The Galapagos Archipelago is a unique destination, a spectacular place with a surprising landscape and an even more surprising flora and fauna. Declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage, the 19 islands of Galapagos allow visitors to witness their process of formation with their dynamic volcanic and seismic landscape, and also discover a variety of fascinating animals that seem to have lived here before mankind. Giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, and the famous finches that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution are just some of the amazing creatures you can stumble upon on the Galapagos islands.

One of these islands is Santa Cruz Island, the second largest in the archipelago with a large variety of vegetation and the largest human population of the islands, living mainly in Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz Island’s capital, Puerto Ayora is the most populated town of the archipelago and Galapagos’ urban center, with many coffee shops, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, banks, and ATMs.

Located next to the only public beach in Puerto Ayora, Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel has an excellent position on Santa Cruz Island, being close not only to the beach or the town’s shopping district, but also to the island’s main attractions, including Tortuga Bay beach, Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz highlands and Las Grietas, a top snorkeling site.

Included in National Geographic’s collection of ‘Unique Lodges of the World’, Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel is an eco-friendly retreat just a short stroll away from the beach, surrounded by Galapagos’ fascinating flora and fauna. It features comfortable spaces, both inside and outside, and it can accommodate up to 52 guests in 21 rooms and 6 suites with direct ocean view. All rooms have their own hammocks on private or shared porches and balconies, they are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms fitted with hot-water showers and hair dryers. Guests can also enjoy the large outdoor pool, Finch Bay’s Spa, the fully-equipped gym, or the hotel’s yoga deck.

With its own motor yacht, Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel offers a variety of land and sea itineraries and expeditions in Galapagos, including snorkeling, kayaking, diving, yacht explorations, guided activities and tours on the islands, mountain biking, and even cocktail preparation or ceviche cooking lessons. Surrounded by wildlife, guests can always spot animals like giant tortoises or iguanas, or spend time birdwatching. Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel offers a perfect blend of comfort, relaxation, and adventure in the middle of an amazing and picturesque scenery.

Within the Metropolitan District of Quito you can find Mashpi Reserve, a biodiverse area home to an abundance of plants and animals. The reserve’s rainforest is the habitat for a large variety of birds, more than 500 species, 36 of which are endemic, and mammals like monkeys, peccaries, and even pumas. This 2,500-hectare reserve is part of one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, the rainforest in the Chocó-Darién region, between the Pacific coast and the Andes mountains. Only a 3-hour drive from Quito, the Mashpi Reserve is one of the last remaining Ecuadorian cloud forests, offering amazing sceneries of lush forest, green hills, and crashing waterfalls.

Located on a picturesque plateau within the Mashpi Reserve, Mashpi Lodge offers a great Ecuador rainforest experience, featuring amazing views and a total immersion in the surrounding forest and its unique ecosystem. It is a truly spectacular site, with altitudes ranging from 1 640 to 4 000 ft, a transition that puts together both tropical and subtropical climates, featuring an amazing variety of flora and fauna. On the site of a former lumber mill, Mashpi Lodge was built using sustainable construction technologies, designed in perfect harmony with the natural environment and to prevent damage to the forest.

Mashpi Lodge’s rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, immersing guests into the breathtaking views of the surrounding forest, while enjoying the luxuries of the retreat. To assure the comfort and rest of their guests, Mashpi Lodge has fitted all rooms with sound-proofing technology and control systems for temperature and humidity. The pergola-style roof, the outdoor seating, the open-air terrace and the viewing platform allow guests to enjoy the surrounding nature and even to spot some local birds.

Mashpi Lodge also features a spa offering massages, beauty treatments, a hot tub and a yoga space for guests to unwind. Mashpi Lodge’s Expedition room and laboratory allow guests to get information about the reserve, the conservation efforts and the undergoing projects. The Life center, 20 minutes away from Mashpi Lodge is an incredible place, where guests can relax on the wooden deck or even have breakfast in the middle of nature.

What makes the stay at Mashpi Lodge even more memorable are the activities, starting from hiking on a variety of trails, surveying the forest from the observation tower, visiting the waterfalls, to enjoying an aerial experience on the Dragonfly, an open-top cable car, or exploring the tree canopy on the SkyBike, pedaling along a suspended cable above the forest. Everything together makes staying at Mashpi Lodge a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience.

In the Pacific Ocean, 1,000km from South America, you can find the Galapagos Islands, one of the most spectacular places on earth, a living museum, comprising 19 islands and their surrounding marine reserve, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage. Visiting the islands offers a truly life-changing experience, as you can actually witness the process of the islands’ formation, with the ongoing volcanic and seismic activity, and also discover unique and fascinating animal species. Darwin’s theory of evolution was inspired by the Galapagos finches, which he observed during his visit to the islands in 1835.

At the center of the Galapagos archipelago lies Santa Cruz Island, the second largest in the archipelago, visited by almost all travelers on their tour or cruise of the Galapagos islands. Located on Santa Cruz Island, on the edge of an inactive volcanic crater, you can find Pikaia Lodge, offering some of the most breathtaking views in Galapagos. Placed inside a private giant tortoise reserve, the lodge has an area of 31 hectares, with zones transitioning between volcanic highlands with tropical forests and bright, arid savanna. Pikaia Lodge’s name comes from an extinct species, Pikaia Gracilens, the oldest known ancestor of modern mammals, the first species to have evolved into a vertebrate.

Pikaia Lodge has a modern, environmentally conscious design, using alternative energy sources, a perfect mix between elegance and ecology. This spacious lodge features 12 rooms and 2 suites, including 6 terrace rooms, 6 balcony rooms, a garden suite, and a pool suite. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, offering panoramic views over the breathtaking scenery.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the lodge’s “”Evolution”” Restaurant, overlooking the National Park, while lunch can be enjoyed on the lodge’s shaded desks. The menu offers a unique fusion of international and traditional Ecuadorian dishes. Pikaia Lodge also features facilities like the DNA Bar, a lobby lounge, shaded terraces, a pool area, the “”Homo Sapiens”” Explorers Lounge for nature talks, a wellness center and a gym.

Guests can enjoy a plethora of activities on land, like hiking, wildlife observation or mountain biking, and on the sea, like swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking and scuba diving. Pikaia Lodge offers Exploration Packages, for 3, 4, or 7 nights. Pikaia Lodge has its own 105ft private yacht and a 35ft boat, used for tours and sea activities. This luxury eco-lodge will provide a unique experience in the middle of one of the world’s greatest wonders.