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.
Although it is the capital of the Galapagos, San Cristobal is actually not frequently visited by tourists.
However, it's worth a 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.
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