Galápagos, Ecuador: Towns to Explore on Foot

Looking for things to do in Galápagos? This island province of Ecuador combines volcanic origins, extraordinary wildlife and a long history shaped by journeys at sea. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and distinctive birds are part of an environment made remarkable by the islands’ isolation. Neywo offers free audio guides for 3 cities in Galápagos, with 5 narrated places in total, available in 11 languages.

What to see and do in Galápagos

A Galápagos travel guide begins with the archipelago’s natural history. The islands are thought to have formed around eight million years ago through tectonic activity on the seabed. Located on the equator, they developed a remarkable variety of life, much of it shaped by their distance from the mainland.

Discover Galápagos wildlife

Wildlife is one of the main reasons to visit the Galápagos. The islands are known for giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and birds, among other species. Their unusual lack of fear around people also made a strong impression on some of the archipelago’s earliest visitors.

Naturalist Charles Darwin helped make Galápagos biodiversity famous through his theory of evolution. The islands’ isolated environment and distinctive animals became central to the way many people understand how life changes over time.

Learn about the first recorded European arrival

In 1535, the Dominican friar Fray Tomás de Berlanga reached the Galápagos by chance. Calm weather and strong currents carried his ship off course, bringing him to an archipelago that he described as dry and bleak.

His account also recorded giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and birds. The animals’ unusual mildness stood out to him, creating one of the earliest written impressions of the wildlife that would later make the Galápagos famous.

Follow the islands’ history at sea

The Galápagos also has a long maritime history. Pirates used the archipelago as a hiding place while targeting Spanish galleons, adding a chapter of conflict and concealment to the islands’ story.

Whalers later came to the islands and took thousands of tortoises aboard their ships. Because the animals could survive for months without food or water, crews kept them as a supply of fresh meat. This hunting greatly reduced tortoise populations and contributed to the loss of some Galápagos tortoise species.

The contrast between the islands’ extraordinary wildlife and the impact of human exploitation is an important part of understanding Galápagos today. Its volcanic beginnings, isolated ecosystems and history at sea are closely connected.

The best towns to visit in Galápagos

If you are comparing the best towns to visit in Galápagos, Neywo currently covers three cities. Together, they provide narrated introductions to island towns and nearby places connected with the archipelago’s landscapes and history.

Puerto Ayora

Puerto Ayora has 3 narrated places on Neywo. Its selection includes Puerto Ayora itself, Santiago Island and Bartolomé Island, bringing together an island town and two destinations associated with the wider Galápagos setting.

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno has 1 narrated place: the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The narration connects the town with one of its notable religious landmarks.

Puerto Villamil

Puerto Villamil also has 1 narrated place on Neywo. The guide focuses on Puerto Villamil itself, adding the town to the app’s coverage of the archipelago.

Explore Galápagos with Neywo

Download Neywo for free audio guides covering 3 cities and 5 narrated places in Galápagos. There are currently no walking, bus or bike tours, so the app focuses on individual narrated places rather than fixed routes. As you reach each place, Neywo tells its story at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages.