20 Best Hotels in Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Our Favourite Stays

If you are short on time, these three cover the tiers: Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel (luxury), Hotel Acacia (comfort) and Suites Hermosas (budget). They come from research, not from stays of my own. The full list, with prices, is further down.

Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel

(Luxury Resort)

• Beachfront Escape
• Pool & Hot Tub
• Guided Wildlife Tours

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. Rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom, and some have a balcony with sea views. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a hot tub.

The restaurant serves French, Italian and Mediterranean food, with vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options, and breakfast is a buffet. Playa de Los Alemanes and Las Grietas are close by, and activities include snorkeling, kayaking, cycling and guided wildlife tours. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The hotel also sells all-inclusive tour packages. At 605$ for two it costs the same as Villa Escalesia and is rated 9.0, lower than Villa Escalesia (9.7).

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Hotel Acacia

(Comfort Hotel)

• Serene Garden
• Diverse Breakfast Options
• all-Inclusive Tours

Hotel Acacia is in Puerto Ayora, with a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace, a hot tub and a concierge service.

Rooms have air conditioning, a wardrobe and a private bathroom with toiletries, and free Wi-Fi, and some have sea views.

Breakfast is continental, Full English/Irish or American, and the bar serves drinks. The hotel sells all-inclusive tour packages such as island hopping, island stays and scuba diving. At 205$ for two it is rated 9.4, the second highest among the comfort hotels here.

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Suites Hermosas

(Budget Hotel)

• Fully Furnished Apartments
• Balcony & Terrace Views
• In-Room Kitchen

Suites Hermosas is in Puerto Ayora, next to the entrance of the Tortuga Bay hike. It has two fully furnished apartments with air conditioning and a balcony.

Each apartment has a terrace with city views, a kitchen with a fridge and a dishwasher, and a private bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen cost extra. At 64$ for two it is rated 9.5, the highest rating among the budget hotels here.

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Where to Stay on the Island

Most hotels are in Puerto Ayora, where there are three main areas: the Main Malecon, the residential areas and the beachfront. A fourth option is the highlands of the island, in giant tortoise territory.

The Main Malecon is the busiest part of Puerto Ayora, with waterfront restaurants, bars and boutiques.

The residential areas are away from busy Charles Darwin Avenue.

For a beachfront stay, Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel is across Academy Bay, on Punta Estrada, with its own beach. Getting to Puerto Ayora takes a short walk and a water taxi.

In the highlands, the options include Pikaia Lodge, Galapagos Safari Camp, Royal Palm Galapagos and Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel, in green highland forest and giant tortoise territory.

What to do in Santa Cruz

I have guides to the island’s activities, including free things to do, tours, snorkeling spots, dive sites and beaches:

15 Free Things to do in Santa Cruz, 10 Awesome Tours in Santa Cruz, 14 Best Snorkeling Spots in Santa Cruz, 9 Best Dive Sites in Santa Cruz, 35 Awesome Things to do in Santa Cruz, 5 Best Beaches in Santa Cruz

All-Inclusive Experiences

The lodges below are an extra category in this article. They are not on Booking.com and similar sites, so you need to contact the companies directly using the links below.

Both are in the highlands: Pikaia Lodge, an eco-lodge, and Galapagos Safari Camp, a safari-style camp with tents.

Pikaia Lodge

(Luxury Eco-Adventure)

Pikaia Lodge is an eco-lodge in the highlands of Santa Cruz, built on two extinct volcanic craters inside its own private giant tortoise reserve. It is designed to offer comfort within the limits of a remote, eco-sensitive location.

Instead of a cruise, guests stay on land and take daily excursions and full-day yacht trips, without the seasickness. The lodge describes itself as one of the most advanced green lodges in the world.

Terrace rooms and balcony rooms look toward the ocean and the extinct volcanic mountains. Each room has a large bathroom, biodegradable toiletries and a safe. The lodge suits families with children who want to learn about biology and conservation.

For reservations contact them here:

Galapagos Safari Camp

(Luxury Galapagos Camping)

Galapagos Safari Camp is on a 55-hectare farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz, bordering the Galapagos National Park. It has nine safari-style tents, a family suite, a lodge, a pool and a viewpoint.

Meals are Ecuadorian food made with local ingredients, served on the veranda or at a long hardwood table, and the kitchen handles vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free diets. The all-inclusive stay includes a four-course tasting menu each night and a South American wine list.

There is a plunge pool and a rustic viewpoint for sunsets, with tapas and snacks. The camp offers classic, family and pre- or post-cruise safaris.

For reservations contact them here:

Price Comparison

Rooms for two people in USD

Luxury Resorts

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. Rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom, and some have a balcony with sea views. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a hot tub.

The restaurant serves French, Italian and Mediterranean food, with vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options, and breakfast is a buffet. Playa de Los Alemanes and Las Grietas are close by, and activities include snorkeling, kayaking, cycling and guided wildlife tours. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The hotel also sells all-inclusive tour packages. At 605$ for two it costs the same as Villa Escalesia and is rated 9.0, lower than Villa Escalesia (9.7).

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Villa Escalesia

★★★★★

Villa Escalesia is a beachfront property in Puerto Ayora, with gardens. Air-conditioned rooms have free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs, and some have sea views. There is a shared kitchen, a hot tub and a terrace, and an American breakfast is served daily.

It can be rented as a private home for up to 15 guests in 6 bedrooms, 4 with ocean views and 2 with garden views.

The swimming pool, jacuzzi, kitchen and living room are shared by guests, and the hotel organizes guided tours on foot or by sea. At 605$ for two it has the highest rating among the luxury hotels here (9.7).

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Hotel Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

★★★★★

Hotel Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is on Angermeyer Point, across the harbor from Puerto Ayora, in a building made of lava stone and driftwood. The town is a two-minute water taxi ride away. Rooms have large windows facing the sea, tiled floors and beamed ceilings with fans, and some have spa baths.

Breakfast includes fresh juices, and the restaurant serves regional and international dishes on a patio or water deck. There is a bar with a fireplace. Rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, minibars and balconies or terraces, and the hotel books guided tours and offers laundry and airport transfers. Room types are standard rooms, superior rooms with waterfront views, and suites with ocean-view balconies. At 350$ for two it is rated 8.8.

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Ikala Hotel

★★★★★

Ikala Galapagos Hotel has gardens, 15 suites, 6 standard rooms and 1 duplex suite. There is an open-air pool, La Terraza Restaurant & Bar and free bicycles.

The hotel is in the center of Puerto Ayora, close to restaurants, shops and bars.

It uses energy-efficient design, rainwater collection, water treatment and recycling, and supports the Galapagos Special Education Center. At 343$ for two it is rated 9.3, the second highest among the luxury hotels here.

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Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge

★★★★★

Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge is on Avenida Charles Darwin in Puerto Ayora, on the waterfront, a 7-minute walk from the Charles Darwin Research Station. Rooms have neutral decor, blackout curtains, linens and air conditioning, and the suites have balconies with hammocks and ocean views.

There is a bar and a restaurant serving local food, next to the mangroves. Room types are Suites, Superior rooms and Standard rooms.

At 320$ for two it is rated 8.5.

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Royal Palm Galapagos Curio Collection by Hilton

★★★★★

Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, is the first Hilton property in the Galapagos. It is in the Miconia Highland Forests next to the Galapagos National Park on Santa Cruz, about 25 minutes from Puerto Ayora.

Accommodation is in eight casitas and Highland Villas with open fireplaces, Executive Villas with private gardens, and the Royal Suite, which has two en-suite bedrooms, a private garden and a living and dining room with a fireplace. The hotel says it operates sustainably.

At 302$ for two it is the cheapest of the luxury hotels here, with a 7.7 rating, the lowest in the group.

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Comfort - Standard Hotels

Hotel Cucuve

Hotel Cucuve is a Swiss-Ecuadorian hotel in Puerto Ayora that focuses on conservation and sustainability. The listing calls it one of the first hotels on the islands.

It offers free refreshments, local activity information, beach towels and smoke-free rooms. Premium rooms have cedrela wood furniture and a balcony with a hammock, superior rooms have natural light, and standard rooms are large enough for families or groups.

At 256$ for two it is the most expensive of the comfort hotels here, with a 9.6 rating, the highest in the group.

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Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel

Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel is in the highlands, on twelve acres of private forest where guests can see giant tortoises and birds. It says it offers family-style service and home cooking.

Hotel and tour packages include accommodation, full-day boat tours to outlying islands, half-day guided tours and self-guided activities. There are nine en-suite bedrooms with balconies or terraces, a yoga studio, a swimming pool, a fitness studio and nature trails. At 244$ for two it is rated 9.2.

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Bay View House

Bay View House has private apartments for short or long stays, one block from the main dock in Puerto Ayora.

Apartments A and B have air conditioning, cable TV and hot water. Apartment A sleeps 2 to 3 and has a private balcony facing the street, and Apartment B suits larger groups, with two queen beds and a double sofa bed. There is free Wi-Fi, a sun terrace and a smoke-free environment. At 219$ for two it is rated 9.1.

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Hotel Acacia

Hotel Acacia is in Puerto Ayora, with a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace, a hot tub and a concierge service.

Rooms have air conditioning, a wardrobe and a private bathroom with toiletries, and free Wi-Fi, and some have sea views.

Breakfast is continental, Full English/Irish or American, and the bar serves drinks. The hotel sells all-inclusive tour packages such as island hopping, island stays and scuba diving. At 205$ for two it is rated 9.4, the second highest among the comfort hotels here.

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Hotel La Isla

Hotel La Isla has a restaurant area, a coffee and tea station open all day, cable TV and air conditioning.

It is in the Pelikan Bay neighborhood, 20 meters from Charles Darwin Avenue, in the most commercial part of Puerto Ayora. It has 5 king-size rooms, 3 of which can be made into twin rooms. Services include Wi-Fi, room service, hot water and cable TV, and the hotel coordinates tours and transfers. At 187$ for two it is the cheapest of the comfort hotels here, with a 9.0 rating, the lowest in the group.

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Hotel Las Ninfas

Hotel Las Ninfas is one block from the main pier, the park and the boardwalk, near supermarkets, ATMs, banks and restaurants. It has an outdoor pool, a heated jacuzzi, a garden, a bar and free bicycles.

Suites have a private bathroom, hot water, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and TV. Standard Suites look onto the gardens, Deluxe Suites have a balcony over the pool, and the Apart Suite Dock House has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a jacuzzi, a solarium and gardens. At 157$ for two it is the most expensive of the standard hotels here, rated 9.0.

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Galapagos Suites B&B

Hotel Galapagos Suites is a family-run B&B managed by its owners, with six rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning. Breakfast uses local and organic products, and the hotel uses recycling, biodegradable products and energy-saving practices.

The owner has worked in tourism in the Galapagos for over two decades, and her daughter is a certified Naturalist Guide. The hotel is in a residential neighborhood two blocks from the waterfront, within walking distance of restaurants, souvenir shops and attractions. At 127$ for two it has the highest rating among the standard hotels here (9.6).

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La K-Leta Boutique Guesthouse

La K-Leta Boutique Guesthouse is close to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Puerto Ayora malecón. The rooms are stylishly decorated.

Breakfast is served in the room or in the on-site dining area, and the guesthouse offers diving, hiking and cycling. At 84$ for two it is rated 9.4.

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Casa del Lago Lodging House

Casa del Lago Lodging House is two blocks from the main dock and close to Tortuga Bay beach, with green gardens and private outside terraces.

It started as a cultural center for the Santa Cruz community in 2001 and became a hotel in 2007. It has five furnished suites built and decorated with recyclable materials, each with solar panels for hot water, a fully equipped kitchen, biodegradable toiletries, a smart TV, air conditioning and a safe.

The honeymooner suite is 25 square meters, with a private terrace and a view of Nymphs Lagoon. The other suites are the Ninfas Suite, the Tortuga Suite, the Cucuve Suite and the Media Luna Suite. At 83$ for two it is rated 8.6, the lowest rating among the standard hotels here.

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Posada del Mar

Hostal Posada del Mar is in Puerto Ayora, with 15 rooms over three floors, near tour offices, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Room types are Standard Simple, Double or Matrimonial, Superior Triple, Matrimonial, Junior Suite and Suite, all with balconies. Smoking is not allowed inside, and a lift for heavy luggage is available. At 72$ for two it is the cheapest of the standard hotels here, rated 9.3.

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Budget Hotels

Maytenus Galapagos

Hostal Maytenus Galapagos is a family-run guesthouse whose hosts have lived on the islands for over 30 years and work in conservation.

Accommodation includes a two-story apartment and standard apartments for families of up to five, and a ground-floor apartment for couples or solo travelers, with energy-efficient lighting, water dispensers and biodegradable cleaning products.

The hosts recycle waste and use rainwater for the gardens, which have native and endemic plants. At 66$ for two it is the most expensive of the budget hotels here, rated 9.2.

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Suites Hermosas

Suites Hermosas is in Puerto Ayora, next to the entrance of the Tortuga Bay hike. It has two fully furnished apartments with air conditioning and a balcony.

Each apartment has a terrace with city views, a kitchen with a fridge and a dishwasher, and a private bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen cost extra. At 64$ for two it is rated 9.5, the highest rating among the budget hotels here.

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Galapagos Morning Glory

Galapagos Morning Glory Hostel is in Puerto Ayora, a short walk from the waterfront, in a commercial area with banks and shops. The listing says it has welcomed guests for over 40 years.

It has seven rooms with air conditioning, an adjoining terrace and a writing table, free Wi-Fi and a garden. The staff can recommend sights and tourist spots.

Rooms are a Double Room with a Patio, a Standard King Room and a Standard Double Room, each with a full bathroom with free toiletries, a shower and a hairdryer. At 56$ for two it is rated 8.9.

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El Arco de Darwin

El Arco de Darwin Hostel is in the residential area of Puerto Ayora, a 15-minute walk from the main Malecon. Rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and some have a kitchenette.

Some units have a terrace with city views, and bicycles can be rented. Rooms are a Deluxe King Room, a Deluxe Triple Room and a Budget Double Room with city or garden views. At 33$ for two it is the cheapest hotel on this list, rated 8.9.

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