Galapagos Islands - Baltra Island

Baltra Island is also known as South Seymour, this is where the main Galapagos aiport is located and is serviced by TAME airlines exclusively.

The Baltra airport was originally constructed by the U.S. military during World War II as a base to protect the Panama Canal from enemy attack. During this period most of the indigenous fauna of the island was exterminated. Land iguanas have only recently been successfully re-introduced and can be seen near the airport. Baltra is currently an Ecuadorian naval base and is not within the boundaries of Galapagos National Park.

Tours and Excursions Description

Arriving visitors are the met by their naturalist-guide or other crewmember holding a sign with the name of the boat. A short bus ride from the airport is the harbor where the boats wait for passengers to begin their tours.

Tourist Information

Upon arrival Galapagos Park Fees (or the receipt of paid Park Fees) is collected at the Kiosk.

Transfers to Santa Cruz Island: Land transfer services are available from Baltra to nearby Santa Cruz. Those visitors planning land based visit Staying on Santa Cruz board the bus departing the airport for the Itabaca Cannel (approximately a 10-minute ride). A ferry takes passengers and their belongings across the water to the CITTEG bus waiting at the other side. Then an hour-long bus ride crosses Santa Cruz, cutting through the highlands and passing many farms before finally reaching Puerto Ayora.

Cost: The total cost is about $2.50, including the channel crossing and buses on both islands. It takes a little over an hour to get to Puerto Ayora.

Note: Baltra does not have any visitor sites.