Trip Planning
Island-hopping by land
This plan uses hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabela rather than a cruise — ideal for a first visit or a shorter trip. Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, the airport for Santa Cruz.
Pay the national park entrance fee on arrival, and book guided day trips ahead in high season.
Day 1
Santa Cruz Highlands
Fly into Baltra and cross to Santa Cruz.
See giant tortoises roaming free in the highlands and walk through a lava tunnel.
Settle into Puerto Ayora for dinner by the harbor.
Day 2
Puerto Ayora
Walk to Tortuga Bay’s long white beach, where marine iguanas sunbathe.
The Charles Darwin Research Station.
Fresh fish at the harbor stalls.
Day 3
To Isabela
Speedboat to Isabela, about two hours.
Snorkel at Concha de Perla with sea lions and turtles.
Sunset on the beach in Puerto Villamil.
Day 4
Isabela
A guided trip to Los Túneles for snorkeling among lava arches, or a hike on the Sierra Negra volcano.
A slow dinner in the village.
Day 5
Back to Santa Cruz
Return to Santa Cruz.
Fly out from Baltra — or add days on San Cristóbal for Kicker Rock.
Keep Reading
More Galápagos on Jet Set
The Galápagos guide · Start with three days in Quito
Where to stay: compare Galápagos hotels · Next stop: Quito
From the Journal
Read before you go
Worth Booking
Tours for your Galápagos days
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