El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve — Local services in Parroquia Santa Rosa

GO WITHOUT A TOUR There are 3 options for getting here - go with a tour for a few hundred dollars a head, negotiate with a taxi driver for about $40 round trip for up to 4 people, or take the bus for $2 round trip per person. If you are coming into or leaving via the Baltra Airport, it might also be a decent thing to see on the way to/from the port for about $60 via taxi (tour plus transportation to the airport). To go by bus, leave from roughly the center of town, right across the street from the Mercado Municipal. You will see an area to sit in the shade and there will be a schedule on the side. The buses leave roughly every 30 minutes to Santa Rosa for $1. From Santa Rosa, you will walk about 1 hour to the ranch (we were lucky because we went early in the morning and were picked up by some workers in a truck!). Along the way you'll see many turtles and cows, many more than you'll see on the ranch. For returning, go back to where the bus dropped you and take the bus back to the Mercado Municipal for $1. Going by taxi is faster because it can take you all the way to the ranch, but you'll miss the views and close encounters with the tortoises on the way.

Entrance to the park is $10/person which includes a walk on the ranch with the turtles and a walk through the...

What a great way to observe the giant tortoises in the Galapagos! We had heard it was quite the journey to get to El Chato Ranch, so my wife and I hired a taxi for about 4-5 hours from Puerto Ayora. It cost us around $40 USD. We made a stop at Los Gemelos (sink holes) before heading to the ranch. There is an option to take a bus from Puerto Ayora and then walk but we wouldn’t recommend this as the bus doesn’t run often and you’ll be walking for a while...probably not very fun in the rain.

Upon arriving at the ranch, we waited around 5-10 minutes for the next tour to start and were offered free coffee/water. You get a guided tour of the grounds and have the chance to witness the tortoises as they walk (slowly) around and hang out in the mud. The guides were very knowledgeable and answered all our questions!

There is also a small system of lava tubes in the ranch grounds that is part of the tour! All in all, a very cool experience which made it one of the highlights of our time in Santa Cruz island. Feel free to check out our other Galapagos highlights on instagram @halohaloadventures_

Highly recommend a visit to El...

Located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, this ranch offers a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

To explore the ranch, you’ll need to be accompanied by a local guide, which adds great value to the visit. The guide provides insights into the history of the giant tortoises, their habitat, and their crucial role in the Galápagos ecosystem.

One of the highlights of the ranch is witnessing numerous giant tortoises feeding on the grass cultivated by locals to support their natural diet. Seeing these majestic creatures up close in their natural environment is a humbling experience.

The walking paths at the ranch can be quite muddy, especially after rain, but the staff ensures visitors are well prepared by providing rubber boots. This thoughtful touch makes the trek more enjoyable and hassle free.

In addition to the tortoises, El Chato 2 features three lava tunnels formed thousands of years ago. These geological formations are a striking reminder of the islands’ volcanic origins and offer a glimpse into their fascinating...