El Progreso

Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)

A road leads from the capital to the village of El Progreso, about 6km to the east and at the base of the 896m-high Cerro San Joaquín, the highest point on San Cristóbal. It’s a sleepy, ramshackle village with nothing much to see. Buses go here several times a day from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno or you can hop in a taxi for around $3.50.

Near the town entrance, the Casa del Ceibo scores high on novelty. Halfway up an enormous ceiba tree (reached by narrow swinging bridge) is a tiny shed where you can bunk for the night. You can also climb up the outside or simply enjoy a cool drink in the snack bar below.

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Nearby Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham) attractions

1. Casa del Ceibo

0.05 MILES

Scoring high on novelty, the Casa del Ceibo is a small shed built halfway up an enormous ceiba tree. It’s possible to spend a night in the treehouse or…

2. Ochoa Beach

3.21 MILES

On the western side of the island you’ll find this horseshoe-shaped cove with a white sandy beach and shallow water that’s good for snorkeling. Sea lions,…

3. Isla Lobos

3.62 MILES

A half-hour northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno by boat is the tiny, rocky Isla Lobos, with the main sea-lion and blue-footed booby colonies for visitors…

4. Cerro de las Tijeretas

3.68 MILES

About 1.7km northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Cerro de las Tijeretas provides good views and can be reached on a trail. You'll pass a national park…

5. Interpretation Center

3.73 MILES

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6. La Lobería

3.96 MILES

Southwest of town, a road leads 2.5km (about a 30-minute walk) to La Lobería, a rocky beach with a lazy sea-lion colony. It’s good for year-round surfing,…

7. El Junco Lagoon

5.53 MILES

Around 10km east of El Progreso along the main road, you'll find El Junco Lagoon – a freshwater lake some 700m above sea level. It’s one of the few…

8. Cerro Brujo

6.42 MILES

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