A bucket-list destination for travellers the world over, no trip to Ecuador is complete without visiting the Galapagos islands. After all, who wouldn’t want to see animals that aren’t found anywhere else in their natural habitat! The Galapagos Islands are like nowhere else in the world and are often the highlight of travellers’ visits to South America!
There’s just one problem with the Galapagos. It’s pretty expensive travelling here! It’s actually one of the most expensive places to travel in South America. However, a good way to save yourself some cash is by staying in hostels. So, we’ve decided to help you out and take a look at hostels on Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela.
Yep, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best hostels in Galapagos. There are some budget hotels and B & Bs in here – there aren’t loads of Galapagos hostels, but there are plenty of places to stay where you can keep your costs down. So, let’s jump in and take a closer look at the top hostels in Galapagos!
Quick Answer – Best Hostels in Galapagos
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Best Hostels in Galapagos
Backpacking Galapagos awesome, we’re not going to lie. But your accommodation can make or break your stay, so choose wisely. Since not everyone is travelling with a massive budget, we’ve listed the best backpacker hostels in Galapagos.
Our tip: plan your whole trip ahead to get the most out of it. Knowing where to stay in Galapagos will make the booking process a lot easier and you won’t end up miles away from the hotspots you want to explore. Or even easier, if you know you don’t want to come up with a plan yourself, check out some of the awesome Galapagos tours.
Galapagos Dreams
Galapagos Dreams is the go-to spot for adventurers chasing the magic of the Galapagos. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Puerto Ayora, it offers a laid-back vibe with hearty free breakfasts and affordable lunches to keep backpacker budgets in check. The friendly staff are pros at helping with tours, onward travel, or tips on the best local spots.
Just a 3–4-minute walk from Pelican Bay Pier and the Turtle Monument, it’s smack bang near the action. Charles Darwin Avenue is two blocks away, with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, and Station Beach is close for a swim or lazy lounge. Close enough to the city centre to stroll yet far enough to escape the nightlife noise, Galapagos Dreams nails the balance.
Hostal Vista al Mar
Right in the centre of Puerto Ayora, the biggest town on Santa Cruz, you have one of the coolest hostels in Galapagos. The best restaurants on the island are within 50 yards! Your room comes with plenty of cool extras, including a flat screen TV and a fan. There’s also a communal shared lounge and a tour desk, should you want to indulge in some adventures on the islands! If you’re travelling solo, this is a great shout. Reviews give it an almost perfect score from individual travellers, so you don’t just have to take our word for it!
Lonesome George Ecolodge
This quirky little house is a gem of a base for your Galapagos adventures. Handcrafted by the owner, every corner of this unique spot feels like part of the magic. Victor and his son welcome you like family to their cosy oasis, where dorms and private rooms come clean, comfortable, and packed with unique touches—plus AC to keep things cool. It’s pricier than most “hostels,” but the experience is worth every penny.
Expect a warm welcome with fresh juice, a full rundown of the islands, tour recommendations, and plenty of love from the resident dog, Cloud. Visiting the Galápagos Islands? Support local hosts like Victor—you’ll be glad you did.
Hostal Puerto Ayora
The Galapagos Islands can be an extremely expensive place to holiday and you might be put off by high accommodation prices. However, you can save a wad of cash by checking into the best budget hostel in Galapagos! Hostal Puerto Ayora offers you a comfy bed in a cosy dorm on the island of Santa Cruz so you’ll be close to all the tour operators and top attractions! There’s a shared kitchen so you can keep your costs down even further, just pick up some produce from the local market and you’re good to go!
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIHostal el Paraíso
Sometimes when you’re looking to save cash, a shared dorm is the best. However, it’s worth paying a little extra for your own personal space! So, check out this great hostel with a private room in 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, so that’s 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!
More Epic Budget Stays Hostel in Galapagos
Galapagos isn’t exactly teeming with shiny hostels so I’ve thrown in a couple of budget stays for good measure! Don’t say I don’t do anything for ya!
Hostal Galapagos Morning Glory
Let’s kick off our list of the best hostels in Galapagos with 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 and spot the finches that influenced Darwin’s theory of evolution! If Darwin’s your thing, it’s also the closest hostel to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can see the famous tortoises! If all that’s not enough, there’s a free breakfast – perfect for fuelling up before a day of exploring the islands!
Hostal Costa del Pacifico
There are some great romantic places to stay in Galapagos, but they can end up being pretty pricey. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a bed in a dorm or pitch a tent on a beach! One of the best and cheapest double rooms you’ll find in Galapagos is here at Hostal Costa del Pacifico. Not only that, you’ll have a nice view of either the sea or Puerto Ayora and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries! It’s got great reviews from couples, so you don’t just have to take our word for it!
Hostal Seymour
Okay, so the Wi-Fi on the islands can be pretty slow and frustrating. Not good news if you’re a digital nomad! If you’re happy to just make the best of it though, this is the coolest hostel in Galapagos if you need to get your head down and do some work. There’s a laptop-friendly workspace in your bedroom! Once you’ve finished working for the day, pop to the hot tub and soak and de-stress! If you don’t want to get wet, just relax on the terrace and top up your tan!
Hostal Suiza
Most of the best hostels in 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?! Looks like you’ll have to search for hostels on San Cristobal. Hostal Suiza is right in Puerto Moreno Baquerizo, the biggest town on the island. So, you’ve got tours within easy reach and it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to both the beach and the pier to catch a boat to Santa Cruz!
The Point Galapagos Hostal Emanuel
Last but not least on our list of the best hostels in Galapagos is this place in Puerto Moreno Baquerizo. So, take note if you’re staying on San Cristobal! There’s bike hire available too which is one of the easiest and most exhilarating ways to explore the island. It’s up to you whether you want to 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. But not just any towels – they’re folded in the shape of a manta ray! Wow!
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Galapagos Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
FAQ about Hostels in Galapagos
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Galapagos.
How much does a hostel cost in Galapagos?
A dorm in Galapagos, on averge, can start for as low as $19 per night. Private rooms vary from different types but can start at $23 per night.
What are the best hostels in Galapagos for couples?
Hostal Costa del Pacifico has one of the best and cheapest double rooms with a nice view of either the sea or Puerto Ayora, making it the best hostel for couples in Galapagos.
What is the best hostel in Galapagos near the airport?
Hotel los Algarrobos is just 750m from Airport Isla San Cristobal. It also offers airport transfers.
Travel Safety Tips for Galapagos
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Galapagos
So, that completes our list of the best hostels in Galapagos. We think you’ll agree there is a lot of choice. Not only have we taken your budget and travel styles into account, but there’s enough spread of location to make sure that you’ve got somewhere to stay on whichever island you’re planning to spend your time!
And if you’re travelling to Santa Cruz and still overwhelmed by choice, go for our top hostel in Galapagos – Hostal Galapagos Morning Glory. It’s a great combination of value for money, an awesome location, and just an overall great place to stay!
Now that we’ve helped you plan out your holiday a bit better, all that’s left is for us to wish you an amazing vacation in Galapagos. We hope you have a great time!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Ecuador for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Galapagos before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
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