Charles Darwin Research Station Tours and Activities

Property was basic for my needs. My room was above communal area so you could hear talking and playing pool at night, so slightly in convenient if your up early for excursions. Request a room away from there and should be fine

The Royal Palm offers a truly immersive Galápagos experience—set inland on a stunning 100 acre property, far from the touristy feel of the ports. Recently under new ownership, the property is being refreshed: rooms are spacious and renovated, the pool has been redone, and quiet renovations are underway, including apparently a unique lava tunnel spa. Some exterior areas still need attention, but the overall feel is serene and authentic. Service is top-notch and boutique-level, with attentive, personalized touches throughout. A special thank you to Gustavo, the ever-present and gracious manager. The restaurant is excellent, with a warm team—Rita made us feel at home and remembered our names. Breakfasts are fresh, varied and awesome. Excursions can be organized by the hotel and work seamlessly. Duncan gave us a deep dive into the island’s geology and ecology, while Maritza kept our 8–14-year-olds fully engaged with her energy and knowledge. Boat tour days were a highlight—fantastic snorkeling, incredible island views, and a surprisingly gourmet chef onboard (kudos)! The boat crew was kind and professional. Guide quality, however, faltered which was disappointing. Overall, The Royal Palm is a peaceful, character-rich base for a Galápagos trip—elevated by excellent service, comfort, and nature.

I only leave a 4 star review because I stayed for 5 days and the breakfasts were boring. Every day they offered the same thing, eggs, toast, or pancakes, cereal and strawberry yogurt. They don’t have a restaurant in the hotel and everything is far away. After the second day I was bored with the breakfast and started buying croissants next door in the bodega to have it with my coffee. The bodega next door to the hotel sells water, beers, drinks and ice creams. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Just a thought maybe the manager could buy “fresh bread” from the bakery the bodega was charging .25 cents per bread it’s probably cheaper to buy in bulk. Also an omelette would be better than fried eggs every day!