More than 11 years ago, Pikaia acquired 31 hectares of private land that had previously been used as a cattle ranch and was severely degraded. Transforming the site into what is now Pikaia Lodge was a remarkable undertaking, involving complex legal processes, the careful importation of construction materials, and the development of infrastructure in one of the world's most protected environments. At the same time, Pikaia embarked on an ambitious ecological restoration project, planting over 15,000 native and endemic trees to date. As the habitat recovered, giant tortoises and endemic bird species gradually returned, transforming the once-degraded landscape into a thriving natural sanctuary.
Pikaia Lodge officially opened its doors in August 2014. Its name is inspired by Pikaia gracilens, a small marine creature from the Cambrian period more than 500 million years ago, believed to be among the earliest ancestors of all vertebrates. The concept also pays tribute to Charles Darwin whose 1835 visit to the Galápagos led to the development of his Theory of Evolution.
The principles of evolution, discovery and our understanding of life on Earth continue to shape Pikaia Lodge's identity and its enduring commitment to protecting the natural heritage of the Galápagos.
Our Greatest Asset, Our People
Pikaia Lodge generates 50+ permanent jobs for residents of Santa Cruz, prioritizing local recruitment, training, and career development. This strengthens the island's economy and keeps the benefits of sustainable tourism within the Galápagos community.
To date, we have applied for no more than seven temporary residence permits for highly-skilled international staff - including managers, the executive chef, multilingual service personnel, and technicians for our support systems. The great majority of positions are filled by locals, especially from the nearby village of El Cascajo.
Our staff receives hands-on training from our hospitality specialists plus English lessons through our professional development program.
Our Private Yacht M/Y Vision Pikaia is crewed entirely by Galápagos residents, many of them former fishermen retrained for sustainable tourism. Their deep knowledge of local waters and wildlife enriches the guest experience while supporting conservation-focused tourism.