Charles Darwin Research Station

Our guide took us on a private tour of the research center, and my husband and I learned so much about the history and animals of these beautiful islands. Our guide taught us about the various research projects at the center, how the tortoises are cared for and taught to hunt, and the 100% success rate once they are released back into the wild! She taught us about Lonesome George and we even got to see him in his glory! It was such a special place to learn more about the conservation on the islands.

The Charles Darwin Research Station was founded in 1959 in partnership with UNESCO, and is open to the public. It’s dedicated to protecting and breeding Galapagos giant tortoises. The Station also conducts biological research to understand and protect the flora and fauna of Galapagos. We spotted groups of lizards sunning themselves on the grounds and rocks around the grounds. The Galapagos research center is free to visit. There is a $10 per person fee to accompany a nature guide and explore the grounds where the giant tortoises are hatched and live. One of the center’s goals is to breed and release tortoises back to the wild when they’re about 5 years old. Since the 1960’s, they’ve released more than 2,000 healthy tortoises on the Galapagos Island. The tortoise shells are painted with numbers. Hatchlings and young tortoises of different ages live in separate areas at the center. Their Natural History Interpretive Center features skeletons of a whale and dwarf sperm whale. Exhibits highlight achievements and challenges of their marine animal and tortoise research. There’s a sculpture and moving tribute to Lonesome George. He was the world’s last Pinta Giant tortoise when he died in 2012. We found a nice selection of Darwin Center t-shirts, books and souvenirs in their gift shop. All purchases support their foundation. There’s an outdoor cafe nearby to purchase cold drinks and light snacks. Look for sculptures of Darwin around the center for popular photo spots.

Having been to almost 100 countries + Antarctica, I am very selective when visiting a place with limited time. As other travels have said, the ground and the museum are free, but if you come all the way to the Galapagos, you have to see the giant tortoises and the preserved remains of Longsome George (Pinta Island giant tortoise). To gain access to see these tortoises (babies and adults), you will find a guide gathering people inside the museum for a guided tour ($10 cash only). I was hesitant about paying at first, but it was totally worth it after having come all the way to Puerto Ayora.

So so museum, got famous because carry on Darwin’s name. Going to the area is free & if you want a guide and short special way not thru the brick roads to see the breeding turtle and Galapagos- saddleback turtle THEN you need to pay $10…. Tips: if u don’t want to pay, go to the main building pass the cafe and if no one guarding it.. turn left then u will see the turtles..

Worth a visit if you are already in Puerto Ayora, but I wouldn’t make a special visit for this center. If you do come here, getting a guide is worthwhile, IMO. You will get more out of the visit. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here, no more. I’m a bit surprised by the whining in other reviews about the $10 admission fee and the cost of a guide, considering the money supports the giant tortoise breeding and conservation program. Really folks?

Only one building is open to visitors, while the rest are research facilities that are off-limits to the public. Visitors can explore exhibits about the evolution of animals in the Galápagos Islands and Charles Darwin’s visit. For an additional $10 at the park entrance, you can hire a guide to visit the area with tortoises, but I opted not to pay this fee since I toured the facility independently. Outside the facility, there is a resting area and a café where you can buy simple drinks. Inside, you’ll find videos about the Galápagos Islands and model tortoise shells, which you can take pictures with. The facility is about a 15-minute walk from downtown, and since the path is flat, it’s easy to reach on foot. The park also includes two beaches that are free to access, making it a pleasant addition to your visit.

Absolutely wonderful afternoon spent here touring the research station and enjoying a guided tour of the tortisess and learning about the local conservation efforts. I can't imagine coming to Santa Cruz and not saving a few hours to come here. Our guide Bayron was very patient and knowledgeable, allowing us to stop for photos along the tour of anything that caught our eye. While walking to the research station, you pass two areas where you may be approached by the businesses offering guides. The station is 100% free, but the tortise tour is $10 per person for the mandatory guide. The tortises and their stories are beautiful to learn about, and the conservation efforts here are remarkable. I'm grateful we decided to do the guided tour in addition to walking the area on our own.

It's worth a stop if you are already local, but I wouldn't go out of your way to see it! It was nice walking the trails and learning about the history with our tour guide. We walked around the museum a bit and then went back into town!