A trip to Ecuador isn’t really complete without a stop in the Galapagos, a place many travellers dream about for years. The chance to see creatures that exist nowhere else on the planet, up close in their natural surroundings, is a huge draw. For lots of people, these islands end up being the most memorable part of a South American journey.
The catch? The Galapagos is not a cheap destination. In fact, it ranks among the priciest places to travel in South America. One reliable way to keep costs down is to book hostel-style accommodation. With that in mind, here’s a look at budget-friendly places to stay on Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela.
What follows is a selection of the best-value hostels and small guesthouses in the Galapagos. There aren’t a huge number of dedicated hostels, but you can find plenty of inexpensive options if you know where to look. Let’s get into the top picks.
Surfs up, dudes!
The 5 Best Hostels in Galapagos
Backpacking around the Galapagos is a brilliant experience, but where you sleep can really shape your trip, so it’s worth choosing carefully. Not everyone is travelling with a huge budget, so the list below focuses on the best backpacker-friendly hostels.
A bit of advice: plan your trip in advance to get the most out of it. Knowing where you’ll stay makes booking much simpler, and you won’t end up far from the places you want to explore. If you’d rather not plan everything yourself, you can also look into organised Galapagos tours.
1. Galapagos Dreams – Best Overall Hostel in Galapagos
- Price: $$
- Free Breakfast
- Great Location
- Friendly Staff
- Dorm (mixed): From $26
- Private Room: From $63
- Address: Avenida Cucuve y Floreana, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
For adventurers chasing the magic of the Galapagos, Galapagos Dreams is a top choice. Set in a quiet corner of Puerto Ayora, it has a relaxed feel, free hearty breakfasts and affordable lunches that help backpacker budgets go further. The staff are friendly and very good at arranging tours, onward travel or recommending local spots.
Pelican Bay Pier and the Turtle Monument are less than a five-minute walk away, putting you close to the action. Charles Darwin Avenue — and the Charles Darwin Station — is two blocks from the door. You’re centrally located with restaurants and shops nearby, and Station Beach is close for a swim or a lazy lounge.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Air Conditioning
- Free Wifi
- Travel Agencies in House
Galapagos Dreams gets the balance right: close enough to stroll into the centre, yet far enough to avoid nightlife noise. It’s a great place to stay — though it might be fully booked or simply not your style, and that’s fine too.
In my view, this hostel on Santa Cruz is the pick of the bunch. It’s low-key and quiet, ideal for recovering after a big day of exploring, and the staff are outstanding — friendly and helpful in a way that can make your stay.
2. Hostal Vista al Mar – Best Hostel in Galapagos for Solo Travellers
- Price: $
- Flat Screen TV
- Free toiletries
- Tour desk
- Dorm (mixed): From $20
- Private Room: From $50
- Address: Moises Brito y Thomas de Berlanga, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
In the centre of Puerto Ayora, the largest town on Santa Cruz, Hostal Vista al Mar is one of the coolest hostels in the Galapagos. Some of the island’s best restaurants are within 50 yards. Rooms come with useful extras including a flat-screen TV and a fan.
There’s also a shared lounge and a tour desk if you want to book adventures around the islands. For solo travellers, this is a strong option: reviews from individual travellers give it an almost perfect score, so it’s not just my opinion.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Wifi
- Centrally Located
- Air Conditioning
There’s no full kitchen here, so plan to eat out — which is fairly normal in these parts. There is a microwave, though, so you can meet people over a cup of noodles. The staff are very friendly and helpful with whatever you want to see or do.
Local knowledge is the best way to get around anywhere, but in places like this it also pays to visit the travel agencies. The people who run them make a living by showing visitors their home and often go beyond the usual tourist-trap experiences. You’ll not only see the sights but may also make lasting friends who become part of your travel stories.
3. Lonesome George Ecolodge – Best Cheap Hostel in Galapagos
- Price: $$
- Great location
- Towels included
- No free breakfast
- Dorm (mixed): From $40
- Private Room: From $55
- Address: Av. Rábida, Av. Floreana, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
This quirky little house is a gem of a base for Galapagos adventures. Handcrafted by the owner, every corner feels part of the magic. Victor and his son welcome guests like family to their cosy oasis.
Dorms and private rooms here are clean, comfortable and full of unique touches, with air conditioning to keep things cool. It costs more than most “hostels,” but the experience is worth it. The value packed into this place is hard to match — they’re also a travel agency, so they can set you up with experiences in the area.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Travel Agencies on Hand
- Free Wifi
- 10-minute walk to restaurants
Expect a warm welcome with fresh juice, a full rundown of the islands, tour recommendations and plenty of attention from the resident dog, Cloud. Visiting the Galápagos? Supporting local hosts like Victor is something you’ll be glad you did.
To me, this is what budget backpacking is really about: staying in small places with a story and supporting local legends. The team will do everything they can to make sure you have a dreamy stay and want to return to the Galapagos as soon as possible.
4. Hostal Puerto Ayora – Best Party Hostel in Galapagos
- Price: $
- Great location
- Towels included
- No free breakfast
- Private Room: From $42
- Address: Av. Baltra, 200102 Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
The Galapagos can be an extremely expensive place for a holiday, and high accommodation prices might put you off. But you can save a decent amount by checking into one of the best budget hostels in the Galapagos. Hostal Puerto Ayora offers a comfy bed in a cosy dorm on Santa Cruz, close to tour operators and top attractions.
One of those attractions is the Charles Darwin Research Station, so when you’re not out being an animal yourself, head down and see it. There’s a shared kitchen to keep costs even lower; pick up some produce from the local market and you’re set.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Cancellation two weeks before your booking
- Air Conditioning
- Clean and Comfortable
Hostal Puerto Ayora is within walking distance of the bars you’ll want to frequent and the beach, so you’re winning straight away. You can book tours from the hostel if you’re not too spent from partying — and if you are, there’s a pharmacy around the corner for painkillers and a recharge. You can do it all in the Galapagos.
Tortuga Bay is just 600m away, with the white sand, turquoise water and tropical beach of your dreams. Don’t confuse it with Tortuga from Pirates of the Caribbean (that’s in Haiti). You may be able to drink rum, but the patrons here are rather different in Galapagos, and you’re likely to see real sea turtles.
5. Hostal Seymour – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Galapagos
- Price: $$$
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Hot Tub
- Shared Lounge
- Private Room: From $45
- Address: Lobo Marino y duncan, 200350 Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
Wi-Fi on the islands can be slow and frustrating — not great news if you’re a digital nomad. If you’re happy to make the best of it, though, this is one of the coolest hostels in the Galapagos.
If you need to focus and get some work done, there’s a laptop-friendly workspace in your bedroom. Once you’ve finished for the day, head to the hot tub to soak and de-stress. If you’d rather stay dry, relax on the terrace and top up your tan.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Air Conditioning
- Private Bathroom Options
- They serve an exceptional breakfast
It’s a 10-minute walk from town, which is welcome when you’ve been curled over a laptop all day and need to stretch your legs. Rooms here are private, so it’s not strictly a hostel, but it’s attractive enough to include. There’s also a swimming pool — handy for a quick refresh if you’re deep in work mode and can’t quite make it to the beach.
That said, what are you working on the road for if not freedom? We all have deadlines some days, I suppose.
More Epic Budget Stays Hostel in Galapagos
The Galapagos isn’t exactly overflowing with shiny hostels, so here are a few more budget stays for good measure.
Hostal Loja
- Price: $$$
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Free Wifi
- Free Breakfast
- Private Room: From $51
- Address: Avenida 16 de Marzo y los cactus bariio loja, EC200250 Puerto Villamil, Ecuador
Hostal Loja is a guesthouse with two pools and free Wi-Fi in Puerto Villamil. The beach is just 500m away, and the friendly staff offer hospitality that’s hard to beat. There’s a good brewery next door when you fancy a drink — and in this heat, that might be often.
If you feel like frolicking (whether you’re a bit tiddly or just that way inclined), there’s an enormous playground next door too. There are sweet restaurants in the area, and the complimentary breakfast includes tasty pastries and fresh juice along with the usual suspects. The best bit? You can sleep soundly in blissfully air-conditioned rooms.
Hostal Galapagos by Bar de Beto
- Dorm (mixed): From $24
- Private Room: From $32
- Address: Avenida Antonio Gil & Los Flamencos, Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
This family-owned hostel is also in Puerto Villamil and is just 20m from Flamingo Lagoon and 50m from the Main Beach. It’s another great choice for digital nomads working on the road, as this Galapagos hostel is linked up to Starlink. You just cross the road from the guesthouse to the beach bar opposite and you’ll be connected.
There are options for single or double beds, and each room has its own private ensuite — a luxury when you’ve been hostelling for a while. Rooms also have air conditioning, so you’ll have sweet dreams and Wi-Fi access. There’s a shared kitchen if you want to cook your own meals, or you can hit the beach bar or other nearby spots.
Hostal Galapagos Morning Glory
- Price: $$$
- Garden and Bar
- Hammocks and TV
- Free toiletries
- Private Room: From $36
- Address: Av. Charles Darwin y Floreana, 200350 Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
Another of the best hostels in the Galapagos is this awesome offering in the islands’ most happening town, Puerto Ayora. Set around the garden, each private room has a patio where you can enjoy some sun and try to spot the finches that influenced Darwin’s theory of evolution.
If Darwin is your thing, it’s also the closest hostel to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can see the famous tortoises. And if that’s not enough, there’s free breakfast — perfect for fuelling up before a day of exploring the islands.
Hostal Costa del Pacifico
- Price: $$$
- Great location
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Private Room: From $55
- Address: Avenida Tomas de Berlanga s/n e Islas Plazas (esquina), Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, 200101 Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
There are some great romantic places to stay in the Galapagos, but they can end up being pretty pricey. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for a dorm bed or pitch a tent on a beach. One of the best and cheapest double rooms you’ll find in the Galapagos is at Hostal Costa del Pacifico.
You also get a nice view of either the sea or Puerto Ayora and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries. It has great reviews from couples, so it’s not just my word. Make sure you check out the Charles Darwin Research Station while you’re here too.
Hostal Suiza
- Price: $$$$
- Private bathrooms
- Sun terrace with hammocks
- Daily maid service
- Private Room: From $43
- Address: Isabela y Gonzalo Morales, 200150 Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
Most of the best hostels in the Galapagos are on Santa Cruz and in Puerto Ayora. But what if you want to head to La Lobería, check out Tijeretas Hill or go scuba diving at Kicker Rock? You’ll need to look for hostels on San Cristobal. Hostal Suiza is right in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the biggest town on the island, so tours are within easy reach and it’s a short hop to both the beach and the pier to catch a boat to Santa Cruz.
The Point Galapagos Hostal Emanuel
The Point Galapagos Hostal Emanuel
- Price: $$
- Complimentary Breakfast
- Bike hire available
- Shared kitchen
Last but not least on our list of the best hostels in the Galapagos is this place in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, so take note if you’re staying on San Cristobal. There’s bike hire available too, one of the easiest and most exhilarating ways to explore the island.
It’s up to you whether you make your own breakfast in the shared kitchen or take advantage of the complimentary one offered. And why wouldn’t you enjoy a free breakfast? Last but not least, you’ll get towels — not just any towels, but ones folded in the shape of a manta ray. Wow!
Hostal el Paraíso
- Price: $
- Private bathrooms
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Airport shuttle
Sometimes, when you’re looking to save cash, a shared dorm is the best option. However, it’s worth paying a little extra for your own space, so check out this great hostel with a private room in the Galapagos.
And it’s not only a private bedroom you get, but your own bathroom too, with complimentary toiletries. You have not one but two beaches within 1 kilometre, perfect if you’re planning on swimming or snorkelling. This cool spot also has its own tour desk, so you can easily find the best places to spot wildlife or go scuba diving.
Final Thoughts on Galapagos’ Hostels
So that completes my list of the best hostels in the Galapagos. I think you’ll agree there’s plenty of choice. I’ve taken budget and travel styles into account, and there’s enough spread of location to make sure you’ve always got somewhere to stay.
No matter which island you plan to spend time on, I’ve got you covered. And if you’re heading to Santa Cruz and still overwhelmed by choice, go for my top hostel in the Galapagos, Galapagos Dreams. It’s a great combination of value for money, an awesome location and overall a great place to stay.
Wherever you stay in the Galapagos Islands, I’m sure you’ll have a dreamy time. Between the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station, there are so many comfortable accommodations. Finding a place to rest your head is simply a tick-box activity.
See some sea turtles and some sea lions on Santa Cruz Island and San Cristobal Island; see as much as you can.
Now that I’ve helped you plan your holiday a bit better, all that’s left is to wish you an amazing vacation in the Galapagos. I hope you have a great time, and please get in touch if you’ve been and think I’ve missed anything.
See you out there!
