The Ideal Retreat
Located 7 minutes by car from the cosy port town of Puerto Ayora and the spectacular waters of Academy Bay, Santa Cruz Gardens (SCG) is a subdivision comprising 60 lots in 17 acres of natural vegetation. It is flanked by the Galapagos National Park on its Southern side and some of it has stunning views of the sea as well as the island of Floreana on the horizon.
It lies in the moderate, and still rather dry middle climate zone, which means much sun and few clouds - an important consideration of where to stay in a land of multiple and vastly differing climate zones, that change often drastically, within a 30 minute distance of each other! (Please see visitors' information section for more details). Privately owned, with close alignment with the local community and economy, SCG is located on Santa Cruz Island, the tourist hub of the Galapagos and a showcase of what the archipelago has to offer.
Amongst the stunning contrasts around SCG, you’ll find lunar-like landscapes and lush vegetation ecosystems, spectacular white sand beaches and one of the most impressive underwater experiences in the world. Enjoy the quiet serenity of Santa Cruz Gardens from your own house. Observe (and hear) Darwin's famous finches. Visit Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit secluded lagoons with pink flamingos. Snorkel alongside sea lions. Kayak in water canyons. Dine in a cliff overlooking sailboats in the bay…
There are so many options to choose from, and they are all easily accessible from Santa Cruz Gardens. The best part, is you’ll be helping to promote – and showcasing by example – what it is possible to do in order to make positive changes in environmentally and socially responsible tourism practices.