The first class Hilton Colon Hotel, Quito is located in the centre of the city on the corner of Avenida Amazonas, a major thoroughfare containing many restaurants, snack bars and souvenir shops. The 300-room hotel has a selection of restaurants: the 24-hour Cafe Colon, offering Ecuadorian and international cuisine, the more formal Portofino Restaurant, and the Vereda Tropical offering light snacks. There is a well-equipped health centre and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Please note that a special executive lounge offering 24 hour service is used for breakfast, if you have an early departure.

The MV Santa Cruz (1,675 tons) is specially designed for Galapagos cruising and accommodates a maximum of 90 passengers in single, twin and triple cabins, each with private shower and toilet. Launched in 1979, and renovated in 1998, she is fully air-conditioned and fully carpeted throughout. There is a spacious cocktail lounge, bar, dining room, sun deck (with Jacuzzi) and observation area. A small shop sells film (limited stocks), tee-shirts, sun protection cream, postcards and locally made souvenirs.