Lava Hopping at Santiago

An island made up of two shield volcanos, Santiago erupted in the early 1900s and spilled lava into the sea, creating a vast lava field that still hasn’t completely cooled. Walking this moon-like landscape can be dangerous: lava tubes exist under the hard surface that could collapse at any moment. Still, by sticking to the tried-and-true paths that your guide will lead you across, you’ll get to experience a beautifully chaotic world of once-molten rock. Visiting this island is also your best chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the only of its kind that lives north of the equator. The penguins live in the crevices of the lava flows, and they can be found swimming throughout the day or huddling with their mate along the rocks.