This is a simply beautiful archipelago.

We did not do a cruise. Just 9 days in total, split between Santa Cruz and Isabela, with two day trips to Bartolomé and to Floreana. The latter was my personal favourite, because we saw so much varied marine wildlife at the Corona del Diablo. I also preferred Santa Cruz to ISabela because of the better tourism opportunities (including free stuff to do, like Tortuga Bay, Playa Alemanes, Las Grietas, Tortoise Centre, Lake Las Ninfas). We found the people of Isabela a bit more money-oriented and were especially annoyed with the surprise $5 tax when you leave. I hope not to upset anyone but this is my view.

I personally recommend Hostal Los Amigos in Puerto Ayora. For $10 per person you have a well decorated clean room with ventilator, shared bathroom and kind hosts.

In this place I saw and played with animals I never knew to be so friendly and interesting. The fauna is just amazing and the underwater life is what marked me most.