Santa Cruz Island
Island · Santa Cruz ·
Island with giant tortoises, beaches, marine life, and volcanic features
Information
Ecuador Get directions
Island with giant tortoises, beaches, marine life, and volcanic features
Ecuador Get directions
"Giant tortoises roam the humid highlands, offering quintessential Galápagos wildlife viewing ashore." - Paris Wilson
"On the Galápagos island the author "crouched beside hundred-year-old Galápagos tortoises in the hills," an intimate wildlife encounter that was part of the itinerary. The trip also encountered a logistical hitch when a permit allowing the private jet to land in the islands had been revoked; TCS ground staff, led by veteran expedition leader Eszter Foldvary, pivoted and arranged tickets for the entire traveling party on scheduled commercial flights from Guayaquil, Ecuador. “We always remind guests that these are true ‘expeditions,’ where flexibility is key,” says Shelley Cline, president of TCS." - Chris Dong Chris Dong Chris Dong is a travel reporter, editor, and strategist. He covers everything from the latest luxury hotels to the nuances of credit card rewards programs. Previously, Chris was a reporter and newsletter editor at The Points Guy. His work also appears in Lonely Planet, AFAR, The Washington Post, and Business Insider, among others. Chris lives in Los Angeles after spending nearly a decade in New York City. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A cooler, greener upland environment where giant land tortoises roam; guided highland walks provide slow-paced, intimate opportunities to observe and photograph these iconic reptiles amid vegetated terrain distinct from the islands’ coastal zones." - Lauren Matison Lauren Matison Lauren Matison is a writer and editor specializing in outdoor adventure, sustainability, and family travel. She is a frequent contributor at National Geographic, Thrillist, The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Outside, and Shape. She was the Green Getaways columnist at Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Hurtigruten makes cruising the Galapagos Islands more affordable by waiving the single supplement on several of its Galapagos cruises. Hurtigruten Galapagos cruises range from seven to 14 days in length and take place on the MS Santa Cruz II, a ship that comes equipped with panga boats, kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and a glass-bottom boat for viewing marine life. The ship carries a maximum of 90 passengers, and its operations are carbon-neutral. There’s a small gym and a hot tub on board. Regular prices start around $8,500 for a one-week cruise. Look for sales to bring your price down even further."
"I spent ten days in the Galápagos and found the islands insanely beautiful and well protected; the water was crystal clear and snorkeling with sea lions and turtles felt surreal because the animals were so unafraid and curious. The trip was hard on my budget — last-minute cruises run about $1,000 for four days or $1,700 for eight days, and hostels on the island run about $20 USD (roughly double mainland rates) — so I opted out of a cruise and did a more challenging self-tour instead. I did find ways to save, such as a restaurant on Santa Cruz Island that served a great $5 lunch, and I felt okay about the splurge because I was saving elsewhere (for example, I booked my flight out of South America on points)." - Matthew Kepnes
