Accommodations

The Galapagos Archipelago is located straddling the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles from mainland Ecuador. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island is the capital of Galapagos Province and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island is the commercial heart of Galapagos. The archipelago consist of 22 main islands, and dozens of other small islets and volcanic rocks, having a total land area of 3,086 square miles, spread over an area of sea covering some 20,000 square miles.

The Galapagos Islands are on Central Standard Time, and there are neither vaccines nor visa requirements, but U.S. citizens visiting the Galapagos must present a valid passport for entry. Spanish is the islands' official language, although English is spoken by most guides and other travel staff, which make the island the ideal destination for international travelers, although most accommodations, including resorts, hotels, haciendas and lodges are available in mainland from where guided tours take you to the islands.

It is estimated that about 17,000 inhabitants reside on 4 of the Galapagos Islands; Isabela, Floreana, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. In fact, the majority of visitors to the Galapagos Islands spend practically their entire time on a cruise, because there are only 4 islands that offers accommodations; Santa Cruz (Indefatigable Island), Isabela (Albemarle Island), San Cristobal Chatam Island) and Santa Maria (Floreana Island).

There are countless accommodations facilities in Santa Cruz, which has the most hotel options in the Galapagos Islands, ranging from very simple small youth hostels and inns to world class elegant hotels offering hotel activities such as kayaking and snorkeling, as well as bicycles and trekking renting. Most renown hotels include the Hotel Galapagos, the Royal Palm Hotel, the Red Mangrove Inn, Hotel Silberstein, Hotel Sol y Mar, Hotel Las NInfas, Fernandina Hotel, Grand Lobo del Mar Hotel and Finch Bay Hotel, formerly known as Hotel Delfin.

In Puerto Ayora, it is easy to find middle ranged hotels, such as Castro Hotel, Hotel Estrella de Mar, Fiesta Hotel, Lirio del Mar Inn, Hotel Lobo del Mar, Hotel Marina, Hotel Salinas, and Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Among the budget hotels, the Darwin Hotel, Hotel España, Hotel Flamingo, Hotel La Peregina, Los Amigos Hotel, Nuevo Elizabeth Pension and Santa Cruz Pension offers prices ranging $8 to $12 USD per night, per person.

American visitors to the Galapagos will feel at home because U.S. dollars are the standard currency in Ecuador and on vessels and the inhabitants are just as charming as the islands themselves. Galapagos Islands accommodations can be booked ahead of time, recommended during the high season for top class hotels but not required for small and budget hotels. Most high class hotels may help you booking other activities, including day trips, kayak tours, and even some cruises.

The largest of the Galapagos Islands is Isabela, 85 miles in longitude and 1,800 square miles, which makes it over half the Galapagos total land area. Isabela's sandy streets contrast with Santa Cruz because despite the size there are fewer hotels. This island offers renting small cabins, but also budget and pocketbook hotels, including an elegant hotel at La Casa de Marita.

Located in the small fishing village of Villamil on the southern tip of Isabela island, La Casa de Marita offers 10 suites, just a few feet away from the beach, all with air conditioning, hot water, bar fridge, ceiling fans, and TV with VCR option. Telephone service and other facilities are available in the hotel reception, including email service, library and bar. Other hotels available at Isabela include Hosteria Isabela del Mar, Hotel Tero Real and the budget Hotel Loja with prices ranging from $5 to $10 USD per person per night.

Beign the capital of the Galapagos, San Cristobal is actually few visited, despite it worth the visit because this island is the home of the red-footed booby, much rarer than the blue-footed specimen. The capital has a small school and offers several accommodation options for the visitor range in different pricing but starting with reasonable accommodations for budget travelers, to some pretty elegant hotels, including the top class Orca Hotel and Hotel Don Jorge, the middle range Cactus Hotel, Hotel Mar Azul and Chatham Hotel, and the budget Hotel San Francisco.

Floreana Island is considered a place of mystery, love triangles, and historic place. Pirates, buccaneers, politicians, writers and historians have flocked to Floreana because of its mystique and allure that you may also enjoy experience staying at the island's only hotel, the Wittmers, belonging to the German Heinz Wittmer's family, one of the first inhabitants of Floreana in the early 20th century, a combination of hotel/hostel always ready to welcome visitors to this strange island.