Exploring another side of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are famous for sea lions, giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and volcanic landscapes. But beyond the wildlife, there is another side of the islands: quiet mornings, organic food, fresh ocean air, and time to slow down.
This is a good option for clients who want more than sightseeing. A Galapagos wellness experience can turn a classic nature trip into a deeper journey of rest, balance, and connection.
A Wellness Stay in Santa Cruz Island
Montemar Eco Luxury Villas is a 43-acre property in the highlands of Santa Cruz. It is owned and operated by Roberto Plaza and Reyna Oleas, a couple of local conservationists with studies in Biology and Ecology who are also certified naturalist guides. This is not a hotel managed by a distant corporation; it is a deeply personal project run by people who have chosen to stake their lives on this island’s future, protect the habitat of giant tortoises, and empower the local community projects.
The property offers two eco luxury villas — Villa Tortuga, sleeping up to eight guests, and Villa Lechuza, sleeping up to four — as well as the option to rent the entire property exclusively. Both are designed for the kind of slow, immersive experience that wellness travelers seek with genuine hospitality.
The property villas were built with local materials, the electrical power is produced from solar panels, adopts sustainable practices in the treatment of water, use eco-friendly products, and are a zero-single-use plastic property.
Here, wellness is not forced. It happens naturally. Guests can walk self-guided trails, listen to birds, feel the wind, and enjoy the charming highlands.
Recommended Wellness Experiences & Activities
Yoga, Meditation, and Slow Mornings: Montemar’s wellness experiences include yoga, stretching, mindfulness, meditation, sound baths, signature massages, and Galápagos Lava Treatments. Sessions take place in an open-air Yoga Shala with views over the Pacific Ocean.
Self-Guided Nature Trails: Walk around the property at your own pace, among free-roaming centennial tortoises and endemic birds.
Enjoy a coffee tasting experience: Montemar grows specialty coffee on the property, and guests may learn about harvesting, fermenting, drying, and roasting coffee beans.
Farm-to-table cuisine: Food is part of the wellness journey. Enjoy farm-to-table meals, green juices, local flavors, cooking classes, and dishes made with fresh ingredients from the property’s garden. Special diets such as vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and allergy-friendly meals can also be considered.
Practical Tips for Wellness Travel in Galapagos
- Getting there: Flight to Baltra, via Quito or Guayaquil. Then, take a transfer to Santa Cruz by ferry and bus (approximately 45 minutes). Then, a final transfer to the property is about 20 minutes from Puerto Ayora.
- Best time to visit: Year-round destination. June–December brings drier, cooler weather ideal for hiking and wellness activities. January–May offers warmer water for snorkeling and a lusher highland landscape.
- Recommended stay: 4–7 nights at Montemar, combined with 1–3 day excursions to neighboring islands. Longer stays allow the retreat experience to deepen without feeling rushed.
- It is ideal for couples, small groups, families, and friends prioritizing exclusivity and nature.
- Combine your experience with Ecuador’s highlights, such as exploring Quito’s colonial allure with a chocolate tasting, then visiting the lush Amazon, for an approximately 10–14-day itinerary.
If your clients are looking for exciting ways of enjoying the Galapagos Islands, a wellness experience is the answer. Reach out to help you design a journey to Ecuador that truly gives rest and a deep connection with nature.
Published in June 2026
