Choosing where to stay in Galapagos for your vacation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, but also one of the easiest!
There are only 4 inhabited Galapagos islands, only two of which are accessible by flight from mainland Ecuador.
During our two-week visit to the Galapagos islands in 2023, we stayed on all three major islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela. Our group particularly loved San Cristobal, but each island speaks to each individual differently.
In this guide, we will teach you about all of the best places to stay in Galapagos, including which islands, areas, and hotels to consider.
π¨ Where to Stay in Galapagos Overview
β οΈ READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU BEGIN!
There are some important things to know about the Galapagos Islands and why we have organized the information in the way that we have.
About: The Inhabited Galapagos Islands
There are 4 inhabited Galapagos islands that tourists can stay on. In order of population and popularity, they are:
- Santa Cruz (population ~15,000)
- San Cristobal (population ~7000)
- Isabela (population ~2000)
- Floreana (population ~100)
You can only get to the Galapagos islands by flying into the San Cristobal or Santa Cruz airports. Technically, the Santa Cruz airport is on the uninhabited island of Baltra directly adjacent, but transport into town is abundant.
These are the only airports in Galapagos that service mainland Ecuador.
About: Accommodation in the Galapagos
Accommodation in the Galapagos is surprisingly affordable and comes in a wide range of options.
Understand, however, that the star ratings of hotels in Galapagos are not the same as European or North American standards. Expect even 4- and 5-star hotels to be a little more basic.
Each inhabited island has ONE main town where you will find the vast majority of tourist accommodations. This will always be the best place to stay unless you have a very specific and personal reason you want to be elsewhere.
Our Experience Staying on All Three Galapagos Islands
During our two week visit to the Galapagos in 2023, we stayed on all three major inhabited islands. This included 6 nights on Santa Cruz, 5 nights on San Cristobal, and 3 nights on Isabela.
San Cristobal was our first island, and ended up being our personal favorite to stay on. We felt it had the most authentic display of Ecuadorian culture, while also providing sufficient visitor services like shops and restaurants.
Santa Cruz was our second stop and felt the most touristy. However, I must admit that it was nice to have a few more options for drinks and meals in the evening, and English was wider spoken here.
We spent the least time on Isabela and also enjoyed it the least. The proximity of the town to an extensive white sand beach was nice, but it was otherwise just a bit too quiet for us otherwise.
π Best Islands to Stay in the Galapagos
Which is the best Galapagos island to stay on?
Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, with airports that service mainland Ecuador and ample tourist services, are the best islands to stay on in the Galapagos, followed by Isabela.
Floreana also allows overnight stays, but is not a viable option for most vacations. It should only be considered for long-term travelers and those backpacking Galapagos.
With population and popularity comes infrastructure. Accordingly, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal have the most hotels and tourist services available.
These two islands also have the only airports that service mainland Ecuador (though the Santa Cruz airport is actually located on the adjacent island of Baltra, with transport readily available).
Isabela Island technically has an airport, but it is only available for inter-island flights. There are plenty of hotels and hostels to stay at on the island, but getting here requires a plane or ferry(s) from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal.
With less than 100 people, Floreana offers a unique experience that is somewhat popular for backpackers but is not a viable option for typical vacationers.
Which areas to stay in and hotel recommendations for each island will be covered in greater detail throughout the remainder of this guide.
ποΈ DISCOVER MORE:
BEST ISLANDS IN THE GALAPAGOS TO VISIT
πΊοΈ Map of the Galapagos Islands
The map of the Galapagos Islands above shows the archipelago in its entirety.
It has been color-coded to indicate the islands that are inhabited and can be stayed on, those accessible by day tour, and those that are accessible via cruise ship only.
In addition, ferry services and airports are indicated by the appropriate symbols.
As you start to plan your Galapagos itinerary and decide where to stay, hopefully, it will help give you a better idea of the layout of the islands and how to reach each one.
π’ Where to Stay in Galapagos: Santa Cruz Island
Main Town: Puerto Ayora
Popular opinion is that Santa Cruz is the best island to stay on in the Galapagos. This island caters most heavily to tourists, has the most options for food and accommodation, and is accessible from Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador.
The caveat here is that your experience will be a curated one, custom-designed for foreigners. For better and/or worse, you will not need to speak any Spanish, eat Ecuadorian food, or adapt to local culture in any way.
βοΈ Summary: If you want an easy Galapagos holiday that feels like a real vacation, Santa Cruz is the right island for you!
π’ READ MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Best Area to Stay on Santa Cruz
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Puerto Ayora is by far the best area to stay on Santa Cruz. This is where you will find the only major town on the island and the vast majority of accommodation, restaurants, tourist services, and shops.
95% of people visiting Santa Cruz island should choose to stay in Puerto Ayora.
While extremely limited, there are also some hotels in the nearby barrio (neighborhood) of Bellavista, just north of Puerto Ayora.
If you are visiting on a honeymoon or demand seclusion, you may find some appealing options here – otherwise, there is little reason to choose this area.
Outside of these two areas, you may find a random hotel and/or homestay scattered about the Santa Cruz Highlands. We do not recommend this area to anybody except for those who find a place they are specifically enamored by.
Best Hotels on Santa Cruz
| Approximate Hostel Price (bed in a dorm room) | Starting at $15 |
| Approximate Budget Price (basic private room in a hotel, hostel, or homestay) | Starting at $20 |
| Average Midrange Price (3+ star hotel rooms and apartments) | Starting at $50 |
| Average Luxury Price (5-star hotels, entire homes, and villas) | Starting at $200 |
Santa Cruz has the widest range of accommodation options to choose from. You will find a greater selection of budget and mid-range hotels than luxury ones.
With that said, there are a few luxury hotels on Santa Cruz, most notably Angermeyer Waterfront Inn and the Finch Bay Hotel. Both of these highly-rated hotels offer unique stays with their own private piers from which the hotel water taxis can take you to the main pier in minutes.
Below are some of the top-rated hotels for different budgets:
- Budget: El Paraiso 9.2/10 βοΈ
- Mid-range: Hotel Galapagos Suites B&B 9.7/10 βοΈ
- Higher end: Angermeyer Waterfront Inn 9.6/10 βοΈ
β΅οΈ DISCOVER MORE:
HOW TO TRAVEL TO GALAPAGOS: PLANNING A TRIP IN 10 EASY STEPS
π¦ Where to Stay in Galapagos: San Cristobal Island
Main Town: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
San Cristobal is largely considered the second-best island to stay on in the Galapagos, though we consider it the best option of all.
While Santa Cruz island barely feels like Ecuador, San Cristobal maintains a local culture while still providing ample services to meet the needs of tourists.
Aside from local tour operators, English is rarely spoken or understood anywhere on the island. While there are certainly enough North American and European food options available, “comida tΓpica” (local Ecuadorian food) is much easier to find and is very reasonably priced.
Also of note, the San Cristobal airport is actually located on the island (within walking distance of town!) and services mainland Ecuador. By contrast, flying into Santa Cruz requires taking a ferry from the uninhabited island of Baltra and a bus or taxi to town.
βοΈ Summary: If you value a cultural experience on your Galapagos vacation, San Cristobal is the island for you!
π¦ READ MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
Best Area to Stay on San Cristobal
The best and only real option to stay on San Cristobal is in the only major town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
This is where you will find all of the major hotels, restaurants, shops, and services. There are also plenty of hostals, fincas, and homestays available, either in or very near to town.
The nearer you can stay to San Cristobal Main Dock, the closer you will be to all primary services. Otherwise, look to stay as near to Playa Mann as possible; this is the best beach on the island.
While you may be able to find a random accommodation elsewhere on the island, this is not advisable barring extremely unique and specific personal circumstances.
Best Hotels on San Cristobal
| Approximate Hostel Price (bed in a dorm room) | Starting at $15 |
| Approximate Budget Price (basic private room in a hotel, hostel, or homestay) | Starting at $30 |
| Average Midrange Price (3+ star hotel rooms and apartments) | Starting at $65 |
| Average Luxury Price (5-star hotels, entire homes, and villas) | Starting at $200 |
You will find ample basic hostels to mid-range hotels, which can start as low as $15-20 per night. However, there are few options for luxury accommodation and no 5-star hotels in San Cristobal.
The most high-end luxury available is the newly built Hotel Indigo Galapagos, an IHG Hotel. However, unless money is truly of no concern, we wouldn’t recommend this hotel as it is typically 2-3 times more expensive than any other hotel on the island.
While starting prices are still low for San Cristobal, accommodation options are more limited than on Santa Cruz. Therefore, the average hotel price can be a little higher.
Below are some of the top-rated hotels for different budgets:
- Budget: Hostal Cattleya 9.1/10 βοΈ
- Mid-range: GalΓ‘pagos Eco Friendly 9.1/10 βοΈ
- Higher end: Casa Playa Mann Galapagos 9.6/10 βοΈ
π
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π Where to Stay in Galapagos: Isabela Island
Main Town: Puerto Villamil
Isabela is a fantastic island with perhaps the best beach in Galapagos, but you should only stay overnight if you plan on doing some island hopping during your vacation.
In other words, Isabela is a poor choice of island to stay on for the duration of a holiday, but is absolutely worth including a couple of nights on a 7-day itinerary or longer!
The great thing about Isabela is that the main town of Puerto Villamil is built right along a beautiful expanse of pristine beach. It is also a funky, quiet island with enough tourism services to meet demand.
Unfortunately, the only way to get to Isabela Island is to fly into either San Cristobal or Baltra (Santa Cruz), then take an inter-island flight or ferry(s). It is this difficulty of access that makes it a poor first option for basing your Galapagos stay.
βοΈ Summary: If you have 7 or more days in Galapagos and want to stay on multiple islands, Isabela is a great secondary option!
ποΈ READ MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO ISABELA ISLAND
Best Area to Stay on Isabela
The area of Puerto Villamil is the best and only option you have for staying on Isabela Island.
Even if it were not the only option, it would still be where you would want to stay.
Puerto Villamil is built up directly along the aptly named Playa Puerto Villamil (also referred to as Playa Isabela or Isabela Beach).
This beautiful, lengthy expanse of white sand beach runs for 2.5 miles (4km). Along the beach, you can find affordable hotel rooms that literally open up onto the sand.
In addition to the beautiful beach, Puerto Villamil is also where you will find the Main Pier and most attractions including the flamingo lagoon and several popular snorkeling spots.
Best Hotels on Isabela
| Approximate Hostel Price (bed in a dorm room) | Starting at $15 |
| Approximate Budget Price (basic private room in a hotel, hostel, or homestay) | Starting at $30 |
| Average Midrange Price (3+ star hotel rooms and apartments) | Starting at $70 |
| Average Luxury Price (5-star hotels, entire homes, and villas) | N/A |
Similarly to San Cristobal, accommodation options are more limited and, therefore, a little pricier than on Santa Cruz. However, it is still very affordable.
There are not any 5-star luxury hotels on the island, but you will find a number of budget and mid-range options.
With that said, you will find plenty of excellent beach-front options, such as Cormorant Beach House or Sandy Feet Beach House, and some boutique accommodations such as Chez Manany Galapagos Eco Lodge, that will have a more luxurious feel.
Below are some of the top-rated hotels for different budgets:
- Budget: Posada del Caminante 8.8/10 βοΈ
- Mid-range: Cormorant Beach House 9.3/10 βοΈ
- Higher end: N/A
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βοΈ Where to Stay in Galapagos: Floreana Island
Main Town: Puerto Velazco Ibarra
Most people do not realize that you can actually stay on FOUR islands in Galapagos, with Floreana Island often being overlooked!
While this is technically an option, you should only consider staying on Floreana if you are backpacking or otherwise traveling to the Galapagos on an extended timeline.
The main reason Floreana is a poor choice as a home base as getting to the island is expensive and requires coordination. Beyond that, there are very limited options for food, accommodation, and services once you get there.
Of course, this also makes it the most unique place to stay in the Galapagos archipelago.
βοΈ Summary: If you are the adventurous type with a rare combination of extra time and finances, Floreana may prove to be your favorite island of all!
Best Area to Stay on Floreana
There is only one area you will find any accommodation or services on the small island of Floreana, and that is in the port town of Puerto Velazco Ibarra.
The town offers little more than a few hotels, a supermarket, a couple of local restaurants, and a pier. There are no bars and few services beyond those mentioned.
Best Hotels on Floreana
For some time, the only hotel on Floreana was the Wittmer Lodge. However, today you’ll find there are at least five on the island.
While there are a few more options, booking a hotel on Floreana is a little more complicated. Of the five hotels we found listed on TripAdvisor for Floreana, only one is available to book online.
This is Black Beach House and starts from $70 per night. The good news is it has excellent reviews (9.2/10 βοΈ)!
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29 BEST GALAPAGOS DAY TOURS
π’ Alternative: Galapagos Island by Cruise Ship
While self-guided visits to the Galapagos islands are a great choice for experienced travelers, visiting the archipelago requires extensive planning that goes well beyond deciding where to stay.
If you do not speak Spanish, have limited time available, and/or want to see multiple islands, a Galapagos cruise will be the best option for you!
While we are not typically “cruise people”, the Galapagos are an exception. Traveling via cruise ship comes with some distinct advantages that must be considered. These include:
- Ability to travel to multiple islands without changing accommodations.
- Elimination of pre-planning requirements.
- Dedicated naturalist guide(s) and expert(s) throughout your journey.
- Easy, one-time budgeting and purchase.
- Coordinated meals.
- Touch of luxury coupled with outstanding wildlife encounters.
- Ability to reach certain islands only accessible by cruise.
πββοΈ FAQs on Where to Stay in the Galapagos Islands
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions on where to stay in the Galapagos islands.
Simply click the drop-down arrows to reveal answers.
Can you stay overnight on the Galapagos Islands?
There are four inhabited Galapagos islands that allow overnight stays for self-guided travelers and tourists. In order of population and popularity, they are:
- Santa Cruz (population ~15,000)
- San Cristobal (population ~7000)
- Isabela (population ~2000)
- Floreana (population ~100)
Of the 4, only Santa Cruz and San Cristobal have airports that service mainland Ecuador.
Which is the best Galapagos island to stay on?
Most consider Santa Cruz to be the best Galapagos island to stay on, and it is certainly the most popular choice. However, San Cristobal is arguably the best option as it has more accessible beaches, and its airport is actually located on-island (Santa Cruz airport, by contrast, requires a commute from the island of Baltra).
What Galapagos islands can you stay on?
You can only stay overnight on the Galapagos islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and the often-overlooked island of Floreana.
Of these four options, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal are the only two which have airports that service mainland Ecuador via Quito and Guayaquil.
Is it expensive to stay on the Galapagos Islands?
Staying on the Galapagos islands is actually surprisingly affordable! As of July 2023, hostels and homestays are available on any of the major islands for as low as $15-$25 USD per night, though standard hotel stays tend to be in the $100-$250 per night range.
Similarly, food can be purchased at local Ecuadorian restaurants for just $5 per meal!
π More Galapagos Islands Travel Guides
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below π
Hopefully, this guide has answered all of your questions, now it’s time for the rest of your planning!
These guides will help you through the process step-by-step, providing insight on everything from finding flights to top activities and so much more.
Planning Guides
- Where to Stay in Galapagos
- How to Travel to Galapagos in 10 Easy Steps
- Galapagos 5-Day Itinerary
- Galapagos 7-Day Itinerary
- Galapagos 10-Day Itinerary
- Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
- How to Island Hop the Galapagos
- Galapagos Packing List
- Galapagos Trip Cost & How to Budget
- How to Visit the Galapagos on a Budget
Local Guides
- Santa Cruz Island Ultimate Guide
- San Cristobal Ultimate Guide
- Isabela Island Ultimate Guide
- Bartolome Island Ultimate Guide
- Pinzon Island Ultimate Guide
Things to Do Guides
- Top 50 Things to Do in Galapagos
- Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos
- Best Galapagos Day Tours
- Galapagos Photography Guide
- Best Beaches in the Galapagos Islands
- Why You NEED to Visit the Galapagos Islands
- Best Galapagos Snorkeling Spots
- Iconic Galapagos Animals & Where to See Them
π¬ Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Galapagos
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