which is the best island to stay in the galapagos?

Which is the best island to stay in the Galapagos?

By Sophie Fern. March 05, 2024

The Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many of us and with good reason. This volcanic archipelago, off the coast of Ecuador, is carefully preserved and has a high abundance of incredible wildlife. From swimming with sea lions to watching marine iguanas cross the street, the Galapagos is a unique destination for ecotourism with both land and underwater creatures happy to get close to humans. You can hike a volcano, kayak with penguins or take a boat trip to see hammerhead sharks. The site also has historic significance as the inspiration for Darwin’s theory of evolution and you can learn more about this at the Charles Darwin centre.

Although the Galapagos is made up of over 100 islands, there are three that stand out as the best islands to stay on. Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal each have their own distinctive features and wildlife highlights, so it’s worth considering what your main interests are when planning your itinerary. Santa Cruz is perhaps the most well-known and densely populated however there are airports both here and in San Cristobal. Isabela is the largest of the three but can only be reached by boat.If you are interested in where to stay in the Galapagos Islands, you may also be interested in where to stay in Quito.

Best islands to stay in the Galapagos

Santa Cruz Island

Boat Excursions / Charles Darwin Centre / Luxury Travel

Santa Cruz has the largest population of all the Galapagos Islands and therefore has the widest variety of accommodation and eateries for tourists, as well as an airport. If you’re limited on time, keen to do excursions to more remote islands or feel more comfortable having access to familiar amenities, this is the place to be. Although budget-friendly options can be found, restaurants tend to be higher end prices here. It’s worth noting that supermarkets in Puerto Ayora have far more variety than the other islands too.

Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Centre where you can learn more about the giant tortoise breeding programme. Visiting Playa Mansa to kayak with turtles and sharks, as well as taking a trip to the volcanic canyon of Camino a las Grietas, are two must-do activities.

There are a few beaches where you can snorkel and you’ll be stumbling across sea lions and marine iguanas all over the place. A key feature of Santa Cruz is that it’s the hub for boat excursions to the uninhabited islands of the archipelago, as well as being the departure point for most cruise ships.

Accommodation in Santa Cruz Island

San Cristobal Island

Snorkelling / Sea Lion Interaction / Kicker Rock

San Cristobal Island is popular with both backpackers and luxury travellers. As the second most populated island, it has a decent array of hotels, cafes and restaurants but is arguably the best island for free snorkelling spots. If you’re seeking hammerhead sharks, Kicker Rock is the place to go and the boat excursion departs from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal.

Hire a snorkel in town for just $3/day and head to Darwin’s Cove. With crystal clear water tucked away from strong ocean currents, this is the perfect place to see giant turtles and sea lions going about their daily business. Hike further to Playa Baquerizo to snorkel with rays and black-tipped reef sharks or check out the beautiful La Loberia for more marine life encounters.

The sunsets on every island are special, but San Cristobal offers the opportunity to watch the sun go down, sitting amongst sea lions, with a cold drink in hand. Don’t miss this at either Playa Mann or Playa Punta Carola. For those keen to stay on multiple islands, San Cristobal has an airport so one popular option is to fly into Santa Cruz and out of San Cristobal (or vice versa).

Accommodation in San Cristobal Island

Isabela Island

Penguins / Flamingos / Budget Travel

Isabela Island is easily the most rural and basic of the three populated islands so is a hub for budget backpackers. Variety of food is more limited and the one ATM in town is rather unreliable so it’s recommended to withdraw cash in advance. Isabela is the only inhabited island with penguins and flamingos so is a popular day excursion for tourists staying on the other islands. However, if you have time to stay on Isabela, there is plenty to do that the day trip doesn’t cover.

Walk or cycle to Las Lagrimas and enjoy not just the viewpoint but spotting giant tortoises along the journey. There are a couple of boardwalks that you can stroll along to find flamingos in their natural habitat, and it’s easy to take a snorkel to Concha Perla to do some exploring.

The most popular excursions here are the Los Tuneles day trip and visiting Las Tintoreras, either by kayak or as a snorkel tour. Both enable you to see Galapagos penguins and Los Tuneles features a shallow snorkelling site with countless giant turtles. For those wanting a challenge, you can also hike to the volcanic crater of Sierra Negra.

Accommodation in Isabela Island