Avenida Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador | (618) 248-8274
Built around a mangrove
Incredible location — sea lions always on and around the property
Rooms have simple, homey decor
Restaurant on-site serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner
All-inclusive options available
Within walking distance of downtown Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Station
Free breakfast and Wi-Fi
Mangrove can emit funky smells
No pool, spa, or fitness center
Wi-Fi is slow (a common Galapagos problem)
Many guests complain about all-inclusive tours booked through the hotel
Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge is a solid mid-range option in downtown Puerto Ayora. Rooms are cute and cozy, but otherwise nondescript. There’s an on-site restaurant, but the cuisine isn’t noteworthy. The main attraction here is the hotel’s unique access to local wildlife. Built around a natural mangrove, the hotel is a hot spot for sea lion visitors. Every day, guests can watch as multiple sea lions snooze on hotel lounge chairs and play in the water just offshore. For many guests this unique perk overrides some of the hotel’s flaws, like its sometimes funky smells, lack of on-site amenities, and slow Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a nicer hotel with better amenities should check-out Finch Bay Eco Hotel, though there’s less on-site wildlife, and it tends to be pricier.
