The Galapagos Islands known for its verdant greenery, gargantuan tortoises, and active volcanoes is on the heel of the recent eruption of Cerro Azul, casting lava some 10 kilometers (six miles). What could have been potentially harmful to a neighboring city and the islands’ famed giant tortoises, luckily missed both.

In fact, the lava flowed along the same path it did during its last outbursts in 1978 and, 20 years later, in 1998.

But imagine if the Galapagos had not been so fortunate.

Luckily, this beautiful island cluster is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a pseudo-reserve for some of the Galapagos’ very exclusive, and very endangered, animalia.

The center is free to guests and features the islands’ baby and giant tortoises. Other exhibits include a land iguana section and ‘Lonely George’, a somber name for the last remaining member of its species.

Whether you cross paths in the wild, on a Galapagos tour, or at the Charles Darwin Research Station, getting up close to an active volcano or a giant tortoise can be found only on the shore of this lush Ecuadorian utopia.