Despite their isolation, the Galapagos Islands offer a wide range of lodging options for guests, which vary significantly in both price and style. Galapagos cruises have historically been the most luxurious and publicized option; however, island amenities have greatly improved in recent years, meaning that guests can now choose from a multitude of beautiful hotels. Whether you want a luxury hotel, a Galapagos cruise or island hopping at more casual hotels, each option offers a different, but equally enjoyable Galapagos experience suited to your needs. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the lodging options in the islands and discover the right fit for you.

Your Perfect Galapagos Hotel

Whether it be an ecolodge, ocean-view room with your own private terrace or merely a place to keep your things as you adventure throughout the archipelago, you will easily find land-based accommodations in the Galapagos Islands to perfectly complement your experience. A land-based hotel has an advantage in that you can plan your Galapagos trip at your own pace and adjust each day to meet your needs. The two most significant towns in the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, each have several tour companies that will be happy to help you organize day trips to different islands or choose a scuba diving package. Excellent land-based hotels organize their own yachts tours reserved especially for guests or offer amenities such as Galapagos tortoise reserves, which can be an excellent option for those who aren’t looking to plan every detail but enjoy returning to their own hotel room every night.

Choosing land-based hotels in an excellent way to get to know island life. After a day of snorkeling and observing Galapagos wildlife, take some time to enjoy a drink with the locals or explore the nearby town. Guests are also welcome to lodge at multiple land-based hotels throughout their stay in the islands to explore a more significant portion of one of the most unique archipelagoes in the world. It is essential, however, that land-based tourists do some research beforehand when planning their trip. First-time visitors are often shocked by the sheer size of the archipelago, and it’s essential to make sure the natural wealth and diversity of the islands is a source of wonderment, not stress.

The Cruise of a Lifetime

Galapagos cruise ships are possibly a more popular option in the Galapagos Islands, and the opportunities they offer have only improved over time. Galapagos cruises work carefully with the Galapagos National Park and experienced guides to organize comprehensive itineraries for their guests, along with alternatives that ensure everyone’s needs are met. Cruise ships have also worked extensively to minimize any footprint they might leave, including waste management and water recycling systems (several hotels are also working on this). However, don’t worry that a cruise will make your experience any less personal – Galapagos cruise ships hold no more than 100 passengers, and no more than 16 visitors are ever assigned to a naturalist guide. This means that the Galapagos cruise experience is highly personalized, and cruise staff works to ensure that the interests of each guest are more than satisfied!

Galapagos cruises tend to be a little more expensive, but they offer a significant benefit in that they can take advantage of each minute of your time in the Galapagos. With the possibility of sleeping at sea, visitors don’t have to follow the same course every day back to town. Instead, you can enjoy your evenings to yourself, possibly on the deck watching the last rays of sun flicker over the ocean. Cruise ships can also travel at night, meaning that the precious hours of daylight are spent exploring the islands and not traveling between visitor points.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, a dive into the rich biology of the Galapagos Islands or the diving adventure of a lifetime, the Galapagos offers the accommodations to perfectly complement your Galapagos experience.