Galapagos Islands Hotel Alternative · Puerto Ayora · Santa Cruz Island
A private villa in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island — better than any hotel
About Casa Marina
Casa Marina Galápagos is a unique contemporary three-floor townhouse located in the heart of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island — the most vibrant and well-connected town in the entire Galápagos archipelago. A spacious, family-friendly home suitable for families, friend groups, researchers, and corporate visitors, it has been welcoming guests from around the world since the early 2000s.
Unlike a Galapagos Islands hotel, Casa Marina offers guests the entire 1,400 sq ft property exclusively — no shared lobbies, no strangers, no rigid meal schedules. A spacious great room with a modern kitchen, large dining table, flat-screen TV, comfortable seating, and two rooftop terraces with panoramic views over Academy Bay make this a home that genuinely earns the name.
Host Celso and his team are always on hand for support — from arranging airport transfers from Baltra to recommending the best day trips, restaurants, and snorkeling spots on the island.
The Bedrooms
Casa Marina has three individually styled, air-conditioned bedrooms across its three floors. Every bedroom is soundproofed and has its own character — from the dramatic ocean-view Red Master to the spacious group-ready Deep Blue.
The top-floor master suite with king bed, air conditioning, and sweeping views over Academy Bay and the Galápagos horizon. The most dramatic room in the house.
The largest bedroom in the house — three queen beds make this perfect for families with children or groups of friends. Spacious, air-conditioned, and beautifully styled in deep ocean tones.
A tranquil, beautifully appointed king bedroom with a calm, coastal palette. Ideal for couples or solo travelers wanting their own peaceful retreat within the larger villa.
View individual rooms → galapagoshouserental.com/rooms
What's Included
Casa Marina is fully equipped for a comfortable, self-contained stay — from the kitchen stocked for self-catering to the gym, terraces, and high-speed WiFi that makes remote work genuinely possible.
Complete appliances, large dining table for 10, coffee maker. Self-cater with fresh produce from the fish market and save significantly on meals.
Spacious great room with large flat-screen TV, comfortable seating — perfect for evenings after a full day exploring the islands.
Panoramic views over Academy Bay and the Galápagos horizon. The finest sunset-watching spot in all of Puerto Ayora.
All three bedrooms are fully air-conditioned and soundproofed — sleep deeply even in the heart of Puerto Ayora.
Private dedicated broadband — the strongest internet on Santa Cruz Island. Essential for remote workers and researchers on extended stays.
On-site gym for guests — an extraordinary rarity among Galapagos Islands accommodation options of any kind.
Dedicated parking available. Private Baltra Airport pickups arranged for all guests — highly recommended for families arriving after long flights.
Cleaning team visits regularly during your stay. Celso and his support team are always reachable for any question or assistance needed.
Why Casa Marina
Most travelers search "Galapagos Islands hotel" and end up in a small room with thin walls and a buffet breakfast. Casa Marina offers something fundamentally different — a private home in the best location on the best island.
No hotel corridors, no strangers at breakfast, no shared spaces. The whole 1,400 sq ft villa — all three floors, both terraces, kitchen, gym — belongs exclusively to your group.
One block from the main dock. The Malecon, restaurants, supermarkets, tour operators, sea lions, and pelicans are all within a 3-minute walk. No Galapagos hotel beats this position.
A hotel charges per room. Casa Marina is priced per night for the whole house. For 4–10 people, the per-person cost is a fraction of equivalent hotel accommodation — especially with self-catering from the kitchen.
Celso has been hosting guests at Casa Marina since the early 2000s — longer than most hotels in Puerto Ayora have existed. His knowledge of the island, the wildlife, and the best experiences is unmatched.
Sea lions nap on the benches one block away. Marine iguanas bask on the rocks. Pelicans dive at the fish market. The Galápagos comes to you — no tour required, no cruise departure needed.
Available on both Airbnb and VRBO with full platform protections, secure payments, and verified reviews. Or contact Celso directly for long-stay rates and personalized arrangements.
Photo Gallery
Full gallery → galapagoshouserental.com/gallery · 35+ photos on Airbnb →
Comparison
| Feature | Casa Marina ★ | Galapagos Hotel | Galapagos Cruise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire private home | ✔ Entire villa | ✘ Shared property | ✘ Shared vessel |
| Sleeps 10 together | ✔ Yes — 3 bedrooms | ✘ Multiple rooms needed | ✘ Separate cabins |
| Full kitchen to self-cater | ✔ Fully equipped | ✘ No | ✘ No |
| Rooftop ocean terrace | ✔ Two terraces | Rare / varies | ✘ No |
| 1 block from main dock | ✔ 1 block | Varies | ✘ Anchored offshore |
| Private gym | ✔ Included | Rare | ✘ No |
| Best WiFi on Santa Cruz | ✔ Private broadband | Variable quality | ✘ Very limited |
| Regular cleaning included | ✔ Yes | ✔ Daily housekeeping | ✔ Cabin service |
| Airport transfer arranged | ✔ On request | Varies / extra cost | ✘ Not applicable |
| Cost per person (group of 8) | ★ Best value | 4× hotel rooms | Most expensive |
| 20+ years verified hosting | ✔ Since early 2000s | Varies | N/A |
Guest Reviews
"If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the Galapagos and Casa Marina is available then you have hit the jackpot! The size, convenience, location, and amenities make Casa Marina a one-of-a-kind rental. You are in the heart of all the action with easy access to all the islands."
"This place looks fantastic on the pictures, but the pics do not do it justice. The location is perfect — the apartment is the centre of town, visible from the pier and only a short walk from the supermarket and loads of great restaurants. It really does have the wow factor."
"Perfect place for a large group! Casa Marina was a clean and comfortable home base for our unforgettable adventures. It is centrally located — only a couple of blocks to the pier where you can catch ferries to beaches and other islands. Highly recommended."
"Beautiful place in the most perfect and convenient location!! Top-notch hospitality and communication made our stay even more perfect. I highly recommend!!"
"Very spacious home centrally located in Puerto Ayora. Very good AC and wonderful rooftop terrace. Celso is a fantastic host — the place was exactly what we'd hoped, and everything about our visit was incredible!"
"Perfect spot in Santa Cruz! The apartment is centric and close to all the fun attractions. Really great terrace perfect for reading or a fun yoga class. Thank you Celso for a great time in Galapagos!"
Your Host
Celso has been hosting guests at Casa Marina since the early 2000s — making him one of the most experienced vacation rental hosts in the Galápagos Islands. A genuine expert on Santa Cruz Island, he and his team have helped hundreds of families, researchers, remote workers, and honeymooners make the most of their time in the archipelago.
Whether you need a recommendation for the best cevichería in Puerto Ayora, advice on which day trips offer the best wildlife encounters, help arranging a private airport transfer from Baltra, or simply reassurance that everything is in order before you arrive — Celso is available via WhatsApp, email, and through the booking platforms at all times.
Regular cleaning visits, daily support, and genuine hospitality define the Casa Marina experience. Guests consistently describe Celso as one of the highlights of their stay — as attentive as the best hotel concierge, but with the warmth of a true local.
Location
Casa Marina sits one block from the main dock in Puerto Ayora — the most vibrant, practical, and connected town in the Galápagos Islands. Every restaurant, supermarket, tour operator, pharmacy, and excursion departure point is within walking distance. Wildlife is literally outside the front door.
Common Questions
Casa Marina is not a hotel — it is a private vacation rental villa. Guests book the entire 1,400 sq ft, 3-bedroom property exclusively for their group (up to 10 people). There are no shared corridors, no reception desks, and no strangers. It offers luxury hotel-level amenities — air conditioning, full kitchen, rooftop terrace, gym — with the privacy and space of a private home. Available on Airbnb and VRBO.
Casa Marina gives your group the entire villa exclusively — far more space, privacy, and value than a hotel for 4–10 people. The full kitchen lets you self-cater and save significantly on meals. The rooftop terrace, ocean views, and unbeatable central location in Puerto Ayora are features no hotel in the area can match. And with 20+ years of hosting, Celso provides a level of personalized local knowledge that no hotel concierge can replicate.
Casa Marina sleeps up to 10 guests. The Red Master Bedroom has a king bed (sleeps 2), the Deep Blue Bedroom has three queen beds (sleeps 3–6), and the Light Blue Bedroom has a king bed (sleeps 2). The villa has 3+ bathrooms and a large dining table that seats the full group comfortably.
Casa Marina is in Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador. It is one block from the Malecon waterfront and Academy Bay (3-minute walk), 7 minutes from Las Ninfas Lagoon, 15 minutes from the Charles Darwin Research Station, and approximately 2 hours from Baltra Airport (GPS) via the standard bus-ferry route. Private airport transfers can be arranged on request.
Galapagos Islands accommodation includes: hotels and guesthouses in Puerto Ayora, San Cristóbal, and Isabela; private vacation rentals (like Casa Marina, on Airbnb and VRBO); live-aboard cruise ships; and eco-lodges in the Santa Cruz highlands. For families, groups, and extended stays, a private villa like Casa Marina offers the best combination of space, value, flexibility, and comfort.
Book via Airbnb (#13281640) or VRBO (#4223545ha), or contact Celso directly via WhatsApp (+1-813-418-2806 or +593-994-904-290) for long-stay enquiries or group rates. Minimum stay requirements and current availability are shown on the booking platforms. Most guests find 5–7 nights the ideal minimum to experience Santa Cruz properly.
Yes — Santa Cruz Island is the best island to base yourself in the Galapagos for most travelers. Puerto Ayora has the widest range of restaurants, shops, medical facilities, and tour operators. It has the best internet in the archipelago, the most day-trip connections to neighboring islands, and the closest access to Baltra Airport (GPS) with daily flights from Quito and Guayaquil. Wildlife — sea lions, marine iguanas, giant tortoises — is accessible on foot from the town center.
Yes. Private airport transfers from Baltra Airport (GPS) to Casa Marina in Puerto Ayora can be arranged for all guests. Contact Celso via WhatsApp (+1-813-418-2806) before your arrival to organize. This is strongly recommended for families arriving with children and luggage after long international flights.
Book Casa Marina
1,400 sq ft · 3 bedrooms · Sleeps 10 · Two rooftop terraces · Ocean views · Steps from the sea.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador.
Airbnb #13281640 · VRBO #4223545ha · WhatsApp +1-813-418-2806 · Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, Ecuador