8	Water taxis cost US$0.80, pickups US$1 to 2, and airport transfers about US$6 to 10 once; counted here US$5.
Basic activities/entry fees	US$10 to 40	Las Grietas costs US$10, the Charles Darwin Research Station

… read more 👉

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation	US$18 to 30	Dorm beds cost around US$15 to 20 in low season and up to US$30 in high season; the figure counted here is US$25.
Meals	US$20 to 35	Set lunches (almuerzos) cost US$5 to 8, while dinner grills at Calle de los Kioskos cost US$12 to 20; counted here US$30.
Local transport	US$2 to 8	Water taxis cost US$0.80, pickups US$1 to 2, and airport transfers about US$6 to 10 once; counted here US$5.
Basic activities/entry fees	US$10 to 40	Las Grietas costs US$10, the Charles Darwin Research Station is free, highland farms US$5 to 10, kayaks about US$10 to 15; counted here US$25.
Miscellaneous expenses	US$5 to 15	Bottled water, sunscreen, snorkel rental of US$5 to 10, and the odd beer; counted here US$15.
Total Daily Budget	US$55 to 130	About US$100 on a typical high-season day.

One national park entry fee of US$200 for most foreign adults is paid on arrival and is not included above. Cook breakfast in a hostel kitchen and buy fruit at the market to trim food costs.

⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Puerto Ayora

Puerto Ayora is the easiest base in the archipelago for day trips, with boats and pickups leaving daily and no need to change hotels.

Tortuga Bay:

A 2.5 km paved path from the edge of town leads to a wide white beach with marine iguanas and surf on one side and calm water for kayaking on the other. Allow 45 minutes each way on foot, bring water and sunscreen, and go in the morning before midday heat. Entry is free, kayak rental runs about US$10 to 15, and the common mistake is swimming on the rough main beach rather than the sheltered lagoon.

Santa Cruz Highlands:

Puerto Ayora is the easiest base in the archipelago for day trips, with boats and pickups leaving daily and no need to change hotels.

Tortuga Bay:

Giant tortoises roam free on private farms and in the Rancho areas, and you can walk through lava tunnels in the cool, misty uplands. A taxi round trip is around US$20 to 40 shared, entries US$5 to 10, and the trip takes half a day. Rubber boots are usually lent at the farms, so skip carrying your own. Go any time, though the green season brings the most mud.

Las Grietas:

A water taxi at US$0.80 takes you across the bay, then a 15 minute walk over lava rock brings you to a narrow, emerald-clear gorge for a swim. Entry is US$10 and it is best before 11 a.m., when light pours in and crowds are small. Many first-timers arrive in the afternoon, when the water is shadowed and busy.

Isla Seymour Norte or Plazas Day Cruises:

Boat tours to nearby islets cost roughly US$100 to 180 including lunch and snorkeling, and you can see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and land iguanas. Book with a licensed agency in town a day ahead, and compare prices at several counters before you pay.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Puerto Ayora is one of the safest towns in Ecuador, and violent crime against travelers is rare. The main trouble is petty theft, so keep phones and cameras off beach towels you cannot see and lock bags in your room. Walking around the Malecón and the central streets at night is normal, though solo travelers should skip the dark path to Tortuga Bay after dusk and take a taxi back from the late-night bars. Some tour touts push last-minute cruises at inflated prices, so compare quotes at a few licensed agencies and pay by card or with a receipt. The real annoyances are natural: sun is intense, so wear reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, and keep at least 2 meters from sea lions, which can bite if cornered. Tap water is not drinkable, so buy or refill filtered water. Follow park rules about not touching wildlife or leaving the marked trails.

Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Puerto Ayora is well worth visiting rather than just passing through, since it is the main hub of the Galápagos with the Charles Darwin Research Station, Tortuga Bay and Las Grietas all within a short walk or US$1 water taxi. Sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans appear right on the waterfront. Day boats to islets like North Seymour run roughly US$100 to 180, and ferries link to Isabela and San Cristóbal.

Plan on four to five days in Puerto Ayora to cover the highlights without rushing. One day goes to the Research Station and the town, one to Tortuga Bay and snorkeling, one to the highlands for wild tortoises and lava tunnels, and one for a day cruise to a nearby islet. Add a day or two if you want to include a ferry trip to Isabela, which takes about 2 hours each way at US$30 to 40.

Puerto Ayora cannot realistically be done as a day trip from a mainland city, because flights from Quito or Guayaquil take about 2 to 3 hours to Baltra, followed by a bus, ferry and road transfer of roughly an hour. The US$200 national park fee and return flights make a one-day visit poor value. From within the islands, a day trip to Puerto Ayora is easy for travelers staying on Isabela or San Cristóbal, with fast boats taking about 2 hours each way.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ecuadorian towns near Puerto Ayora

Explore more nearby:

Puerto Villamil—Sierra Negra crater, Tintoreras sharks, Wall of Tears, flamingo lagoons| 76 km away
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno—Beach sea lions, Tijeretas trail, Playa Mann, Punta Carola surf| 80 km away
Puerto López—Humpback season, fishing boats, Salango museum, malecón grills| 1061 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Puerto Ayora rewards four to five nights, which gives you time for Tortuga Bay, a couple of island day trips and a slow afternoon or two. Two nights feels rushed, and a week is only needed if you want to dive or visit multiple islands. I’d book day tours after arriving, since prices and availability are easier to judge in person.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.

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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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Ecuador🇪🇨 | townsPuerto AyoraTortoise research station, Tortuga Bay, pier fish market, Las Grietas | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Puerto Ayora
🏆 Top picktown ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 town in EcuadorWhat makes this town worth visiting

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

Things to do around Puerto Ayora

Giant Tortoises Tour, Lava Tunnels & Stop at Los Gemelos Craters”

Tour to Bartolome Island + Bahia Sulivan

Tour to Pinzón + Las palmas

North Seymour and Bachas or Mosquera Beach Yacht Day Tour

Darwin's Coffee Quest Experience

Day Tour to Bartolomé Island and Sullivan Bay

Full Day Santa Fe Playa escondida snorkeling tour

3 Islands in 4 Days: Galapagos Highlights - Wildlife & Snorkeling

The Galapagos Giant Tortoise Experience + Los Gemelos | Private

Seymour North Island & Las Bachas Full-Day Tour

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutEcuador Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Puerto Ayora

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Puerto Ayora

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

FAQTraveler FAQ

Other Ecuadorian towns near Puerto Ayora

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Ecuador🇪🇨 | townsPuerto AyoraTortoise research station, Tortuga Bay, pier fish market, Las Grietas | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Puerto Ayora🏆 Top picktown ranked #2By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2da934')

✨ Why go?Ranked #2 town in EcuadoraddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2db879')What makes this town worth visitingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2db880')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2dc755')Must-see experiences and standout momentsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2dc75c')

Things to do around Puerto Ayora

Giant Tortoises Tour, Lava Tunnels & Stop at Los Gemelos Craters”

Tour to Bartolome Island + Bahia Sulivan

Tour to Pinzón + Las palmas

North Seymour and Bachas or Mosquera Beach Yacht Day Tour

Darwin's Coffee Quest Experience

Day Tour to Bartolomé Island and Sullivan Bay

Full Day Santa Fe Playa escondida snorkeling tour

3 Islands in 4 Days: Galapagos Highlights - Wildlife & Snorkeling

The Galapagos Giant Tortoise Experience + Los Gemelos | Private

Seymour North Island & Las Bachas Full-Day Tour

🏘️ NeighborhoodsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2dcf03')Understanding the local layoutaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2dcf08')

⌛️ 1 dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2ddbf1')Seeing the highlights in 24 hoursaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2ddbf7')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2de462')Seasonal considerations and timingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2de468')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutEcuador Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2df366')How to pick the right areaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2df36b')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2dfb5a')How to get around Puerto AyoraaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2dfb5e')

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2e0539')Money, prices, and spending tipsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2e053e')

🚌 Day tripsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2eebbf')Best day trips from Puerto AyoraaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2eebc8')

🛡️ SafetyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2eed78')Scams, Hazards, and AnnoyancesaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2eed7c')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2eee22')Traveler FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2eee27')

Other Ecuadorian towns near Puerto AyoraaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2f15a5')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2f1773')Summing up the experienceaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2f1777')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2f187b')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adb87c2f187e')

Backpacking in Puerto Ayora
🏆 Top picktown ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 town in EcuadorWhat makes this town worth visiting

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Puerto Ayora

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Puerto Ayora

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

FAQTraveler FAQ

Other Ecuadorian towns near Puerto Ayora

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?