San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal is the 5th largest and easternmost island in the archipelago. The capital town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno resides on this island and is home to many government offices, an Ecuadorian Navy facility and an airport with daily flights to the mainland. With around 5,400 residents, San Cristóbal homes the second largest human population in Galapagos after Santa Cruz. The port town is also home o the Galapgos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS) of the Universidad San Fransisco de Quito where many local and international students carry out thesis work. Since this is one of the few inhabited islands, visitors can stay overnight, dine and enjoy the nightlife as well as enjoy a wonderful of mixed bag of sites to explore and activities to enjoy. In addition, a diverse range of wildlife can be seen on this island where pristine beaches and rocky islets combine with fertile highlands. Visitors can experience many upclose encounters with the wildlife on this island as they have become quite accustomed to humans. From snorkeling with sea lions, witnessing these animals teach the pups to swim in the shallows of Playa de Oro, to visiting the Red Booby breeding site in Punta Pitt, San Cristóbal Island is a treasure everyone must explore.