For the birder on a budget, the island of San Cristobal is an ideal choice not only because of a highly respectable bird species list but also because of decent budget accommodation.  The Hotel Mar Azul is an excellent choice for the budget birder and is easily booked via most of the online hotel portals.

You can walk here from the airport if you only have a backpack but it does get hot around mid-day.  Otherwise a taxi is around $2-3.  You can’t miss it, look for the bright blue building on the left.

The rooms in the back courtyards are nice and quiet.  The AC is a welcome relief from the intense heat.  During our short stay, we came back after lunch to rest until it started cooling off except on the day we had the boat trip.  There is a water fountain, coffee & tea station in the dining room and a good cooked breakfast is included in the rates.  One receptionist – Claudia speaks English and is happy to help organize anything you need.  The wifi is pretty good too!

The dining room has some nice artwork and a view of the town and harbour.

A cooked breakfast is included.

You really can’t go wrong here, the price is right, rooms are clean and it’s a short walk to town and the beachfront.