Interpretation Centre

The best introduction to Galápagos history you'll find anywhere in the islands.

The Interpretation Centre sits on a hill at the northern edge of town, a 15-minute walk from the waterfront along a well-signed path. It is free to enter and thoroughly worth the time — allow at least two hours to do it justice. The bilingual displays cover the geology of the archipelago, the evolution of its wildlife, the history of human settlement from the first buccaneers through to the conservation battles of the late 20th century.

The building also serves as a trailhead for Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas), which you can reach by continuing along the path that leads from the centre's rear. The combination of the museum followed by the trail makes for a very satisfying half-day that doesn't require a boat or a guide.

things to do museum
A story
The centre was funded by the Spanish government and opened in 1998. It traces the full human history of the islands — the whalers who decimated the tortoise population, the convict colonies that followed, and the strange saga of the Ritter affair in the 1930s when a German couple settled on Floreana and a baroness and her lovers disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The natural history galleries are equally strong. It is routinely cited as one of the best visitor centres in Latin America.