Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos and the one with the most tourist infrastructure, with most hotels in the town of Puerto Ayora. The ferries to San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana leave from Puerto Ayora, and the tortoises, lava tunnels and Tortuga Bay are within reach of town. These are my guides to the island, from tours and dive sites to beaches and free things to do.
Hi, I'm João. I have been to Santa Cruz more than once, most recently in January 2026. More about me
Best places
Things to do
The full list, the free list and the beaches.
Tours and day trips
Half-day and full-day tours from Puerto Ayora.
Snorkeling and diving
The spots and the dive tours I have written up.
My hotel picks
My picks from the hotel guides, chosen for location, guest ratings and value. Affiliate disclosure
Luxury resort
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel is on Punta Estrada, across the bay from Puerto Ayora, a short walk and water taxi ride from the main dock.
Photo: Booking.com
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Comfort hotel
Hotel Acacia
Hotel Acacia is in Puerto Ayora, with a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace, a hot tub and a concierge service.
Photo: Booking.com
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Budget hotel
Suites Hermosas
Suites Hermosas is in Puerto Ayora, next to the entrance of the Tortuga Bay hike.
Photo: Booking.com
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Santa Cruz questions, answered
Where do you stay on Santa Cruz?
Most hotels are in Puerto Ayora, in three main areas: the Main Malecon, the residential areas and the beachfront. A fourth option is the highlands, in giant tortoise territory. This is from my Santa Cruz hotel guide.
Can you rent a car on Santa Cruz?
No. You cannot rent a motorcycle or a car, so everything is done by taxi, bus, boat, bicycle or on foot. I note this in my guide to the land-based tours.
How do you get to Tortuga Bay?
You can walk or take a taxi-boat. The walk is around 3 km, about 45 minutes from the main pier, and free. The taxi-boat takes 20 minutes and costs US$10 per person per direction. It is a national park, so you register at a hut at the start, and the hours run from 6h until about 17h or 18h, so confirm at the registration office. I walked it and it was completely worth it. This is from my Tortuga Bay article.
Can you visit the highlands on your own?
Yes, by taxi or by bicycle, but the Highlands Tour is about 30 km from Puerto Ayora. If you go by taxi, ask the driver to wait, and at the tortoise reserve say you do not have a naturalist guide so they appoint you one. On your own the reserve entrance should be around US$6 and the tunnels are included. With an agency my article lists US$35 to 50 per person. This is from my Highlands Tour article.
How much do the day tours cost?
In my tour articles, which date from 2022 and 2023, the Bay Tour was around US$40 to 50, the Highlands tour US$35 to 50, Floreana US$140 to 160 and Bartolome US$200. All the agencies have the same prices, although you can barter if you book more than one tour. Check current prices before you book. This is from my Santa Cruz tours guide and the Bay Tour, Floreana and Bartolome articles.
Is there anything free to do on Santa Cruz?
Yes, I compiled 15 free things to do, but a few have a small cost. Las Grietas has a minimum entrance fee of US$10, even if you are not on a tour, and the tortoise breeding center at the Charles Darwin Research Station is the only place there where you need to pay, US$10 for the naturalist guide. This is from my free things to do article and my Charles Darwin Research Station article.
How do you book the Gordon Rocks dive?
Go to a diving school and they explain it all. You must book at least one day before, and I would book a couple of days in advance just in case. It is an 8-hour tour and cost US$160 to 180. On my dive I saw around 10 hammerhead sharks, 2 manta rays and 1 eagle ray. This is from my Gordon Rocks article.
Each answer names its source, so you can check the latest rules and advice before you travel.
