Things to Do in Santa Cruz, Ecuador - Santa Cruz Attractions
Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Tortuga Bay Beach, Las Grietas, Beaches, Nature and Wildlife Tours. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Tortuga Bay Beach, Las Grietas, Beaches, Nature and Wildlife Tours. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Powered by AI
BETA
Explore popular experiences
See what other travelers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Santa Cruz.
- from
$249per adult (price varies by group size)$230 - fromper adult$64
- fromper adult$355
Swim with Dolphinsfromper adult (price varies by group size)$239
Ports of Call Toursfromper adult$72- fromper adult$155
- fromper adult$269
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$1,158
Multi-day Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$1,736
Multi-day Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$468
Beaches
Geologic Formations
Scenic swimming hole reached by water taxi, featuring a guided walk through salt flats and rocky terrain. Enjoy unique snorkeling in a lava tunnel and a refreshing dip in clear saltwater.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Admission tickets from $9
Private reserve with natural habitat for giant tortoises, featuring guided tours, lava tunnel explorations, and unique wildlife encounters.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Beaches
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Fish market alive with local culture, fresh seafood preparation, and vibrant wildlife encounters, including sea lions and tropical birds.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Island-hopping tours and ferry services enable visitors to explore the Galapagos' natural wonders, including snorkeling with marine life and scenic mountain hikes.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Beaches
Caverns & Caves
Islands
Nature & Wildlife Areas
1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Shannon Gold20 contributionsAbsolutely spectacular beach. Clean and vast. So refreshing to be on a beach that hasn’t been spoiled by commercial spaces or resorts. Iguanas on the beach, birds in the air and baby sharks in the water. Most beautiful beach we visited in the Galapagos. However, it is disappointing that you cannot stay to watch the sunset as I could imagine how amazing it would be. In fact, the ranger was somewhat rude and impatient, ushering everyone back to the trailhead before 5:00pm. It is a bit of a long walk to/from the beach.Written November 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- enjoyingourchildrenRaleigh, NC464 contributionsSo easy to do this tour from town. Walk to the main harbor, water taxi over to the other side. All taxi's know where you are going if you say Las Grietas. $1 per person each way. You might get a guide on the taxi with you when you arrive.
We did. He walked us to "his tour office".
There are several tour offices at the end of the walk. So if one doesn't hop on your taxi don't worry. You are required to have a guide to the park entrance. $10 per person. This guide gives you great history and information as you make the 30 minute walk to the snorkeling site.
When you arrive it's a 3 flight of stairs walk down to the water. This is free time for you to snorkel.Written November 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PatrycjaEdinburgh, UK2,504 contributionsWe visited the ranch as part of the Santa Cruz island tour. Our driver picked us up from the airport and stoped over here before taking us to the hotel in Puerto Ayora.
It’s a fantastic way to start your holiday in Galapagos, we saw a number of tortoises on the way to the ranch and then had time with our guide to take as many photos as we wanted.
We also had lunch here and it was very tasty, Ecuadorean ceviche and fish for main served alongside wine made at the estate.
It is a must see place when in Santa Cruz.Written December 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - sixersgirlParadise, PA61 contributionsLarge beach, requires a $20 taxi ride each way from town. Very peaceful with few people. You can rent kayaks here, but bring drinks and snacks if you’re spending the day.Written August 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter RDartford, UK1,361 contributionsInteresting place to stand and watch the fisherman unloading their catch. As soon as they arrive the local pelicans, frigate birds and sealions also arrive waiting for their share of the catch. There are also plenty of iguanas and crabs sunbathing on the rocks.Written November 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert A1 contributionExcellent tour company in the Galápagos Islands. Jorge really cares and makes sure you get the experience you are looking for. Can’t recommend them highly enough!Written December 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- duhozBeroun, Czech Republic7,526 contributionsNice sandy beach with clear water and beautiful views but lacks of shade. There are many birds to watch and also some see life such as turtles, sharks, rays but little bit far away from the beach. This is a small beach without many shade. Easy to get but you need to take a water taxi 0,80$ and then walk about 5 minutes, it is same direction as to Las Grietas which is further along,Written March 25, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Susan I15 contributionsIt was ok. I only did the 1st one because the 2nd one would have been to different for me. I'm 74. There were many people and couldn't really enjoy the experience. I very much enjoyed zel RanchoWritten November 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter RDartford, UK1,361 contributionsThis was our last stop at the end of our Galapagos Islands holiday. It was the liveliest island we visited, the others island’s we visited being San Cristobal and Isabela. It was a good stop for some R&R or maybe as a base to visit other islands, but both San Cristobal and Isabela were much better for wildlife and site seeing.Written November 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jordan BStuart, FL44 contributionsAmongst the numerous souvenir shops selling T shirts and socks is this impressive fine art gallery. They have a great selection of art in a variety of mediums. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful without being intrusive which is so important while trying to browse and take it all in. Like I imagine most of the customers are, we were there on a short shopping break from our Galapagos cruise. We are not impulse buyers. The staff was happy to let us take pictures of what we liked and they have a great website so we were able to browse more and contact them when we got home. Martin and Paola were so helpful with multiple emails and we are now the happy owners of a pair of blue footed boobie sculptures by Jorge Espana. Definitely stop by when visiting the island!Written September 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nicki EIllinois595 contributionsDefinitely worth a stop—even better if you've learned something about their formation and the scalesia trees that grow here. Majestic, and the hike through the forest is very peaceful.
Would love to come back at an earlier time in the day with fewer people around. But even with lots of human activity & voices, I saw doves, a mockingbird, and a Galápagos flycatcher.Written September 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - shalini_raoBoston, MA39 contributionsMost of the boardwalk is closed and doesn’t seem like there is any maintenance or upkeep of the place. We did see green turtles, plenty of fish and birds in the area though. Could be beautiful if repaired and maintainedWritten January 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above hotel descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in one of these AI-generated descriptions is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members 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.