Galapagos Islands Tour from Ecuador | All Inclusive | bmtours

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos — The Heart of the Archipelago

Santa Cruz is the most visited island in the Galapagos and the main tourist hub of the archipelago. Its main town, Puerto Ayora, has the highest concentration of hotels, restaurants, dive operators and tour agencies in the islands. From Santa Cruz you can reach Isabela, San Cristóbal, Floreana and Española by speed boat, making it the ideal base for a Galapagos island hopping itinerary.

Top Things to Do in Santa Cruz, Galapagos

El Chato Reserve — The most iconic Santa Cruz experience. In the island's highlands you'll find free-roaming Galapagos giant tortoises (Chelonoidis niger) grazing through volcanic grasslands. You can also walk through underground lava tunnels on the same tour.

Tortuga Bay — One of the world's most stunning beaches, accessible on foot from Puerto Ayora (45-minute walk on a paved trail). Fine white sand, turquoise waters and a calm cove where you can spot marine iguanas, pelicans and blacktip sharks in shallow water.

Charles Darwin Research Station — Located in Puerto Ayora, this is the main research and conservation center of the archipelago. Home to the famous giant tortoise breeding program and the last home of Lonesome George, the world's most famous tortoise.

Los Gemelos — Two massive volcanic collapse craters surrounded by native vegetation in the highlands. Galapagos mockingbirds and Darwin's finches nest along their edges. Conveniently located on the road to the airport, ideal for a stop on arrival or departure.

Lava Tunnels — Underground volcanic formations extending hundreds of meters beneath the surface. A truly unique subterranean hiking experience found nowhere else on Earth.

Las Grietas — A natural fissure between two volcanic rock walls forming a brackish-water swimming pool. Just 20 minutes by water taxi from Puerto Ayora dock. Very popular with independent travelers and snorkelers.

Day Tours from Santa Cruz to Other Islands

Española Island (7–8 hours) — Full-day tour to the southern archipelago to see waved albatross, blue-footed boobies and red iguanas. Best between April and December.

North Seymour (3–4 hours) — Small island 30 minutes by boat from Baltra. The largest magnificent frigatebird colony in the archipelago and blue-footed boobies. Accessible year-round.

Bartolomé (4–5 hours) — The most photographed island in the archipelago, with its iconic Pinnacle Rock. Snorkel with Galapagos penguins. Panoramic views from the main crater.

South Plazas (3–4 hours) — A small island east of Santa Cruz with sea lion colonies and land iguanas. A good half-day option.

Frequently Asked Questions — Santa Cruz Island

How do you get to Santa Cruz from mainland Ecuador?

Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island (GPS). From the airport, take a bus, a short ferry crossing and then another bus or taxi to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's main town. Total transfer time is approximately 45 minutes.

How many days do you need in Santa Cruz?

A minimum of 2–3 days is recommended to see Santa Cruz's main attractions. If you're using Santa Cruz as a base for island hopping, plan for 5–7 days total.

What is the best hotel in Santa Cruz, Galapagos?

Santa Cruz has options for all budgets, from hostels in Puerto Ayora from $30 USD per night to the exclusive Finch Bay Eco Hotel on the bay's shore, one of the finest hotels in the archipelago. BMTours works with the best hotel options on the island for every budget.