Hotels in Galápagos

Galápagos: Volcanic Archipelago 1,000 km Off Ecuador's Coast

The Galápagos Islands sit roughly 1,000 km west of mainland Ecuador, straddling the equator across 13 major volcanic islands. Charles Darwin's 1835 visit shaped his theory of natural selection, and the archipelago has carried that scientific weight ever since. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island remains the institutional heart of conservation work here, while Isabela Island — the largest at 4,588 km² — holds six volcanoes, five of them active. Around 97% of the land area falls within the Galápagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1978.

Where to Stay in the Galápagos

Most hotels and guesthouses concentrate in three towns: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz), Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal), and Puerto Villamil (Isabela). Puerto Ayora is the largest settlement and the main gateway for day tours to Tortuga Bay and the highland giant tortoise reserves. Live-aboard cruises depart from Baltra Island airport, which receives direct flights from Quito and Guayaquil in roughly 3 hours.

Practical Tips

• Entry fee: All visitors pay a USD 200 national park entrance fee (cash or card accepted at Baltra or San Cristóbal airports as of 2024).
• Transit control card: Obtain a USD 20 Galápagos Transit Control Card before departure from the mainland.
• Best dry-season travel: June to December brings cooler, calmer seas favored for snorkeling with sea lions and marine iguanas.
• Inter-island ferries: Speedboat ferries connect Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and Isabela for around USD 30 per leg.