Cerro Tijeretas, San Cristóbal: Hike, History & Snorkel Guide

A short walk from the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Cerro Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill) is the easiest great hike in the Galápagos — and one of the most rewarding. It’s self-guided, free, and packs a viewpoint, a colony of frigatebirds, a turquoise snorkel cove and a piece of history into a couple of hours on foot. It’s the perfect introduction to exploring San Cristóbal on foot.

What is Cerro Tijeretas?

Cerro Tijeretas is a small hill on the coast just north of town, named for the frigatebirds (tijeretas in Spanish) that nest on its slopes — the males with their dramatic red throat pouches. From the top, a panorama opens over the bay, the ocean and the islet of León Dormido (Kicker Rock) on the horizon.

At its foot lies a sheltered cove with some of the best shore snorkelling on the island: sea lions, sea turtles, rays and reef fish in calm, clear water.

Why it matters: Darwin’s first landing

Cerro Tijeretas has a special place in history. The cove below the hill is widely held to be where Charles Darwin first set foot in the Galápagos in 1835, during the voyage of the Beagle. A bronze statue of Darwin marks the spot, and the nearby Interpretation Centre tells the story of the islands’ natural and human history — a worthwhile stop on the way to the trailhead.

How to hike it (self-guided)

This is one of the few Galápagos trails you can walk without a naturalist guide:

• Start at the Interpretation Centre (about a 15-minute walk from the town centre)
• Follow the well-marked trail through dry forest to the Cerro Tijeretas viewpoint (about 45 minutes round trip)
• Descend the side path to the snorkel cove to cool off
• Continue, if you like, along the coast toward Punta Carola and Playa Baquerizo to chain it into a half-day loop

The trail is easy, well-signed and needs no permit. Bring water, sun protection and your snorkel gear.

Is Cerro Tijeretas worth it?

Absolutely — it’s the best free, self-guided walk on San Cristóbal and a brilliant first afternoon on the island. The combination of an easy trail, wildlife, history and a swim is hard to beat, and it sets up the rest of a San Cristóbal hiking trip perfectly.

How it fits a multi-day Galápagos hike

Cerro Tijeretas is one stop on the best way to see the islands: a multi-day, land-based hiking trip rather than a cruise. On San Cristóbal it pairs with the El Junco crater lake in the highlands and the sea-lion coast at La Lobería for a full day or two of walking.

Explore the Galápagos on foot, close to the wildlife, sleeping in island towns. That’s what our Galápagos hiking trips are built around.

Quick facts

• Location: San Cristóbal, ~15 min walk from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
• Trail: ~45 min round trip to the viewpoint; longer if you chain Punta Carola / Playa Baquerizo
• Difficulty: Easy, self-guided, no permit
• Highlights: Frigatebirds, viewpoint, snorkel cove, Darwin’s landing site
• Guide: Not required for this trail
• Bring: Water, sun protection, snorkel gear