Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Ecuador / Santa Cruz Island / Pikaia Lodge
Pikaia Lodge
Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador · Independent · Grand Luxury
Named for Pikaia gracilens, a 500-million-year-old ancestor of vertebrates. Humberto Plaza designed the 14-room carbon-neutral lodge on the rim of an extinct crater in Santa Cruz highlands, opened October 2014 inside a 31-hectare giant-tortoise reserve that used to be a cattle ranch. It is the only Galápagos lodge with its own 100-foot yacht for private day cruises. World's Leading Adventure Hotel, 2022 through 2025.
- 14 rooms
- Opened 2014
- Neighborhood: El Camote
- Architect: Humberto Plaza
About Pikaia Lodge
- The lodge is named after Pikaia gracilens, an extinct 500-million-year-old creature considered a precursor of modern vertebrates.
- It sits within a 31-hectare private reserve for wild giant tortoises, a former cattle ranch restored to its natural state on the edge of an extinct volcanic crater.
- It is the only lodge in the Galapagos with its own yacht, the 100-foot motor vessel M/Y Pikaia I, used for private day cruises.
- The carbon-neutral, solar-powered lodge was named the World's Leading Adventure Hotel from 2022 to 2025.
History
Pikaia Lodge opened in October 2014 on the edge of an extinct volcanic crater in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the Galápagos archipelago. Designed by Ecuadorean architect Humberto Plaza and built from concrete, glass, recycled steel, bamboo and sustainably grown South American teak, the carbon-neutral eco-lodge sits within a 31-hectare private wild giant-tortoise reserve, a former cattle ranch restored to its natural state.
The 14-room lodge is named after Pikaia gracilens, an extinct 500-million-year-old creature considered a precursor of modern vertebrates. It combines a land-based stay with an infinity pool, spa and the Evolution restaurant, plus private day cruises aboard its 100-foot motor yacht. A Relais & Châteaux property, Pikaia was named the World's Leading Adventure Hotel from 2022 to 2025.
The setting
8 km from Cerro Crocket. Overlooks Pacific Ocean.
Restaurants and bars
- Evolution Restaurant — Restaurant
Experiences
- All-inclusive packages of 3-7 nights with flexible entry — All-inclusive packages with flexible entry, complemented by half and full day land and marine explorations aboard an exclusive private yacht.
- Half and full day land and marine explorations aboard private yacht M/Y Vision Pikaia — Half and full day land and marine explorations aboard an exclusive private yacht crewed by Galápagos residents.
Amenities
- Spa
- Infinity pool
- Private pool
- All-inclusive
Awards
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- South America's Leading Adventure Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
Open Pikaia Lodge in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More hotels in Santa Cruz Island
- Galapagos Safari Camp — Independent · High Luxury
- Royal Palm Galápagos, Curio Collection by Hilton — Curio Collection · Accessible Luxury