Flight to the Galápagos and Las Bachas beach

From 1942 to 1945 this was an American air force base that protected the Panama Canal. A runway was built in two months. More than 200 buildings went up around it, for about a thousand soldiers. The soldiers called the place "The Rock".

The same position that made Baltra important for the army makes it today the only entrance to Galápagos National Park. At the airport every group goes through a biosecurity check. This check is the first protection of the islands against invasive species, plants and animals brought in from outside.

The name comes from the English word "barges", changed by local speakers. You can still see remains of American army barges (flat boats) from World War II on the beach.

Behind the beach are salt-water lagoons, where the pink flamingo eats brine shrimp. Its pink color comes from its food. Flamingos are not born pink.

The beach is one of the main places where green sea turtles lay their eggs.