Why San Cristóbal?

San Cristóbal grew up around fishing and San Cristóbal is also the seat of provincial government. Tourism is a relatively new industry here, and still relatively down to earth, especially when compared to Santa Cruz...

• Santa Cruz has more luxury hotels.
• While San Cristóbal has excellent restaurants, Santa Cruz offers more “fine dining” options.
• Santa Cruz offers more high-end jewelry and souvenir stores as well as art galleries.
• Only Santa Cruz has hotels with private waterfront / beaches.
• Santa Cruz is more tourism centred, so it is easier to find a bilingual guide. But then you are more likely to need one as there are fewer opportunities for self-guided exploration.

But in San Cristóbal...

• The water in the bay is crystal clear, unpolluted, and teeming with life;
• The waterfront is public and accessible, and you can see the ocean from many parts of the town.
• Unlike other islands where they have to de-salinize the water, San Cristóbal has a natural supply of clean fresh water.
• The port and surroundings abound in wildlife, particularly sea-lions, iguana’s, boobies, frigates, pelicans, turtles, birds and fish.
• We have the best diving south of Wolfe and Darwin Islands (which are 240 miles north and accessible only on a diving cruise).
• We have, by far, the best fishing.
• We have, by far, the best surf.
• We have several beautiful beaches only a short walk from the town.
• The airport is only 5 minutes from the town centre. Santa Cruz requires a bus, a ferry and another bus (up to an hour travelling).
• We have the biggest, most modern and well equipped hospital in the region, and
• Cristóbaleños are friendly and hospitable by nature.