Puerto Ayora’s Gems

Puerto Ayora might be small - just around 12,000 people - but it’s got this laid-back vibe that makes it feel like a perfect pit stop between adventures. Today, I took a little detour into nature without straying too far from the city.

First up: Las Salinas. It’s basically where sea salt is born. The salty water evaporates in these shallow pools, leaving behind glistening layers of salt that locals harvest. Not exactly your everyday sightseeing, but there’s something cool about seeing how this ancient process still thrives.

Next, La Grieta - a narrow natural fissure filled with cool, clear water and surrounded by rugged stone walls. It’s a popular swimming spot where you can float around and see fish darting beneath you. Simple, peaceful, and the perfect place to cool off.

And what’s a good day without something refreshing? After all that swimming, I stopped by a street stand for a freshly made jugo de coco y maracuyá. The vendor cracked open the coconut right there and blended it with passionfruit. Fresh, tangy, and just what I needed to wrap up the afternoon. Puerto Ayora may be tiny, but it definitely knows how to serve up a good day.Read more