FAQs

In contrast to traditional cruises, our land-based program offers arrival date flexibility, higher comfort, fine gastronomic offer, more privacy and freedom. As our guest, you will enjoy active, quality guided land and marine day programs in small groups. At night you will rest in your spacious room and serene lodge. Due to our central location in the archipelago, we had the perfect opportunity to develop our unique land-based and day- tour private navigation concept. Many of the most fascinating islands are nearby, with secluded white sand beaches and incredible wildlife.

Yes. Pikaia Lodge is a member of Relais & Châteaux, holds Two MICHELIN Keys by the Michelin Guide, and was awarded the Relais & Châteaux Sustainability Trophy. In 2026, Pikaia was recognized in the 50 Best Discovery list as the First and Only Hotel in Ecuador to receive this distinction. The lodge has also been named World's Leading Adventure Hotel by the World Travel Awards for four consecutive years (2022–2025), alongside South America's Leading Adventure Hotel in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2025 our executive chef, Cristian Puente, was given a Chef of the Year Award in 2025

Beyond formal awards, Pikaia Lodge is regularly featured by Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure among the world's leading sustainable and adventure hotels.

Relais & Châteaux is a global association of independently owned luxury properties held to strict standards across accommodation, cuisine, and hospitality — membership isn't automatic, and properties are reviewed to maintain it. For guests, it's a reliable signal that the level of detail, service, and gastronomy at Pikaia Lodge meets a benchmark shared by some of the world's most respected hotels and restaurants, rather than a self-awarded claim.

It's structural, not cosmetic. The lodge was built as a carbon-neutral, solar-powered property from the ground up, sitting within the Galápagos National Park's strict conservation framework. Excursions are run by licensed naturalist guides under park regulations designed to protect the ecosystem you've come to see — so the experience itself is part of the conservation story, not separate from it.

Yes. The National Park entrance fee you pay on arrival, funds conservation and park management directly, and every excursion is conducted under Galápagos National Park guidelines designed to keep visitor impact low. Choosing a land-based lodge over a large cruise vessel also meaningfully reduces your footprint compared to other ways of experiencing the islands.

We recommend booking 6 to 12 months in advance, particularly if you're planning to travel during peak seasons, holidays, or have specific room preferences. As a boutique property with a limited number of rooms and suites, availability can fill quickly, especially for longer stays and preferred room categories.

Booking early also provides greater flexibility when selecting travel dates, arranging flights to the Galápagos, and customizing your itinerary, including private experiences or yacht charters.

That said, last-minute availability does occasionally arise, and our Reservations Team will always do their best to accommodate spontaneous travel whenever possible. If your dates are flexible, we encourage you to reach out, as we may have unexpected openings.

Our all-inclusive Adventure Packages range from 3 to 7 nights, with a 3-night minimum stay. Most guests choose 5 or 6 nights to fully experience the Galápagos.

For greater flexibility, whether you're combining your stay with a mainland Ecuador itinerary or a cruise, we also offer a Bed & Breakfast rate with no minimum stay, as well as our Indulge & Unwind package, which has a 2-night minimum and allows guests to add excursions à la carte.

Every all-inclusive adventure package includes your room category, all meals and beverages (including local wine and beer), a naturalist guide for your full stay, transportation, daily excursions by land and private yacht, a cabin aboard our yacht, and airport transfers from Baltra Airport to the lodge with VIP lounge access.

International and domestic flights, the Transit Control Card, and the National Park entrance fee are arranged separately.

All services are shared with other Pikaia Lodge guests. Private services are available upon request and can be quoted separately.

Absolutely. Every room and suite at Pikaia Lodge offers a unique perspective, with views overlooking the lush highlands, our private giant tortoise reserve, the Pacific Ocean, or the rim of the extinct volcanic crater that gives the lodge its remarkable setting. We offer a variety of accommodation categories, including King Rooms, Double Queen Rooms, Balcony Rooms, Terrace Rooms, and spacious Suites. Our Reservations Team will be delighted to recommend the option best suited to your travel style, whether you're traveling as a couple, with family, or on your own. While all requests are subject to availability, we will always do our best to accommodate your preferences.

Regular Season

Payment
30% non-refundable deposit at reservation.
Final payment: 60 days before arrival.

Cancellations Fees
60-31 days before arrival: 50% rate
30-0 days before arrival: 100% of rate

High Season + Festive

Payment
30% non-refundable deposit at reservation.
Final payment: 90 days before arrival.

Cancellations
90-61 days before arrival: 50% rate
60-0 days before arrival: 100% of rate

Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for full details on our cancellation policy.

Santa Cruz Island has a hospital in Puerto Ayora Town, a short drive from the lodge, and our guides are trained in first aid and emergency protocols for all excursions. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage, given the islands' remote location. Schedule a doctor's check-up to ensure you are in good health and have all necessary health vaccinations.

The lodge's water and food preparation meet high hygiene standards, and our kitchen is well practiced in catering to guests with sensitivities. If you have particular health considerations, mention them at the time of booking through our “Guest Information Form” so we can plan accordingly. Do not drink tap water anywhere in Ecuador or Galápagos, nor is it recommended to eat meals or drink juices from street food vendors or small local sea-food restaurants in order to prevent digestive problems. Pikaia Lodge provides a water dispenser with filtered water ready to drink and refills water stations in the rooms daily.

The Galápagos Islands are one of the safest and most tranquil destinations in South America. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ecuador's most protected national park, the archipelago is carefully managed, with tourism playing a vital role in supporting conservation efforts and the local economy. At Pikaia Lodge, guests enjoy the added comfort of a private, gated property, while our experienced team is well accustomed to hosting multi-generational families. All excursions are thoughtfully paced to suit the youngest and least experienced member of the group, ensuring a safe, enriching, and enjoyable experience for every traveler.

Days are warm and nights might get cool in the Galápagos Islands. We recommend that guests pack light clothes. Don't forget to bring comfortable walking shoes (sneakers), sandals, swimsuits, a light wind breaker jacket and/or sweater for evenings or yacht navigations, waterproofs for hikes in the mountains during the rainy or misty season, high factor sun block, moisturizing cream or sun burn relief aloe vera, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

A small backpack is also very handy for your personal items and water bottle while on excursions. Please bring only biodegradable shampoo & rinse or use our supplied biodegradable bath amenities.

Pikaia Lodge offers laundry service for its guests as well. Note: all pets, fresh fruits and seeds of any kind cannot be brought to the Galápagos by travelers due to strict protocols.

All quality continental hotels in Ecuador have international direct dial telephones and internet. Ecuador has a good and extensive network of cell phone coverage in most of the country, including the Galápagos.

The largest local cell phone carriers are Claro and Movistar, international corporations that are most likely compatible with your roaming packages. Please check. Pikaia Lodge has international direct dial telephones, Starlink-Powered Satellite Internet at the lodge and aboard our private yacht, and a Business Center with a PC available for our guests.

There isn't a wrong time, the Galápagos are a year-round destination, and Pikaia Lodge welcomes guests through two distinct seasons, each offering a different perspective on the archipelago.

From roughly December through May, the warm season brings sunny days, calm seas, and the warmest water of the year: It’s the ideal time for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and relaxing on the islands' white-sand beaches, with excellent conditions for spending long days on or in the water.

From June through November, the cooler, drier season arrives as nutrient-rich ocean currents surround the islands. Air and water temperatures drop, seas become more energetic, and marine life flourishes. This is the best time for wildlife enthusiasts with frequent sightings of Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies in courtship, giant tortoises in the highlands, and an abundance of marine mammals and fish. Underwater visibility can be spectacular on some days, though the nutrient-rich waters that make this season so rewarding for wildlife can occasionally reduce visibility.

If your priority is warm water, tranquil seas, and beach time, visit during the warm season. If you're drawn to dramatic wildlife encounters, cooler temperatures, and active exploration on land and at sea, the cool season is an exceptional choice. No matter when you visit, the Galápagos offers unforgettable experiences every month of the year.

While our expertise begins in the Galápagos, we're happy to recommend trusted third-party travel partners who specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries throughout mainland Ecuador, including destinations such as Quito, the Amazon, and the Andes.

Once guests arrive in the Galápagos, our team takes over every aspect of the Pikaia Lodge experience, coordinating all logistics from airport transfers and private yacht navigations, transportation to guided excursions, dining, and personalized activities. We work closely with our preferred mainland partners to ensure a seamless transition, allowing guests to enjoy a thoughtfully planned journey from the moment they arrive in the archipelago.

Yes, and we welcome it. If you're booking through a travel advisor, they can coordinate directly with our reservations team on rates, itinerary customization, and any special requests.

Yes. Our Adventure Packages include shared yacht excursions aboard Pikaia Lodge's private yacht, offering guests the opportunity to explore the Galápagos alongside other Pikaia Lodge guests.

For those seeking a more exclusive experience, private yacht charters, customized itineraries, or additional excursions can be arranged in advance, subject to availability and at an additional cost. As private charters require advance planning, we recommend coordinating these requests with our Reservations Team at the time of booking to ensure the best availability.