Baltra Airport to Puerto Ayora: Step-By-Step Guide + Map

If you’ve booked your flight to Baltra for the trip of a lifetime in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, you won’t regret this! I felt a little confused by the documentation and transportation to get me through the other side and start my big adventure.

My step-by-step guide on how to get from Baltra Airport to Puerto Ayora includes a map, the costs involved and what documents you need to have with you. Also, a few tips if you plan to go directly to Isabela or San Cristobal from the flight.

About Baltra Island Galapagos

Facts about Baltra Island

Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour, lies as a small, flat landmass (21 km²) to the north of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos archipelago. Baltra is a little dull compared to the other islands with vegetation mainly comprising salt bush, prickly pear cactus, and Palo Santo trees.

The US government sought to establish an air base in the Pacific to protect the western approach to the Panama Canal. Due to its flat terrain, Baltra was perfect for building a landing strip and became a US military base during WWII. This was returned to the Ecuadorian military when the war ended.

Baltra is a Carbon Neutral Airport

Baltra Airport (Aeropuerto Ecológico De Galápagos) is the first ecological airport in the world and the first in Latin America and the Caribbean to be carbon-neutral

The airport uses 100% renewable energy, and the luggage transportation belt does not require electric power. The airport was built using recycled materials, for example, the support columns are recycled oil pipes from the Amazon.

Arriving at Baltra Airport (Aeropuerto de Baltra)

Setting foot on the Galapagos is pure excitement! Now let’s get through Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island. The duration of your wait after disembarking the plane depends on your position in the queue. So, when booking your seat number on your flight from Quito or Guayaquil, you may wish to be near the front or back door.

Getting through Baltra Airport

At the counter, you must present:

• Identification document
• Boarding pass
• Transit Control card (TCT)
• $100 Galapagos National Park fee

NOTE: From 1 August 2024, the fees will increase from US$100 to US$200 per person for international visitors. From US$50 to US$100 per person for visitors from CAN/MERCOSUR countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). From US$6 to US$30 per person for Ecuadorian nationals.

An inspector will check your hand luggage to verify you are not bringing in any organic produce that could threaten the ecosystem in the Galapagos.

|| TOP TIP || When packing for the Galapagos, think about how you can be a responsible traveller. Avoid bringing plastics that you may leave behind, and bring reef-safe suncream.

Getting from Baltra Airport to Puerto Ayora

Be prepared to have cash at the ready to hand out at each part of the journey from Seymour Airport to Puerto Ayora. The start of things to come in the Galapagos!

Map from Baltra Airport to Puerto Ayora

Bus to Itabaca Canal

Once you exit Baltra Airport, you need to wait in line for the Lobito Bus to drive passengers down Baltra Airport Road for 5 minutes to Baltra Ferry Terminal. If there isn’t one there, it won’t take long to come back from the terminal.

COST: Bus from Baltra Airport to Ferry Terminal is $5 per person (half price for (senior citizens, people with disabilities and children under 12)

Cross the Itabaca Canal

The ferry departs from the Baltra Ferry Terminal (South Seymour) travelling south to the island of Santa Cruz.

Get your bags from the bus to pass to the ferry guys to load on top. The Itabaca Canal (Canal de Itabaca) crossing takes approximately 10 minutes once the luggage is onboard.

COST: Itabaca Canal crossing is $1 per person

Getting to Puerto Ayora – Bus + Taxi

Once you disembark the ferry from Baltra Island, remember to wait for your bag from the roof.

This is the same terminal where dive and snorkelling tours on or around nearby islands, including North Seymour, Mosquera, and Daphne Major and Minor.

If you’re lucky, the birds of the Galapagos will start to perform while you wait. I saw a huge group of blue-footed boobies hunting and diving into schools of fish, then more and more joined in to create the most amazing spectacle.

There are two options to reach Puerto Ayora – by bus or taxi. The signs are really easy to follow to find your transport.

Bus to Puerto Ayora

To get to Puerto Ayora, you can take the bus which will take you to San Francisco Park (Parque San Francisco) in 1 hour and 15 minutes. The bus will wait until it has got as many passengers on as possible so if you are in a rush, you may prefer to go for the taxi. Also, my bus picked up some locals along the way!

COST: Bus to Puerto Ayora $5 per person

Taxi to Puerto Ayora

You can take a taxi (cab van), which are white van with a maximum capacity of 4 passengers and you will arrive in 45 minutes. If you’re travelling solo, see if you can jump in with a fellow traveller to split the cost!

COST: Taxi to Puerto Ayora $25 per person

|| Check out my travel guide on Santa Cruz Island

Arriving in Puerto Ayora

Ferry from Puerto Ayora

If you are going straight from Baltra Airport to catch the ferry to either Isabela or San Cristobal, work out your timings well and build in some extra time for waiting or unforeseen circumstances.

The ferries to Isabela and San Cristobal both depart at 7 am and 3 pm. It is worth considering that you need to be at the pier 45 minutes before departure for luggage inspection and boarding.

If you decide to get the bus instead of a taxi, it should drop you at San Francisco Park (Parque San Francisco) near the terminal, however, mine did not for some reason. It dropped me at the top of the road, taking around 10-15 minutes to walk down. Thankfully, I was staying in Puerto Ayora and not stressing about getting a ferry!

Costs for the Galapagos ferry to Isabela and San Cristobal

• Buy a ticket for the Galapagos ferry in cash in Puerto Ayora it will cost $30. If you book online it is generally charged at $35 but at least you are guaranteed your seat.
• Water Taxi from Pier to Ferry (Santa Cruz): $1.50
• Water Taxi from Ferry to Pier (Isabela/San Cristobal): $1.50
• The luggage allowance is 23kg. Additional is $10.
• Port entry fee in Isabela Island only: $10 for Non-Ecuadorians & $6 for Ecuadorians.

|| Check out things to do on Isabela Island and Concha de Perla

Staying in Puerto Ayora

If you have pre-booked your hostel or hotel, it is worth noting down directions before you arrive in Santa Cruz as you may not get phone reception everywhere. There is free public WiFi in Parque San Francisco which may help.

accommodation in Puerto Ayora

($) Hostal Vista Al Mar is perfectly located near the ferry terminal. Great WiFi. Shared Kitchen. Communal gardens with tables and hammocks.

($$) Hostal Sueños Silvestres is located near the beach. Single, double and twin rooms are available. Shared kitchen, terrace and views of the garden.

($$$) Hotel Galapagos Suites B&B is close to the waterfront. Bright, simple decor. All rooms have either private balconies or patios with hammocks. American-style breakfast served.

($$$$) Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel is 12 12-minute drive out of Puerto Ayora set in beautiful gardens with a swimming pool and hammocks. Full breakfast daily.

Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport Galapagos

From Santa Cruz to Baltra Aiport, the journey and costs are the same as above but in reverse.

The bus from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Aiport leaves opposite the ProInsular supermarket and the church at Parque San Francisco. Arrive early as it can be busy, however, you can buy your tickets in advance for peace of mind.

PIN guide from Baltra Airport to Puerto Ayora