Right at the Iguana Crossing sign is a boardwalk thru a nature area with shore birds and flamingos, marine iguanas, some little ones and some so big they almost look like crocodiles. There are manchineel trees but don't touch the irritating leaves and beware of the manzanitas, little poison apples. The tortoises can eat them but not you! There are the amazing Opuntia Cactus, the only one in the world that grows like a tree with bark. The trail ends at the tortoise breeding center. I had already visited the one in the reserve on San Cristobal Island so just did a quick walk thru of this one. It is much better than the Darwin Center on Santa Cruz though. It's just such a nice walk from town and the beach at this end of town is nice one to take a walk on too.
The tortoises are great to look at on their own... but it's even better when you have a guide taking you around telling you their story. The guides speak English and love telling you about them!It's really close to town, rent a bike and go out there and on your way look for flamingos!
it's really interesting and not crowded, nobody trying to sell you things, and peaceful. Plus there are multiple routes to entry and good freedom to roam.
This was about 20 minute walk from town but definitely worth it. There was a lot of info on different tortoises and the chance to see different breeds as well as different aged tortoises. The breeding centre has also increased the wild tortoise population by a lot which is great to learn about too. There is also a lovely walk back through some trees and past some pink lakes (turn left down the path before exiting the centre onto the road)
We visited Centro de Crianza on a short tour. There are a lot of small and bigger turtles around and the highlight where the mating turtles, which takes between 6 and 8 hours. Definiately the recipe to get more than 100 years of age. The centre is nice to visiti, but do not expect to much.
More tortoises than I could have guessed, all in pens with peers their age. Pretty impressive how effective they've improved the population. No formal guide I saw and displays are dated and falling apart. Amazingly I didn't see anywhere aslking for a donation so I guess paying too much for ice cream at the gift shop will have to do.
Very Nice easy walk thought vegetation and to enjoy mangrooves scenery plus an opportunity to see flamingoes and definitely shoot.....and shoot your cameras. Meet other travellers everybody friendly!,,or was it me first happy and free?? Be a first and will also travell through people.....make your stay a : dont worry be happy and join the joy of life and......relaxation the place is a dont miss it one
Informative and important centre. Majestic animals, seen in various stages of development. Not a huge place, so don't miss it. The smaller turtles crowding and clambering on each other was beautiful, and crouch down to hear the sounds of their shells against each other.
it was great to see how they incubate little turtles to make sure they survive. Being really close to large turtles to get their picture was fantastic. Take a walk in the building to see all the interactive displays
If this is the turtle sanctuary I think it is, really amazing, the huge tortoises so close, utterly fascinating, very nice stroll around perimeter. Be sure to visit Campo Duro, if that's the one with turtles being helped to grow large enough to return to wild.