Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, San Cristóbal

About the site

Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado

The Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, in the southeast of San Cristóbal, is a reserve where the island's own giant tortoise, Chelonoidis chathamensis, lives in a large enclosure of dry forest that recreates its natural habitat. Its breeding center, officially named after David Rodríguez, a park ranger who served the islands for 39 years, raises young tortoises until they are strong enough to return to the wild.

The site is about 22 kilometers (14 miles) from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, around 40 minutes by road. An easy trail winds through the forest past the enclosures, where adult tortoises graze and rest, and the visit includes the nursery, where the youngest tortoises grow in pens by age, and a small interpretation center about their life and conservation. The first tortoise hatched here in 2005, and hundreds have been born since.

The dry forest is also a good place to see the San Cristóbal mockingbird, found only on this island, along with Darwin's finches, yellow warblers and lava lizards. The nearby hill of Cerro Colorado is one of the few places where the rare endemic plant Calandrinia galapagosa grows.

The walk is easy and flat. The visit is often combined with the highlands of San Cristóbal, El Junco Lagoon and Puerto Chino beach.

Highlights

Giant Tortoises

Live dates & prices

Cruises that visit Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado

11 yachts include Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado in their routes, with 299 upcoming departures from US$3,022 per person. These are the next ones.

Departure	Yacht	Route	Price per person	Mindo gift	Details
October 2026
6 – 11 Oct6 days / 5 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Central, Floreana & EspañolaSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$5,992	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
6 – 11 Oct6 days / 5 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary 6ASan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$3,022~~US$6,045~~Save US$3,023	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departure
7 – 14 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary CBaltra	US$7,675	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 18 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests	B · Volcanic WondersSan Cristóbal	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 14 Oct4 days / 3 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary BSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$3,289	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departure
11 – 18 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary BSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$7,675	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
16 – 20 Oct5 days / 4 nights	SolarisFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	C · Center & SouthSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$4,150	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure3 places left
17 – 20 Oct4 days / 3 nights	EliteLuxury catamaran · 16 guests	C · Southeastern GalapagosSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$3,999	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure1 place left
17 – 24 Oct8 days / 7 nights	EliteLuxury catamaran · 16 guests	B · Southern & Central GalapagosSan Cristóbal	US$8,219	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
20 – 25 Oct6 days / 5 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Central, Floreana & EspañolaSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$5,992	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
20 – 25 Oct6 days / 5 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary 6ASan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$5,445~~US$6,445~~Save US$1,000	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
21 – 28 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary CBaltra	US$7,675	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure

Yachts that visit Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado

Luxury catamaran · 16 guests Elite 51 departures · from US$3,999

First Class catamaran · 16 guests Treasure of Galapagos 48 departures · from US$4,150

Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests Galapagos Sea Star 44 departures · from US$3,022

First Class motor yacht · 16 guests Solaris 44 departures · from US$4,150

Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests Grand Majestic 29 departures · from US$5,045

Luxury motor yacht · 20 guests Origin, Theory & Evolve 26 departures · from US$10,950

First Class motor yacht · 16 guests Grand Queen Beatriz 18 departures · from US$3,289

Luxury motor yacht · 20 guests Infinity 17 departures · from US$6,745

Luxury catamaran · 16 guests Horizon Trimaran 11 departures · from US$6,545

First Class catamaran · 16 guests Anahi 8 departures · from US$9,746

First Class catamaran · 16 guests Seaman Journey 3 departures · from US$3,692

San Cristóbal Island

Other visitor sites on San Cristóbal

El Junco LagoonDry Landing

Kicker RockNo Landing

Lobos IsletDry Landing

Pitt PointWet Landing

Puerto Baquerizo MorenoDry Landing

Puerto ChinoDry Landing

San Cristóbal AirportNo Landing

San Cristóbal Interpretation CenterDry Landing

Tijeretas Hill (Frigatebird Hill)Dry Landing

Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo)Wet Landing

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Complimentary nightsUsually 2–3, more on request, at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa

All meals includedBreakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay in Mindo Cloud Forest

Private transfersBetween Quito and Mindo, before or after Galápagos

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