Puerto Chino Beach
Puerto Chino Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Puerto Chino Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2 within 5 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
337 reviews
Excellent
237
Very good
79
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Cherie C
Sydney, Australia476 contributions
Mar 2020
My husband and I have recently returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands. The day that we went China Beach on San Cristobal, it was spectacular. Blue sky, perfect small waves, fabulous water temperature and super white sand. It was gorgeous. Coming from Australia where we have amazing beaches, this certainly compared to them. Unfortunately we had no wildlife around on our day, but that didn't spoil it for us. From the car park, I think it is about a 10 - 15 minute walk to the beach along a path where you can see many different cactus. We LOVED it. The only negative for me, is that there is no shade on the beach. I am very fair and really need to try and stay out of the sun if and when possible. However, I did my best to stay protected and we both loved. Take plenty of water and snacks. Enjoy.
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Limegreenpeach
Portland, OR33 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
I'm currently working on my Master's degree and living on San Cristobal Island for three months. Puerto Chino is one of my FAVORITE places in the Galapagos. If you have the time this is an excellent place to visit.
The beach is moderately sized and has fine white sand and space to spread out. The waves are great here - big enough to have fun playing in but not so big you feel nervous. The first time we can we were with a guide who suggested you stay more towards the center to avoid the current but we never had a problem. If you are a beginner surfer this is definitely a place to come! You can even rent a board in town for cheap!
In the water don't be surprised to see several sea turtles or a sea lion swimming along side. On shore you'll find mockingbirds, very curious finches, sea lions, hermit crabs, and other small wildlife. If you're interested there are camp sites here too - but if you have more than 6 people you need to get permission from the park.
If you climb on the rocks on the left side of the beach (there is a little bit of a trail) you'll see amazing views of the ocean. You can also look down on the beach and see the sea turtles bobbing in the water. Don't stop at the top, continue forward and you might get lucky enough to see the blue footed boobies that hang out near the end of the rock.
Bring a picnic lunch (check out the panaderia by La Concha two blocks up from the malecon) and plan to spend at least 3 hours.
One note, a rain jacket might be advisable. It occasionally sprinkles on the beach but if nothing else, if you ride in the back of the taxi (in the truck bed) you might get chilly or wet on the drive through the highlands.
Finally --
If you're looking to make a day of it you can also stop at El Junco (the large freshwater lake where the graceful frigate birds soar - bring closed toes shoes for the short but steep walk up and a rain jacket for sure) and the Galapaguera (where you'll see giant tortoises and baby tortoises!). They are both on the way and highly recommended if you have time. A taxi will do the whole trip (and wait for you at each stop) for $40-$50. Plan at least 5 hours to not feel rushed, more if you can (though it could be done in 3hrs if you're feeling pressed).
The beach is moderately sized and has fine white sand and space to spread out. The waves are great here - big enough to have fun playing in but not so big you feel nervous. The first time we can we were with a guide who suggested you stay more towards the center to avoid the current but we never had a problem. If you are a beginner surfer this is definitely a place to come! You can even rent a board in town for cheap!
In the water don't be surprised to see several sea turtles or a sea lion swimming along side. On shore you'll find mockingbirds, very curious finches, sea lions, hermit crabs, and other small wildlife. If you're interested there are camp sites here too - but if you have more than 6 people you need to get permission from the park.
If you climb on the rocks on the left side of the beach (there is a little bit of a trail) you'll see amazing views of the ocean. You can also look down on the beach and see the sea turtles bobbing in the water. Don't stop at the top, continue forward and you might get lucky enough to see the blue footed boobies that hang out near the end of the rock.
Bring a picnic lunch (check out the panaderia by La Concha two blocks up from the malecon) and plan to spend at least 3 hours.
One note, a rain jacket might be advisable. It occasionally sprinkles on the beach but if nothing else, if you ride in the back of the taxi (in the truck bed) you might get chilly or wet on the drive through the highlands.
Finally --
If you're looking to make a day of it you can also stop at El Junco (the large freshwater lake where the graceful frigate birds soar - bring closed toes shoes for the short but steep walk up and a rain jacket for sure) and the Galapaguera (where you'll see giant tortoises and baby tortoises!). They are both on the way and highly recommended if you have time. A taxi will do the whole trip (and wait for you at each stop) for $40-$50. Plan at least 5 hours to not feel rushed, more if you can (though it could be done in 3hrs if you're feeling pressed).
Written 28 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rodvilencia
Bellflower, California, USA563 contributions
June 2017 • Friends
I really enjoyed seeing the various sights on the San Cristobal Highland Tour. Like all Highland Tours in the Galapagos, this one is basically a cab ride where you are driven to key points around the highlands of the island and given time to explore each site. In San Cristobal the first stop on the Highland Tour is a lookout point where you can see a beautiful panoramic view of the island. Sadly the day I took the tour it was socked in with clouds and fog so we barely saw a thing. The next stop was one of my favorite sites on the Galapagos. The Centro De Crianza De Tortugas Terrestres ( The Tortoise Breeding and Research Center. This was the highlight of the tour for me. It's a beautiful natural garden with huge Galapagos Tortoises freely moving around, and a breeding and hatching center where you can get up close and personal with smaller baby Tortoises. It was incredible! Out of all three Tortoise centers that I visited in the islands this one was by far my favorite! Then you get taken to Puerto Chino Beach! It's a lovely walk through a natural endemic landscape leading you to this secluded beach with its beautiful water and sand! You can lay on the beach here, swim, surf, boogie board, or just walk around and enjoy this lovely little beach. Puerto Chino is the third stop on the San Cristobal Highland Tour. The cost of the tour will be $50.00 to $60.00 and you can book it with any cab on the street! Please remember to tip your tour guide if they do a good job.
Written 5 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leigh
Vancouver, Canada18 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
After a 30 min cab ride this beach is a short 10 min hike in from the parking lot. The path is well paved and easy to walk.
Sand is like powder, turquoise water, sandy bottom, fun to swim in! If you are up for an adventure for a a couple of walks. If facing the ocean turn left and walk along the lava rocks to what looks like a big white rock in the distance. Careful for lots of crabs on the way, don't worry, they run away from you! When you get closer you will see it is actually half of a whales skull, super cool and enormous!
If facing the ocean turn right and head up the path to the top of the point, here is where the blue footed boobies hang out, we saw two or three and they stayed super still for us to take loads of pics.
Walk back down the hill but go left away from the beach for a bit, there are soooo many cool crabs, a water cave, a circular rock formation with water in the middle, and I. The distance you can see the tail of the whale! We tried to get to it but we couldn't make it over the rocks.
Super cool! For sure recommend going here, I did however find Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz to be more beautiful and way bigger.
Sand is like powder, turquoise water, sandy bottom, fun to swim in! If you are up for an adventure for a a couple of walks. If facing the ocean turn left and walk along the lava rocks to what looks like a big white rock in the distance. Careful for lots of crabs on the way, don't worry, they run away from you! When you get closer you will see it is actually half of a whales skull, super cool and enormous!
If facing the ocean turn right and head up the path to the top of the point, here is where the blue footed boobies hang out, we saw two or three and they stayed super still for us to take loads of pics.
Walk back down the hill but go left away from the beach for a bit, there are soooo many cool crabs, a water cave, a circular rock formation with water in the middle, and I. The distance you can see the tail of the whale! We tried to get to it but we couldn't make it over the rocks.
Super cool! For sure recommend going here, I did however find Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz to be more beautiful and way bigger.
Written 1 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia R
Amsterdam, The Netherlands146 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Puerto Chino is a lovely little beach around 25 km away from the main town. There are many sea lions, sea turtles and birds here. The beach has a beautiful white sand and water is crystal clear blue. This is definitely the nicest beach I have been to on San Cristobal. Not many people swim here due to the strong currents, but I definitely recommend going into the water and taking a swim with sea lions and turtles. If you stay close to the shore it's perfectly safe.
There are 3 ways of getting here from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno:
1. Taxi (not sure what the cost is)
2. Tour (you stop on the way at the viewing points and a turtle rancho. Cost: approx. $40)
3. By bike (we rented it for $15/day).
We went with the bike and it was quite challenging. First 16km you are biking up and last 9 km are only down (which means you need to bike it up afterwards and it's very stip; we walked some parts). If you decide to go with the bike as well, here are some tips:
-take a lot of food and water with you (we had 6l for 2 of us and we drunk it all). There is a store in El Progreso, where you can buy a galon of water. This was the only store we saw during the whole way, so make sure you have all you need when you are there (they don't really have food). There are no shops or bars on the beach.
- take a rain jacket. Eventhough it's very hot, when you bike down it's quite cold and it can be misty ( you go very fast).
- leave really early in the morning. We left at 10am and had to be back at 6pm, which didn't give us any time to stop at the viewing points. It took us 3-3,5 hrs to get there and the same to go back.
In general it was a proper physical challenge, but if you want to have enough time to enjoy all the spots on your way I recommend going with taxi or take a tour.
There are 3 ways of getting here from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno:
1. Taxi (not sure what the cost is)
2. Tour (you stop on the way at the viewing points and a turtle rancho. Cost: approx. $40)
3. By bike (we rented it for $15/day).
We went with the bike and it was quite challenging. First 16km you are biking up and last 9 km are only down (which means you need to bike it up afterwards and it's very stip; we walked some parts). If you decide to go with the bike as well, here are some tips:
-take a lot of food and water with you (we had 6l for 2 of us and we drunk it all). There is a store in El Progreso, where you can buy a galon of water. This was the only store we saw during the whole way, so make sure you have all you need when you are there (they don't really have food). There are no shops or bars on the beach.
- take a rain jacket. Eventhough it's very hot, when you bike down it's quite cold and it can be misty ( you go very fast).
- leave really early in the morning. We left at 10am and had to be back at 6pm, which didn't give us any time to stop at the viewing points. It took us 3-3,5 hrs to get there and the same to go back.
In general it was a proper physical challenge, but if you want to have enough time to enjoy all the spots on your way I recommend going with taxi or take a tour.
Written 15 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cotss
Aurora, Canada88 contributions
Dec 2011
Part of our GAP adventure trip was a visit to this "secluded beach". We biked to the beach from downtown, about a 15-20 bike ride, and walked in about 1 km.
The beach was fantastic. One of the highlights of our 7 day trip to the Galapagos.
Sea lions, all over the place.
We went scuba diving and it was the most amazing experience. Swimming with the sea lion, rays and all kinds of sea turtles!! The turtles are really, really close and it was an unfortable experience.
Be sure to bring your snorking gear, and underwater camera!!
The beach was fantastic. One of the highlights of our 7 day trip to the Galapagos.
Sea lions, all over the place.
We went scuba diving and it was the most amazing experience. Swimming with the sea lion, rays and all kinds of sea turtles!! The turtles are really, really close and it was an unfortable experience.
Be sure to bring your snorking gear, and underwater camera!!
Written 17 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bikinibabebeachgirl
London, UK1 contribution
July 2011 • Friends
I visited on a sunny day with blue skies and I can honestly say it was the most beautiful beach I have ever been to. The sand was unbelievably soft, the sea was green and blue and really warm - the waves are huge so it is known as the "jumping beach" - we certainly did a lot of jumping over the waves! In the water we saw a few stingrays, turtles, and of course sea lions! It felt like paradise. My favourite beach that I visited on all of San Cristobal.
Written 2 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveller1959
Düsseldorf, Germany3,167 contributions
Jan 2018
This beach is part of a 5-hour-taxi tour across San Cristobal. Usually, the taxi drivers give you one hour for the beach. Insist in two hours, and rather skip the restaurant stops. You may take some picnic food with you, since the beach is pristine and has neither facilities nor bars.
Instead, the beach is beautiful. Very wide sand, framed by black lava rocks. Frigate birds flying in the air. An occasional sea lion looking for a spot to lounge. And turquoise waters. Take your snorkeling mask, you may see fantastic submarine creatures in the water.
The only downside: When you leave the water and you have salty water on your skin, horse flies will attack you. The stings are basically harmless, but nasty. So dry yourself quickly (take towels with you) and eventually use insect spray. (The horse flies mainly feed on sea lions and they are attracted by the smell of salty water. As long as your skin is salty, they take your for a sea lion.)
More important: Take proper sun protection.
The beach is accessible over a wooden boardwalk from the parking place/bus stop. Your walk through desert scenery with bizarre cacti and Darwin finches feeding on the cactus blossoms. After all, a very rewarding stop on a very rewarding excursion.
Instead, the beach is beautiful. Very wide sand, framed by black lava rocks. Frigate birds flying in the air. An occasional sea lion looking for a spot to lounge. And turquoise waters. Take your snorkeling mask, you may see fantastic submarine creatures in the water.
The only downside: When you leave the water and you have salty water on your skin, horse flies will attack you. The stings are basically harmless, but nasty. So dry yourself quickly (take towels with you) and eventually use insect spray. (The horse flies mainly feed on sea lions and they are attracted by the smell of salty water. As long as your skin is salty, they take your for a sea lion.)
More important: Take proper sun protection.
The beach is accessible over a wooden boardwalk from the parking place/bus stop. Your walk through desert scenery with bizarre cacti and Darwin finches feeding on the cactus blossoms. After all, a very rewarding stop on a very rewarding excursion.
Written 7 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C M
Miami, FL454 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We went w our kids. It's a short easy hike to the beach. Apparently there used to be a lot more sand but the rains washed it away. We had to climb rocks and go right to get to the sandy beach part which was great. The seas were a bit rough but not too bad. Water was warm not cold which was a big plus fir me! Kids loved playing in the waves. Take water bc there are zero facilities!! If you found this review helpful pls click HELPFUL below. Thanks!
Written 11 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanchoyPancho
Antwerp, Belgium22 contributions
July 2014 • Couples
next to the beach are some rocks where you can climb up to have a nice view and where you can also see the blue footed boobies. You can also camp at the beach.
Written 18 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the best place for wildlife and sight seeing in San Cristobal
Written 18 October 2018
Hola! este tour lo tomaste con los taxis? o con una operadora? Gracias!
Written 28 September 2015
Donde consiguió este tour? Es el mismo que el tour que dan los taxis?? Gracias!
Written 28 September 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing