Hotel location

Perched in Santa Cruz’s lush highlands, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, offers a serene retreat just 25 minutes from Puerto Ayora and near iconic sites like lava tunnels and the Giant Tortoise Reserve—perfect for adventure and relaxation.

We're located...

  • 1640 ft. (500m) above sea level
  • On the Island of Santa Cruz
  • In the Miconia Highland Forests
  • 45 minutes from Seymour International Airport
  • 35 minutes from Itabaca Channel boat tours
  • Adjacent to the Galapagos National Park
  • 10 minutes to Los Gemelos lava sink holes
  • 25 minutes from the town of Puerto Ayora
  • 1,000km west of Ecuador's coast

Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton

Getting to the hotel

Here’s how to get to the Royal Palm Galapagos, a Curio Collection Hotel.

Step 1: Fly to mainland Ecuador

Fly to either Quito or Guayaquil airports in mainland Ecuador—direct flights available from major US cities.

Step 2: Fly to Baltra Island

Take a domestic flight or private jet to Seymour Airport—flights are available through Avianca or LATAM.

Step 3: Bus and ferry to Santa Cruz

Take the airport bus to Itabaca Channel, then a 10-minute ferry to Santa Cruz (small fee applies).

Step 4: Drive to the hotel

Airport transfers are available at an additional cost. Contact us to arrange a shuttle service, or alternatively, you can take a taxi directly from the canal to the hotel.

Average Climate in the Highlands of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz highlands experience two seasons shaped by ocean currents and trade winds: a cool, dry season and a warm, wet season. The cool, dry season, known as Garúa (“drizzle”), brings mist to the peaks, lush vegetation, and abundant marine life, thanks to the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current. The warm, rainy season offers sunny days and warmer, calmer waters, which flow from Colombia and Panama, making it ideal for snorkeling.
Cool, dry seasonWarm, rainy season

When

June to December

When

January to May

Weather

Cooler temperatures ranging from 65–75°F (18–24°C), and mist in the highlands.

Weather

Warmer temperatures ranging from 70–80°F (21–26°C) with clearer skies, calmer waters, and occasional light rain showers.

Best for

Abundant vegetation, marine mammals, fish, and birds.

Best for

Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours.

Lava Tunnel with Stairs

A botanical wonderland in the highlands of Santa Cruz

Wander beneath the mist-shrouded scalesia forests, our unique highland ecosystem found only in the Galapagos. Spot vibrant passion flowers weaving through volcanic rocks and admire the rare Galapagos miconia, a delicate shrub thriving in the lush, humid terrain. These remarkable plants paint a living portrait of the island’s resilience and natural beauty.

A large group of Galapagos Giant Tortoises keeping cool in the water.

Meet the wildlife of the Galapagos

Watch Giant Tortoises grazing the grounds of our hotel, their slow movements a symbol of timelessness. See bright vermilion flycatchers dart between the trees, while Darwin’s finches sing their evolutionary legacy. As evening falls, the silent flight of a Galapagos barn owl against the misty landscape offers an unforgettable glimpse into the island’s nocturnal wonders.

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