Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge is a solid mid-range option in downtown Puerto Ayora. Rooms are cute and cozy, but otherwise nondescript. There’s an on-site restaurant, but the cuisine isn’t noteworthy. The main attraction here is the hotel’s unique access to local wildlife. Built around a natural mangrove, the hotel is a hot spot for sea lion visitors. Every day, guests can watch as multiple sea lions snooze on hotel lounge chairs and play in the water just offshore. For many guests this unique perk overrides some of the hotel’s flaws, like its sometimes funky smells, lack of on-site amenities, and slow Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a nicer hotel with better amenities should check-out Finch Bay Eco Hotel, though there’s less on-site wildlife, and it tends to be pricier.
Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge is a solid mid-range option in downtown Puerto Ayora. Rooms are cute and cozy, but otherwise nondescript. There’s an on-site restaurant, but the cuisine isn’t noteworthy. The main attraction here is the hotel’s unique access to local wildlife. Built around a natural mangrove, the hotel is a hot spot for sea lion visitors. Every day, guests can watch as multiple sea lions snooze on hotel lounge chairs and play in the water just offshore. For many guests this unique perk overrides some of the hotel’s flaws, like its sometimes funky smells, lack of on-site amenities, and slow Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a nicer hotel with better amenities should check-out Finch Bay Eco Hotel, though there’s less on-site wildlife, and it tends to be pricier.
For a budget hotel, Hotel Fiesta has a lot of things going for it. The beautifully maintained property has well-kept gardens, a large outdoor pool, and 33 spotlessly clean rooms; it also offers free breakfast and Wi-Fi for all guests. It’s located on a quiet side street that’s within easy walking distance of downtown Puerto Ayora and local attractions like Laguna de las Ninfas and Tortuga Bay. Of course, the place isn’t without its flaws — rooms are itty bitty, hot water isn’t consistent, and the Wi-Fi is awful — but, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better bang for your buck in Puerto Ayora. It’s worth comparing rates at Hotel Pelican Bay, which has nearly identical rooms and amenities, but its grounds are not as nice.
For a budget hotel, Hotel Fiesta has a lot of things going for it. The beautifully maintained property has well-kept gardens, a large outdoor pool, and 33 spotlessly clean rooms; it also offers free breakfast and Wi-Fi for all guests. It’s located on a quiet side street that’s within easy walking distance of downtown Puerto Ayora and local attractions like Laguna de las Ninfas and Tortuga Bay. Of course, the place isn’t without its flaws — rooms are itty bitty, hot water isn’t consistent, and the Wi-Fi is awful — but, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better bang for your buck in Puerto Ayora. It’s worth comparing rates at Hotel Pelican Bay, which has nearly identical rooms and amenities, but its grounds are not as nice.
Arguably the nicest hotel in the Galapagos, Finch Bay Eco Hotel is an upscale, 27-room property with excellent amenities. An architectural stunner, Finch Bay seamlessly blends with its incredible surroundings, and has distinct bragging rights as the only beachfront hotel in Puerto Ayora. Rooms are on the small side, but are impeccably decorated with modern furnishings and locally inspired artwork. Features include a beautiful pool and sundeck, a beachfront bar, an excellent restaurant, and freebies like daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. All-inclusive packages are available, and the hotel’s concierge can book all types of activities and excursions for guests, including island tours on the hotel’s private yacht. Finch Bay’s secluded location on a rocky peninsula affords visitors with an atmospheric serenity that’s hard to find in downtown Puerto Ayora, but some guests may find it too isolating. Those who would prefer to be in the heart of Puerto Ayora might prefer Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, which often has similar nightly rates, but has inferior rooms and amenities.
Arguably the nicest hotel in the Galapagos, Finch Bay Eco Hotel is an upscale, 27-room property with excellent amenities. An architectural stunner, Finch Bay seamlessly blends with its incredible surroundings, and has distinct bragging rights as the only beachfront hotel in Puerto Ayora. Rooms are on the small side, but are impeccably decorated with modern furnishings and locally inspired artwork. Features include a beautiful pool and sundeck, a beachfront bar, an excellent restaurant, and freebies like daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. All-inclusive packages are available, and the hotel’s concierge can book all types of activities and excursions for guests, including island tours on the hotel’s private yacht. Finch Bay’s secluded location on a rocky peninsula affords visitors with an atmospheric serenity that’s hard to find in downtown Puerto Ayora, but some guests may find it too isolating. Those who would prefer to be in the heart of Puerto Ayora might prefer Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, which often has similar nightly rates, but has inferior rooms and amenities.
For budget travelers looking to avoid hostels, Hotel Pelican Bay is a solid option. A quick, one-minute walk from bustling Avenida Charles Darwin, the hotel offers easy access to all of Puerto Ayora’s shops and restaurants. Rooms are small and the decor is basic — think white walls, limp bedding, and tiny bathrooms — but the hotel has its own pool and offers free breakfast and Wi-Fi. It’s not exactly the most scenic property we’ve ever seen, but it’s sufficient for those just looking for a place to sleep. Hotel Fiesta has a nicer property and amenities for comparable nightly rates, but it’s farther from downtown.
For budget travelers looking to avoid hostels, Hotel Pelican Bay is a solid option. A quick, one-minute walk from bustling Avenida Charles Darwin, the hotel offers easy access to all of Puerto Ayora’s shops and restaurants. Rooms are small and the decor is basic — think white walls, limp bedding, and tiny bathrooms — but the hotel has its own pool and offers free breakfast and Wi-Fi. It’s not exactly the most scenic property we’ve ever seen, but it’s sufficient for those just looking for a place to sleep. Hotel Fiesta has a nicer property and amenities for comparable nightly rates, but it’s farther from downtown.
Smack in the middle of downtown Puerto Ayora, the mid-range Hotel Solymar is perfectly positioned for guests who want to be within walking distance of, well, everything. On top of its ideal location, Solymar has nice rooms, a small pool where sea lions like to hang out, and an on-site bar and restaurant. Plus, it offers free daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. However, the hotel is awkwardly split on two sides of the street, and some guests feel that the level of luxury and services offered don’t match the sometimes sky-high nightly rates. Nearby Hotel Pelican Bay is much cheaper and has comparable amenities, but rooms aren’t nearly as nice.
Smack in the middle of downtown Puerto Ayora, the mid-range Hotel Solymar is perfectly positioned for guests who want to be within walking distance of, well, everything. On top of its ideal location, Solymar has nice rooms, a small pool where sea lions like to hang out, and an on-site bar and restaurant. Plus, it offers free daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. However, the hotel is awkwardly split on two sides of the street, and some guests feel that the level of luxury and services offered don’t match the sometimes sky-high nightly rates. Nearby Hotel Pelican Bay is much cheaper and has comparable amenities, but rooms aren’t nearly as nice.
One of Santa Cruz’s nicest properties, the 16-room Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is a mid-range hotel that punches above its weight. The rooms are airy and spacious, and many offer stunning views of the harbor. The on-site restaurant, La Cueva de Gus, is perhaps one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz, and serves delicious regionally inspired cuisine in a relaxed, open-air setting. There aren’t any big-ticket amenities here, like a pool or beachfront, but the hotel’s tranquil vibe attracts travelers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Puerto Ayora. Free breakfast and free Wi-Fi are nice perks, but travelers seeking more on-site amenities should check out the nearby Finch Bay Eco Hotel, though it tends to be slightly pricier.
One of Santa Cruz’s nicest properties, the 16-room Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is a mid-range hotel that punches above its weight. The rooms are airy and spacious, and many offer stunning views of the harbor. The on-site restaurant, La Cueva de Gus, is perhaps one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz, and serves delicious regionally inspired cuisine in a relaxed, open-air setting. There aren’t any big-ticket amenities here, like a pool or beachfront, but the hotel’s tranquil vibe attracts travelers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Puerto Ayora. Free breakfast and free Wi-Fi are nice perks, but travelers seeking more on-site amenities should check out the nearby Finch Bay Eco Hotel, though it tends to be slightly pricier.