Where are the Galapagos Islands?
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are estimated to have formed around four to five million years ago, human contact with this remote archipelago is much more recent.
As one of the biggest islands in the archipelago, and the most populous, Santa Cruz offers a wealth of contrasting experiences. As the main population center of the islands, the little town of Puerto Ayora presents a different face of the Galapagos, too. Here, humans share their space with animals, and there’s a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere.
These islands offer an abundance of natural wonders and wildlife, including giant tortoises, sea lions, and countless bird species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In addition, the islands are far enough away from each other that both plant and animal species could not easily migrate, and over time adapted to their environment, with several becoming endemic to a specific island.