Galápagos Day 7 – Isabela Island Travel Guide: Los Tuneles Snorkeling, Flamingo Lagoon, Iguana Crossing

Galápagos Day 9 – Met Again, the Quiet of Tortuga Bay

Core keywords: Galápagos luxury lodge, Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island travel, Pikaia Lodge review, Puerto Ayora food street

Dawn to moonlight across Santa Cruz and Isabela: a small-plane hop, Tortuga Bay’s long walk, Los Kioskos dinner, and a quiet night at Pikaia Lodge with the sea’s hush.

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Day 9 — Isabela (Puerto Villamil) → Baltra → Return to Santa Cruz & Tortuga Bay

05:00–07:00

The Last Dawn in the Oceanfront Suite

Location Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel, 2nd-floor Oceanfront Suite
Temperature/Humidity 23 °C / 82%

I closed the window and, at 06:40, stepped into the car waiting out front.
Lodging (previous night) $280–$360 per night (breakfast often included). OTA floor example $281; user average around $340 (seasonal variation).
Taxes/Service Ecuador VAT 15% (since ’24) applies; some properties add a 10% service charge.

Poetic memo The breath of the sea lingered on the balcony rail. The briny air touched my fingertips and, like early dew, lightly dampened the heart.

Hotel → Puerto Villamil Airstrip

Transfer hotel taxi $5–$10 / about 5 minutes (2–3 km)

Your booking may include hotel pickup/shuttle (free or flat-rate). Some properties have sold inter-island pickups for $110 per person (bundled with air/boat connections).
Timeline check-out → 5-minute ride → simple formalities.

Poetic memo The wind brushed the railing, and the leftover surf sound gave the mind a gentle push.

07:00–09:00

Puerto Villamil → Baltra (small plane)
Transfer 5-minute drive → 40-minute flight (8-seater class)
Temperature/Humidity 25 °C / 78%

Airfare (one-way) $145–$215 (varies by season/seat)
Baggage (small aircraft) many carriers publish a combined carry-on + checked limit of 30 lb (≈13.6 kg).
Excess $1–$3 per lb (varies by airline/date).

Below the window, lagoons fold like pages; clouds slowly peel back the shore. Cameras and laptops can be carried on; pack liquids separately per regulations.

09:00–11:00

Baltra Airport → Itabaca Channel → Santa Cruz
Temperature/Humidity 27 °C / 76%

Airport → channel shuttle bus $5 / 10–15 min
Itabaca ferry public $1 (cash) / about 10 min; private $2 (shorter queues when crowded)
Other side → Puerto Ayora bus $5–$10 / 40–60 min; taxi $25–$30 / 40–60 min (varies by luggage/time)

Alternative Isabela ↔ Santa Cruz speedboat $30–$40 (one-way), 2–2.5 hours — today we flew.

Tip Carry small bills for ferries/buses. A dry bag/cover for luggage is handy on the water.

11:00–13:00

Back on Santa Cruz — Check-in at Pikaia Lodge
Location/Room hilltop lodge, 2nd-floor Deluxe Terrace Room
Temperature/Humidity 26 °C / 74%

Lodging (package, per person per night) $1,000+ (often includes some meals, boat excursions, and shuttles).
Tax for non-residents a VAT 15% exemption may apply to package components (à-la-carte items may incur VAT/service).

Lunch (Evolution Restaurant)
Included (package) or pay à la carte. Salads, fish, soups, pasta, etc. $15–$35 per dish (course/service sometimes included, sometimes added).

A shower rinsed away the fatigue of flying; with the bedside light on, a 30-minute nap restored me.

Check-in tip Re-confirm what’s included (meals/bar/shuttles/tours). Minibar and wine are often extra.

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13:00–15:00

Pikaia → Puerto Ayora (town)
Transfer hotel shuttle (included in some packages) or taxi $20–$30 one-way (about 45 min)

We glided past lava fields and cactus groves toward the town.

15:00–17:00

Tortuga Bay Trek
Route gate → Playa Brava (heavy surf/no-swim) → Playa Mansa (lagoon/swim & snorkel possible)
Distance/Time boardwalk 2.5 km one-way (≈5 km round-trip) / 1.5–2.5 hours RT
Entry free (ranger post 08:00–17:00; aim to exit before 18:00)

Water taxi (optional) around $10 pp (Puerto Ayora pier ↔ near Mansa, varies by weather/time)
On-site costs water $1–$3 (500 ml), snacks $2–$5 (no kiosks on the beach → buy in town)
Gear rental (in town) mask/snorkel $5–$10 (half-day), lifejacket $5–$8

Poetic memo A small sea turtle glides across the lagoon; the black iguana spends its slow noon in the sun.
Safety Almost no shade → hat, sunscreen, and 2 L+ of water recommended. Keep the “no swimming” rule at Brava.

17:00–19:00

Puerto Ayora Dinner — Los Kioskos (Calle Charles Binford)
Setup: an entire food-street of stalls with long, shared tables.

Typical price bands (vary by stall) fish/squid/shrimp plates $10–$18 / Galápagos lobster (season & size) $20–$30+
Sides coconut rice & salad often included.
Drinks fresh juices $3–$5, beer $3–$6.
Taxes/Service menus mix VAT 15% + service 10% as included or added → re-check the total.

Poetic memo Warm lime-butter seeps into the lobster’s flesh; the gentle sweetness of coconut rice lifts in a light curl of steam over the table.
Ordering tip For lobster, confirm weight and unit price first. Many stalls take cards, but small cash makes payment easier.

19:00–21:00

Return to Pikaia & Bar Time
Transfer hotel shuttle (included) or taxi $20–$30 (night surcharges possible)
Bar/Wine (example) glass of wine $10–$18, cocktails $12–$16

Poetic memo The ripple in the glass stirs the evening glow; the horizon burns red in the distance, and conversation unfurls softly.

21:00–23:00

Deluxe Terrace Room — A Quiet Night
Temperature/Humidity 24 °C / 82%
Minibar water $2–$4, snacks $3–$6 (inclusion/charges vary by room/package)

Poetic memo Moonlight lifts the chiffon curtain with a light touch, and the hush of waves soothes the night.

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Payments · Taxes · Notes

Currency USD. Carry small bills (buses, ferries, water taxis, tips) + card (hotels, many restaurants).
Taxes VAT up to 15%; lodging/food & beverage may add a 10% service charge (check menus/receipts).
Exception Package stays (e.g., Pikaia) may apply VAT exemption for non-residents on package components only.
Health/Safety UV is intense at midday → long sleeves, hat, hydration. For night moves, prefer taxis over long walks.

Today’s Budget (excl. lodging, per person) — Option Guide

Option Transport Choice Meals/Etc. Estimated Total
Saver Airport bus $5 + public ferry $1 + town bus $5, shuttle included Lunch (included) 0 / Dinner $12–$18 / Water & snacks $3–$5 / Water taxi ✕ $150–$200 (assumes flight $145–$215 included)
Standard Flight + airport bus $5 + public ferry $1 + town bus $7.5, taxi back $25 Lunch (included/à la carte $15–$25) / Dinner $18–$28 / Drinks $4–$8 / Water taxi ✕ $200–$280
Leisure Flight + private ferry $2 + town taxi $25, round-trip taxis $40 Lunch (à la carte $20–$35) / Dinner (lobster) $25–$40 / Bar $12–$18 / Water taxi $10 $260–$360

Note Totals above exclude lodging. Adding a Pikaia package stay ($1,000+ pp/nt) will raise the day’s total, but on-site spending can shrink depending on inclusions (meals, bar, shuttles, tours). All prices are subject to change with season, exchange rates, and local conditions.

FAQ

Q1: Do I need cash for ferries and buses?
A1: Yes. Carry small bills for the $1–$5 fares; many kiosks also prefer cash.
Q2: Is there shade on the Tortuga Bay trail?
A2: Almost none. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and at least 2 L of water per person.
Q3: Are prices fixed at Los Kioskos for lobster?
A3: Prices vary by size and season. Confirm weight and unit price before ordering; many stalls accept cards, but small cash speeds payment.

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