EL JUNCO LAGOON
El Junco Lagoon’s claim to fame is as the only fresh water lake found at the Galapagos Islands. The precious rainwater that collects inside this extinct volcanic crater attracts a diversity of birdlife. Located up in the highlands of San Cristobal island, the panoramic views are also well worth the uphill trek. The lush vegetation and cooler temperatures at El Junco also provide a nice contrast to the hot coastal beaches, while clouds and mist add a mysterious air to a visit to El Junco.
El Junco Lagoon is also cheap and easy to visit once you know how. Keep reading for all of the information you’ll need to plan the perfect visit to El Junco Galapagos.
About El Junco Lake
Natural fresh water sources in the Galapagos archipelago are scarce. Most lakes and pools on these volcanic islands contain brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water). This makes El Junco Lagoon all the more unique, and valuable to the population of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno town.
El Junco is the only permanent fresh water lake at the Galapagos islands. Tens of thousands of years ago, El Junco formed when a volcanic crater collapsed, before filling up with water from the abudant highlands rain.
Today, El Junco lake holds an impressive 360,000 cubic meters of water, with diameter of 270 meters, and depth up to 6 meters. During dry season the water level can noticably drop. While in the event of an extreme wet season, such as an El Niño event, El Junco sometimes even overflows, forming temporary rivers.
Where does the name “El Junco” originate from? It’s the local name for an endemic sedge plant (Eleocharis mutata) that grows in this area.
Where is El Junco Lagoon Galapagos?
EL Junco is located on the highlands of San Cristobal island, at an altitude of 700 meters (2,300ft).
From Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, it’s a 19km drive along a paved road, passing through the tiny settlement of El Progreso along the way.
How to visit El Junco?
There are various different ways to visit EL Junco Lagoon. The best news is that all them are easy to organise, and none will break your trip budget.
The first and cheapest option is DIY. Just jump in a taxi and negotiate a return trip to El Junco, with wait-time included. The driver will sit in the parking lot, while you trek up and down to the crater lake by yourselves.
For those who prefer to visit with a naturalist guide, El Junco tours can be booked at agencies in town. The main advantage being that a registered Galapagos guide can explain much more about the local area, as well as pointing out wildlife that visitors might otherwise miss.
This popular visit is also often included into multiday Galapagos land tours, such as San Cristobal Island Extension 4d/3n or Galapagos Explorer 8d/7n.
For a longer (and recommended) 4-6 hour excursion, El Junco is often combined with Galapaguera giant tortoise reserve, and white sand Puerto Chino beach.
Things to do at El Junco Galapagos
El Junco Hiking
The principal activity at El Junco Lagoon is treking. From the parking lot, an uphill trail leads visitors directly to the crater lake. For most it takes 15-20 minutes to reach the lagoon viewpoint.
On a clear day the reward for completing the steep trek is a panoramic view of El Junco lake, as well as the surrounds of San Cristobal island. The best lake photography opportunity is here at the main viewpoint. Clouds drift in really fast up here in the highlands, so take advantage of clear skies to snap photos if/when you have the chance.
There is also a somewhat muddy trail that loops around the lake shore. This is a worthwhile option to view El Junco lagoon from different perspectives, and to get a closer look at birdlife in the water. It takes aproximately ½ hour to complete the loop trail at a moderate pace.
All in all, the trek up to, and around the lake, is 2km in length.
El Junco Bird Watching
What wildlife can be spotted at El Junco? More than anything, it’s a good visitor site for Galapagos bird watching.
Frigate birds come to El Junco to clean salt from their wings. It’s quite spectacular to watch them swoop down, brushing the surface of the lake.
As one might expect, this fresh water lake is also popular with ducks and waders, including white-cheeked pintail duck, moorhen, common gallinule, cattle egret and pied-billed grebes.
In the scrub on the hill trail also look out for the San Cristobal mockingbird, Galapagos flycatcher and Darwin finches.
El Junco Plant Life
Up in the highlands it almost feels as if you’ve entered a different world, compared to the hot beaches at sea level.
It’s not just the weather, but also the surroundings up here have completely changed. Frequent mist and drizzly rain create a lush and moist eco-system, perfect for ferns, sedges and lichens. It almost feels like a set from Jurassic Park.
Special plants to keep botanists busy here include: the endangered Galapagos miconia (Miconia robinsoniana), and of course the endemic Eleocharis mutata sedge, after which El Junco is named.
Practicalities for visiting El Junco Lagoon, San Cristobal
- Set out to El Junco nice and early. Not only are skies usually clearer in early morning, but birds are also more active.
- Remember that clouds and mist move in incredibly fast at El Junco lagoon. So, go prepared for changing weather.
- The trails can be very muddy, especially during the rainy months from January through to April.
- Entrance is free.
- El Junco is open to tourists from sunrise to sunset every day.
- Recommended items to to bring along: shoes or treking sandals, sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunblock), water, rain jacket, mosquito repellent.
Contact us to organise a Galapagos vacation that includes an unforgettable visit to El Junco crater lake. We’ll be happy to send you a free tour quote, with all of the very best Galapagos options for your dream trip.
In conclusion, El Junco Lagoon on San Cristobal island is the only fresh water lake at the Galapagos islands. That in itself makes El Junco a unique visitor site. The panoramic views, and lush green scenery are perfect for photographers. Bird watchers can also wile away happy hours watching the diving Frigates. Overall, El Junco is well worth inclusion to any San Cristobal Galapagos itinerary.
