How to Choose a Hotel in the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos hotels have been growing in number over the past decade. On the inhabited islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela there is a well-rounded mix of places that cater to island-hopping tours, cruise extensions, and luxury adventures. Keep reading for a few things to consider when choosing from one of the unique Galapagos hotels to call home while discovering the amazing wildlife and terrain of the archipelago.
Think about What You Want to Do
There is a lot to see and do in the Galapagos Islands. On Santa Cruz, there are tropical beaches to wander, snorkeling sites to explore, refreshing swimming holes that offer calm waters, and the lush highlands where giant tortoises roam free.
On Isabela, there are towering volcanoes to the summit, places to snorkel where decade old sea turtles swim amid thousands of brightly colored schools of fish, and hidden coves where pirates once holed up in-between raids on Spanish ships.
San Cristobal offers paddle boarding, snorkeling, and diving with hammerhead sharks, and biking along the coast and in the highlands.
To make the most out of your time, make a plan for where you want to go and what you want to do. Happy Gringo Travel offers island-hopping tours that explore both inhabited and uninhabited islands, staying on different islands and exploring the nearby sites.
Galapagos hotels on each stop offer refuge to start and finish the day from. Some have snorkeling equipment and bikes, and others boast internationally acclaimed restaurants that use locally sourced seafood and ingredients for long dinners after big days.
Consider Your Travel Style
Traveling in the Galapagos comes in all shapes and sizes. There are luxury yachts, high-end hotels, budget places geared towards divers, and longstanding hotels that were started by some of the pioneers of the islands. Some have pools, others cater to families, and there are many that specialize in romantic getaways.
Things are different in the Galapagos-water is a sacred commodity, food that can’t be grown locally is shipped in daily from the mainland, and conservation is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. What this means for travelers is that your budget isn’t the only concern, your comfort and flexibility are also something to keep in mind.
Choose a hotel that lends itself to your needs. Are you breakfast in bed person or a getup and go traveler who only needs coffee? There are many places that are all-inclusive, and there are those that have comfortable, decent, accommodations without all the bells and whistles.
Consider Staying on Multiple Islands
As mentioned earlier, we offer island-hopping tours that cover different islands, staying on Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal. We feel that this gives our clients a broad swath of experiences in the islands that make the most out of your time exploring the Galapagos. We use hotels that have kept a level of service that guests come to expect, and are happy to recommend our top picks for intrepid travelers who make the journey.
For more information about the tours and cruises to the Galapagos Islands, including Galapagos hotels, contact a member of our team through this site, Skype, or our toll-free numbers.
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