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Galapagos Baltra IslandBaltra is also known as South Seymour and is located at just 27 Km north of Santa Cruz Island.  Find Cheap Air Flights to the Galapagos Islands here The main airport of Galapagos is located here and it was originally built by the U.S. military in 1941 (during World War II). From 1941 to 1948 this Island was known as Beta. There are three flights that arrive and depart every day. Until 1986, Baltra was the only airport serving the Galapagos. Now there's another one at San Cristobal Island Upon arrival to this Island you must pay the Galapagos National Park fee ($100 per person). This is also the place where the Tour Guides or Naturalists will be waiting for you to begin exploring the different Islands in Galapagos. Unfortunately there are neither accommodations nor visitor sites on Baltra Island. The public and private transportation available on this Island are only for carrying visitors to Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island This trip will take you around 45 minutes. Baltra Island is mainly a historically place due to the establishment of a US Air Force Base during World War II. At that time there were some US Navy ships and submarines patrolling this side of the Pacific Ocean and also protecting the Panama Canal. It is mostly lowland with some opuntia cactus and other small trees. Upon arrival you'll be able to see some Galapagos Ground Finches but in comparison to other Islands in Galapagos, Baltra has very few wildlife animals. Some of this wildlife in Baltra Island includes birds such as the small ground finches, brown pelicans and Frigatebirds Occasionally few sea lions will visit this Island too. Land transfer services are always available from Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island. Visitors will be first taken by bus from the airport to Itabaca Canal (which separates the Islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz) This is just a 5 minute ride. Then a ferry will transport passengers and their belongings across the canal to the bus waiting at the other side. Then (this is the best part) you will travel for around an hour across Santa Cruz Island passing through farms from the lowlands up to the highlands and down again to the lowlands before you reach the main city of Puerto Ayora. The amazing changes in vegetation that you will experience will be a rewarding way to start your expedition to Galapagos. This is the time when you will really begin to admire the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are quite isolated. But it is this isolation that promoted the evolution of unique plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to these Islands. These Islands are the result of volcanic activity. A beautiful turquoise Ocean surrounds the entire Archipelago. For your information you should know that there are Two Seasons in Galapagos: 1) The "hot season" that runs from December to May with temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F) 2) And the "dry season" from June to November with an average temperature of 20°C (70°F) The Galapagos Islands are World's Second Largest Marine Reserve and Baltra Island is the main point of entrance to this natural paradise. Galapagos Recommended ReadingChasing a Dream in the Galapagos: A Personal Evolution A journey of self-discovery unfolds as a woman travels with her adult daughters to the Galapagos Islands to see natural selection in action. It's a travel book that will inspire you to take a trip of your own. (An Excellent Family Book) Galapagos: A Natural History
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