El Garrapatero
El Garrapatero
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience El Garrapatero and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
4 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
702 reviews
Excellent
370
Very good
257
Average
67
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Jorit N
West Melton, New Zealand108 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We booked a taxi to visit Cerro Mesa and then El Garrapatero. We could be the odd one out here, but this was our least favourite day of the whole two weeks we had. Cerro Mesa is not worth the trip and hike to the bottom and the beach is tiny compared to Tortuga Bay. Only positive is that it is just a quick walk from where the taxi drops you off.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geierdianne
Scotland, Canada28 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
We rode e-bikes the 22 km to the beach. En route is the town of Bella Vista which has hiking to view points and a long Lava Tunnel. Following the highway east of town leads to park by the beach at the end of the road. Very nice beach with washrooms and change facilities. Also spotted tortoises along the way.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CĂ©sar M
Quito, Ecuador22 contributions
Aug 2020
Accesible through paved road and pathway (rode a bike from Puerto Ayora). Top notch kayak and snorkeling equipment rental . Kayaking was great, through calm bay, to three other nearby beaches. Saw lots of sea turtles, marine iguanas, small bullsharks and lots of birds.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSchicke
Livermore, CA339 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
El Garrapatero was one of the few public beaches on the Island of Santa Cruz. It is over a kilometer long, covered in beautiful white sand, and is located about 19 km (12 mi) north east of Puerto Ayora. It can only be accessed by foot, but worth the walk.
The gravel trail that leads to the beach was easy, and did not have any major inclines. A Park ranger patrols the area daily from 7am to 6pm and was there to help visitors in the area. Camping is permitted at this beach with previous authorization from the “Unidad de Uso Publico”, which can be requested at the offices of the National Park in Puerto Ayora. Visitors cannot burn any wood from the area and must bring their own coal if they want to cook anything while at the beach.
Also, just a hundred meters from the beach one can find a small lagoon that is home to flamingos and ducks which was great to see in person!
The gravel trail that leads to the beach was easy, and did not have any major inclines. A Park ranger patrols the area daily from 7am to 6pm and was there to help visitors in the area. Camping is permitted at this beach with previous authorization from the “Unidad de Uso Publico”, which can be requested at the offices of the National Park in Puerto Ayora. Visitors cannot burn any wood from the area and must bring their own coal if they want to cook anything while at the beach.
Also, just a hundred meters from the beach one can find a small lagoon that is home to flamingos and ducks which was great to see in person!
Written June 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJisland
maryland28 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
About 30 min taxi ride from town, $35 to $40 round trip. No other services out there to take everything you might need with you
Written January 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry S
Seattle37 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
This is one of the prettiest beaches in the area that is accessable by taxi or bike. The white taxis in town will take you out for $30 round trip. Be sure to agree on the price before leaving town. Also, agree on how long you want to stay to arrange for pickup by the same taxi. DO NOT PAY UNTIL YOU ARE PICKED UP AND GET BACK TO TOWN! If you are a biker, there are a few rentals in town for reasonable rates. There are a couple of long hills so take your time.
There are no facilities at the beach except kayak rentals. Be sure to take enough water and a pick-nik or some snacks as you will want to stay awhile. Once you reach the parking lot follow the paved walking path about 10 minutes to the registration station. Sign in and present an ID to enter the beach. This is for your own safety to sign in and out. They seemed loose about the ID part, but take it just in case. There are bathrooms where you can change if needed. Do not drink the tap water! Inquire about the kayaks there if you want one. On the way down to the beach there is a lagoon where flamingos usually hang out and iguanas around as well. You have to enjoy them from a distance though, as the area around the lagoon is closed off for nesting. Remember that it is illegal and just plain wrong to touch, feed or bother any animals in the Galapagos. The beach is big and wide. There's a little shade around the mangroves if you want a break from the sun. There's also a small camping area by the mangroves but I didn't get information about camping there.
There are no facilities at the beach except kayak rentals. Be sure to take enough water and a pick-nik or some snacks as you will want to stay awhile. Once you reach the parking lot follow the paved walking path about 10 minutes to the registration station. Sign in and present an ID to enter the beach. This is for your own safety to sign in and out. They seemed loose about the ID part, but take it just in case. There are bathrooms where you can change if needed. Do not drink the tap water! Inquire about the kayaks there if you want one. On the way down to the beach there is a lagoon where flamingos usually hang out and iguanas around as well. You have to enjoy them from a distance though, as the area around the lagoon is closed off for nesting. Remember that it is illegal and just plain wrong to touch, feed or bother any animals in the Galapagos. The beach is big and wide. There's a little shade around the mangroves if you want a break from the sun. There's also a small camping area by the mangroves but I didn't get information about camping there.
Written October 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CanaMum2
Xiamen, China120 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
We actually came here twice. The first time the tide was farther out at about 11 and the snorkeling was great. There were golden rays swimming in the bay and the Pelicans were dive bombing the water 5 feet from where we were standing. The mangroves at the one end prove some relief from the sun. Plus there is a little lagoon with a couple of Flamingoes to see.
The second time we grab food for a picnic and had a wonderful picnic under the mangrove trees which I would totally recommend doing. Loved it here. But there is nothing there so bring everything you will need.
The second time we grab food for a picnic and had a wonderful picnic under the mangrove trees which I would totally recommend doing. Loved it here. But there is nothing there so bring everything you will need.
Written March 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KPC16
Kent, UK54 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We took a taxi from our hotel in Puerto Ayora which took about 40 minutes and cost $40 for a return trip . It was a ten minute walk from where the taxis stop down a paved path to the beach. At the beach there is the Park rangers hut with toilets, but no other facilities so you need to go prepared with plenty of water, sun screen and bug spray. Yes the flies can be a nuisance but don’t let it put you off visiting. This is a beautiful unspoilt beach, and we found it a wonderful place to sit and relax. There’s not much to do apart from swimming and kayaking so bear that in mind when you calculate how long you want until the taxi picks you up.
Written June 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Munoz Arbelaez
3 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
It takes one hour to get to Garrapatero and the road is really nice. There is no need to get a Taxi.
I rent a bike at Bike and Smile ( 20 a day ) and also visit the Twin Craters and Chato Turtle Reserve.
I rent a bike at Bike and Smile ( 20 a day ) and also visit the Twin Craters and Chato Turtle Reserve.
Written November 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
colewanderer
Malmö, Sweden285 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Hire a taxi to get here and agreed a time for pick up, Its a small area white sand beach. Less crowd than the Tortuga bay. Rent a kayak and paddle your way to see the sea turtle paddling next to you. Sun bathing with marine iguana is an experience.
Written March 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola. cĂłmo estás? voy a ir galápagos pronto, no es muy lejos desde el centro de la isla a esa playa para ir en bicicleta? no quiero terminar agotada porque hay que hacer muchas cosas todos los dĂas, gracias!
Written October 8, 2022
es complicado para ir en bicicleta es lejos y escarpado ... tenes algunos transportistas que te llevan por pocos dolares te doy el contacto de ESTEBAN +593 93 9983039 el te lleva a todos lados, conoce la isla al dedillo, es muy atento y esta siempre dispuesto.
Written October 8, 2022
Como se hace para llegar a esa playa y cuánto es el costo por favor ?
Written March 12, 2022
Bonjour, comment aller à la plage El Garrapatero par ses propres moyens ? en taxi depuis la ville ? facile à trouver ? à réserver ? et pour le retour on prend rdv avec le taxi ? prix ? merci d'avance pour les bons tuyaux, Olivier
Written February 6, 2019
Hola! Al garrapatero podés ir en taxi o tentando bicicletas. Es un largo camino pero vale la pena! Saludos!
Written February 12, 2019
Sorry about my feeble attempt at Spanish. The question: Is there a foot path from Puerto Ayora to Playa Garrapatero, or must one follow the main road? Thanks
Written January 17, 2019
Oh, also: Hay una carretera desde el pueblo a Garrapatero o se necessita usar el camino?
Written January 16, 2019
I regret I only speak English so I cannot anwser your question.
Written January 17, 2019
Hi. Can we get camping permission the same day as, or the day before, we hike to this beach? what is the cost?
Written January 16, 2019
You have to submit an application with at least 2 days prior to your camping date. Seems the charge is $10 per person. I found a contact online, try to e-mail for more information: Luis Fernando Caisaguano, lcaisaguano@galapagos.gob.ec +593 5 2526 Ext. 1430
The Galapagos National Park Directorate, they should be able to provide you with the application and procedures.
Written January 17, 2019
Hola!! Se puede llegar fácilmente a esta playa por tu cuenta??
Written October 20, 2018
Hola. Nosotros fuimos en taxi y pactamos una hora estimada para que viniera a buscarnos. Pero creo que hay micros/colectivos que te llevan hasta ahĂ.
Written October 21, 2018
Hola Valeria! Gracias por la info! Voy en mayo yo... te consulto: fuiste hace mucho? Recordás el precio del alquiler de kayaks?! Gracias!!!!!!!!!!
Written April 20, 2018
Hola Olivia, estuvimos este verano y pagamos U$ 10. cada kayac por una hora o un poco mas. Espero lo disfruten! Lleven sombreros y si pueden una sombrilla propia para ir a la playa porque no hay nada de sombra y es un lugar hermoso para quedarse.
Saludos
Written April 21, 2018
Esta playa no es la misma, Garrapatero está hacia arriba de Santa Cruz, tu estás hablando de la playa Estación, que está cerca del museo Charles Darwin. Ojo, para que no se confunda la gente, y concuerdo contigo, es pequeña, se puede bañar, pero no es muy cómoda.
Written March 4, 2018
Por quĂ© lo dices? No entendĂ. La opiniĂłn q escribĂ y las fotos que subĂ sĂ son del Garrapatero, tengo hasta las fotos del letrero con su nombre a la entrada. La playa que queda al lado de la estaciĂłn Charles Darwin es mucho mucho más chica, tambiĂ©n la visitĂ©.
Written March 6, 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 14
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing