Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After landing in Lima, allow roughly 1½–2 hours door-to-door to reach Miraflores: baggage collection and customs can be slow, and traffic on the airport–coast route is unpredictable. Use an official airport taxi desk, a reputable app-based ride, or a transfer arranged through your hotel rather than accepting offers in the arrivals hall. The ride is usually 45–90 minutes depending on traffic; check in, leave valuables secured, and take a short break before exploring.
Head to the Malecón de Miraflores for an easy first walk above the Pacific. Follow the clifftop parks toward Parque del Amor and Faro de la Marina, allowing about an hour for the views and photographs. This is particularly pleasant before sunset, but stay on the main paths and keep phones and bags discreet. From the malecón, take a taxi for the short ride inland to Huaca Pucllana, rather than walking through unfamiliar streets after dark. The adobe pyramid is visited by guided tour, generally taking about 1½ hours; opening times and last entry can vary, so confirm the current schedule and reserve ahead if your arrival coincides with a busy period. Admission is commonly around S/15–20 (approximately US$4–6), subject to change.
Finish at La Mariposario in Miraflores for a relaxed seafood dinner, budgeting about US$20–35 per person. Reserve if possible, especially for a preferred dinner time, and ask about the catch of the day or a classic ceviche while keeping the meal moderate after a flight. A short taxi back to your hotel is the simplest option; avoid carrying passports or large amounts of cash while walking afterward.
This is a full travel day from Lima to Baltra Airport, followed by the land-and-water transfer to Puerto Ayora. Take the earliest practical flight via Guayaquil; with check-in, immigration, the Galápagos transit card and entry formalities, the airport shuttle to the Itabaca Channel, ferry wait, and onward bus or taxi, plan on roughly 8–11 hours door to door. Confirm the current Galápagos entry requirements, transit card, and national-park fee before leaving Lima, and keep cash available for the ferry and local transfers. A shared bus is cheapest; a taxi from the channel is faster and more comfortable, particularly if you arrive after dark.
If you reach Puerto Ayora early enough, go first to the Charles Darwin Research Station, allowing 1½–2 hours for its conservation exhibits and giant-tortoise programs. Opening hours and access can change, so verify them locally rather than counting on a late-day admission. From there, walk into the town center to the Puerto Ayora fish market for 30–45 minutes: it is small, lively, and most atmospheric while fishers are unloading and vendors are preparing the catch. If the journey runs late, treat both stops as optional and go directly to your accommodation; the station is not worth rushing after a long flight.
Only attempt Las Grietas if you arrive with several hours of daylight and can confirm same-day access conditions. From central Puerto Ayora, reach the trailhead by a short water-taxi ride or walk, then allow 2–3 hours for the path, swimming, and return; bring reef-safe sunscreen, water, and shoes suitable for uneven volcanic ground. Local access rules or guide requirements may apply, and the fissure is a poor choice after dark. Finish at Los Kioskos, where several casual Ecuadorian seafood stalls make an easy first dinner—roughly US$10–20 per person. If your transfer has taken the full day, skip the swim and have dinner early; the next morning is better for exploring than trying to force in another activity.
This is a demanding transfer day, so take the earliest confirmed flight from Baltra Airport that fits your booking. From Puerto Ayora, your pre-arranged taxi or shared transfer should allow time for the ferry across the Itabaca Channel, the bus or taxi to the airport, check-in, security, and any flight connection—roughly 7–10 hours door to door. Keep cash handy for the ferry and local transport, and have your Quito accommodation arrange an official airport taxi or trusted transfer. Because arrival time can shift considerably, treat the Old Town visits as flexible rather than guaranteed.
If you reach Quito with at least a few usable daylight hours, go first to Plaza de la Independencia, the compact heart of the Historic Center. Allow about 45 minutes to see the cathedral exterior and the Presidential Palace from the square; security barriers and access arrangements can change, so stay within public areas and follow local directions. From there, walk a few minutes to Compañía de Jesús, whose gilded Baroque interior is one of Quito’s highlights. Confirm same-day opening hours and entry rules before setting out—church access may pause for services, and late arrival could mean seeing only the exterior.
Continue on foot to Calle La Ronda, best enjoyed as a relaxed early-evening stroll rather than a long nightlife outing. Browse the small craft shops and try a traditional sweet or warm drink, but keep valuables secure and use the busier, well-lit stretches. Finish at Restaurante Hasta la Vuelta Señor, where Ecuadorian dishes generally run about US$15–30 per person; reserve if your arrival time is known, otherwise ask your hotel to call ahead. If the flight arrives too late for this plan, skip the sightseeing and eat near your accommodation—there is no practical way to guarantee all three Old Town stops after a delayed travel day.
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