WHAT TO DO

BIRD WATCHING: The islands are a bird watcher's dream -- especially if you're set on seeing and identifying all 13 Darwin Finches (endemic to the islands), the waved Albatross, the flightless Cormorant and countless other jewels of the islands. Bring your highest magnifying binoculars and best camera lenses.

SEA KAYAKING: What better way to get up close and personal to Blue Footed Boobies, sea lions and more than with a sea kayak? Rent them from The Red Mangrove Inn -- and they'll even be able to find a guide for you!

SNORKELING: For those of you not ready to emerge themselves 30 meters in the sea, snorkeling in the islands is amazing. You'll see everything from sharks and turtles to penguins and boobies flopping around the water. You can spend hours in the water enjoying the show!

HIKING: Few to no places are open to free hiking, though you can find a few trails on San Cristobol and SANTA CRUZ. We recommend, though, for all hikes, to go with a guide. The guides can point out the fascinating details of the islands, turning a beautiful hike into an encylopedic experience. Take good walking shoes, lots of water, and don't wander off! It's easier to get lost on these islands than you think.

SURFING: It's not common, but it can be done. Ask around, and you'll be sure to find somebody to take you out surfing or body boarding.

BEACH: If you want to just relax and go to the beach, try out Turtle Bay on SANTA CRUZ island. There are few places a tourist can go on his own, and this is one. The beach is magnificent -- it has fine,white sand. It's terrible for snorkeling because of the wind and waves, but it's great for surfing, body boarding, and catching rays.

NIGHT LIFE: A few of the islands, SANTA CRUZ in particular, have many clubs to cater to the tourist. There you can get an icey (though pricey) beer and enjoy the island atmosphere after an 8 day boat tour. For poetry, live music, and an enchanted evening, we highly recommend Casa del Lago. The owner, Elena, is an artist of exceptional taste and invites the most talented musicians, artists, poets, singers, and orators to share their art in her outdoor pub.