The Galapagos in Ecuador is one big animal paradise.
Welcome to this new episode of “Wow of the World”! This one is going to be extra special.
I know I say that often, but this time we’ve traveled from Mexico to Ecuador to visit the Galapagos Islands—a paradise full of animals I’ve wanted to see since I was a kid.
There’s already a baby sea lion right here! This is going to be incredible.
Upon arriving at the airport, we were greeted by a bright yellow land iguana. From Baltra Island, we crossed over to Santa Cruz, the most central and populated island in the Galapagos.
We stayed at Hostel Vista Almar in Puerto Ayora, right in the middle of everything, and it only cost us $40 a night for a triple room.
Our first stop on Santa Cruz was the Charles Darwin Research Center. Darwin, the famous scientist who based his theory of evolution on the animals here, practically discovered these islands.
And right off the bat, there’s a sea lion over there and some iguanas here—this place is an animal paradise! We even saw the black marine iguana, a cousin of the yellow land iguana.
We passed by the local fish market, which is a sight in itself. Sea lions and pelicans were already waiting for scraps, making for a unique and slightly chaotic atmosphere that’s all part of the Galapagos experience.
The Charles Darwin Research Center is free to visit, but if you want to see something really special, head to the Ruta de la Tortuga. For just $10, you can take a guided tour to see baby and giant tortoises.
Walking around, you learn everything about these incredible animals and the unique ecosystem they inhabit.
One fascinating fact: the giant tortoises have contributed to the growth of the world’s tallest cacti, which grow up to 12 meters high!
We also witnessed a behavior where male tortoises stretch their necks to see who is taller—the winner gets to lead the group.
We paid a visit to Lonesome George, the last of a now-extinct species of tortoise, who died in 2012. It’s a somber reminder of the importance of conservation.
After our museum visit, we took a scenic walk along the beaches back to town, where we enjoyed cheap, delicious meals and our favorite ice cream shop.
The next day, we hiked to Tortuga Bay, a stunning beach just three miles from Puerto Ayora.
There are two beaches here: Playa Brava, with wild seas, and Playa Mansa, where you can swim and snorkel. We even spotted marine iguanas diving into the water, along with sea turtles and pelicans.
We also took a water taxi to Las Grietas, a beautiful cove surrounded by rock formations, where we enjoyed swimming and snorkeling.
The underwater view in this lava tunnel felt like floating through space.
Santa Cruz has been amazing, but it’s time to move on. We’re taking a ferry to Isabela, a more remote island. Here’s a tip: make sure to bring cash, as there are no ATMs on Isabela.
While waiting for our boat, we enjoyed some live entertainment at the pier, spotting black-tipped reef sharks from the shore.
That’s it for this episode, but there’s so much more to come. Stay tuned for more adventures and don’t forget to subscribe to “Word of the World.” See you next time!
