The other pearls of the Archipelago: a guide to the Islands' personalities

Our first journey into the souls of the Galapagos introduced us to the aristocratic Española and the primordial Fernandina. But the archipelago's symphony is composed of many other notes, each with a unique timbre and a story to tell. Let us continue our exploration, not to visit places, but to meet the other "personalities" that make this place unparalleled.

Santa Cruz: the beating heart of balance

Santa Cruz is not merely an island; it is the crossroads where wild nature and civilization meet, study each other, and learn to coexist. It is the logistical and human hub of the archipelago, but its soul lies in its lush highlands, where giant tortoises roam free, and at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, the encounter is not only with animals but with humanity's hope and commitment to protecting this treasure. Santa Cruz is the island of awareness, a constant reminder that we are part of a delicate balance.

San Cristóbal: the gateway to history

It was here, on San Cristóbal, that Charles Darwin first set foot in the archipelago, forever changing the way we see the world. This island still carries the aura of that discovery. It is the place where the pact of coexistence is most visible and relaxed: sea lions doze on the waterfront benches of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, frigatebirds inflate their scarlet pouches above the harbor, and the air is steeped in history. San Cristóbal is the island of arrival, perfect for those who wish to feel the echo of the first explorers and witness the possible harmony between man and nature.

Bartolomé: the panoramic icon

If there is one image that encapsulates the geological essence of the Galapagos, it is the view from Bartolomé. This small volcanic island is a masterpiece of geology. The ascent through a lunar landscape of cones and craters is a journey back in time, culminating in a breathtaking view of the bay and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. It is here that one can admire the Galapagos penguin, the northernmost in the world, as it darts through the turquoise water. Bartolomé is the island of perspective, a place that will make you feel small before the grandeur of creation.

North Seymour: the theater of seduction

Small, arid, and flat, North Seymour is an open-air stage where one of nature's most fascinating shows is performed: courtship. It is the realm of the blue-footed boobies, which perform their clumsy and irresistible dance here, and of the frigatebirds, the "pirates of the skies," which inflate their incredible red gular sacs to attract females. To walk on this island is to be a privileged spectator of ancient rituals, a total immersion in the laws of animal attraction. North Seymour is the island of passion, vibrant and unforgettable.