Reserva El Chato
Reserva El Chato
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,980 reviews
Excellent
1,291
Very good
554
Average
112
Poor
18
Terrible
5
clark5662
Saint Louis, MO175 contributions
Jul 2021
We landed on Baltra, took the bus, then the ferry, and then a taxi (which had been previously arranged through our AirBnB) to El Chato. We paid the entrance fee and was offered a naturalist guide to lead us on a tour around the property. The guide works for tips and is optional.
We went ahead and accepted the guide and I am glad we did. What would have been a pretty short trip around the property looking at awesome giant tortoises, turned into an hour long nature presentation with someone who knows a lot about the flora and fauna of the Galapagos and spoke perfect English! The guide also led us through the lava tunnel and explained how the tunnel was created.
I felt it was worth giving the guide $10 per person. This is what other guides (who were not optional) charged and our guy did as good as job as they did.
We went ahead and accepted the guide and I am glad we did. What would have been a pretty short trip around the property looking at awesome giant tortoises, turned into an hour long nature presentation with someone who knows a lot about the flora and fauna of the Galapagos and spoke perfect English! The guide also led us through the lava tunnel and explained how the tunnel was created.
I felt it was worth giving the guide $10 per person. This is what other guides (who were not optional) charged and our guy did as good as job as they did.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter
Rotterdam, The Netherlands80 contributions
Apr 2022
Reserva El Chato is a 30 minute drive away from Puerto Ayora and it cost me 50 dollars (plus a 5 dollar tip for my guide). My taxi driver was Carlos, a soccer player for Santa Cruz (I had no idea they had their own soccer league on the Galapagos Islands!).
At the reserve I got a private tour from Nayeli, a really cool girl who spoke some Korean and likes manga, and who will be visiting Singapore in a few months. The tour lasted 45 minutes. I saw some giant turtles indeed and also some lava tunnels.
So all in all, it's a short tour, but I do think this is one of the highlights on Santa Cruz.
At the reserve I got a private tour from Nayeli, a really cool girl who spoke some Korean and likes manga, and who will be visiting Singapore in a few months. The tour lasted 45 minutes. I saw some giant turtles indeed and also some lava tunnels.
So all in all, it's a short tour, but I do think this is one of the highlights on Santa Cruz.
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GNS333
Toronto, Canada35 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We took a taxi from Puerto Ayora for 40 USD round trip. This also included waiting time at the ranch.
The entrance fee was 10USD per person. A guide will take you around to see the lava tunnels and the tortoises.
We had visited the tortoise research centre in Isabela island and was glad that we also went to the El Chato reserve. It's was totally different experience to see the tortoises roaming around freely.
The entrance fee was 10USD per person. A guide will take you around to see the lava tunnels and the tortoises.
We had visited the tortoise research centre in Isabela island and was glad that we also went to the El Chato reserve. It's was totally different experience to see the tortoises roaming around freely.
Written December 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travel193
Orange County, CA276 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
I visited El Chato Reserve as part of a half day Highlands tour. It was definitely a highlight of my trip to the Galápagos to see the iconic giant tortoises. Though El Chato is a private reserve and you’re not seeing the tortoises in the wild, the reserve is vast and open so you don’t feel like you’re in a zoo or a completely contrived experience. There were tortoises everywhere and it was pretty great to see them walk, chew, and we even saw one try to mate.
After the tour we had a delicious lunch there and were pleasantly surprised that they have a vegetarian option. They served a large portion of pesto (or pomodoro option) pasta with freshly baked bread. I am not sure if the pasta was vegan.
It’s a relaxing half day tour with the lava tunnels and a quick stop at the Los Gemelos sink holes. I recommend wearing closed toe shoes! Not even Keens as it can get slippery and muddy. I was glad to be wearing shoes with good tread.
ProTip: you’ll pass the reserve on your way from Baltra to town and vice versa, so you may be able to fit in a visit on a travel day.
After the tour we had a delicious lunch there and were pleasantly surprised that they have a vegetarian option. They served a large portion of pesto (or pomodoro option) pasta with freshly baked bread. I am not sure if the pasta was vegan.
It’s a relaxing half day tour with the lava tunnels and a quick stop at the Los Gemelos sink holes. I recommend wearing closed toe shoes! Not even Keens as it can get slippery and muddy. I was glad to be wearing shoes with good tread.
ProTip: you’ll pass the reserve on your way from Baltra to town and vice versa, so you may be able to fit in a visit on a travel day.
Written May 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather
Las Vegas, NV472 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
The lobby offers bathrooms and free coffee & tea. There's also an area with local artwork for sale as well as some other small souvenirs. They also provide rain boots for you to wear which is great so you don't have to worry about mud and poo. The staff were considerate of the tortoises and made sure we didn't get too close to them. I got to see several large tortoises, as well as to walk through a lava tube. Concerning ADA, the lava tubes wouldn't be accessible. The path through the reserve is fairly flat but is rocky and frequently muddy.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie D
Malvern, PA46 contributions
May 2023
Day excursion while on Santa Cruz. Very interesting but we got to see Land Turtles on all the other islands and this is similar to other free places on other islands. However, we enjoyed the tour with a few stops along the way. It is a long walk from town down a long bumpy road (we saw a few people walking from town, I recommend getting a private driver or taxi from the local bus). We had our own tour guide who was very informative. We had rain which made the turtles more active which was fun. We really enjoyed crawling into the shells at the store/restaurant at the end. They give you boots to walk around in. The only place on Santa Cruz we saw large turtles but San Cristobal had a free turtle center that showed the breading process and on Isabela you see them along the road to the "wall of tears".
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith R
Cincinnati, OH333 contributions
Mar 2022
Coming face-to-face with the Giant Tortoises is like no other experience on earth. Tour guides explain the history and lives of the tortoises, as well as guide you though the lava tunnels. The onsite restaurant also serves a hearty meal on a covered deck where you can watch the tortoises walk slowly by as you dine. A "must see" location.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
navinpasari
New York City, New York217 contributions
Dec 2021
You can see giant tortoises galore. It has a $5 entry fees which includes a walking tour with a guide, as well a visit to the lave tunnel. If you want to save the money for fees and the time on the tour, theoretically, you can find the tortoises on the road to the reserve.
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jakemisra
Boston, MA37 contributions
Aug 2021
El Chato is a great place to see tortoises migrating through the highlands. They will give a great tour through the lava tunnels and show you tons of the tortoises in the wild. They are not kept here on a farm, but walk through naturally in the area.
My favorite part is that when the tour was over, they let us walk around the farm unattended to take photos of birds and tortoises. This is extremely uncommon in the Galapagos, and we deeply appreciated the quiet time hiking.
My favorite part is that when the tour was over, they let us walk around the farm unattended to take photos of birds and tortoises. This is extremely uncommon in the Galapagos, and we deeply appreciated the quiet time hiking.
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spendingpension
Lincoln, UK242 contributions
Sep 2022
ok we came to see the tortoises, but I have to mention the lunch. We had a great meal while a local musician played and tried to sell original art. This was memorable. Our guide spoke English but we combined with a party of spanish speakers. The guide told us a little about the tortoises and answered my questions.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, I am planning to visit el chart directly from the airport. I was wondering if this site has a locker / luggage storage to keep the backpack while we see the turtles?
I would really be appreciated if someone gives the answers . Thanks.
betteskid
Boston, MA1,203 contributions
I don't think I saw any but am not sure - I would contact them to ask
pandawurm
Zurich, Switzerland
Hi! We wanted to visit Reserva Elm Chato in the afternoon. What are the opening times?
Ankan2015
Stockholm County, Sweden208 contributions
I am not sure about their openinghours! I suggest you Google this! They have open during daytime!!!
It is a very nice place to stroll around and they also have a nice restaurant for lunch!!!
palo88
Lomas de Zamora, Argentina23 contributions
Hola rodrigo! me podrìas pasar el contacto del taxi? llegamos aprox 12 pm al aeropuerto de baltra, llegaremos a hacer la reserva ese mismo dìa?
Alguna recomendaciòn de galapagos?
gracias
Gisebs
Province of Barcelona, Spain18 contributions
Hola, soy Gisella, te recomiendo que si vas a Santa Cruz vayas a la Hostal Seymur, el encargado es el señor Hector excelente anfitrión, y te da las mejores recomendaciones. Yo te sugiero según los dÃas que vayas, el primer dÃa que estés en Santa Cruz si llegas pasado ell medio dÃa que vayas a la playa tortuga bay, y te tomes el dÃa, hay un guardia y te explica bien todo, y luego a la noche a cualquier discoteca o bar, hay una buena y es la mejor que se llama la Panga, antes ve a cenar a la calle de los Kioscos se come y cena muy bien, como decimos es bueno, bonito y barato, un almuerzo por 5 dólares, y cena 10 dólares. También te recomiendo que no pagues a guias en tour para recorrer internamente la isla, o recorrer la parte alta como le llaman, yo pague al taxi para que me llevó a 2 lugares por 90 euros, y fue a al reserva del Chato y a los gemelos, lo haces tu solo, asà ahorras dinero. Lo que si pague es los demás tours que son navegables y están bien en especial el tour de Bahia que están las grietas donde se puede bañar. Luego sin dejar de visitar la estación Charles Darwin donde esta disecado el solitario George.
Y el taxista muy recomendable es Oscar Martinez te paso su tlf te hace excelente precio 0982589897....muy honesto. le dice que le paso el dato Gisella de Barcelona ( estuve en Mayo son mis sobrinos)...
También te recomiendo que vayas a Isabela y te quedes una noche y hagas la visita al Volcán Sierra Negra, los túneles y tintoreras ( este es muy bueno, no dejes de hacerlo), tengo una amiga bióloga y guÃa y te puede hacer un buen descuento se llama Carmen te paso tlf 0991757735, ella te recomendara un buen lugar para comer, y el Hostal La Jungla esta al pie de la playa y la dueña se llama Sandra, buena amiga de Carmen (la guÃa). Bueno espero te sirva todo, suerte y un abrazo. Y si vas a Sant Cristobal me avisas que tengo amigos guias, ok
Food and Family Adventures
Davie, FL36 contributions
Is there a time of the day that is better for this visit? Morning, afternoon? When the tortoises are more active maybe?
coasttraveller2015
Tweed Heads, Australia31 contributions
We visited the farm in the afternoon on our way from the airport to our accommodation in town. We walked around the farm and photographed many tortoises eating and stretching their necks. There is a large cafe where we had afternoon tea, as part of our transfer.
Food and Family Adventures
Davie, FL36 contributions
Is there a time of the day that is better for this visit? Morning, afternoon? When the tortoises are more active maybe?
rubster5
London, UK111 contributions
In all honesty, the site is pretty big and it's not like you would bump into people all the time. We were there late in the afternoon around 3pm and it wasn't THAT busy. Some of the tortoises were sleeping and some were active so I think it's probably pot luck!
Mariela Rivas
4 contributions
hola viajo en febrero es buena fecha vamos en flia y costos gracias
Stella C
Lanus, Argentina25 contributions
En Galapagos siempre es buena epoca, lo que varia son las épocas secas o lluviosas, pero siempre hace calor. Galapagos son un conjunto de islas, pero tres son las habitadas y de allà salen las excursiones y cada una tiene su encanto. Es difÃcil decir costos ya que depende si hay cosas que quieras hacer por tu cuenta y el tipo de alojamiento que prefieran. Igual que viajar entre islas lo puedes hacer con las lanchas pero siempre salen de Puerto Ayoras con lo cual organiza lo que quieras conocer a partir de este dato, ya que los viajes son cansadores y solo salen dos veces al dÃa. Cualquier consulta a tu disposición
Travelpapi153
Rochester, NY1,380 contributions
Hello, Do you need to do a tour to see this? What was the price? How far is this from Puerto Ayora? Thanks, Mike
GaryandLesleyTravel
Auckland Central, New Zealand5,073 contributions
Arranging transport on the islands is your best option to move around, either book an excursion or negotiate with a taxi driver. The ranch is around the centre of the island. Your visit should include the "Los Gemelos" pit craters and whilst at the ranch you get to visit the "Lava Tunnels" we used a private taxi for the trip but I can't recall how much that cost, sorry.
Ruben P
Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina4 contributions
Hola, Pensamos ir a Galápagos en agosto, que opinan? Gracias
FernaMo
Bahia Blanca, Argentina138 contributions
Hola Rubén P! Es un destino que puede visitarse en cualquier época del año, en Agosto tengo entendido que hay corrientes marinas que llevan el agua un poco más fresca pero de todas formas van a ver todas las especies y disfrutar de esos paisajes únicos en el mundo. Un saludo !
Gagu23
Santiago, Chile6 contributions
Hola chicos. Somos dos chicos que se van en Galapagos en algunos das. Vimos que los tours son bastante costoso si se compra online. Ustedes como lo hizieron? Lo compraste online o directamente en el lugar? Donde nos recomienda de alojarnos por 5 dÃas? Muchas Gracias por tu ayuda. Gio
durize67
Swiss Alps, Switzerland156 contributions
...hi guys: es lohnt sich nicht, nur für 5 tage zu gehen: 7 tage netto wären ein mindestmass...
Reserva El Chato (Puerto Ayora) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Reserva El Chato
- Reserva El Chato admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $8.75, while a popular guided tour starts around $25.65 per person. See all 31 Reserva El Chato tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Reserva El Chato can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 31 Reserva El Chato tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Reserva El Chato:
- Skip the Line:El Chato 2 Reserve Admission Ticket in Santa Cruz Island,Galapagos (From $8.75)
- Giant Tortoise Reserve - Lava Tubes ( Private Tour ) (From $450.00)
- 12-Day Tour in Lima,Cusco,Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Quito & Galápagos Islands (From $3,599.00)
- Galapagos Intensive 5 days, land base (3Islands) Excludes galapagos flight (From $1,323.00)
- 8-Day Galapagos Island Hopping Tour-Explore 5 Islands-Snorkel,Hike & Wildlife (From $2,830.00)
- Hotels near Reserva El Chato:
- (2.64 mi) Montemar Eco Luxury Villas
- (4.27 mi) Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel
- (3.59 mi) Galapagos Safari Camp
- (9.63 mi) Hotel Galapagos Suites
- (9.73 mi) Hotel Cucuve Galapagos
- Restaurants near Reserva El Chato:
- (9.15 mi) FraFre GastroBar
- (9.79 mi) TJ Restaurant
- (9.75 mi) 1835 Coffee Lab
- (9.75 mi) Midori Sushi & Pub
- (9.74 mi) Galapagos Deli