From packing tips to where to buy a SIM card, here is everything you need to know about visiting Santa Cruz island, Galapagos!
Why visit Santa Cruz over other Galapagos islands?
Santa Cruz island is the hub of the Galapagos. If you only have a short time to visit the Galapagos archipelago, Santa Cruz island might be the best choice for you. It has an airport with daily flights to mainland Ecuador and is the departure point for most of the Galapagos island cruises.
Most of the animals, marine and birdlife that the Galapagos islands are famous for can be seen on Santa Cruz island. It offers some of the best day trip opportunities in the Galapagos!
Even if you are staying in the Galapagos for a longer period of time, Santa Cruz island has some attractions that you cannot miss!
Getting there
Flying to Santa Cruz island from mainland Ecuador
Santa Cruz island is many people’s first stop in the Galapagos. This is mostly due to convenient location of Baltra airport.
There are no international flights into Baltra airport, or any of the Galapagos islands. Passengers need to transit through the Ecuadorian mainland to reach Santa Cruz island.
If you are flying into Baltra airport to take a cruise, you will likely be met at the airport. Most cruisers spend the night in Puerto Ayora first, but others are taken directly to their boat.
If you are travelling independently, you need to make your way from Baltra airport to Puerto Ayora town. Baltra airport is on the island of Baltra, just to the north of Santa Cruz island.
From the airport, buses depart every 10 minutes to the water taxi. Water taxis depart regularly when they have enough passengers and only takes about 5 minutes to until you arrive on Santa Cruz island. From the water taxi terminal, you can take a bus or taxi to your hotel. Ask your hotel about transfers for this portion of the trip.
While this sounds like a lot of steps, most people from your flight will be taking the same journey so it is quite straightforward.
Travelling to Santa Cruz by boat from other Galapagos islands
If you are travelling from another Galapagos island to Santa Cruz, you will need to take one of the local boats.
Boats between islands can easily be booked at any of the travel agents in the main towns of the Galapagos. Tickets are generally a set price of $30.
These boats moor in the harbour so you need to catch a smaller water taxi from the boat to the pier. The water taxi is $1 per person, and there is a pier tax of $1 per person to pay on arrival. Be sure to have some small cash or coins for these fees.
Do you need a visa to visit the Galapagos islands?
Most nationalities don’t need a visa to visit the Galapagos islands. However you must purchase a Transit Card and pay entry to the National Park.
Travelers to the Galapagos islands need to obtain a TCT Transit Control Card (tarjeta de control de transito in Spanish). The card is issued in Quito or Guayaquil airport prior to checking in for Galapagos flights. There is a special desk at the airport where the card can be purchased. You can complete the form in advance online here, but will still need to visit the desk to receive the TCT.
You need to pay the Galapagos National Park entry at the airport on arrival to the islands. When I visited in December 2023 the entry cost was $100. Some sources online suggest that this cost will be increased to $200 in August, 2024 but this hasn’t been confirmed.
When is the best time of year to visit the Galapagos islands?
Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos is a year-round destination. Santa Cruz has a sub-tropical climate meaning it never gets too cold. What will likely impact your choice of when to travel to the Galapagos is the type of wildlife you are most interested in.
The overall best time to visit is between November and June. However, each time of year brings with it its own benefits. Here is a comprehensive look at seasons, weather, water temperature and wildlife mating seasons in the Galapagos islands.
The best restaurants on Santa Cruz island
If you’re after a nice meal out, Finch Bay is known to be the best restaurant on Santa Cruz island.
One of my personal favourites was Nazca Restaurant. It is more of a casual eatery with a great selection of dishes with a local Galapagos island flair. The service is excellent and the ceviche is to die for!
Bolon de verde is a local food that should be tried when on Santa Cruz island. It is made from deep friend plantain and stuffed with cheese, meat or an assortment of other fillings. Bolon de verde is a popular breakfast throughout Ecuador. The best places to try bolon de verde in Puerto Ayora are at local eateries such as Lo&Lo restaurant or Restaurant el Descanso del Guia.
Another not to be missed dining experience is the restaurants at Los Kioskos. Los Kioskos is a vibrant street filled with seafood restaurants and bars. One of the busiest parts of Santa Cruz, it is worth stopping off for a dinner or two while in the Galapagos.
Practical information
Money on Santa Cruz
Since 2000, Ecuador has used the US dollar as their official currency. It is a good idea to bring some cash with you. Smaller denominations are the most useful.
Compared to other Galapagos islands such as Isabela and San Cristobal, a decent amount of stores and restaurants accept payment with credit card.
There are many ATMs on Santa Cruz which dispense cash in USD. The only ATM that I found that didn’t charge a commission or withdrawal fee for foreign cards was the Banco Bolivariano. It is located outside of the ProInsular supermarket.
Supermarkets on Santa Cruz island, Galapagos
There are several small supermarkets on the island. Given that it is 1000km from the mainland, the range and variety at the supermarkets isn’t fantastic. If you’re just after basic food items and toiletries, you should be fine. Fruits and vegetables can be found at most stores but they usually aren’t the freshest.
The ProInsular supermarket on Santa Cruz has the largest range and cheapest groceries anywhere in the Galapagos. You can also sit upstairs above the supermarket and get a great view of the marine birds fishing near the pier.
Where to buy a SIM card
Claro is one of the biggest mobile providers in Central and South America and the best provider for the Galapagos. There is a Claro store in Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz island.
To purchase a SIM card you need to bring your passport. The cost is $4.50 for the SIM. You can purchase data packages for $6 for 3GB for 15 days, or $10 for 10GB for 30 days.
Alternatively, if you prefer to not spend your time in the Galapagos in phone stores, you could purchase an E-sim.
Check prices for Airolo E-sim here!
The best things to do on Santa Cruz island, Galapagos
Being one of the most touristic islands in the Galapagos, there is no shortage of things to do on Santa Cruz. From snorkelling with sea lions to walking through underground lava tunnels, Santa Cruz island has something for everyone.
Read all of the best things to do on Santa Cruz here!
Can you visit the Galapagos islands on a budget?
Visiting the Galapagos islands can be expensive. Due to how remote the islands are restaurants and groceries are more expensive than mainland Ecuador.
If you are not doing an expensive tour, the cost of taking individual day trips can add up pretty quickly as well.
That being said, it is definitely possible to visit the Galapagos islands on a budget!
Read my guide to how to do the Galapagos islands on budget here.
Santa Cruz island, Galapagos hotels
Budget – Hostal La Mirada del Solitario George is the best budget option in Santa Cruz. The rooms are spotlessly clean, there is a shared kitchen area and it is walking distance to everything. It is the best hostel-style accommodation on the island and offers a variety of room types.
Mid-range – Stay at Posada del Mar for a few more comforts but without losing out on the local hospitality!
High-end – Treat yourself and stay at Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge, one of the only 5 star hotels on Santa Cruz, Galapagos.
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