Multi-Day Island Stays Around Puerto Ayora
Several days without a cruise
The Galápagos has no fixed multi-day tour out of Puerto Ayora that you simply turn up for. What exists is land-based island hopping: you sleep in a town on one island, take a fast boat to the next, and join day tours from each base. Multi-day packages from licensed agencies do exist, but each operator writes its own itinerary, so compare them directly and read what is included.
A three-town pattern
- Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. Spend the first nights here for the research station, Tortuga Bay and the highland reserves.
- Puerto Villamil, Isabela. Isabela offers the Tintoreras islet, the Los Humedales wetlands and Sierra Negra.
- Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal. The third island is reached by another boat from Puerto Ayora, about 2 to 2.5 hours away.
You do not need all three. Two islands over four or five days gives more time in each place.
The Santa Cruz highland option
Travellers on either side of a cruise sometimes spend a few days in the highlands around Santa Rosa. El Chato and Rancho Primicias are on that road, 30 to 45 minutes from Puerto Ayora, with wild tortoises, lava tunnels and cafes. Reserve entry is about USD 10 with a guide.
Boat facts
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Crossing to Isabela | about 2 hours |
| Crossing to San Cristóbal | about 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Fare | USD 25 to 35 |
| Departures | around 07:00 and 14:00; confirm at the dock |
| Check-in | 30 minutes early for luggage inspection |
| Isabela visitor fee for non-nationals | about USD 10 |
The boats are open-sea speedboats and the ride can be bumpy, so seasickness tablets are worth packing. Times and fares move, so check them at the dock.
Getting to Puerto Ayora first
If you land at Baltra, an airport bus runs to the Itabaca Channel for about USD 5, a ferry crosses the channel for about USD 1, and then you take a public bus (USD 2.50 to 5) or a taxi (USD 20 to 30). Allow roughly 1 to 1.25 hours from the channel.
Costs and rules before a longer stay
- The park entry fee is currently USD 200 for most foreign adults and children over 12, paid in cash at the island airport.
- The Transit Control Card is about USD 20, issued at Quito or Guayaquil airport before departure.
- Luggage is checked for fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, unpasteurised dairy and live animals.
- Check current government advice before travelling. The islands lie outside the mainland areas named in UK advice for Ecuador .
Read more: day trips in Puerto Ayora and activities in Puerto Ayora .
Sources: Governing Council and the Park Directorate . Search rooms on Booking.com .