Santa Cruz, GalápagosSanta Cruz

The questions people ask first about Santa Cruz, Galápagos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).Ecuador-wide
• SIM or eSIMClaro and Movistar (plus CNT) sell prepaid SIMs in malls and shops with a passport; Claro has the widest coverage.Ecuador-wide
• Tap waterNot safe from the tap in most places (Quito and Cuenca's water is treated but pipes vary); drink bottled or filtered.Ecuador-wide
• TippingRestaurants: 10% service often included; add a little for good service.Ecuador-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ecuador-wide
• SafetyPuerto Ayora is calm and walkable; the real risks are the sea (strong undertow at Tortuga Bay, rough inter-island boats), sun and dehydration…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or juice in Puerto Ayora$2–5
• Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo)$5–10
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Water taxi across the harbour$1
• Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personUS$12
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomUS$90
• High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomUS$180

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$45 · Mid US$95 · High US$200

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

GPS Seymour Airport, Baltra (Bus to the Itabaca channel ($5), ferry crossing ($1), then bus ($5) or taxi ($25) to Puerto Ayora; about 1–1.5 h door to door)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$40–70 excl. bed

Mid

$70–140 excl. bed

High

$140+ excl. bed

• Tap water in Puerto Ayora is not for drinking or brushing teeth: buy bottled water.
• Tortuga Bay has a strong undertow at the main beach; swim at Playa Mansa instead.
• Las Grietas is reached by guided tour only; guides wait at the entrance and tours start when enough people gather.
• Morning buses from Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca channel run every 30 min, roughly 07:00–09:00; afternoon flights need a taxi ($25) or shared taxi ($9 pp).Morning buses from Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca channel run every 30 min, roughly 7:00 AM–9:00 AM; afternoon flights need a taxi ($25) or shared taxi ($9 pp).
• Galápagos entry needs a transit control card and park fee; buy before or at the airport and keep cash.