2 Best Sights in The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Follow the main road east from Puerto Ayora to the expansive grounds of the Charles Darwin Research Station and its visitor center, which has an informative exhibit explaining the basics of Galápagos geology, ecology, and weather patterns. Self-guided trails lead to the station's zoo-like giant tortoise pens, where you can see the only tortoises you're likely to encounter during your visit. Your admission is included in the $100 entry fee you paid upon landing in the islands.

When the sun beats down on you, it gets quite hot here; bring a hat and water.

Next to the national park is this privately-owned nature preserve where several dozen giant tortoises roam freely. If you're on a cruise or package tour, you're likely to come here. If you're traveling independently, add this to your list of Santa Cruz sites, and combine it with a visit to the neighboring national park. It's great fun to walk around here and get moderately close to these incredible creatures, and this is among the best places to take photos of and with them. You could spend 15 minutes here taking quick snaps or an hour or more walking the grounds in awe. There's an open-air café where you can sit for tea, coffee, and small snack like empanadas, as well as a souvenir shop.

You'll be offer rubber boots to wear; take them or you'll sink right into the mud.