STAYING ON SANTA CRUZ

For visitors interested in land based Galapagos Tours or extending their stay in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz offers the most options. Conveniently located near the Galapagos Islands' major airport it is also the easiest to reach.

Puerto Ayora the main town on Santa Cruz offers a wide range of services to visitors. Hotels range from small colorful bed and breakfasts to comfortable resorts.

Puerto Ayora also offers a range of dining possibilities with a grocery store in town it is possible to create your own meals, there are also variety of restaurants everything from pizza and hamburgers to seafood meals.

Land based stays are can be designed for any price range. Staying on one of the islands provides an excellent alternative to a cruise for those who have a problem with sea sickness, are traveling with children, have limited time in the islands, or need to stay in communication while in the islands. Land based tours offer greater flexibility in your trip.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND HOTELS

Finch Bay Hotel

Located on the far side of Puerto Ayora, reachable only by water. The Finch Bay features 21 non-smoking rooms. All rooms feature air conditioning and private baths. The hotel features a swimming pool and Jacuzzi as well as access to a small public beach.  Finch Bay is the only hotel in Galapagos to own its own boat for tours to the other islands.

For more information please see our Finch Bay and Sea Finch Tour

Hotel Silberstein

The renamed Hotel Angermeyer centrally located in Puerto Ayora offers a German flair to staying in the Galapagos. There are 22 standard rooms (some have air conditioning) with garden views have private baths.

SolyMar

Recently rebuilt this gorgeous property overlooks Pelican Bay. Sol y Mar is Trip Advisor's top rated hotel in the Galapagos. It has 17 comfortable and modern rooms that will provide you with a spectacular sea view, top class facilities in winch you will be able to admire fascinating species and landscape. The hotel features an ocean front pool and Jacuzzi.

We offer a number of other newer hotels for our clients making tour or cruise reservations with us.  Please contact us for more details.

DAY TOURS FROM SANTA CRUZ

There are numerous tour options available from Santa Cruz. Visits to many of the other islands can be easily reached in a full day tour. Additionally there are a number of half and full day tours available from Santa Cruz as well as activities you can do on your own. Unfortunately with the growth of visitors staying on land the number of boats permitted for tours to other islands has actually decreased. This is in part due to the fact that many of the permits which were used for day boats were converted to overnight cruises which tend to be more profitable for the owners. As a result it can often be difficult to confirm tours to other islands unless done in advance - as many of the boats are pre-booked or chartered. The last few years has seen many people walking up and down the main street looking for discounted cruises and tour options as suggested by guide books. Only to learn there is few or no options and they would have been better served by pre-planning their vacation or at least part of their vacation.

TORTUGA BAY

This spectacular white sand beach is a 30 minute walk from Puerto Ayora. The trail passes through a typical arid forest surrounded by birds. The trail ends at a spectacular white sand beach.  The first part of Tortuga Bay is the favorite snorkel/boogie board site for Santa Cruz walking across the beach you will find a second bay where calm waters provide an excellent site for kayaking or snorkeling.

LOS GEMELOS *

These twin pit craters, referred to as Los Gemelos (the twins) are located in the highlands. Weather permitting you can choose to hike through the unique vegetation rich with birdlife.

CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

Visit the breeding center and giant tortoise pens where you will witness the various stages of development of these world renowned, indigenous tortoises.

GARRAPATERO BEACH

This small and normally private beaches features black lava brisling with pioneer cacti contrasting with the white sand. A 15-minute walk leads to a great swimming and snorkeling beach where you can watch blue-footed boobies, pelicans and marine iguanas.

ACADEMY BAY TOUR

Traveling by boat from the main dock in Puerto Ayora, the tour takes you towards the lighthouse at Punta Estrada to view blue-footed bobbies, frigate birds, herons and sea lions. It continues to Devine's Bay where you can view rays, sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks. Finally a visit to La Loberia offers you the opportunity to snorkel with playful sea lions.

SEA KAYAKING

A 2 to 3 hour tour from Pelican Bay takes you towards the lighthouse at Punta Estrada where you can visit the various bays and stop to swim and snorkel.

SCUBA DIVING

Diving off the islands provides an exceptional experience as the wonders of the Galapagos also extend underwater and you will have some of the most exciting diving you have ever had in your life. Excellent dive sites include Gordon Rocks, Floreana, Cousins Rock, North Seymour and Mosquera.

HIGHLANDS: FREE ROAMING TORTOISES

One of the best ways to find giant tortoises, rarely encountered in the wild, is by visiting this privately owned cattle farm where these ancient reptiles come in search of water and juicy plants.

LAVA TUNNELS

These underground tunnels dug by hot lava twist, turn and intertwine while provide an exciting opportunity to view the immense effect of volcanic activity.

*A licensed national park guide is required to visit this site. While many hotels and agencies use non-licensed local guides for their tours, some sites require a licensed guide. A national park representative is stationed in these areas and requires to see the guide license in order for you to visit these areas. If you are interested in visiting any of these areas please check as to the type of permit your guide has prior to making arrangements.