The capital of the Falkland Islands, Stanley is actually the only real city found in the area in the first place. Founded in 1843, the city was formerly known as Port Stanley. It has had several names through the years, both in English and Spanish. It was known as Port Jackson, Puerto Soledad and Puerto Rivero among others. Right in the middle of East Falkland, Stanley is considered shopping central. Stanley has a population of 2.000.
If you love staying near the water’s edge, you may like Stanley. Stanley is, after all, a seaside town. It is colorful and interesting because it retains signs of British heritage. Stanley may be considered a city but it is the perfect place for communing with nature, especially for bird-watching. You will see a variety of birds, including geese, ducks, vultures and cormorants. Stanley is also very rural in the sense that it does not have any traffic lights. The place may be a great place to hang out especially if you are good at chatting with the locals; most Stanley residents come from families who have lived in the area for up to six generations. You may get some interesting insights into how life changed through the years in Stanley.
You can reach Stanley either by boat or by plane. If you decide to fly to Stanley, you may have to stop at the Mount Pleasant airport. From there, you have to take a domestic flight to reach Stanley itself; the airport and Stanley are 35 miles apart. When in Stanley, you can choose between walking and taking a taxi. Taxis may be convenient but walking will give you a better look at what Stanley can offer.
If you are visiting the Falkland Islands, you need to present a passport that is valid for at least six months upon entry. You will also need to present your return ticket from the islands. However, you are not required to get a visa if you are from the United States. Visit extensions should be negotiated at immigration upon arrival.
