Hotel Castro Galapagos

Location: Barrio Las Ninfas Calle Colonos, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, 200350, Puerto Ayora, EC

Star Rating: 3 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 09:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 12:00 AM

Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). To arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free WiFi
• Garden
• Concierge service
• Breakfast available (surcharge)
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Multilingual staff
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Limo or town car service available
• Smoke-free property
• Pool umbrellas
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Rooftop terrace
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Pool sun loungers

Rooms Available

• Triple Room

  1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed OR 3 Twin Beds

  Overlooking the ocean

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a shower

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Private bathroom
  • Satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi

• Quadruple Room

  1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds OR 4 Twin Beds

  Overlooking the ocean

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a shower

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Private bathroom
  • Satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi

• Family Room

  5 Twin Beds

  Overlooking the ocean

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a bathtub or shower

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Private bathroom
  • Satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi

• Single Room

  1 Twin Bed

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a shower

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Private bathroom
  • Satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi

• Double or Twin Room

  1 Queen Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

  Overlooking the ocean

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Premium bedding and blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a shower

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Private bathroom
  • Satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi

• Classic Single Room, Sea View

  1 Twin Bed

  Overlooking the sea

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Satellite channels

  Sleep - Blackout drapes/curtains

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, free toiletries, and a shower

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Private bathroom
  • Satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Free WiFi

Guest Reviews

• W9244RAsarahs (2/5): Hotel Castro - Avoid - If you like having termite eggs above you bed, and wood chips falling on your face as you sleep, for the affordable cost of $150.00 a night, Hotel Castro is the place for you. With wasp nests, beetles, minimal wifi (none), no hot water, and ants in the rooms, this has been the WORST hotel experience I have ever had. The breakfast made me so sick that I threw up, and the broken toilets the wouldn't flush it down. The location is the ONLY benefit to this hotel, and if you speak Spainsh, perhaps the staff would be friendly. I moved my room THREE times because each room had something absolutely unsanitary about it. I would post picture of the bugs, but the Wifi is so awful here, I can't. DO NOT GO.
• cvo2016 (2/5): old hotel with horrible service - Hotel price was more than 100$ per night witch in my opinion is not normal for this hotel . We ordered romantic surprise , we never saw it . (paid 110$) and never got that money back. Room was horrible, big hole in wall next to A/C , dirty floor, dirty bathroom, to have warm water need to wait at least 10 minutes,On the wall was a spider web. They charge 10% of service - but to be honest there is no any service, because girl who sits in reception can speak only spanish, no one who can help you with bags. There is no room service or something similar. When we wanted to speak to hotel owner what solutions we can have - she answered really rude and didn't wanted to help at all. Right now (after trip to galapagos ) trying to contact owner to get money back about this romantic surprise and she never pick up the call. Anyways really disappointed .
• Mario_BusinessTravel (6/5): very old fashioned and tired hotel - The hotel and the interior is very old fashioned. The technical stardards are not very good (open elecrical clamp boxes, holes in the wall at the A/C). The bed and the bath room was clean, but the floor was not. The personnel there is very friendly but not speaking english. The pool is ok, but does really not look like on the photos (as the rest of the hotel).
• 54jodyf (6/5): very tired hotel - we only needed to stay here for one night thankfully. For the price it is very very tired and dated. It appears to have been last decorated somewhere in the 1980's but that is only our guess. Even the AC unit came off the ark! We had room 16 on the first floor and the wifi was hit and miss here The room was clean and so was the bedding. The beds were a little hard for my personal taste but i understand some people like them hard. The bathroom was definitely a throw back from the 70's or 80's (think avocado suite) but the shower did have plenty of hot water. The staff were lovely though and they really were the only redeeming feature of this hotel. They were very sweet and very helpful. Breakfast was ok also with nice fresh bread but the dining room is a very depressing place to sit and eat. If this hotel was updated it would be great as it is in the perfect location, as it stands I think it is very over priced and you could get better
• OffOnOurOwn (4/5): Old and tired - This hotel is close to the harbour and the shops, a/c and hot water. But it is a very tired hotel and in desperate need of updating. It's a quite area of town, and the staff are helpful and friendly. There are plenty of other hotels for this price in the local area.
• Maxwell (8/5): Satisfactory. Great location - It was good but I tried to adjust the booking by cancelling1night in good time but was not permitted.
• Galapagos Shark (8/5): 港に近いホテル - 港にも近く、スーパーマーケットもすぐそばにあり、レストラン街も近い。何かと便利。建物はおしゃれで、屋上からは港やサンタクルス島のハイランドも見渡せる。部屋もきれいで、wifiのつながりもよかった。スタッフも親切で英語もちゃんと通じる。４泊したが、快適だった。
• Farid (6/5): Absolut okay. Zentral! - Sehr zentrale Lage zum Hafen. Zimmer sauber und Bad okay. Hatten Familienzimmer mit Verbindungstür zu einem guten Preis. Frühstück eher ecuadorianisch schmal. Pool sauber aber in Hinterhof Atmosphäre, wenig einladend für mehr als eine kurze Erfrischung. Personal nett und hilfreich. W-Lan geht gut.
• yvonne (6/5): ok hotel close to harbour - This hotel is old, but it does have a sort of quaintness to it. It is situated next to the harbour and if you sit around the back you can spot all sorts of wildlife. Very little English spoken here, so you will get to use your Spanish. We enjoyed our stay but did lose a few things, not sure if they were lost or just disappeared so would recommend the use of the safe. Windows are a little ill fitting but all in all an ok hotel. There is a little plunge pool but very small and very cold. Not big enough to swim, but great if you just want to cool off.
• holter54 (8/5): Great Location - Rooms are fine....don't expect a Hilton hotel....this is the Galapagos Islands...No hair dryers in the rooms but you can borrow one....Staff very friendly and helpful..., no English spoken except for a few words .....Sketchy WIFI....however we had room #3 not such a nice room but the WIFI worked great so we chose to keep the room instead of moving to another room....Around the corner from the hotel is a grocery store....fun to go to the eating area on 3rd floor and have a beer (good price) and watch everything going on in the water and surrounding area......The breakfast is ok....2 soft bread rolls, butter, jam , instant coffee or tea. 0ne scrambled egg and once a banana....As I said ok....Water cooler in the lobby where you can refill your water bottles....Small swimming pool with patio which overlooks the water .....nice to have a drink and watch life.....Hotel is not air-conditioned except for your room...This is the norm in the Galapagos Islands.....
• 566alicee (6/5): Don't judge by American Hotel Standards - I read the reviews for this hotel before we went, since this was the one selected for the tour we were on. It is not a US hotel, but more similar to those in Europe. I was later told that it was the first hotel in Puerto Ayero. It's not fancy at all, but it was clean, with very friendly staff. One of the reviews mentioned an awful breakfast. We didn't find it much different from our hotel in Quito. And, you may have more room mates than you want, but I think this would occur with any hotel in the topics, We had a small lizard, but one of the people in our tour group had an iguana that had to be removed. Pros: Air conditioner worked great. And it was needed with the heat and humidity we had the first day we arrived. Staff was very helpful, and friendly. Very close to the pier and lots of shopping and restaurants. Cons: Some of these would probably be the same at other hotels in the area. Due to the humidity, the tile floors and steps could be slick. No elevators, so it's not handicapped accessible. Bathroom light was very dim and the closet was fairly rough. The biggest problem was the water pressure and lack of hot water. Depending on when you got in the shower (no bath tub) you might or might not have it hot. And the previously mentioned extra room mates.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Disappointing - The hotel is very old and not very appealing. It was clean enough but not what I expected for the price - although accommodations in Galapagos are very expensive so I guess it is all relative. This is more like a hostel than a hotel. I had a private bath with three beds in my room. The staff were pleasant but didn't not understand a bit of English. The location of the hotel was great for us. I recommend this hotel only because of the lack of good hotels in the area.
• 641jankip (6/5): Average - The hotel itself wasn't particularly nice and had among the worst breakfasts I've had in Ecuador. However, the receptionists were extremely friendly and even helped us move rooms when my mom had a gecko-induced panic attack. The location was extremely convenient as well. However, the hotel wasn't nearly worth the price for its level of accommodation.
• 718scorp19667 (2/5): Avoid this hotel at any price.... - I booked this hotel thought Hostelworld.com. I paid a deposit and I supposed to paid the rest at the hotel. When we arrived it looked old and a horrible smell came from the bathroom, the beds were hard like rocks. Breakfast was horrible and the pool was green and gross. When I requested check out, the girl at the front desk put the manager on the phone, she stared ranting how she was losing money for my reservation. I have to explain the hotel was empty and it is a reason for it. She charged me $195 for one night that hotel is worth $20 at the most. Avoid at all cost. I rather sleep in a park bench.
• d (6/5): Inexpensive no frills with an ideal location - A bit on the rustic side however the location is perfect as is the view from the top floors. Bare necessities are present however your not in the Galapagos to hang out in your room. Walls between the rooms are paper thin which was tough the couple nights a family with a crying baby stayed next door. It must have been an interesting hotel in its hey day which was about 25 years ago. The front desk was INCREDIBLY helpful in setting up boat tours and taxis All staff were very friendly and accommodating. The last evening of my stay the hotel hosted a religios service in the all purpose room that woke me up and continued until 11:00, this was directly across the hall from my room. Breakfast was good. At times the shower would not produce water for a few seconds. But again a good price for a great location a view from the top floors of the defunct lounge and bar area.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Not a luxury hotel - this is a budget hotel. The staff very friendly and the hotel is clean and well kept. I would highly recommend this hotel. In the Galapagos the only time spent in room is to sleep anyway.
• Verified traveler (4/5): it is not a hotel, rather hostel. - Loudy at night and no restaurant. No concierge and nobody in hotel can speak english. credit card cannot be used. breakfast from 7am when usually tour programs starts to 9am with poor quality. the difference of USD30 between single and classic single is only a view of port.
• DaraJ712 (8/5): Amazing location, cute and quaint - The hotel is 1 block from the dock where you catch boats to all you water trip & adventures, close to all the action, resturants, shops and grocery store. For the price this is a good hotel with warm water most of the time but sometimes the hot water knob was cold & the cold was hot so play with it. I met someone who stayed in a hostel however for much less money and almost as nice accomedations. I am a solo female traveler and felt safe and the staff was very nice & helpful. The walls are a bit thin so you can hear your neighbors and the church parties but I had music playing to cancel out unwanted noise. The beds were ok, had a cute desk to write at but I didn't spend much time in my room and if you're coming to Galápagos, Im sure you won't either. The breakfast is simple & good and it was also within walking distance to the beach, the lagoon and Charles Darwin national park. I would recommend this hotel.
• Sherry (4/5): Hotel staff very helpful. Close to the pier. - The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. It was close to the pier and restaurants. The room was was basic. It needed some maintenance and TLC. It was not what I would expect for the price.
• sandra (6/5): Bueno - Buen hotel Por el precio
• advisetripping (2/5): Worst in Santa Cruz - The beds are like sleeping on a rock with a sheet on top of it. There was no hot water though they claimed there was. When I turned on the shower the shower head fell off on top of me. When we turned the light out at night it still flickered all night long. "Wifi" never worked in the room only in the lobby. The woman at the desk claimed she never told us there would be internet available when I complained that it didn't work. The room was tiny and it was dirty when we arrived and we had to wait 20 min for them to clean it. This place is extremely overpriced, we paid $60 for a room that was equivalent to sleeping on a park bench outside. Avoid avoid avoid. You can get a decent room in the island for that price but don't go here!
• Verified traveler (4/5): This is a "Last Minute; vesry Last Resort" - The staff is very nice and accommodating as best they could. (1) LOCATION: thought it close to everything, it located on a one-way busy side street where we walked out the door and onto the traffic with taxis, trucks, buses, motorcycles and pedestrian traffic all day and most of the night. St San Francisco Catholic Church is across the narrow street and bells and singing is loud. (2) ROOM CONDITIONS: The room was dark, dimly lit and the floor was sort of dusty, not properly swept or mopped; the bathroom was small, and whenever water went through the pipe from upstairs, a sewer scent would emit from the pipe in the corner of our room. The sink had a home made wooden enclosure which could not be opened; the shower has a 6" wall step to step over into the shower; not suitable or accessible for anyone with problems climbing steps. (3) BREAKFAST: The breakfast was plain and bland and we were served the same thing for three days - hard scrambled eggs, rolls, butter, diluted juice, coffee.
• Carmen (4/5): Very disappointing - We booked the room for 6 of us. When we arrived they only allowed 5 to stay even though there was one double bed and 4 single ones and we wanted to stay together like in the cabin. We had to pay extra for another room. Then the next morning our boat trip was scheduled for 645 am departure. Their breakfast started at 7 and they could not accommodate an earlier breakfast time for our family. We had to go eat elsewhere. The staff was not helpful when it came to questions about suggestions for places to visit in the island. No concierge knowledge or attempt to be helpful. It seemed they lacked training.
• dmaccy (10/5): Good hotel - No problems whatsoever with this hotel, has a good clean pool and sun area out the back and is in an excellent central location. Breakfast was included and was more than adequate. Staff were helpful enough and knew the area and any questions I had
• Roger (8/5): Pleasant stay - Nice quiet hotel..... Excellent location a block from city center and pier to take tours.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - It is loud. In fareness everything in PA is loud it seems. Right next to a church that rocks out every evening. Had a few lizards in my room, which is fine.
• Marloche56 (2/5): Very expensive for poor service - This hôtel is extremely expensive, around 100$ à night and I can assure you it is not à good bargain... Also, they charge you 12% on top of that for bank charge when you pay by crédit card (same in every shop in thé Galápagos), but they do it while you pay through Paypal (no charge from their bank, so it's only margin for them)!!! Finally, when I told them that these 12% are not to be paid, they miraculously found that I paid 1 night more and gave me a discount just before I left... So it means that i would have pay 1 night for Nothing if i has shut my mouth... I just feel I have been a good tourist cow...
• JymMorton (8/5): Very Nice budget hotel - I got stuck Island hopping from San Cristobal to Isabella in Puerto Ayora because I didn't buy my 2nd ticket from Santa Cruz to Isabella in advance. I had already stayed 5 days in a different hotel, but it was quite far from the docks and Hotel Castro is only a block from the dock, perfect for my 6 am boat ride to Isabella. I checked into the hotel and went to my room to have a shower. The room smelt a little from the stain they use on the wood, but it reminded me of the cottage. Very big room with 2 double beds and a view of the street. I immediately went to the shower as the hotel has hot water. Half way through my shower the top popped off the shower, so it was like using a hose. No big deal it's still water and still hot. I told the lady at the front desk what had happened and within minutes a plumber was fixing it and 2 maids were cleaning up the water that splashed over the shower curtain. Amazingly fast service. The bed was very comfortable, and around 9 O'clock pm the traffic on the street stopped and made for a good night's sleep. I went down to the lobby at 5 am and the cook had specially made me breakfast and coffee because he was told I was leaving early (breakfast was included in the price of the room). Very nice to have that kind of unexpected service. Everyone that I met that worked at the hotel were exceptionally nice people. I would recommend this hotel to anyone that wants a nice budget hotel. The building is rather old but is very well kept, not run down at all.
• Apolo12 (8/5): ***Very good Hotel*** - This hotel has a great location best impossible location, good rooms very clean the breakfast good excellent very friendly receptionist and very attentive to customer needs , highly recommended to stay on the island in puerto ayora . DANGER In ayora port in Central Park is a Tourist agency stealing right and left the poor tourists like me , steal a very dirty way attached pictures and care not stop stealing money this agency brothers tourists keen eye with these people there are many honest agencies patiently manages to find , I went to choose a tour for 2 people the cost was $ 30 each totaling $ 60 from 2 what is my surprise at the end of the account I says I have to pay 120 dollars when it was done I got to pay full ticket but I did not even a complaint personally and was able to look me in the face and told him to rob people in a very blatant way . thank you very much for my stay in the hotel castro. Fred / United Kingdom
• Titanetsissi (6/5): Convenient location and clean rooms - Although it's clearly an old building (some parts of the ceiling seem to be falling any minute), this place is a walking distance from the center of Port Ayora and pretty much everything you need - a supermarket, ATM's, restaurants, taxis, etc. The rooms were very clean, and the towels changed everyday. The room was spacious and quite hot, but the A/C was working well although it is so loud you can't keep it on during the night. The breakfast was big enough to keep you full for a few hours, but not that delicious. One thing I don't understand is why they use Nescafe when they have such great coffe in Galapos and Ecuador in general. The staff was always helpful and nice, giving us precious advice about where to go and how to get there. I found a coachroach one night in the bathroom because the net on the window had a whole, but we mentioned this the next morning (the lights were off in the entire hotel lobby at that time of the night) and they took care of it and we never had any such problem again. They have free wifi in the entire building. I'm not so sure the price is fair for what you get (we paid $40 each in a double room) but considering everything is expensive in the Galapagos, it's probably not too bad.

Photos