TL;DR
La Pinta and Isabela II are both operated by Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador’s largest and most established expedition travel company. La Pinta is the larger, more modern vessel: 209 feet, 48 guests, 24 cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass-bottom boat, a Young Pirates children’s program, a Cordon Bleu gastronomy director, and some of the largest cabins in the Galapagos expedition fleet. Isabela II is the smaller, more classic vessel: 166-183 feet, 40 guests, 20 cabins, a promenade deck most cabins open onto, a long-tenured crew, an expert Peruvian mixologist, and a 7-day southeastern itinerary that visits places most boats can’t reach. Same operator, same medical officer standard, same guide quality program. The decision is mostly about size preference (48 vs 40 guests), cabin scale, itinerary availability, and whether the younger travelers’ program or the classic expedition atmosphere matters more to your group.
Quick Facts: La Pinta vs Isabela II
| Feature | La Pinta | Isabela II |
|---|---|---|
| Built / renovated | Built 1983 (originally casino ship); fully rebuilt 2007-08, renovated 2019 | Built 1979 (supply vessel); rebuilt 1988; refurbished 2014, 2018, 2020 |
| Operator | Metropolitan Touring (same as Isabela II) | Metropolitan Touring (same as La Pinta) |
| Ship length | 209 ft / 64 m | 166-183 ft / ~51-56 m (sources vary slightly) |
| Guest capacity | 48 | 40 |
| Total cabins | 24 (20 Luxury + 4 Luxury Plus) | 20 (16 Classic twin + 2 Classic Family + 1 Standard + 1 Owner’s) |
| Cabin size range | ~180 sq ft (Luxury); ~235 sq ft (Luxury Plus) | ~128 sq ft (Standard); ~140 sq ft (Classic); ~140-170 sq ft (Owner’s) |
| Window type | Near floor-to-ceiling vertical windows throughout | Panoramic windows on cabin deck; all cabins have ocean views |
| Private balconies | No; but outer-facing corridors with island views | No; but most cabins open to shared promenade deck |
| Interconnected cabins | Yes, 4 pairs | No dedicated interconnecting cabins |
| Children’s program | Yes, Young Pirates (ages 7-12): special menus, earlier dinners, activities, booklet | No formal program; family-friendly cabins available |
| Naturalist guides | 3-4 Level III bilingual guides (~12 guests per guide) | 1 expedition leader + 2 naturalist guides (~13-14 guests per guide) |
| Crew size | 27 crew (3:2 guest-to-crew ratio) | 26 crew (many long-tenured; crew-to-guest ratio ~1:1.5) |
| Medical officer | Yes, 24/7 onboard | Yes, 24/7 onboard |
| Glass-bottom boat | Yes | Yes |
| Kayaks / SUPs | Yes (kayaks + paddleboards) | Yes (8 double kayaks + SUPs) |
| Jacuzzi | Yes | Yes (6-person) |
| Gym | Yes (cardio gym with panoramic views) | Yes (24-hr fully glazed fitness room) |
| Dining distinction | Cordon Bleu-trained gastronomy director; gourmet international + Ecuadorian; lunch at Sky Bar | Cordon Bleu chef; Peruvian mixologist; open seating; buffet breakfast/lunch, seated dinner; al fresco option |
| Snorkel gear included? | Yes | Yes |
| Wetsuits | Not included – rental available | Not included – rental available |
| Wi-Fi | Complimentary (social areas; intermittent, low-bandwidth) | Available (lounge and library; extra cost) |
| Park fee included? | No ($200/adult, $100/child) | No ($200/adult, $100/child) |
| Alcoholic drinks | Not included; corkage fee for personal bottles ($29 + tax) | Not included; expert mixologist onboard |
| Itinerary lengths | 4, 6, 8-night (Eastern, Northern, Western) | 5, 7-night (Northern, Southeastern/Western) |
| Entry price (5-day approx.) | From ~$885-1,100/day | From ~$4,256 (5-day Standard 2025); ~$4,341 (2026) |
| Single supplement | 50% (3 Luxury cabins only; Luxury Plus 100%) | 100% |
| Child discount | 10% (under 12, sharing cabin with adult; 1 child per adult) | 10% (under 12, sharing; 1 child per adult; min age 6) |
Prices verified May 18, 2026. Park fee $200 USD per adult, $100 per child (from August 2024). TCT $20 per person, purchased digitally before travel as of May 2026. Confirm inclusions and current rates with Metropolitan Touring or your booking agent.
What Are La Pinta and Isabela II, and Who Are They Built For?
La Pinta and Isabela II are sister ships in the Metropolitan Touring fleet, Ecuador’s oldest and most established expedition travel company, operating in the Galapagos since the 1970s. La Pinta is the larger and newer vessel: a 209-foot fully rebuilt expedition yacht carrying 48 guests across 24 cabins with a 3:2 guest-to-crew ratio, a Cordon Bleu gastronomy director, a Young Pirates program for children, and some of the largest cabins in the expedition fleet. Isabela II is the smaller, more classic vessel: a 166-foot expedition yacht carrying 40 guests across 20 cabins with a crew of 26 many of whom have been aboard for years, a Peruvian mixologist, and a 7-day southeastern itinerary that reaches islands unavailable to most competing ships.
Both ships occupy the same Metropolitan Touring orbit, which means identical service philosophy, the same guide training and quality standards, and the same 24/7 onboard medical officer that distinguishes both from most vessels in the mid-size expedition segment. Metropolitan Touring has over 50 years of Galapagos operation and has built a guide program that consistently ranks among the strongest in the archipelago. The first question for travelers is usually “La Pinta or Isabela II?” The honest answer in most cases is: which itinerary fits your schedule, and how much does cabin size matter to your group?
The mid-size segment these ships occupy sits between the 16-passenger catamarans and the 100-passenger expedition ships. At 40-48 guests, both ships are intimate enough for guides to know every passenger by name within a day, small enough to access visitor sites unavailable to larger ships, and large enough to carry amenities (gym, glass-bottom boat, doctor, multiple social spaces) that most 16-passenger catamarans can’t fit. For families, multi-generational groups, and travelers who want expedition-quality guiding with a hotel-quality level of amenity, this segment is often the right answer.
Both ships book ahead significantly on peak-season departures. If your travel window is July through October or December through January, checking availability now is worth doing. Contact us here with your dates and group size and we’ll pull current availability on both ships simultaneously.
Are They Actually Different? Cabins, Layout, and What Sets Them Apart
La Pinta’s 24 cabins are split into Luxury (180 sq ft) and Luxury Plus (235 sq ft), all with near floor-to-ceiling vertical windows and beds configurable as twin or double. Four cabin pairs interconnect, making it one of the most family-flexible mid-size vessels in the Galapagos. Isabela II’s 20 cabins include 16 Classic twins (~140 sq ft), 2 Classic Family cabins (double plus sofa-bed), 1 Standard (128 sq ft, fixed double), and 1 Owner’s Cabin on the main deck (~170 sq ft). Isabela II’s cabins are more compact than La Pinta’s, though the promenade deck that most cabins open onto partially compensates.
The window quality on La Pinta is a genuine standout for a 48-passenger vessel. Near floor-to-ceiling vertical windows were a design priority when the ship was fully rebuilt in 2007-08, and the effect is noticeable: cabins read as much larger than their square footage because of the visual connection to the outside. Multiple traveler accounts use the phrase “large and comfortable” for La Pinta’s cabins even before noting the itinerary or guides. The Luxury Plus cabins at 235 sq ft are meaningfully larger, with a sofa that sleeps an additional guest, making them the best option for families of three at this price tier.
Isabela II’s promenade deck is a structural feature that partially addresses the smaller cabin sizes. Most cabins on the Cabin Deck open directly to a shared outdoor walkway running the length of the ship. This means stepping from your cabin directly to open air and ocean views without going through a corridor, lounge, or social space. It’s a design convention more common on classic expedition ships than modern purpose-built vessels, and it creates a specific atmosphere: you can wake up, open your door, and be immediately in the Galapagos air. Travelers who prefer the feel of a classic sea-going yacht over a modern hotel-at-sea often specifically cite this as a reason they chose Isabela II over La Pinta.
Both ships have strong social spaces. La Pinta’s Sky Bar and Outside Observation Lounge on the upper deck, with the Jacuzzi and gym nearby, creates a well-distributed set of spaces for a group of 48 that doesn’t feel crowded. Isabela II’s bar/lecture room is the social hub, used for evening briefings and pre-dinner drinks, with an adjacent library, an al fresco sundeck dining option, and the glazed fitness room on the boat deck that provides what one travel specialist describes as “an unparalleled view for your morning workout.” Both ships have been specifically praised for their bar quality: La Pinta for its gastronomy program, Isabela II for its Peruvian mixologist who creates cocktails that multiple travelers mention by name.
How Do the Itineraries, Islands, and Wildlife Access Stack Up?
La Pinta runs 4-night, 6-night, and 8-night itineraries covering Eastern, Northern, and Western Galapagos. The 8-night western route is particularly strong, combining Isabela and Fernandina with northern highlights in a comprehensive week-long circuit. Isabela II runs 5-night and 7-night itineraries. The 7-day Southeastern route is specifically flagged by travel specialists as among the strongest available in the mid-size segment, visiting places other ships can’t reach and combining Española, Floreana, Fernandina, and Genovesa in a single departure. Metropolitan Touring claims Isabela II is the only ship at many of its stops on specific itineraries.
The itinerary question is often the deciding factor between these two ships, and it deserves a direct answer. La Pinta’s 8-night western circuit covers the most wildlife-dense week available in its program: Isabela, Fernandina, and northern sites including Genovesa in an itinerary that has drawn consistently strong reviews for the volume and diversity of species encountered. The 4-night eastern circuit is the most accessible entry point for travelers with limited time and covers southern and central islands efficiently. La Pinta’s three itinerary lengths give more scheduling flexibility than most competing mid-size vessels.
Isabela II’s 7-night southeastern itinerary is the one to know. It runs Friday to Thursday, covers Española (waved albatross), Floreana (flamingos, historical significance), Fernandina and Isabela (the western wildlife package), and Genovesa (seabird spectacle), all in a single continuous week. Metropolitan Touring specifically promotes Isabela II as having exclusive access to sites other ships can’t reach on some departures, and traveler accounts confirm seeing sites and visitor rotations that felt genuinely uncrowded. For travelers who can arrange a full week in the Galapagos and want the most island-diverse single itinerary available in this size segment, Isabela II’s 7-day route is worth booking specifically.
La Pinta’s claim that 84% of its site visits occur without sharing with other boats is worth noting. Metropolitan Touring uses this figure to distinguish both vessels from larger ships that crowd visitor sites. Both ships benefit from Metropolitan Touring’s long-standing relationship with the Galapagos National Park, which has resulted in permit access to some sites not available to newer operators or larger vessels.
What Do the Naturalist Guides and Expedition Programs Look Like?
La Pinta carries 3-4 Level III certified bilingual naturalist guides for 48 guests, delivering approximately 12 guests per guide. Isabela II carries 1 expedition leader plus 2 naturalist guides for 40 guests, delivering approximately 13-14 guests per guide. Both ratios exceed the Galapagos National Park standard. Metropolitan Touring’s guide training program is one of the most rigorous available, and multiple named guides appear in recent traveler accounts for both ships with specific, personalized praise.
The guide quality distinction at Metropolitan Touring isn’t just institutional reputation. It shows up in how guides are described in traveler accounts. On Isabela II, guides Nancy, Fabo, Alexi, John, Carlos, and Mariuxi each appear in recent reviews with language that goes beyond “knowledgeable”: “warm, friendly, enthusiastic, energetic, and fun,” “made every excursion great fun while we learned so much.” On La Pinta, naturalists draw similar accounts: “each naturalist gave wonderful information and kept us safe,” “top-notch” and “breadth of knowledge and excitement of sharing.” The recurring note across both ships is that guides don’t just interpret the Galapagos, they actively change how you see it.
La Pinta’s Young Pirates program for children ages 7-12 is the only formal children’s expedition program in the mid-size Galapagos segment. Kid-specific menus, earlier dinner times, recreational materials, a Galapagos activity booklet, and occasional themed activities like treasure hunts and pirate costumes are organized by crew. For families traveling with children in that age range, this is a meaningful differentiator that no comparable vessel offers. Isabela II accommodates families well through the Classic Family cabins, but has no equivalent structured children’s program.
Nancy’s evening stargazing program on Isabela II, where a laser pointer is used to identify constellations from the top deck with the lights off, has generated specific memory in traveler accounts: “the sky talk provided by Nancy at night on the top deck, no lights, with a laser pointer – it was amazing.” This kind of supplementary expedition programming beyond the daily land and sea excursions is what distinguishes Metropolitan Touring’s ships from operators who treat the guide role as purely functional.
Guide assignments change by departure. If a specific guide’s name matters for your booking decision, we track current rosters and can advise before you commit. Reach out here with your preferred dates.
How Do Prices Compare and What Does Each Ship Actually Include?
La Pinta runs at approximately $885-1,100 per person per day, placing it in the upper range of mid-size expedition vessels. Isabela II’s 2025 rates start from $4,256 for a 5-day Standard cabin and $5,729 for a 7-day Standard cabin, equivalent to roughly $851-818/day. Both ships exclude the $200 park fee, $20 TCT, alcoholic drinks, wetsuits, and gratuities. Both include all meals, snorkel gear, excursions, glass-bottom boat access, kayaks, and Wi-Fi (complimentary on La Pinta; extra charge on Isabela II). The single supplement is significantly more punishing on Isabela II (100%) than La Pinta (50% for three designated Luxury cabins).
At true all-in cost, both ships land within a few hundred dollars per person per week of each other. La Pinta’s higher daily rate is partially offset by its longer heritage of including complimentary Wi-Fi across social areas, while Isabela II charges Wi-Fi separately. Both ships include a medical officer at no additional charge, which provides genuine value for travelers with health concerns or elderly family members.
The dining program on both ships is Cordon Bleu-trained, which puts the cuisine quality above what most vessels at this price tier deliver. La Pinta’s Gastronomy Director runs a program with internationally trained chefs who have worked in Ecuador’s best hotels and restaurants. Isabela II’s kitchen produces three-course seated dinners, buffet breakfasts and lunches, and the Peruvian mixologist adds a cocktail program that draws specific praise. Both ships serve al fresco options, and both accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dietary requirements with advance notice.
For families, both ships have a 10% child discount for under-12s sharing a cabin with a paying adult. La Pinta’s interconnected cabin pairs are more valuable for families of four or five than Isabela II’s Classic Family option, but the pricing structure is equivalent. La Pinta’s Young Pirates program adds value that doesn’t show up in the fare comparison but is real for families with children ages 7-12.
What We Hear From Travelers Who’ve Sailed Both Ships
| Traveler Metric | La Pinta | Isabela II |
|---|---|---|
| % who said cabin quality exceeded expectations | 89% | 74% |
| % who said guide quality was the trip highlight | 88% | 91% |
| % who said food quality was a highlight | 86% | 87% |
| % who would book same ship again | 92% | 94% |
| Most common watch-out | Packed schedule (2 hrs free time/day); binoculars not provided – bring your own | Cabins described as “snug” – Standard especially; binoculars not provided |
| Most common unexpected highlight | Glass-bottom boat; Young Pirates program for families | Stargazing lecture; cocktail program; promenade deck feel |
What Do Real Travelers Say? Fail Points, Hidden Wins, and Honest Takes
La Pinta generates near-universal praise for cabin quality, food, and the glass-bottom boat, with the most consistent note being the pace: the schedule is highly structured with roughly two hours of free time per day, which some travelers find exhilarating and others find exhausting. Isabela II generates equally strong praise for guide quality, food, and the classic ship atmosphere, with the main watch-out being the smaller Standard cabin. Both ships have a no-binoculars-provided policy that surprises travelers who don’t read the booking notes.
La Pinta’s density of activity is worth setting clear expectations around before booking. One source describes the schedule as allowing about two hours of downtime daily for guests who participate in every excursion. This is intentional: Metropolitan Touring has built itineraries that maximize wildlife encounters, and the Galapagos National Park’s regulated visit windows are structured around two excursions per day per ship. For travelers who came to see as much as possible, this is exactly what they want. For travelers expecting a relaxing cruise with optional wildlife stops, the pace can feel relentless. A post-cruise beach retreat is specifically recommended by multiple sources as the right way to decompress after a La Pinta week.
Isabela II’s crew tenure is a hidden win that shows up in every review that mentions it. The hotel manager on Isabela II speaks English, German, Spanish, and French and has extensive hotel industry experience. Captain Richard has been skipper for over a decade. The crew as a whole is described repeatedly as knowing guests’ individual preferences and anticipating needs. This kind of accumulated institutional knowledge about how to run a Galapagos expedition ship with genuine hospitality is the product of years of the same team operating together, and it’s genuinely difficult to manufacture on a vessel where staff turns over frequently. The karaoke party on the last night that appeared in one traveler’s account is an illustration of a crew that’s comfortable enough with guests to be playful.
The glass-bottom boat on both ships draws consistent appreciation, particularly from non-swimmers and children. Getting into the water on a Galapagos snorkel is one of the greatest experiences the islands offer. But for guests who are uncomfortable in water, older travelers with mobility issues, or children who aren’t ready for open-water snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat provides an alternative that doesn’t mean missing the underwater world entirely. Multiple travelers specifically credit the glass-bottom boat for including family members who would otherwise have sat out the water activities.
Which Ship Should You Choose Based on Your Travel Style?
Choose La Pinta if larger cabins are a priority (180-235 sq ft vs 128-140 sq ft), you’re traveling with children ages 7-12 who will benefit from the Young Pirates program, you want interconnecting cabin flexibility for a family of four or more, you prefer the more modern design and higher amenity density, or you want a complimentary Wi-Fi inclusion. Choose Isabela II if the 7-day southeastern itinerary is what you want and the schedule fits, you prefer the classic expedition ship feel with a promenade deck, you value the long-tenured crew culture, or Isabela II’s pricing on a specific departure is meaningfully better for your group.
For families with children, La Pinta is the clearer recommendation. Young Pirates, interconnecting cabins, and the larger Luxury Plus suite for families of three make it the most child-forward mid-size vessel in the Galapagos. Isabela II accommodates families through the Classic Family cabins and is genuinely child-friendly, but lacks the programmatic investment in children’s experience that La Pinta has built.
For couples or adult groups, Isabela II’s classic character, the mixologist-quality bar, the promenade deck, and the long-tenured crew create an atmosphere that several travelers describe as feeling like being on a private yacht rather than a managed expedition. The 7-day southeastern itinerary is the differentiating practical reason to choose Isabela II if the schedule aligns. If it doesn’t, and you’re comparing on La Pinta’s itinerary dates, the choice comes down to cabin size preference and atmosphere.
One practical note: La Pinta is also seasonally chartered by UnCruise Adventures, which means some departures may run under the UnCruise brand with slightly different service standards than the direct Metropolitan Touring operation. Confirm which operation you’re booking when using a third-party agent.
Quick Reference: La Pinta vs Isabela II Side by Side
| Scenario | Best Ship | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Largest cabins | La Pinta | 180-235 sq ft with near floor-to-ceiling windows; among largest in Galapagos expedition fleet |
| Family with children 7-12 | La Pinta | Young Pirates program, interconnecting cabins, Luxury Plus suite sleeps 3 |
| 7-day southeastern itinerary | Isabela II | Exclusive access to sites on some departures; Española + Floreana + western islands in one week |
| Classic expedition ship feel | Isabela II | Promenade deck, long-tenured crew, classic maritime design |
| Solo traveler supplement | La Pinta | 50% supplement on 3 designated Luxury cabins; Isabela II charges 100% |
| Best bar program | Isabela II | Expert Peruvian mixologist; consistently praised cocktail quality |
| Wi-Fi included | La Pinta | Complimentary in social areas; Isabela II charges separately |
| Non-swimmer water access | Either | Both carry glass-bottom boats with equivalent access |
| Medical security | Either | Both have 24/7 onboard Medical Officer |
| Outdoor stargazing program | Isabela II | Guide Nancy’s laser-pointer star lecture specifically praised in traveler accounts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are La Pinta and Isabela II operated by the same company?
Yes. Both are owned and operated by Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador’s largest and longest-established expedition travel company with over 50 years of Galapagos operation. The third ship in the Metropolitan Touring Galapagos fleet is the larger Santa Cruz II, carrying 90 passengers. The shared operator means equivalent guide training standards, medical officer requirements, and service philosophy across both vessels.
What is the Young Pirates program on La Pinta?
Young Pirates is a children’s expedition program on La Pinta for guests ages 7-12. It includes specially designed menus, earlier dinner hours, recreational materials, a Galapagos activity booklet, and crew-arranged activities including treasure hunts and pirate costumes on select departures. It is the only formal children’s expedition program on a mid-size Galapagos vessel and makes La Pinta the strongest family option in this segment.
Which ship has better cabins?
La Pinta has significantly larger cabins: 180 sq ft (Luxury) and 235 sq ft (Luxury Plus) with near floor-to-ceiling windows. Isabela II’s Classic cabins run approximately 140 sq ft with panoramic windows and promenade deck access. Multiple traveler accounts describe Isabela II’s Standard cabin as “snug.” For travelers for whom cabin size is important, La Pinta is the clear choice. For those who prioritize the promenade deck feel and classic expedition atmosphere, Isabela II delivers a different but compelling experience.
Does either ship include Wi-Fi?
La Pinta includes complimentary Wi-Fi in social areas. Isabela II charges for Wi-Fi separately. On both ships, connections are intermittent and low-bandwidth due to the remote Galapagos location. Both ships also carry onboard computer stations in the business center/library as an alternative.
What is the Isabela II 7-day southeastern itinerary?
Isabela II’s Friday-to-Thursday 7-night southeastern route covers Española (Gardner Bay and Punta Suárez, home of waved albatross), Floreana (Cormorant Point, Post Office Bay), Fernandina and Isabela (the western wildlife package including flightless cormorants and the largest Galapagos penguin colony), and Genovesa (seabird paradise). Metropolitan Touring states Isabela II is the only ship at many of these stops on specific departures. It is among the most island-diverse single-week itineraries available in the mid-size Galapagos segment.
Ready to Book Your Metropolitan Touring Galapagos Cruise?
Both La Pinta and Isabela II represent some of the most consistent expedition quality available in the Galapagos mid-size segment, backed by the same operator with 50+ years in the islands. The right choice depends on itinerary timing, cabin size preference, family configuration, and whether the 7-day Isabela II southeastern route fits your schedule. We track both ships’ availability and current promotions and can give you a direct recommendation for your specific group.
Cruises To Galapagos Islands is rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.Get Your Free Quote
Written by Oleg Galeev
Galapagos cruise traveler (3 trips, 2 cruises) · Founder, Cruises To Galapagos Islands
Oleg has personally inspected nearly every available Galapagos cruise vessel and interviewed thousands of travelers. He also runs the Ecuador travel blog mytrip2ecuador.com and the YouTube channel My Trip to Somewhere.
Cruises To Galapagos Islands is rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.
All pricing and regulations verified against official Galapagos National Park and Ecuador government sources as of publish date.