Orientation is pretty easy in town. The two main avenues are the shoreline Avenida Charles Darwin [winding northeastwards from the docks] and Avenida Padre Julio Herrera which runs northwest from the traffic circle close to the docks at the southern end of town. Although there is a tourism office on Charles Darwin, better maps and local information is available from the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism [05-526206 fax 05-526609], a few doors down.

To date, there is only one bank in Puerto Ayora, Banco del Pacifico, which only has a Mastercard ATM. In general Mastercard is preferred to Visa by shops and hotels. Most hotels, shops or tour operators will change travelers' checks.

The Pacifictel office is three blocks up Avenida Padre Julio Herrera.

The TAME office is unmissable for its ugliness on Avenida Charles Darwin. The best supermarket is Proinsular by the dock, with the Post Office nearby. You're better off sending postcards or letters on the mainland [or from the post barrel on Floreana!]. There are now several expensive internet cafes. Prices will come down once the island acquires its own server.

Hotels, restaurants and bars open, close and change hands frequently on Santa Cruz so it’s worth asking fellow travelers and agents for the latest recommendations.

Shopping. Nearly every house between the wharf and the Research Station seems to sell souvenirs from the Galapagos, including the famous "I love boobies" T-shirts. If you're not going to have any time in Quito, then buy things here, but otherwise they're considerably cheaper on the mainland. For a purchase above run-of-the-mill trinkets or T-shirts, two places stand out.

|Article contributed by Dominic Hamilton|||

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