The Capital of Paradise

Welcome to San Cristóbal, the Capital of Paradise.

Out of all the islands of the Galápagos, San Cristóbal is the eastern-most. San Cristóbal was also the first of the islands that Darwin set foot on during his explorations.

Today, the island is the second most populated in the Galápagos, just behind Santa Cruz. However, with that in mind, there are still only 5,400 permanent inhabitants.

Stepping off the boat, there looks to be just as many seals as humans inhabiting this sleepy port town. It seems hard for any tourists, myself included, to pass by a seal napping on a bench on the Malecón without stopping to snap at least one photo.

Like all the islands of the Galápagos, San Cristóbal is unique in its own way. Besides sea lions, the island is home to a plethora of flora and fauna. Visitors flock here to see a variety of tropical birds including frigates and Red and Blue-footed Boobies.

Perhaps most famous of all are the critters on the Galápagos are the giant and gentle tortoises. San Cristóbal is also home to the Galápaguera de Cerro Colorado, a tortoise-breeding center, whose mission is to improve the population of the subspecies of giant tortoises specific to the island.

Off the Western horizon, one can spot Kicker Rock, or as locals call it, León Dormidio (The Sleeping Lion). Kicker Rock is said to be home to some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world.

Depending on the time of year, swimmers can spot a variety of marine life including green sea turtles, sea lions eagle rays, dolphins, and a variety of sharks.

Since it’s settlement in 1858 however, the island has faced many ecological challenges.  Introduction of invasive plants and animals have endangered the island’s endemic species.  However, in 1968 Ecuador designated 97% of the Galápagos Islands as National Park lands, and
began making efforts to reverse the damage.