Have you ever imagined standing before a freshwater lake in the middle of volcanic islands? That’s Laguna El Junco. It is a unique place on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos.
Laguna El Junco is the only freshwater lake in the Galapagos Islands. It is a collapsed volcanic crater filled with rainwater. This makes it special. Most Galapagos lakes have brackish water.
The Laguna El Junco formed tens of thousands of years ago. It collects highlands rain. The Laguna now holds about 360000 cubic meters of water. It is 270 meters in diameter. The Laguna is up to 6 meters deep. During dry seasons, the water level drops. Sometimes during El Nino, the Laguna overflows. This forms temporary rivers.
The name “El Junco” comes from a local plant. It is an endemic sedge called Eleocharis mutata. This plant grows around the Laguna.
El Junco sits 700 meters high in San Cristobal’s highlands. It is a 19km drive from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The road passes through El Progreso.
You can visit Laguna El Junco easily. Take a taxi for a round trip. The driver will wait while you hike. You can also book tours with a naturalist guide. The guide will point out wildlife. You can also include El Junco in multi-day Galapagos tours. Combine your visit with the Galapaguera tortoise reserve. Also visit Puerto Chino beach. This makes a longer excursion.
Hiking is the main thing to do at El Junco Lagoon. A trail leads uphill from the parking lot. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the Laguna viewpoint. On clear days, you get great views. You can see the Laguna and San Cristobal Island. Take photos fast. Clouds move in quickly. A muddy trail loops around the lake shore. This lets you see the Laguna from different angles. You also get to see birds up close. The loop trail takes about 30 minutes. The total trek is 2km long.
El Junco Lagoon is great for bird watching. Frigate birds come here to clean salt off their wings. Ducks and waders also like the fresh water. You can see white-cheeked pintail ducks. You may spot moorhens and common gallinules. Cattle egrets and pied-billed grebes live here too. Look for San Cristobal mockingbirds. Galapagos flycatchers and Darwin finches live in the hill scrub.
The highlands feel different from the hot beaches. Mist and rain create a lush ecosystem. You will see ferns and lichens. It feels like Jurassic Park. Look for the endangered Galapagos miconia plant. Find the Eleocharis mutata sedge. This is what El Junco is named after.
Visit El Junco early. Skies are clearer in the morning. Birds are also more active. Be ready for changing weather. Clouds move fast. Trails can be muddy during rainy months. January to April is the rainy season. There is no entrance fee. El Junco is open from sunrise to sunset every day. Bring shoes or sandals. Take sun protection and water. A rain jacket and mosquito repellent are good too.
El Junco Lagoon is a special place. It has panoramic views and green scenery. Bird watchers will love it. Frigate birds diving is an amazing sight. So, include Laguna El Junco in your San Cristobal trip. You will have an enriching experience.