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How to Travel the Galapagos on a Budget: Travel Guide & Tips

April 22, 2019 By John Widmer 132 Comments

Is it actually possible to travel the Galapagos on a budget?

Many assume a trip to the Galapagos will be a very expensive proposition. You wouldn’t be wrong to think so.

Even Googling “Galapagos Tour” may send could send someone into sticker shock. One of the first organic search results shows a National Geographic 10-day itinerary, with prices ranging from $7,000-$15,000 per person, plus flights to Ecuador! So realistically, that comes out to at least a $20,000 vacation proposition for a couple. Ouch.

Yet we’re here to let you know that it’s not necessary to take such a pricey Galapagos trip .

You can , in fact, tour the Galapagos on a budget and still maintain a relative level of comfort. Independent travel in the Galapagos can actually be an affordable reality! With a little planning, it’s possible to formulate a cheap Galapagos island hopping budget trip on your own. We wrote this post to help other travelers experience the rich wonders of the Galapagos on the cheap.

Here’s a quick glance at what this comprehensive travel guide covers in detail.

• Last-minute Galapagos cruise deals: can cost $750-$1,200 plus flights for a 5-day trip. We’ll show how.
• Four islands have decent affordable accommodation , as low as $30/night, and
• are connected by local ferries . We’ll detail where to go and stay.
• There are actually many free things to do on these islands with lots of wildlife to see. Yet spending on a few day tours on boats (~$100) allows independent travelers to explore more. This post reveals where to find marine life for free and the best Galapagos day tours to splurge on.
• Eating delicious two-course local seafood meals can cost as little as $4-$6, once you know where to look.
• Roundtrip flights from Ecuador to the Galapagos can be booked for under $200, each way. With the $120 national park fees that go along with the flight, a minimum of $500 is needed for roundtrip flights.
• It is easily doable to get  by in the Galapagos on a budget of less than $50 per day . In fact, we achieved days with a spend of $30 per person that included incredible wildlife encounters, eating lots of seafood, and retreating to a hotel with A/C.

Overall, an entire trip to the Galapagos may not be entirely cheap. The flight alone can bust budgets. Added travel expenses once in the Galapagos can quickly accumulate for those who aren’t careful.

Yet this post explores proven money-saving strategies and the Galapagos budget travel tips you need to know to maintain low expenses without sacrificing the quintessential experiences one would expect to have in these famed islands. A budget trip to the Galapagos can indeed become an awesome reality for those who do a bit of advanced planning and research.

So while there are some significant expenses that can be incurred on a trip to these famed islands, it is indeed possible to visit the Galapagos on a relatively modest budget . Such a trip will certainly cost far less than that aforementioned $10,000 Nat Geo tour!

Come take a peek at our actual Galapagos island hopping budget too. We meticulously tracked all travel costs and all the Galapagos tour prices during our visit, as there isn’t much pricing listed on the web. Hopefully, this will provide a realistic look at what may be spent on a Galapagos budget trip.

So read on to understand exactly how to travel the Galapagos on a budget by pursuing a DIY Galapagos island hopping trip, among other cost-cutting strategies.

Galapagos on a Budget: Table of Contents

✌️ The Two Methods to Travel to Galapagos on a Budget       🏝️ DIY Galapagos Island Hopping 🚢 Last-Minute Galapagos Cruise Deals

🐢 What Can Be Experienced by Traveling the Galapagos Independently 

💵 Galapagos Island Hopping Budget Revealed

🔖 Day Tour Prices & Recommendations

🥽 Free Things to Do in the Galapagos

🍽️ Galapagos Food & Drink Prices + Tips for Cheap Eats

🛥️ Where to Buy Cheap Ferry Tickets

🏨 Budget Accommodation in Galapagos

📅 Galapagos DIY Land-Based Island-Hopping Itineraries       • 5-Day Galapagos Itinerary • 1-Week Galapagos Itinerary • 2-Week Galapagos Itinerary

🎒 What To Pack for the Galapagos

✈️ How To Book a Cheap Flight to Galapagos

Two Ways to Do Galapagos on a Budget:

There are two tried & true methods to travel to the Galapagos on a budget:

1) Do It Yourself (DIY) Land-Based Galapagos Island Hopping 2) Last-Minute Boat Tour / Budget Galapagos Cruise Deals

First, let’s dive into what each of these two different experiences entails.

DIY Independent Travel Island Hopping in the Galapagos on a Budget

Anyone can fly to the islands and explore them on your own, which makes for a great way to experience the Galapagos on a budget. There are three islands in the Galapagos that are connected by regular, twice-a-day ferries . These three islands are developed with loads of decent budget-friendly accommodation and restaurants serving reasonably priced meals. The three islands to go “island-hopping” on are:

• Isla Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora)
• Isla Isabela (Puerto Villamil)
• Isla San Cristobal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno)

Each of these islands has places to walk to, to enjoy hiking, museums, snorkeling areas, tortoise sanctuaries, and lots of wild sea lions & marine iguanas (among other wildlife), all for FREE. These three Galapagos islands also have plenty of tourism agencies to book day trips and excursions. During these day tours, even more islands can be accessed throughout the Galapagos archipelago.

There is also a fourth island to consider, Isla Floreana, which similarly has budget-friendly accommodation and restaurants. But ferry connections to Floreana change frequently and run irregularly (1-2 times per week). This can make it impossible to stay on Isla Floreana for just a night or two. But there are still plenty of sights to see and activities to do from the other three main Galapagos islands. Those three islands alone can easily keep a traveler busy for weeks!

Independent travel in the Galapagos is most definitely the most economical way to tour the islands, as it is realistically possible to get by on a budget of about $30 per person, per day, before factoring in the costs of optional day tours. More on that later.

This post dives into detail on how to travel independently in the Galapagos on a budget. But first, we’ll cover the possibility of scoring a last-minute Galapagos cruise deal.

Booking a Last-Minute Galapagos Boat Tour

There are many liveaboard Galapagos boat tours that ply multi-day routes throughout the Galapagos, where snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife viewing ensues.

During these liveaboard boat tours, at the end of each day passengers sleep in a cabin on the boat, while either anchored or moving to the next location. There’s a chef on board who cooks three meals a day. A naturalist guide accompanies passengers throughout the voyage.

These boats primarily range in size from about 12-24 passengers (some even larger) and vary from sailboats, to catamarans, to full-on yachts.  The boats also range in comfort, which tends to be categorized by four classes of boats:

• $ Tourist Class – Lowest standard possible, often not recommended. Cabins may or may not have A/C or private bathrooms.
• $$ Tourist Superior – No frills yet comfy. Some cabins may be bunk beds, but has A/C. Good option for lower budgets who want to maintain some level of comfort.
• $$$ First Class – High standards, very comfortable air-conditioned rooms, and great meals.
• $$$$ Luxury – Super high end. Expect large cabins, jacuzzis, gourmet meals, spas, and pampering.

If booking any of these trips in advance, prior to arriving in the Galapagos, you’ll likely spend well upwards of thousands of dollars per person. But if arriving in the Galapagos with a flexible schedule to book a last-minute Galapagos cruise deal within a few days of departure, it is possible to find budget Galapagos cruise prices around $700-$1,500 for a 4-8 day itinerary.

So where can you find cheap last-minute Galapagos cruise deals?

The best last-minute Galapagos cruise prices will be found on the ground, after arriving in Puerto Ayora in the Galapagos. Many tourism agencies in Puerto Ayora slash prices on last-minute Galapagos cruises departing within a week or less. Visiting these Puerto Ayora agencies in person will yield the best prices.

There are also a number of travel agencies that can be contacted to begin an email exchange, inquiring about what last-minute cruises may be available. One website that lists some of these deals is Galapagos Cruise Links .

That site will give you some idea of the going rates being offered for last-minute Galapagos cruise deals. But just realize that it is NOT an all-inclusive list. There are many additional boats to consider which aren’t listed on this website. Also, it’s possible to negotiate prices lower than what is listed there. So consider those prices as a starting point. Despite this, we still find this website to have the most up-to-date listings with actual prices posted anywhere else on the web today. So it can be a good place to begin searching to get a gauge on last-minute Galapagos cruise prices.

Still, the lowest prices will be found in Puerto Ayora in the days just before these cruises depart. Yet scoring those deals will entail some effort, luck, and taking a bit of a gamble. Last-minute Galapagos cruises do sell out .

Cheap last-minute Galapagos cruises are no longer a secret among travelers. There are many other travelers arriving to the Galapagos, who are also trying to score to cheap last-minute Galapagos cruise deal. They may beat you to a deal or be willing to pay more. We regularly saw last-minute Galapagos cruise deals that became sold out, several days before the boat was embarking.

Another burden of attempting to get a last-minute Galapagos cruise is that it can be a time-consuming process . Doing so requires travelers to go from agency to agency in search of these elusive last-minute deals. The time spent shopping around can pay off. Yet with limited time in the Galapagos, time can be much more enjoyable in nature than on the city streets visiting tourism agencies.

So although the cheapest and best deals do await travelers on the ground in the Galapagos, it can be worth paying a bit more to organize a sure-thing in advance. If not wanting to deal with the uncertainty of a last-minute Galapagos cruise, it’s best to either make advanced reservations or pursue a DIY island hopping trip that is further detailed in this guide.

Where To Book Less Expensive Galapagos Tours in Advance

Because of the uncertainty and effort involved to seek out last-minute cruise deals while in the Galapagos, it can make sense to book in advance. Sure, it may end up costing a few hundred dollars more, but that can often be worth the time and effort that’s forgone.

Booking a non-last-minute Galapagos cruise with set departure dates can be the best way to go to the Galapagos for those who have limited time and/or set dates. While not quite as cheap as the last-minute tours and certainly more than creating a DIY independent trip, there are some decent deals out there on Galapagos cruise tours that can be booked in advance.

When making advanced reservations, expect to pay at least around $2,000 for a tourist superior (or above) ship. But do note that most of those tours with a $2k+ price tag also include airfare from mainland Ecuador. So that’s a $500 value that can help to justify the cost.

Here are a few booking companies offering liveaboard Galapagos cruise tours around that price:

• Viator – This Galapagos Island Cruise starting at $1,250 the lowest price we’ve seen bookable online. Airfare is extra. (Note: sometimes it becomes unavailable/sold-out. Check back.)
• GAdventures – starts at $3,199 $2,144 for a 7-day cruise, including flights from Quito. It’s a great deal, considering airfare from Quito is included, receives high reviews, and put on by this leader in adventure tourism. They’ve been running sales lately too, so check current pricing and availability .
• Tour Radar   – starts at $3,400 for 5-day cruise on a first-class ship including flights from Quito.

Which Is Better: DIY Galapagos Island Hopping or Last-Minute Cruise Deal?

This depends on personal preferences and what is valued more. Anyone who has gone on a Galapagos cruise tour loves it. A cruise is certainly a more convenient option of the two. Meanwhile, we can personally vouch that we loved our DIY island hopping trip across the Galapagos, using independent travel techniques. We were satisfied that we experienced all of the Galapagos’s highlights without spending a fortune.

So which is better? There are pros and cons to each method. It’s highly debatable and most people who have traveled to the Galapagos carry strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Which cost less? That has more of a clear-cut answer. Any way it’s sliced, a DIY island hopping itinerary always costs much less than even the lowest last-minute cruise deal. It is even possible to do a backpacking Galapagos trip on a shoestring, given all the free things to do in the Galapagos.

Weighing the Pros & Cons of a Last-Minute Galapagos Cruise :

Galapagos Cruise Pros:

• A liveaboard cruise tour is the most convenient way to experience the Galapagos. Everything is planned. No thought or energy needs to be expended searching for day tours and finding somewhere to eat. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy.
• It’s not necessary to return to town each day. Instead, a liveaboard allows passengers to remain in a natural environment of the islands and drift off to the sound of the ocean.
• A liveaboard cruise also has the exclusivity of exploring some Galapagos islands that are not accessible to day tours.
• Another perk of a liveaboard is building camaraderie and making friends with travelers you’re cruising around with, sharing these incredible experiences together.

Galapagos Cruise Cons:

• To get a last-minute deal, it can be necessary to spend time and effort in the Galapagos inquiring with multiple tourism agencies. This comes at the expense of your time otherwise enjoying all the Galapagos has to offer.
• Not knowing in advance whether or not there will be a deal awaiting that fits your time & budget will prevent your ability to further plan out a Galapagos itinerary in advance.
• For those who become easily seasick, the inability to return to land each night may be a negative point to consider.
• It’s pricey. Even the last-minute “deals” tend to be much more costly than traveling independently throughout the Galapagos.

Last-Minute Galapagos Cruise Prices

In the name of independent travel research, we ducked into dozens of Galapagos tour agencies in attempts to find the lowest last-minute Galapagos deals possible. The best deal we found during our last visit in 2017 was $750 for a 5-day itinerary on a tourist superior ship .

Having returned to Ecuador in 2019, we sought out the most recent pricing to keep this article up-to-date. Here are some examples of some of the cheapest last-minute Galapagos cruise prices that were found on the ground in the Galapagos in 2019 :

• $1,100 for 6 days on a tourist class ship
• $1,100 for 5-days on a tourist superior ship
• $1,300 for 8-days on a tourist superior ship
• $1,400 for 4-days on a first-class ship
• $1,550 for 5-days on a first-class ship

Beware that travel guidebooks or other blogs may cite these last-minute Galapagos cruise prices to be much less than some of the examples listed above. While it is most definitely possible to find lower rates than these listed prices (particularly during low season), we caution that prices have risen dramatically during the past few years. Last-minute Galapagos cruise prices listed in 2016 and prior are outdated and don’t reflect a major price increase what occurred that year. One Galapagos travel agent showed us his budget Galapagos cruise prices from 2014. They were about half the costs of what they are today for the exact same boats and itineraries!

🙋 Help keep future Galapagos travelers stay up-to-date on latest prices & last-minute deals : If you travel to the Galapagos and find prices have changed wildly from what is listed here (whether higher or lower), please let us know in the comment section. We will continue to update this article to further help other travelers who are planning a budget-friendly trip here. Gracias!

Considerations When Deciding on a Last-Minute Galapagos Cruise Deal

Some of the last-minute cruise deals will seem very enticing on the surface, but it’s important to scrutinize the deal carefully to decide whether it’s worth it for you.

Our best offer for a last-minute Galapagos cruise – a 5-day cruise for $750 – is normally priced around $3,000. So we found $750 to be a great deal and we seriously considered booking it. But it’s important to take a closer look at such bargains to fully understand what is involved.

Consider Ship Class, Configuration, and Cabin Location

Having a nice cabin with a window could be worth splurging on, compared to a tiny interior room with some bunk beds. Be sure to ask lots of questions about the ship itself. Here are some questions to ask about a last-minute Galapagos cruise deal :

• What is the bed configuration (bunk beds)?
• Is there a private bathroom?
• Is there air conditioning?
• Is the cabin an upper or lower deck?
• Does the cabin have a window?
• What additional expenses can be expected?

Enquire About Galapagos Cruise Additional Expenses

It’s also important to factor in additional expenses. It’s customary to tip the crew $10 per person, per day. So add that into the total liveaboard cruise budget. Also, some cruises will charge extra for snorkeling equipment and wetsuits. This hidden fee can reach $30 per day for these rentals. So mask rentals would add $200 to a week-long cruise. Be sure to understand exactly what is included and what is not.

Look Closely at the Galapagos Cruise Itinerary

Boats must obtain permits for each of the locations they visit in the Galapagos and each of these permits will cost the operator a different amount. Some of the popular landing sites have more expensive permits. Hence some low-cost itineraries avoid the best landings to save money. As a result, the cost savings can be passed on to passengers. That’s good. However, such itineraries may also pass right by some of the best sites in the Galapagos. That’s not good.

For example, the 5-day itinerary we examined completely bypassed arguably the most famed and photographed site in the Galapagos, Isla Bartolome. Instead, the budget itinerary went to neighboring Albany Rocks, which is a much less notable site in the Galapagos.

Similarly, this 5-day Galapagos cruise itinerary completely skipped the notoriously awesome birding and snorkeling island of Seymour to instead snorkel just a few kilometers away, next to the airport. This itinerary was going to B-list sites in the Galapagos instead of A-list sites. While even B-list sites in the Galapagos can still be amazing, an itinerary that skips some of the best sites makes it all the more difficult to justify splurging on.

Understand that “5-Day Cruises” Are Actually 3-Day Tours

On most Galapagos cruises, there isn’t much happening on the first and last day of the itinerary.

Let’s continue to use that 5-day last-minute cruise deal ($750) as an example. For that itinerary, the first and last day is void of much activity. Day 1 is really just a half-day of transferring onto the boat, then going to a beach. Day 5 simply tours the tortoise sanctuary on the inhabited island of Santa Cruz, which can easily be pursued on your own for $3 per person and a cheap cab ride.

So during 5-day Galapagos cruises, passengers are really only spending three full days out in the Galapagos islands . Similar scenarios are realized with longer tours too. 8-day tours are really 6 days sailing in the Galapagos, with seven nights of accommodation covered on the boat. These can still be awesome cruises, but the reality of what occurs on the first and last days is something to understand if attempting to perform a fair price comparison.

Price Comparison: Last Minute Galapagos Cruise Deal vs. DIY Island Hopping      

The agent who offered us the last-minute 5-day / 4-night cruise deal for $750 claimed: “it would cost more to stay on Santa Cruz and take day tours than it would to take his last-minute Galapagos cruise deal.”

So we decided to examine this claim more closely.

Let’s assume you stay in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz for four nights, five days, in a decent hotel room with air-conditioning. On Days 2, 3, and 4, you take expensive day tours on boats that return to Santa Cruz each night. This would be comparable to spending Days 2-4 snorkeling and touring islands during the 5-day liveaboard cruise tour. Meanwhile Days 1 and 5, you visit the tortoise sanctuary, go to a beach, tour the lava tunnels, check-out museums, free snorkeling, etc. (similar to Day 1 & 5 of the 5-day cruise itinerary).

Here’s what this 5-Day Galapagos independent travel budget looks like, as based in Puerto Ayora:

This would be an action-packed 5-day Galapagos itinerary based in Puerto Ayora all for less than $500 per person.

Now let’s compare that to the 5-day cruise itinerary, which was priced at $750. On the liveaboard cruises, it’s customary to tip the deserving crew $10 per day, so that adds another $50 to the $750 cruise. The last-minute cruise tour deal included snorkeling gear but not wetsuits. That would add even more to the total cruise tour price, but let’s assume we could get by without any wetsuits.  This totals a price of $800 for the last-minute Galapagos cruise tour.

Compare that $800 to the $475 spent on a packed DIY-itinerary outlined above.  For couple travelers, that’s an expense of $1,600 for the cruise compared to $950 while staying on the island to pursue day tours.

Traveling independently instead of a 5-day tour adds to a cost savings of $650 for a couple . For some, the $650 difference may be negligible. In which case, take the cruise! A last-minute Galapagos cruise can be a sweet deal and a great experience!

But, personally, we’d rather have that extra $650 in our pockets to further spend on more awesome travel adventures throughout South America, like all of these .

Can You  Really Experience the Galapagos Without Taking a Cruise?

Opinions circulate in online travel forums of people claiming that it is not possible to really experience the Galapagos unless taking a cruise around the islands. That is simply not true .

Again, Galapagos cruises can be a fantastic option if you have the budget for it. We can’t argue that. But you should know that it is possible to have all of the following experiences without taking a liveaboard cruise tour :

✔️️ Swim with sea lions ✔️️ Gaze upon wild flamingos ✔️️ Watch wild penguins frolicking in the ocean ✔️️ Stumble across marine iguanas & land iguanas ✔️️ Snorkel with loads of sharks ✔️️ Glide past dozens of sea turtles ✔️️ Hike up an active volcano ✔️️ Visit with wild Galapagos tortoises ✔️️ Be alone on a remote island with only a small group ✔️️ Dive with rays ✔️️ Climb through (and swim through) lava tunnels ✔️️ Come face-to-face with blue-footed boobies ✔️️  Tour around deserted islands with a naturalist guide ✔️️ Spot Galapagos hawks, finches, frigate birds, among other  endemic species .

These quintessential Galapagos experiences can all be pursued without going on a liveaboard Galapagos cruise. We know this because we were fortunate to enjoy every single one of those above highlights without spending the extra cash on a liveaboard cruise tour. We saw and experienced all of this simply by independent travel in the Galapagos in addition to a few day tours. Later in this post, we’ll show you exactly where in the Galapagos you can experience each of these activities and wildlife encounters, even for free!

Further Advantages of Traveling Galapagos Independently

There are even a few additional benefits that come with forgoing a liveaboard cruise tour to travel the Galapagos independently:

• Price : This is the biggest advantage, as a DIY island hopping tour will always cost less than taking a liveaboard cruise.
• Flexibility : Independent travelers can do whatever they want, when they want. Sites are picked and chosen based on personal preference or how you’re feeling that day. There’s also no strict agenda to follow.
• Sites Visited : Day tours often visit some of the same amazing sites that cruises go to. Naysayers will mention that there are further flung islands liveaboard cruises can reach, in which day tours do not. That is true. But there are also some sites day tours visit that the liveaboard cruises do not go . Los Tuneles on Isabela Island is one example of that and it is an incredible place! Just take a look at our video below:

A DIY Island Hopping Example Galapagos Budget: Two Weeks

So what does a DIY Galapagos island hopping trip cost? Below shows sample prices that we incurred firsthand during our island hopping Galapagos trip in 2017. Update: costs in 2019 have mostly remained the same.

• Roundtrip flights to/from mainland Ecuador: $364 (including taxes & baggage)
• Mandatory fees to Galapagos: $120
• Breakfasts: $2-$5
• Lunches: $3-$6
• Dinners: $3-$10
• Day tours: $40-$135
• Scuba, 2 dives including equipment: $150
• Beer in a restaurant: $4
• Budget accommodation with A/C: $30 per night

Below shows our complete Galapagos island hopping budget for a 13-day trip . Note that prices listed here are per person and accommodation is based upon double occupancy.

Island Hopping Galapagos Budget Per Day

We were able to keep our daily expenses in the Galapagos less than $100 per person, per day ($1,129 spent ÷ 13 days = $86.85 per day). This included decent private accommodation, local seafood meals, splurging on a day tour about every other day, and even pursuing a full day of scuba diving.

Within this average, there were days that cost about $200 when we went scuba diving. On other days, we managed to spend less than $30 per person, going snorkeling from shore and relaxing on the beach. These two extremes averaged out to about $90 per person, per day.

Spending nearly $100 per day is certainly higher than typical travel expenses throughout South America and in most places around the world. Yet we are quite content at everything that a budget of $100 per day can attain in the Galapagos!

Island Hopping Galapagos Budget Breakdown: Day Tour Prices

The biggest expense with a DIY island hopping Galapagos trip is day tours. Including the scuba dives, we each spent about $700 on Galapagos day tours total. Ouch!

Day tours alone compose nearly half (43%) of our entire Galapagos budget. Accommodation and eating in the Galapagos can be cheap. But these pricey day tours really add up. Yet we found them to be largely worth the splurge.

Galapagos day tours tend to average about $100 per tour but do widely vary in price, higher and lower.

While Galapagos day tours can be expensive, they can prove to be extremely worthwhile experiences. We’d suggest budgeting to take a minimum of one day tour for each of the three main islands. For longer trips and bigger budgets, consider more, particularly so for the many day tours that depart Puerto Ayoro.

Finding the Best Deals on Galapagos Day Tour Prices

There are plenty of tour agencies all in each town in the Galapagos, particularly so in Puerto Ayora. This is where you go to inquire about day tours.

Similar to finding last-minute cruise deals, it’s worthwhile to price compare around a few different agencies before booking. Doing so can really help to stretch your Galapagos budget! Different agencies will offer the exact same day tour, often even on the same boat, at completely different prices. We found the price you’re offered can come down to how much commission the agent is willing to forgo to achieve the sale.

So how can you get the lowest prices on these Galapagos day tours?

Here are some tried and true methods we can recommend:

Book last minute day tours. We found the agencies tend to offer good prices the afternoon/evening before each tour began. Shop around from about 3:00-6:00 pm. Just be careful with this, because popular tours do fill up. So if there’s an in-demand tour that you’re really excited about, you may want to book further in advance. This holds particularly true during high season.

Ask for a deal . When entering a travel agency, be straightforward and ask if they have any promotions for tours tomorrow. This is a polite way to let the agent know immediately that you’re price-sensitive. Hopefully, they’ll offer you a good price.

Be flexible . Particularly with last-minute bookings, sometimes operators are anxious to fill particular boats, rather than do a tour with a few empty seats. As such, you’ll often find deals on a tour one day, but it may unavailable the next. So when a day tour deal comes up, jump on it even if it may alter what you had initially planned.

Book in numbers . Agencies tend to give bigger discounts to larger groups since they’re collecting multiple commissions. So if you make some friends who all want to take the same Galapagos day tour, visit an agency together and book as a group.

Book multiple tours . Some agencies are willing to cut you a deal if you book multiple tours together at once.

Book direct if possible. Most of the tour operators don’t have a way to book direct, which is why you rely on the tour agencies. But occasionally they do, particularly for scuba diving. Book your dives directly with the dive shop rather than through an agency.

Know the Galapagos day tour prices . It’s good to have some sort of idea how much each Galapagos day tour costs. We saw some Galapagos day tour prices to vary greatly between agencies. One agency quoted us a Bartolome day tour price of $200, while another offered it for $130. That’s quite the difference in price!

Galapagos Day Tour Prices & Best Tours To Take

Below are the most common day tours you’ll find offered on each of the main islands and the associated lowest price offered, updated for 2019 prices:

Isla Isabela Day Tour Prices & Advice

• Tintoreras half-day tour: $45
• Sierra Negra half-day volcano hike $35
• Tuneles (The Tunnels): $100

The Tunnels day tour is Isabela’s most expensive for a reason. It’s pretty incredible. The unique environment of the otherworldly sea tunnels is such an interesting sight to see. Yet standing on those rocks reveal blue-footed boobies atop the surface as sharks swim below. The nearby snorkeling spot further reveals some sharks, turtles, seahorses, and possibly penguins for those who are lucky. If only doing a single tour on Isabela, this is one to splash the cash.

See video below to get some idea of what the Tunnels day tour is like.

Yet with Isabela’s other two main tours being less than $50, these are both worth pursuing too. The half-day snorkeling tour of Tintoreras boasts an environment with some of most turtles we encountered in the Galapagos. Trekking the Sierra Negra volcano can prove to be an invigorating diversion away from the many oceanic activities. And it’s a deal well-worth pursuing at $35.

Isla San Cristobal Day Tour Prices & Advice

• Kicker Rock snorkeling day tour: $90
• San Cristobal 360 Tour (includes snorkeling Kicker Rock): $135

Kicker Rock is a premier snorkeling and dive site in the Galapagos accessible by day tour. Some say it’s the best and we can’t argue. The famed rocks jutting out of the ocean are awe-inspiring on their own. Yet it’s the vast marine life that can be found while snorkeling though them that further amazes. Kicker Rock is one of the only day tour snorkeling trips where hammerhead sharks are known to frequent. We suggest a visit to Kicker Rock as a must-do. There are two different day tours to get there.

While on San Cristobal, choose either the Kicker Rock day tour or the San Cristobal 360 tour, not both. The San Cristobal 360 Tour is a boat trip that goes entirely around the island, with several interesting stops along the way, culminating with snorkeling at Kicker Rock for about 30 minutes. Yet the Kicker Rock tours allow much more time snorkeling at Kicker Rock, which may be preferred. So decide if you’d rather have more time at this awesome site or a more full day tour to see more of the island. You really can’t go wrong either way.

Isla Santa Cruz Day Tour Prices & Advice

• Isla Pinzon: $100
• Sante Fe day tour: $110
• Seymour day tour: $130
• Plazas day tour: $130
• Bartolome day tour: $130+
• Floreana day tour: $150
• Diving: Seymour/Daphne (2 dives) $150
• Diving: Gordon Rocks (2 dives) $180

Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz has, by far, the most day tours on offer. We’ve gone on most of them and they’re all great. It’s tough to suggest one over another. Additionally, the marine life experienced will vary with each trip. Rather than steering people towards one tour over another, we’d suggest for those traveling the Galapagos on a budget to pursue a good day tour deal that may be offered. The agencies in Puerto Ayora are happy to sit down with travelers to explain the details of each tour, along with up-to-date pricing for a last-minute sale.

🙋‍♂️ Help other travelers! Those who are venturing to the Galapagos are relying on this price information to help plan their trip. So please come back by to help them with the small effort of chiming in the comments section with the day tour prices you found while in the Galapagos. Gracias!

Take Advantage of the Many Free Things to Do in the Galapagos!

The best way to cut Galapagos expenses is to not take a day tour every day.

Thankfully for those trying to experience the Galapagos on a shoestring, there is a surprising amount of free things to do in the Galapagos. These free activities can really help to lower costs. Below is a roundup of what we found to be some of the best free things to do in the Galapagos :

Free Beaches in the Galapagos

Visitors can find amazing free beaches in the Galapagos to bask on, snorkel, or even go surfing! Scheduling some beach days into a Galapagos independent itinerary can be a nice relaxing break in between many excursions. And it can also be a nice break for your budget!

Best Beach in the Galapagos : The beach at Tortuga Bay made Tripadvisor’s list in for Top 10 Beaches in the World, and deservedly so! Pictured above, Tortuga Bay is a pleasant 45-minute walk down a path from Puerto Ayora on an easily-traversed trail. It’s never very crowded either. Beach bums in the Galapagos should not miss this place!

Here are some other Galapagos beaches you can easily access for free:

More Free Beaches on Santa Cruz:   Playa de La Estacion (on the way to Darwin Center) and Playa Los Alemanes (take a quick $0.80 water taxi from the ferry docks) are small but easily accessible beaches from Puerto Ayora.

Free Beach on Isla Isabela: Puerto Villamil Beach . Just walk towards the ocean from anywhere in town to find this long sandy stretch. Puerto Villamil Beach also boasts a lookout and marine iguanas.

Free Beaches on San Cristobal: La Loberia is a forty-minute walk from town to this beach that has many sea lions and surfers. Playa Mann is closer to town with cheap food vendors and nice sunsets. Punta Carola is a pretty beach that’s a short hike into the National Park area. Yet continue further to find the secluded Playa Baquerizo .

Free Snorkeling in the Galapagos

Visitors can also find some great free snorkeling in the Galapagos. Isla San Cristobal has most free snorkeling sites. (And the best, in our opinion.) Yet all of the three main islands have some great snorkeling sites that you can jump right into, entirely for free!

On Isla Santa Cruz , be sure to go snorkeling through the lava canyon that is Las Grietas . It’s just a 1-minute water taxi ride ($0.80) across the harbor, then a quick walk, to experience what is the most unique free snorkeling site in the Galapagos.

On Isla Isabela , try the Concha de Perla. By snorkeling in this lagoon, visitors often encounter penguins, sea lions, rays and even sharks!

On San Cristobal : Be sure to take a peek under the surface at both Las  Tijeretas and Playa Loberia  in San Cristobal. We saw sea lions, turtles, octopus, and lots of fish. This video gives an example of what the marine life you can see for free doing shore snorkeling in San Cristobal.

Free Hiking in the Galapagos

There are some nice free hikes in the Galapagos to embark on. Most hikes through the Galapagos are fairly short, but some do extend beyond a few kilometers. Hiking in the Galapagos is a nice reminder that there’s much beauty to see above the surface too!

On Isla Santa Cruz there are a few short hikes you can take from Puerto Ayora:

• Just North of Puerto Ayora, you can find El Mirador de Tuneles which is the only free lava tunnel site in the Galapagos we know of (usually they’re on private property and ~$3 admission is charged).
• Los Gemelos in the highlands has a few kilometers of trails to view the collapsed craters.
• There’s a very short stroll along the boardwalks of Lagunas de las Ninfas .
• The trail to get to the aforementioned beach at Tortuga Bay makes for a nice 40-minute walk to the beach.
• Also, the Darwin Center has a mile-long trail just before its entrance.

On Isla Isabela  take the short hike across the boardwalk at Lagunas Salinas  where you’re almost certain to come across some flamingos. Trek along further to see the Wall of Tears .

Isla San Cristobal has the most hiking opportunities, easily accessible from town. We recommend the rocky and rugged hike (shoes required) from Playa Loberia to Barranco , where you’ll step over marine iguana until reaching a steep cliff where blue-footed boobies hang out. The well-maintained network of trails that climb atop Cerro Tijeratas begins at the San Cristobal interpretive, which you can use to trek to free beaches, free snorkeling, and a fantastic lookout point.

Free Tortoise Breeding Centers

Each populated island in the Galapagos has its own tortoise-breeding center that can be toured for free. The breeding centers on Isabela and Santa Cruz can be easily reached by walking, so those are perhaps best for those traveling to the Galapagos on a budget since no taxi expense is incurred.

Free Tortoise Breeding Center on Santa Cruz:  Go to the Darwin Center to see the giants from Puerto Ayora.

Free Tortoise Breeding Center on Isla Isabela: Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza can be easily reached from Puerto Villamil by taking the trail that crosses Lagunas Salinas.

Free Tortoise Breeding Center on Isla San Cristobal:  The Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado is the breeding center on San Cristobal but it requires a taxi to visit.

Free Museums in the Galapagos

There are also a handful of museums to check out with an entry cost of $0! A bonus point is that many of the Galapagos museums are air-conditioned. This can provide some much-needed relief while walking around the islands in the hot afternoon weather. The Darwin Center is the most famous of the free museums. Yet our favorite was the information-filled interpretive center on San Cristobal.

Free Museums on Isla Santa Cruz: The Darwin Center is a must-visit museum in the Galapagos. There’s also a little, lesser-visited  museum of renewable energy just before the trail to Tortuga Way.

Free Museum on Isla Isabela: The tortoise breeding center contains a small museum all about these gigantic reptiles.

Free Museum on Isla San Cristobal: The  San Cristobal Interpretive Center is the most informative free museum of them all in the Galapagos.

Where to Find Wildlife for Free in the Galapagos

There are many free wildlife viewing opportunities, even near the towns throughout the Galapagos. Sea lions and marine iguanas are most present. Yet those who know where to look may even be able to find penguins and blue-footed boobies, without spending on a tour.

Here’s where to find some of the Galapagos’s more notorious residents without spending a dime:

Sea Lions : Everywhere . They can easily be found lying around the docks and beaches of all the Galapagos islands. Yet they were most thick in San Cristobal. You can even swim with sea lions at Playa La Loberia and Las Tijeteras on San Cristobal.

Penguins : Among the three main islands, Isabela is the only one where these tuxedo-clad birds hang out. We saw them swimming around the ferry docks  of Puerto Villamil, but they’re also known to frequent  Concha de Perla and Puerto Villamil Beach.

Tortoises : The only place that we saw truly wild tortoises while in the Galapagos was in the Santa Cruz Highlands . You can easily explore this area with an inexpensive bike rental. Otherwise, you can find semi-wild tortoises in the El Chato sanctuary which has a mere $5 entry fee.

Marine Iguanas : Everywhere . You’ll almost trip over them at most beaches and even the ferry docks.

Flamingos : You’ll find these pink birds feeding in the shallow waters of Lagunas Salinas on Isla Isabela.

Sea Turtles : While it’s possible to see them at any of the free snorkeling spots, the only free snorkeling site we saw a sea turtle was at Playa La Loberia on San Cristobal .

Blue-footed boobies : The only spot we found these famed Galapagos birds without a day tour was on San Cristobal at the end of the trek to Barranco. Take a look around the edge of the cliffs to find those funny birds.

Galapagos Budget Breakdown: Food & Drink Prices

Eating in the Galapagos can be surprisingly affordable for those who know where to look.

Cheap Eats for Dinner in the Galapagos

Most restaurants in the Galapagos appealing to tourists are on the pricier spectrum. Expect to pay about $20 per person for a decent meal at a midrange restaurant. There is plenty of American/International/Western food from pizza to cheeseburgers to sushi. It’s all rather expensive. Instead, we suggest enjoying the delicious local seafood found throughout the islands!

By sticking to the local seafood, it’s easy to find plentiful dinners around all the populated islands for well under $10 per meal. A well-known area to partake in cheap eats in Puerto Ayora is the food kiosks that are strung all along Charles Binford street . Here, you’ll find delicious full fish dinners starting at $10. Any of the greeters with menus will eagerly give you some suggestions, vying for your business. But instead of taking menu holders suggestions, look for the set dinner deals written on whiteboards, and cost even less!

Know About Meriendas for the Cheapest Local Dinners

These set meal specials on the whiteboards are called “meriendas.” These meriendas are 2-course dinners that include juice for $4 . The greeters with menus generally don’t like to point out the meriendas, so be observant to look for them and seek them out.

Also, if opting for the merienda, diners are sat at a table inside with the locals, rather than out on the street with other tourists. Merienda options usually range among fish and shrimp, which are either fried, grilled, or smothered in a tasty garlic sauce. They are always filling, delicious, and of exceptional value for a mere $4!

On Isla Isabela, meriendas can also be found on the main street, Antonio Gil, for slightly more than in Puerto Ayora. The going rate for a set dinner on Isabel ranges from $4-$8.

The merienda dinner deals are less prevalent on San Cristobal, although there are plenty of cheap eats on San Cristobal too. Yet instead of eating meriendas in San Cristobal, try the food vendors at Playa Mann who grill up a variety of things-on-a-stick around lunchtime and sunset.

For Cheap Lunches in the Galapagos: Eat Almuerzos

Any day tour in the Galapagos includes your lunch. Keep that in mind to help justify the high costs of day tours. Sometimes lunch may consist of a mediocre tuna fish sandwich, while other instances you may be delighted with some delicious freshly prepared ceviche like this.

Yet when not on a day tour, you’ll want to find a way to keep your lunchtime expenses low. For that, you can find set menus referred to as “almuerzos.” These almuerzos are composed similarly to the meriendas mentioned above.

For prices starting at $3.50, you’ll get an enormous bowl of soup, a main dish with seafood & sides, and a fresh-squeezed juice ! These are excellent lunchtime meal deals that can also be a great way to immerse with the local crowd, rather than the overpriced tourist restaurants.

Budget Breakfasts in the Galapagos

It’s important to eat a good breakfast in the Galapagos before those long day tours. Often lunches during tours tend to be later in the afternoon, so don’t skip on the breakfast. Many of the restaurants serve typical American and English breakfasts for $10 and up. Instead, eat local.

First off, there are some decent bakeries throughout the Galapagos that have interesting pastries. Go the night before and grab some sweet chocolate bread or cheese-filled rolls to snack on the following morning. Restaurants tend to open late in the Galapagos (after 8:00 or 9:00 am), and many of the day tours and ferries leave well before that. So bakeries are not only an economical option. It may be the only option for breakfast. So plan accordingly to stock up on the croissants on the night before.

For Isabela, there’s a bakery on the main street, $1 per item. In Puerto Ayora, the supermarket may be your best bet with pastries $0.50-$0.80. On San Cristobal, the Sabor Cuencano bakery has the best baked goods in all of the Galapagos and prices each item at about $0.60.

There are some local restaurants offering more complete breakfasts in the $4-$6 range. Be sure to get the set breakfasts for the best value. The only problem is that these cafes and restaurants often aren’t open early enough before a day tour or morning ferry. So such places are better options for leisurely mornings. Try the bolon, a ball of plantains & cheese that is a local specialty in coastal Ecuador and a personal favorite of ours!

Descanso Del Guia (by the ferry docks in Puerto Ayora)   sells delicious bolons to-go in a plastic bag for $2, which is nice if in a hurry. Or sit down there for a full breakfast for just a few bucks more.

Another cheap breakfast option we can recommend in Puerto Ayora is the outdoor café at the ferry docks. The friendly guy behind the counter will make you a simple, yet great,  grilled cheese sandwich (toastie) plus a coffee for $2.50 . It’s the perfect pre-ferry breakfast snack.

How To Drink in the Galapagos on a Budget

One expense not previously meticulously itemized in the Galapagos budget is the cost of drinking, whether that be for water or beers. That’s because drinking can be a great place to scale back when traveling Galapagos on a budget, as you don’t need to spend much at all in this area. There is usually free water at most (not all) decent hotels and hostels. And booze in the Galapagos can be pricey, so it can best to save the partying for back in mainland Ecuador.

Although we love to drink around the world, drinking alcohol in the Galapogos can become an expensive proposition. Boozing isn’t really what you come all the way to the Galapagos for. Aside from the occasional cold cerveza or two at the end of a long hot day, there’s really not a strong urge to party on the islands. Personally, we were exhausted from a full day’s worth of activities and fun in the sun and would want to be fresh for the next early morning of adventure.

Use Happy Hours to Save on Cocktails

It’s not unusual to see $10 cocktails at Galapagos bars and restaurants. Drink prices can be much higher than that at swanky places. Thankfully some bars in the Galapagos do have long happy hours. Two-for-$10 drinks are the most prevalent happy hour deal in the Galapagos. The cheapest cocktail prices we found was a three-for-$10 happy hour at a handful of places in Puerto Ayora.

If you’re a real boozer, it could prove worthwhile to bring a bottle with you from the mainland. Although liquor is sold at the supermarkets at the Galapagos, expect to pay at least $50 for lower-end bottles.

Beer in Galapagos is More Economical

Beers tend to be a more thrifty way to wind down the day. $4 for a cerveza grande (large, 750-ml, bottle of beer) is fairly standard at most restaurants, although some charge more. Better yet, go to the supermarket to get a cold beer for even less and enjoy it on the beach. When you’re finished, just be sure to return the bottle and you’ll get back a $0.50 deposit for each one.

On Isla San Cristobal, you’ll find what is the first microbrewery in the Galapagos . Endémica brews up a blonde ale that is a refreshing change from Ecuador’s two main national beers you’ll see everywhere throughout the Galapagos. It’s possible to visit Endémica during daytime hours to buy this Galapagos craft beer to-go for $2 per bottle . It’s a tiny operation and not really a place to hang out and drink beer. Yet it can be an interesting detour for any beer nerds out there or to get some decent local beer on the cheap. Otherwise, Endémica beer is priced $4-$7 in most restaurants throughout the Galapagos.

Drinking Water Adds Up But Doesn’t Have To

Drinking water is often provided complimentary from big jugs at hotels and hostels in the Galapagos. Meanwhile, the price of a liter bottle of water can range around $1-$2. You’ll go through many of those plastic bottles during a hot Galapagos day, so having access to drinking water can help to save money and be more environmentally-friendly.

Refilling bottles at your hotel can accrue a savings of $5 per day. It may not seem like much but that adds up to a net savings of $140 for a couple on a two-week Galapagos trip.

Don’t fret if your accommodation doesn’t provide drinking water. You can find the big 6-liter bottles for less than $2 in the supermarkets in the Galapagos. Since the 1-liter bottles are often nearly the same price as 6-liter bottles, it can be well worth it to buy the 6-liter bottles and use them to refill smaller 1-liter bottles.

Where to Buy Cheap Ferry Tickets for $25 Instead of $30  

Ferry tickets cannot be purchased directly with the ferry at the dock. Instead, ferry tickets must be purchased from an agency. It’s a set price of $30 one-way, regardless of the island being traveled to.

But there’s one and only one agency throughout all the islands that book ferry tickets for $25 instead. Go see the ladies at the kiosk, right between the church and the supermarket, located right about here . That’s conveniently just across from the ferry docks in Puerto Ayora. There’s a sign that says “Cristine” below another sign that says “Operadora Turistica Travel Agency.” The picture below to help you find it. It saves you $5 per ferry ticket, so booking these tickets for $25 instead of $30 will ultimately save a couple $50 if taking multiple ferries throughout the islands.

( Note: a reader has reported that the Cristine sign may longer be there, but the $25 tickets at this booth are still available as of July 2019.) 

Another way to save on ferry tickets is to buy roundtrip. In this case, most all agencies will honor a rate of $50 or $55 for return tickets.

Galapagos Budget Breakdown: Accommodation

It is very possible to find decent and inexpensive places to stay all throughout the Galapagos. $30 per night can achieve a clean room in a great location in Puerto Ayora with air conditioning, private bathroom with hot water shower , and even satellite TV. Wifi was usually pretty bad or non-existent, so don’t expect to stay connected. Despite that minor annoyance, we were pretty impressed with the budget accommodation in the Galapagos.

You can just as easily find some rather expensive places if you do want to spend more, but we found the budget-friendly accommodations to be very adequate. We always prefer to spend more on doing things, rather than sleeping.

For those who are backpacking Galapagos on a shoestring, you can find dorm beds around $10/night or even free couchsurfing. Yet, given that you can share a decent hotel room for $15 per person, per night, we recommend going that route.

Is Air Conditioning Necessary in the Galapagos?

Some of the budget accommodation in the Galapagos are equipped with air conditioning. Others only have a fan. So are those fan rooms viable in the heat?

Despite the extremely hot temps during the day, it usually cools off to about 66-70° F (19-21° C) at night. Having air conditioning is nice. Yet we felt comfortable at night in a few of the non-A/C rooms that had fans only. You’ll have to decide that for yourself. Rooms without A/C tend to be the least expensive. So choosing a room without A/C can be a good way to save and there are still some nice affordable places with fan-only rooms. So don’t rule them out entirely.

Booking Hotels in Advance vs Booking Upon Arrival

It can be possible to find slightly cheaper room rates by booking upon arrival, rather than booking online in advance.

However, there are some very compelling reasons to book in advance . For one, all of the best do get booked up full in advance, particularly so during busier periods. It’s imperative to book in advance to lock in a good rate at some of the Galapagos’s best budget accommodation.

Yet perhaps an even more dire reason to book in advance is that as of 2017, a new Galapagos regulation require s visitors to have accommodation reservations . When showing passports and filling out the necessary entry paperwork at the airport, it is now also mandated to show proof of accommodation reservation.

This new regulation mandates visitors have advanced bookings for the entire length of stay in the Galapagos. In practice, many Galapagos travelers report that officials are only checking for reservations for a least the first night. Still, it’s best to follow the official rules and book for the entire stay, just in case. If you want travel plans to remain flexible, book Galapagos accommodation that has a free cancelation policy.

With this new hotel reservation requirement, we have scouted out a few of the most economical and best value places to book online , as of 2019. So you don’t have to scour through all the different website to find the best deals. But first, let’s examine the best booking sites to use in the Galapagos.

The Best Sites to Book Cheap Accommodation in the Galapagos

Most regions around the world seem to have a dominant site that is best for booking accommodation. But in the Galapagos, the best deals really tend to vary across different booking sites and across the different islands. Here’s what we found:

Booking.com seems to have the biggest inventory of places to stay in the Galapagos and often the lowest prices. (In only a few instances Expedia/Hotels.com offers lower prices.)

Airbnb is an interesting option for the Galapagos. While we typically only use the site to rent rooms or full apartments, there are quite a few hostels and actual bed & breakfasts listed on Airbnb in the Galapagos, with some great prices. And if you’ve never used Airbnb before, you can use this coupon to save $40 off your Galapagos booking !

Hostelworld has only a few good deals that make the most sense for solo travelers. Couples are often charged double the price for the same room. We use Hostelworld in many places around the world, but it’s not the best in the Galapagos.

Budget Accommodation in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Hotel España – We stayed here for 5 nights and recommend.

I don’t think you can find any centrally located hotel in the Galapagos with A/C, private bathroom, hot water shower, and even satellite TV for only $35 per night. This hotel is a steal. It’s also in perhaps the best location in Puerto Ayora. It is surrounded by restaurants & tour agencies. It’s also just a few blocks from the ferries and supermarket. The $35 nightly rate is the current price for economic rooms, which are pretty small but suited us just fine. Standard and deluxe rooms (nicer) are also available online but at a slightly higher price. Currently, the best price to book an economic room is on HostelWorld: Check prices here .

Yet for a nicer Standard Room, we’ve found the best rates on Hotels.com, starting at $42/night .

It’s such fantastic value in the Galapagos for a centrally located hotel w/ air-conditioning included!

🏨 Cheapest Rates : Galapagos Dove has what we find to be among the cheapest private rooms of any decent hotel in Puerto Ayora. Rates start at $30 per night. Check current prices.

🏨 Inexpensive Apartment Rental : Patty Hospedaje – The big rooms at these private apartments are spacious and having a kitchen can help to keep meal costs low. The onsite pool can be heavenly to return to in the afternoon heat. The only downside to staying here is a somewhat inconvenient location. But free bikes help to make up for that! Yet perhaps the best thing is the value – they often offer deals for private one-bedroom apartments for less than $35 per night. Check prices for your dates .

🏨 Affordable Comfort : La Mirada del Solitario George – If you don’t mind a 15-minute walk to the main part of town, this is an excellent option for inexpensive private rooms with air conditioning that receives stellar reviews. Booking.com tends to give discounts on certain dates – check current deals here .

🏨 Great Find: Hospedaje Germania : Boasts a prime location, consistent rave reviews, nice rooms, low-ish prices of about $40/night and even has air-conditioning. What more do you need, really? Check rates for Germania on Booking .

Cheap Accommodation in Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela

🏨 Cheapest Rates: Hospedaje Neptuno   currently has the lowest rates for anywhere on Isla Isabela that can be booked online. It’s a good location and decent rooms. Travelers requiring no-frills will likely be plenty comfortable here. But there have been some complaints about the lack of staff presence, hot water, and minor cleanliness issues. So those who want to ensure comfort may be best spending more to book elsewhere. Check the latest reviews here .

🏨 Great Guesthouse : Hospedaje Sarita is a great centrally located guesthouse to stay at on Isla Isabela with affordable rates and local touches. Yet there’s only one single room here. So once it’s booked, it’s gone. Check availability .

🏨 Cheap Hotel w/ AC: Cerro Azul – For an economical hotel with A/C in Isabela, we suggest Cerro Azul. You’ll pay a bit more than the other recommendations, but it may be worth it. Check Cerro Azul rates on Booking here .

Cheap Accommodation in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal

🏨 Hostal Suiza – This lovely place has among the lowest rates on the island. We stayed there and recommend Hostal Suiza without any hesitations. It’s centrally located, very clean & comfortable, and has friendly hosts. Their $30 rooms (like this twin room , this second twin room , and this room with a double bed ) have no A/C, yet we kept perfectly cool with the ceiling fans. This $45 suite has A/C and further includes a full private kitchen! So you can keep costs down by cooking your own meals. Hostal Suiza is listed on Booking, but the lowest rates can be found on Airbnb. (Those new to Airbnb can save $40 with this coupon. )

🏨 Hostal Terito – This is another great option on Isabela. We met travelers staying here who said it was their favorite place they’ve stayed in all of South America and it has hundreds of similar reviews to back that up. This is of particularly great value for solo travelers who can find private rooms on Booking for just above $20. Couples will pay more, but it’s still good value. Search your dates here on Booking .

🏨 Casa de Jeimy – For a budget room with A/C, consider Casa de Jeimy. It receives similarly great reviews, is about the same price, and has an awesome rooftop terrace to watch the sunset after a long day in the sun. You can find the best rates for Casa de Jeimy on Booking .

Sample Itinerary for a DIY Galapagos Budget Trip

Now that you understand the free things to do from land, the worthwhile Galapagos day tours to take, where to find cheap, accommodation, the lowest ferry tickets, and where the cheap eats are, lets now put that all together to form a land-based Galapagos itinerary.

Use the following Galapagos itinerary suggestion as a base for idea formation. Then tailor to your specific interests and your budget. The following example Galapagos itineraries are budget-friendly and less expensive than liveaboard cruises of the same length. Yet those who are really attempting to travel the Galapagos on a shoestring may want to consider fewer day tours than what’s proposed in the following land-based itinerary.

So how much time to spend in the Galapagos? If spending the money and time to get to the Galapagos, we’d suggest a bare minimum of at least five days. Yet a one-week or two-week itinerary in the islands is much more ideal and possible to do on a budget.

Five Days in the Galapagos DIY Land-Based Itinerary

Day 1 : Fly into Baltra airport by mid-day. Take a series of ferry, taxi, bus to Puerto Ayora. Get situated at your hotel, explore the town, visit tourism agencies to book a day tour for tomorrow, and eat a merienda for dinner.

Day 2 : Eat a quick breakfast and take a day tour to Pinzon, Sante Fe, Bartolome, or Plazas ($100-$150).

Day 3 : Pursue free activities! Visit the Darwin Center, have a cheap  almuerzo for lunch, go snorkeling at Las Grietas, and if time permits take the 45-minute walk to the beautiful beach of Tortuga Bay (closes at 5:00 pm.) Book another day tour for tomorrow.

Day 4 : Take another day tour. Again, consider the trips to Pinzon, Sante Fe, Bartolome, or Plazas ($100-$150).

Day 5 : Pursue cheap activities on Isla Santa Cruz. Get a half-day bike rental ($10) and have a truck taxi ($20) take you and your bikes to Los Gemelos, a collapsed crater in the middle of the island for a look. Bike down to El Chato – Giant Tortoise Reserve ($3). Then cycle to the Lava Tunnels of Bellavisita before returning on bike to Puerto Ayora. With any extra time in the afternoon, hit up a beach or relax.

One Week in the Galapagos DIY Island Hopping Itinerary

With one week in the Galapagos, follow the above itinerary in Santa Cruz, basing yourself in Puerto Ayora, then head to San Cristobal island. We suggest 4-5 nights in Puerto Ayora and 2-3 nights in Isla de San Cristobal.

Day 6 : Take the morning ferry ($25-$30) to Isla de San Cristobal. Drop bags at hotel/hostel and pursue free activities. Walk or take a taxi to Playa Loberia ($2) to trek from there Barranco to find blue-footed boobies. Return to Playa Loberia for snorkeling in the bay. Have lunch in town or a Playa Mann before continuing onto the San Cristobal Interpretive Center. Hike to Las Tijeretas for more snorkeling. (Note: this is an aggressive plan.)

Day 7 : Take the San Cristobal 360 tour or the Kicker Rock day tour. Depart directly from the San Cristobal airport in the late afternoon or next day.

Two Weeks in the Galapagos DIY Island Hopping Itinerary

With two weeks in the Galapagos, follow the 5-day itinerary for Santa Cruz, and spend one more day there before taking a ferry to Isla Isabela and ultimately departing from San Cristobal. In total, 6 nights in Puerto Ayora, 4 nights on Isla Isabela, and 4 nights on San Cristobal.

Day 6 : For Scuba divers, consider booking a dive to Daphne ($150) or Gordon Rocks ($180) for a good chance to see hammerheads. Or take another day tour you haven’t done yet. Or just relax and pursue some of the aforementioned experiences you may not have had a chance to do.

Day 7 : Take the morning ferry to Isla Isabela. Do the Tintoreras half-day boat tour ($45) to snorkel with loads of sea turtles.

Day 8 : Spend the morning on the Sierra Negra half-day volcano hiking tour ($35). In the afternoon, cool off at the beach.

Day 9 : Pursue free activities! Take a short hike across the boardwalk at Lagunas Salinas to spot wild flamingos, visit the tortoise breeding center, trek further to see the Wall of Tears. In the afternoon go snorkeling in Concha de Perla for a rare chance to possibly swim with penguins.

Day 10 : Take the Los Tuneles Day Tour. ($100)

Day 11 : Long travel day. It requires two separate ferries ($25-$30, each) to travel from Isla Isabela to San Cristobal. So take the morning ferry from Isla Isabela back to Puerto Ayora. Then transfer to the afternoon ferry from Puerto Ayora to Isla San Cristobal. Relax at the beach for sunset. (Alternatively, there’s a small plane flight between these islands, which will save time at the trade-off a much higher cost.)

Day 12 : Free activities! Walk or take a taxi ($2) to Playa Loberia to trek from there to Barranco, where you can find blue-footed boobies. Return to Playa Loberia for snorkeling in the bay. Have lunch in town or at the Playa Mann food stalls before continuing onto the San Cristobal Interpretive Center. Hike to Las Tijeretas for more snorkeling.

Day 13 : Take the San Cristobal 360 tour ($135) or the Kicker Rock day tour ($90).

Day 14 : Final day! Use this as a flexible day to pad your two-week itinerary. Maybe it rains one day, seas are rough, or you just grew tired. So you’ll need an extra day to fit in everything. It’s a good idea to have an extra day to use however you may deem fit. San Cristobal has what we find to be the best and most free activities, so it can be a good idea to plan a flexible day here. Go slower and split up some of the aforementioned suggestions. Enjoy the magical Galapagos Islands!

Pack These Things Before You Arrive in the Galapagos to Save!

You can find just about anything you may need in the Galapagos. But you’ll pay a premium for it since almost everything has the added expense of being flown in.

If you’re trying to do the Galapagos on a budget, it pays dividends to stock up on essentials in advance and bring them with you. This holds particularly true for sunscreen, which is crazy expensive in the Galapagos! Be sure to pack lots of it. Meanwhile, masks & snorkel sets tend to cost about $100 on the islands. Even on mainland Ecuador, expect to pay close to $60 for a questionable-quality mask, like the one below we saw in Quito.

So here’s a packing checklist of things to ensure you bring to the Galapagos so you don’t overspend once you’re here.

These Athletic Sandals Are Perfect for the Galapagos : In the Galapagos, you’ll constantly be changing from beaches to walking over rough terrain like rugged lava rocks. Rather than continue to change back and forth between shoes and flip-flops, these Columbia Athletic Sandals make for the perfect hybrid between the two. They’ve got the traction, durability and grip of sneakers, yet the comfort of a sandal. I was so glad I had these and highly recommend. They’ve become my favorite pair of flip flops I’ve ever owned.

More Packing Tips : See our Ultimate Packing Checklist , which shows everything that we traveled to the Galapagos with.

⚠️ And Don’t Forget To Buy Travel Insurance!

We always recommend travel insurance whenever roaming around South America. And for the far-flung Galapagos, it can prove to be particularly useful. There is even discussion in Ecuador politics about having mandatory health insurance and emergency medical coverage a mandatory requirement for entering the Galapagos. For now, such an insurance requirement has been delayed, although it is expected to potentially be enforced in the future.

Still, don’t travel to the Galapagos without it. Given all the outdoor and water-based activities, there’s certainly plenty of room for risk of injury way out in these remote islands. But having travel insurance will also protect you by covering other unexpected heavy expenses such as tripping on a rock, dealing with lost baggage, emergency evacuation from way out there, trip cancelation, an unexpected illness, missed connections, theft, and so much more.

During our trip, we thwarted off a sea lion attack (see video below!) Thankfully we were not injured and I departed the Galapagos with all my fingers. But medical expenses from a sea lion attack would add up quickly if we did not have coverage from travel insurance!

We use World Nomads as we find they tend to have the best mix of coverage and cost. We’ve been happy with the outcome of the many claims we filed with them too. For the Galapagos, we recommend their Explorer plan, since snorkeling is not a covered activity in their Standard plan. Just enter your travel dates here to get a quick quote .

How To Find a Cheap Flight to the Galapagos 

In addition to the expense of day tours, the other pricey line item to try to minimize is airfare to the Galapagos. There are three airlines and only two airports to book a flight to the Galapagos, without the need for changing planes:

• Guayaquil, Ecuador, and
• Quito (which stops at Guayaquil in route to the Galapagos)

There are many things to consider when attempting to book the lowest-priced flight to the Galapagos:

• Book a Flight to Galapagos or Fly To Ecuador First
• Book Round-trip or One-way

What Airports to Fly Into and Out Of

• Which Airlines to Fly
• What Site Is Cheapest to Book On
• When To Book

💡 Book a window seat – it can be a pretty flight with clear weather.

Book A Flight to Galapagos or Fly To Ecuador First?

Don’t only search for a flight from your home airport directly to the Galapagos. While sometimes that can yield attractive, usually you can find lower fares by booking a flight to Ecuador, specifically to Quito, then booking a separate flight to the Galapagos. Plus, it’s worth doing it that way to spend a few days in Quito . There’s so much to do in Ecuador’s capital. (Read  in a new tab: 20 Best Things to Do in Quito .)

However, just realize that when attempting to book flights directly from the US, Europe, and elsewhere to the Galapagos – you are likely going to sustain at least 2 (possibly 3 or more) layovers. For this reason, we instead recommend flying to Quito first and spending a few days there if you have the time .

There are two airports in the Galapagos that serve flights from mainland Ecuador:

• Seymour Airport (AKA Baltra, airport code: GPS) and
• San Cristobal Airport (airport code: SCY).

Seymour Airport (GPS) is technically on Baltra Island but serves as the airport for Santa Cruz. This is the airport that is used to reach the biggest city in the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora, where you can find the most tours and last minute cruises. As a result, it receives the most flights into the Galapagos.

This is also the island that acts as a ferry hub, as it is the only island that has ferry connections to the other three islands we mentioned earlier. For this reason, we recommend flying into GPS .

If you’re planning to do a cruise tour of the Galapagos, most tours begin and end on Baltra / Santa Cruz, so it would make sense to fly in and out of GPS.

If you’re planning to do a DIY island hopping trip around the Galapagos, it can make sense to fly into GPS and fly out of SCY. That way, if visiting San Cristobal, you’ll save yourself the time and money of a return ferry trip from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz.

Do note the ground transportation costs and logistics flying into GPS (Baltra). It requires a bus ($5) + ferry ($1) + either another bus ($5) or taxi ($25) to get from the airport to Puerto Ayora. Getting to/from the airport in San Cristobal is much more simplistic, as it’s close to town and a taxi to the airport costs just a few dollars.

Book Round-trip or One-way to the Galapagos

If breaking up your flights by flying to Quito first, you’ll likely find a cheaper fare by flying round-trip to Quito.

But when booking your airfare from Quito to the Galapagos, consider booking two separate one-way tickets . Here’s why:

First of all, you can mix and match airlines this way. Perhaps one airline has a cheaper fare or a better time on the way to the Galapagos, but a competing airline has a lower-priced or more convenient return fare. There tends to be no cost savings when booking round-trip from Ecuador to the Galapagos. So it can prove very beneficial to book two separate one-way tickets on two separate airlines. We saved a few hundred dollars on our airfare doing it this way.

Secondly, by booking two one-way tickets, you now have the ability to fly into and out of two different airports, which is ideal for a DIY island-hopping itinerary as it will save time and money of backtracking using ferries.

Which Airline to Fly to the Galapagos

There are three airlines that fly from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos.

• LATAM (formerly LAN)

All three are fairly comparable in terms of quality of service. For those traveling to the Galapagos on a budget, we simply suggest choosing whichever airline has the best price and/or schedule for your Galapagos trip. Yet if prices are similar across the board, we’d suggest Avianca and LATAM over TAME, based on our experience flying with these airlines.

Lowest Price Flights to Galapagos

Each of the three airlines fly from Ecuador into both Galapagos airports. Prices do vary depending on dates, booking time, and general rate fluctuations. Yet aim to spend about $200, each way, on flights from mainland Ecuador to either airport in the Galapagos.

At the time this article was last updated (July 2019), here are the lowest airfare prices from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos for each of the four routes:

• Quito to Baltra (GPS): $213 | Return: $230
• Guayaquil to Baltra (GPS): $189 | Return: $215
• Quito to San Cristobal $176 | Return: $168
• Guayaquil to San Cristobal: $182 | Return: $175

Search Skyscanner for up-to-date prices.

What Site Is Cheapest to Book a Galapagos Budget Flight

For the Galapagos, we found searching with Skyscanner  to provide some of the best real prices. Often searching Skyscanner yields lower prices than searching the airlines directly. Note: Skyscanner is just a metasearch and will ultimately link to a booking site (Expedia, the airline, etc.), where you can complete your transaction.

Also, Skyscanner conveniently omits the misleading lower Ecuadorian-only prices that the searches on Kayak and Google Flights show.

When To Book A Cheap Flight To Galapagos

We recommend booking your flights to the Galapagos as soon as possible in order to secure the best rate. The airfare prices tend to rise based on demand. Typically, booking at least a month or two in advance will still achieve getting the lowest available price, except for high-demand periods such as dates around Christmas.

Check airfare prices now .

Why Plan Stopovers in Quito and Guayaquil?

It can be a very wise idea to plan stopovers in mainland Ecuador on the way in or out of the Galapagos. If booking separate tickets, having at least a night or two in mainland Ecuador can be a safeguard to unexpected canceled or delayed flights. These do occasionally happen!

But also, the connection cities of both Quito and Guayaquil are actually very interesting and fun places with lots of things to do on a budget. For more info, be sure to check out our complete travel guides to these two fascinating Ecuadorian cities:

🚡 Read: 20 Best Things To Do in Quito, Ecuador: Travel Guide

🎡 Read: 15 Best Things To Do in Guayaquil, Ecuador: Travel Guide

Galapagos on a Budget Travel Tips

We hope that this detailed Galapagos on a Budget Travel Guide has helped to show that it is possible to have a budget-friendly trip to the Galapagos while still being able to experience what makes these islands so special. Now go stretch your Galapagos budget as far as you can and experience this incredible ecosystem in the world!

If you have any questions, please chime in the comments section below. And after your trip to the Galapagos please do stop back by our little space on the web to let us (and other travelers) know how your trip went.

And for more travel ideas and trip inspiration throughout all of Ecuador, be sure to check out our big post about the 20 Best Things to Do in Ecuador & Interesting Places to Visit .

We realize this was a lot of info to take in, so feel free to bookmark this page or save it to your Pinterest boards and check back later. Until then, happy travels and we wish you an awesome trip to the Galapagos on a budget!

Publishing note: This article was initially written in February 2017 and was last updated in July 2019 to reflect up-to-date information and prices.

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May 20, 2022 at 7:42 PM

May 2022 When it comes to daily tours we were able to find Santa Fe for 100$ Pinzon for 100$ Daphne for 110$ In the agency named Levero Trans which is a little bit of the port on the Avenida Baltra

February 10, 2022 at 12:06 PM

Hello! Thanks for all of the great information! It’s really helped me plan my trip to the Galapagos 😀 I wanted to give an update as of Feb 2022. Unfortunately, Las Grietas is no longer free to snorkel on your own. They require a $10 fee and a required guide to accompany you. You’re also limited in how long you can swim and snorkel to an hour and a half. The guide will also take you to the look out point over the canyon. I think someone already mentioned too, but the Charles Darwin Research Station is a $10 fee and has a required guide as well. Thanks so much! Love the blog!

April 12, 2021 at 8:29 AM

UPDATE APRIL 2021

Hi guys, thank you so much for this great article! It helped me a lot and was a huge pish for me to reach Galapagos even I was on a very tight budget.

I’ve just come back after 4 weeks there (4 days Santa Cruz, 3 days Isabela and 3 weeks volunteering on San Cristobal).

Unfortunately, many things that very free, now they charge. This include visits to turtoise breeding and research centers on Santa Cruz and Isabela (each one is 10USD, however you get a private tour) and Las Grietas (10USD also with guide).

However, the thing that really pissed me off was a scandalous robbery on the very first transport we had. Bus that drove us from Baltra airport to the boat taxi, that used to be free, now you have to pay 5USD – for 6km! And it’s just crowded minibus, not the private taxi. If I didn’t have that huge backpack I’m sure I’d walk 45 minutes instead.

All the museums were closed as well as playa Ninfa on Santa Cruz.

If you rent a bike or walk, you can see wild turtles close to El Rancho, they walk on the road and also close to Wall of tears on Isabela. You can see them for free on San Cristobal at breeding center (it is quite far away from the city however).

Bike rental 10USD per day, snorkel 3USD but you’ll have to look around and to haggle.

Public bus from Santa Cruz to Bellavista is 0,5USD and to Santa Rosa 1USD. You can take your bike to the bus, it’s free.

I swim with sharks, turtles, iguanas, sea liones and a bunch of different sized, shaped and colored fish. Saw blue footed boobies and bunch of other birds.

Get some cheap action camera with the underwater case and you’ll be more than happy with crazy underwater footage!

There’s a list of articles you can bring to Galapagos, so check that on the Internet and bring as much as you can (the grinded coffee is added to that list, but not updated – however you can bring the instant coffee). Everything is double more expensive than in Ecuador and on Isabela even more.

Buy plane ticket through the airline directly, now because of the covid issue agencies are not reliable. I’ve got huge problems with EXPEDIA, and in the end was robbed for 40USD, but I had to pay it cause they didn’t let me use my credit otherwise.

Enjoy your stay!🐢

April 12, 2021 at 10:10 AM

ADDITIONAL INFO

Nobody checked me the “salvoconducto” at the airport, I’ve heard that this is mainly addressed to Ecuadorians, however any hostel will send you it, but the process takes a couple of days so don’t leave it for the last moment.

Nobody checked health insurance.

They just asked about my returning day, nobody checked the flight. If you’re not sure about return date, I advise you to buy “fake ticket”, google it. It costs just 5USD and will give you a lot of flexibility if you want to change your plans.

I highly recommend hostel “Posadas del caminante” on Isabela. It’s super cheap but very nice. I’ve found private double room for 15USD with fridge and bathroom. Snorkel equipment for free as well as some bananas. Go there directly so you won’t pay Booking fee.

Stay away from the apples you’ll find everywhere. Usually, there are signs, but people don’t read. They are toxic.

February 11, 2021 at 5:39 PM

Very helpful and of course with the pandemic much must be updated. Here are the main things : – from San Cris to Santa Cruz you can still get the 25+$ ferry if you take both ways, now impossible to get below 30$ to/from isabela -1$ Fee each time you use the jetty of Santa Cruz (ferry, tours – usually included, anything…) – Darwin center costs 10$/person – we passed… – all tortoise centers are now supposed to cost you something, 10$. – las Grietas is not free anymore, costs 10/person. We passed. – most tour prices were significantly higher than mentioned here even prior to the pandemic. Tuneles is now 120$ (No one i know got it for less), dives at top spots like Gordon or Leon Dormido are 140-150$.

February 20, 2020 at 10:01 PM

Hi y’all! I used this blog to help plan an extremely last minute trip to the Galapagos when I found a $250 r/t airfare on Spirit to Guayaquil. I spent 2 weeks in the islands and about $3K total but I did everything I wanted to do. The bus, ferry, bus to Puerto Ayora is $11 total now. I felt like they really stuck it to you with every little trip – the water taxis being an extra .50 or $1 for the ferries, $10 to get on Isabela etc. but at least I was prepared for it. I got some fellow travelers to join me for a taxi tour on the way in to PA to see Los Gemelos and El Chato where there are lava tubes AND giant tortoises. That was a great tip I got from the comments here. I got a trip from PA to Isabela for $270 including r/t ferry, tours to Tuneles and Tintoreras, and 2 nights hotel – loved all of this. I really liked the laid back vibe of Isabela and the beach right in town. I booked a last minute 5/4 cruise for $1250 that included Genovesa and Bartolome (top of my list) but started in Baltra and ended there too – not great because you had to do the bus, ferry, bus thing to get there and then find your own way back at the end – I just stayed in PA and went to SC on a ferry; the last day was just Charles Darwin research center. Overall I didn’t feel like the cruise was worth it but I had fun, saw lots of cool animals, and got to meet great people. It just got repetitive and I should’ve spent more time just hanging out on Isabela or San Cristobal (my two favorites). I felt like the guide was just dragging things out to make people feel like they were getting their money’s worth (I was also overheated and grumpy though so take that for what it’s worth). Things to be prepared for: I was underwhelmed by the food, I bought hot sauce to take on the boat, the hotels were extremely basic but for $40 or less, to have hot water, cold a/c, and semi-functioning wifi you get what you pay for. My favorite by far was Sueños Silvestres in PA but they only had availability for one night I needed. It was an unforgettable trip and I’m, glad I went but I’d definitely skip the cruise and spend more time exploring on my own if I did it again. I saw tons of animals without being on any tours – including flamingos. Penguins, sharks, and red footed boobies were the only things I needed a tour to see. Anyway thanks for the tips and hope this comment helps on prices!

January 11, 2020 at 8:19 PM

A lot of great information, thank you! I’m in the Galapagos at the moment, my flights were more expensive than what you managed to get even though I booked them about 5 months ago, however I suspect this is because of the time of year. I did however find cheaper accommodation, hotel with air con and a kitchen (kitchen is a big bonus as I can make my own breakfast and take lunches with me when not doing a day tour). It’s closer to the Darwin centre end of town and I paid $140 for 6 nights so only $23 per night, I’m on my own but the room has a double and single bed so could potentially sleep 3 people. It’s called Hostal Sueños Silvestres.

January 11, 2020 at 10:26 AM

Fantastic blog thank you so much. We’ve just finished 8 days in the Galapagos as part of our honeymoon and used this blog so much to make it affordable and run. Really appreciate you taking the time to write it!

December 9, 2019 at 7:41 AM

OMG, thank you so much for such a wonderfull blog. I would like to ask, if do you think that is possible, on the day of arrival, take a Taxi from the airport (after crossing the channel) and doing the visits to El Chato, Los Gemelos, Lava Tunnels and Darwin Museum. Second thing, do you give the advise to book all the day tours, on the day of arrival for all islands? Or is it better to od on the prior day of those visits? Do they some discounts if you book more than onre?

December 20, 2019 at 4:37 PM

Yes, El Chato, Los Gemelos, and the Lava Tunnels are all on the way from the airport to Puerto Ayora. You can easily negotiate with a taxi to stop by each of those sites on your way to Puerto Ayora. It can be a good and convenient strategy to do just that! Then once you get to Puerto Ayora, you can venture over the Darwin Museum, if you still have time before it closes for the day.

As for booking the day tours when you arrive or the night before each one, either way should work. It just depends on a few different factors. Booking them all when you get in may prove to be more convenient to have all your tours lined up each day. If booking multiple tours all at once with the same agency, they may be able to offer a discount. Booking tours the night before, you may further be able to get some last-minute discounts and it may be nice to have the flexibility depending on what you’re feeling. The trade-off is that you could potentially run the risk of a particular day tour being sold out and you’ll also have the chore of shopping around for tours each afternoon/evening. Really, there are pros/cons to each way. Have a great trip!

November 11, 2019 at 7:45 AM

Thanks a lot for this great post! It has been our guidebook during 2.5 weeks Galapagos!

November 5, 2019 at 3:20 PM

You are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for such a thorough review of traveling to the Galapagos Islands, DIY versus structures tours and all the tidbits of advice in between. My fiancé and I are planning to go to the Galapagos for our honeymoon but we were getting concerned it might not be realistic as the prices were so expensive for tours. I now feel equipped to continue to research and plan a 2 week DIY honeymoon in the Galapagos Island. You rock!

November 3, 2019 at 7:12 PM

Update November 2019 – maybe you csn update your post 🙂 We just came back from a trip to Floreana today. There is a regulary ferry from Santa Cruz to Floreana now. It departs daily at 08:00 am from Santa Cruz to Floreana and returns at 03:00 pm from Floreana to Santa Cruz. We did it as a day tour, because we already booked the accomodations for Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Christobal in advance. We would recommend to stay 1 night at Floreana, that you can go to the Pirate Cave in the Highlands and have a bit more time in total. It is a very relaxing island and we had a great “island feeling”, because it isn’t crowded and touristy. We booked the ferry for 25$ each way per person. So 100$ in total for 2 persons. We also booked all other ferries (Isabela and San Christobal) for that price. The official price is 30$, but you can easily get it for 25$ at different booking agencies or ticket sales points, so save that money for other things.

February 14, 2020 at 9:41 AM

HiMichael, were you able to get to Devil’s Crown or lava cave on your own or do you have to do it with a guide?

October 29, 2019 at 3:12 PM

Thank you, best blog i’ve ever read! Great suggestions.

October 12, 2019 at 1:49 PM

OMG!!!! Absolutely AMAZING information. I’m home sick and planning my retirement trip in 2022 when I turn 70. Thank you ever so much!!!!!!

September 14, 2019 at 10:14 PM

What an awesome job you did on this blog, this has come in very handy for me with our trip to the islands, we are going to ecuador(2nd time) for the month of february , we fly into guayaquil, then off to puerto lopez, then 4 days to riobamba, banos, puyou, then off to the islands for 4 days staying in puerto ayro and puerto villamil, We are flying into guayaquil and flying out of quito so we will be seeing alot of ecuador on this trip, i was going to preplan our day trips for the island but now reading your blog im going to the island hopping and just plan our days while there, thanks for all the good ideas you just made my trip to the islands much better and saved me alot of $$ by buying stuff before going. Just an addition to your blog visiting the coast is awesome as well, you can spend day trips all along the coast for a bus ride of $4 dollars

October 4, 2019 at 12:41 AM

So glad this proved helpful and hope you have an awesome trip ahead of you! It sounds like a great itinerary and hope you enjoy every bit of it. ¡Buen viaje!

August 30, 2019 at 10:57 AM

Where can I find discount cruises for the islands in Galapagos. Im looking for early Dec 19. Thanks Denise

September 7, 2019 at 9:47 PM

You can check some of the recommendations and links mentioned in this post. There could be some deals in the first half of December. But the latter half (over the holidays) is peak travel time in the Galapagos, so unlikely during that time.

August 29, 2019 at 7:08 AM

Your blog was unbelievably HELPFUL! Thanks for all your hardwork and putting it into one place that’s easy to read.

If you ever get to update your site again, perhaps add something about luggage costs from UIO to GPS on the various airlines. I was looking that up recently and it is confusing.

August 29, 2019 at 11:44 AM

That’s a great idea, thanks for the recommendation! Those baggage fees can vary and they can definitely add up. Will look into it and try to add in the next time we update this post.

July 25, 2019 at 9:40 PM

Love this information so much!!! THANK YOU!!!! Me and my boyfriend will go now in the begining of August! Will stay for a week! 🙂 Thank you once again! I will doing a plan according to your info!

July 26, 2019 at 12:45 PM

Awesome!!! Hope you have a great trip and enjoy these magical islands! Stop back by and let us know how the adventure goes. 🙂 Have fun!

July 25, 2019 at 8:28 PM

Thanks for the post, it’s been very informative while I’m currently in the Galapagos! One thing to note, I don’t think the sign with “Christine” is accurate anymore. I still got a ferry ticket for $25 in the same place with two women working, it just has a different name! Also, El Chato was $5 and my Highlands tour by taxi was $50. He said El Chato + lava tunnels was $40 and adding Los Gemelos would be $50 total, so not sure if he ripped me off or that’s the true going rate now. (Side note, El Chato was totally worth it. For other travelers, I’d suggest booking a tour the takes you from the airport to see everything since it’s on the way and seems to cost as much as the taxi tour. Plus, you have a nicer way to get to Puerto Ayora than by bus!) Also, my Isabela tour (highlights, not lava tunnels) was $120 and the same place quoted Bartolome at 200-250. I didn’t do any price comparisons with other places so I can’t give better data than that. Thanks again for the post, and hopefully I can give back to other readers like you helped me!

July 26, 2019 at 12:52 PM

Thanks for the update about the “Cristine” sign. But glad to hear the lower $25 is still in place in that spot for the ferry tickets. Also thanks for the update on the El Chato price increase. I’ve just updated this post to reflect those two changes, so muchas gracias! El Chato really is awesome! It’s difficult to comprehend the size of those giant tortoises until actually seeing them in person. $50 for a 3-stop taxi tour from the airport to the Puerto Ayora sounds like a fair price, so I don’t think he ripped you off at all. And that’s really a good tip and great idea to pursue from the airport. The bus is definitely the cheapest way, but it can be very practical and well worth it to do exactly as you did, since those sights are all along the way and it’s much comfier than the bus. Thanks again for all the feedback and hope you’re having a fantastic trip!

June 20, 2019 at 6:35 PM

Hi Heather and John,

Just a note to say thank you for your post about Galapagos – I actually stumbled upon your website about a couple of years ago whilst researching another destination. I always dreamt about visiting the islands but never in million years would have thought it possible. It simply felt it was out of reach. You opened my eyes and I started researching land based travel in more detail and discovered to my surprise that it is doable – cost wise and time wise. You have recently updated the blog but your budget, planning tips etc even back then were so helpful, inspiring and gave me a spark of excitement and hope that I could also one day visit this place. The dream turned into a reality a couple of months ago when my partner and I spent wonderful two weeks island hopping and exploring the amazing Enchanted Islands! I’m still feeling drunk with all excitement and buzz of the place and seeing so much wildlife up so close. I’m so grateful to have had the privilege and opportunity to visit the islands. It was truly an experience of a lifetime.

I wish you many happy travels and hope you inspire many more travellers keen to discover the world.

June 23, 2019 at 6:41 PM

Wow, thank you so much for such a kind message! It makes us so happy to know that this information is getting out there to inspire awesome travel adventures like the one you just had! It puts smiles on our faces to hear you had such an awesome trip – am giddy for you! The Galapagos is really such an incredible place as you no doubt just experienced first hand. Thank you so much for taking the time to come back to this post to let us know. It really means so much. It’s comments like this that give us renewed encouragement to keep writing and working on this blog of ours. We may have initially sparked your excitement but now you’ve just helped to spark our blogging motivation. Thank you and happy travels ahead!

May 19, 2019 at 4:18 PM

I think its always possible, you just have to know how to save money, do your research, be prepared. Galapagos is beautiful! So if you wanna go you can.

May 19, 2019 at 2:31 PM

Hey you guys! Thank you so much for your amazing blog, it’s absolutel incredible! We discovered you when we were travelling Mexico two years ago and we still love reading about your adventures. I have a question about diving on Santa Cruz, please. With which dive operator did you do your Gordon Rock’s dives and how was your eyperience with them? Would you recommend booking dive trips in advance? Online or even per email request to various dive centers the dive trips are much more expensive than what you mention in this post. Looking forward to an answer & keep doing what you do! All the best, Barbara

May 19, 2019 at 8:25 PM

Oh so nice to hear these info blogs have been proving helpful – puts smiles on our faces! 🙂 Regarding the dives, we actually dove at Seymour/Daphne. It was a good experience there, but I’ve always regretted not pursuing Gordon Rocks. We decided against it simply because Heather only had about 10 dives or logged and we feared with the currents it may be a little technical/advanced for her experience level. One day we’ll go back to tackle Gordon Rocks!

We went with a dive shop called: Macarron. Scuba Iguana is often cited as the best and most reputable dive agency in Puerto Ayora, but they also have higher prices. We were happy with Macarron and thought that they were safe and professional.

We booked our dives by just going to the dive shop a day or two in advance. You should be able to find Gordon Rocks dive trips for less than $200. The prices posted online are always much more than what you will find on the ground. If you can be a little flexible with your itinerary and aren’t going to be there during a holiday weekend of high season, it could prove worthwhile to book the dives once on the ground. Please let us know how it goes and/or if dive prices on the ground have changed.

Have a wonderful trip!!

May 3, 2019 at 12:28 PM

Am planning a trip last minute from Quito. Will do DIY land based trips but don’t want to be pinned down to a specific itinerary. We will be looking forward to a last minute cruise as well. Do you have any updates on the need to have reservations? I guess I’ll be makIng “free cancellation” reservations on booking.com

Also, what do you do with your belongings in a day trip boat while snorkeling? I wouldn’t trust to leave my new iPhone behind in my backpack but I’ll need it to be my camera on the trip.

May 4, 2019 at 5:09 PM

The official requirement for reservations is to have bookings for every day of your stay. However, in practice, we’ve been hearing that officials at the airport are currently only checking for reservations for when you’re arriving. So you could chance it and just have reservations for the first night or two, but it’s probably best to play by the rules in case they begin enforcing or you encounter an agent who is. So cancelable reservations can come in handy, just in case.

For your belongings, they’ll likely be safe on the boat. We always left our electronics. Still, it can be unsettling to do so, particularly with a shiny new iphone. So consider a good waterproof phone pouch and take it snorkeling with you. That’s what we do now whenever we go snorkeling and the waterproof case we use and recommend in the packing section of this post works quite well.

Have a great trip!

March 26, 2019 at 9:37 AM

Thanks so much for this article!! I just got back from a trip and Im already dying to go on another lol. I have a question though, with the sunscreen and insect repellent being above 3 ounces, you have to check your bag every time? I really don’t like checking my bag, cause I hear so many stories of bags being lost and never found! Especially since flying to the Galapagos has so many layovers, that makes the risk even higher. Has that ever happened to you, since you can’t carry on? I want to buy the eco friendly products but Im so nervous about having to check a bag.

April 3, 2019 at 9:16 PM

We always check one bag, partly so that we can travel with liquids. In more than 5 years of constant travel around the world, only once has our checked bag gone temporarily lost, and not in Ecuador. Lost luggage can always be a risk, whether traveling to the Galapagos or elsewhere, but it’s not too terribly common. We never pack anything we care dearly about in our checked luggage, just in case. We also use travel insurance, which reimburses us a good amount if luggage does get lost. It’s still a total headache to deal with, but it’s nice to have that coverage to replace everything. When it did happen to us, we basically got reimbursed for $1,000 shopping spree to cover our missing possessions and ultimately we even got the missing bag back too. There are certainly lots of benefits to doing carry-on only, but would be tough to get all those eco-friendly liquids under 3 ozs.

March 13, 2019 at 11:58 AM

Thank you for your detailed program and info. Seems affordable to me, for God’s sake, it’s even cheaper than Key West or other places in America

March 14, 2019 at 5:44 PM

Oh yes, having visited Key West just a few months ago, we can confidently confirm that prices here are overall much much lower, particularly so for hotels and eating! 🙂

February 21, 2019 at 12:33 PM

Guys, your blog is amazing! So detailed information. I’ve already read all your posts on Ecuador and find them very helpful. Appreciate your effort in sharing your own experience!

February 22, 2019 at 8:53 PM

That’s so encouraging to hear! 🙂 Thanks for dropping us a comment to let us know. We’re currently back in Ecuador exploring further, so hoping to churn out many more Ecuador posts in the upcoming weeks and months, so stay tuned. And hope you have a great trip here too!

February 14, 2019 at 9:16 PM

Dang guys – awesome post! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this up. Super helpful.

January 25, 2019 at 7:56 AM

Hello, thank you so much for your incredibly detailed posting. I am flying to the Galapagos in 4 days and this info is a godsend.

One question: you mentioned wifi is pretty slow regardless of where you stay, but what about using a SIM card data plan for internet? I would think that cell phone coverage is pretty good there, so maybe data plan surfing would be also? Do you have any experience with using sim cards in Ecuador?

January 28, 2019 at 4:16 PM

When we were there, we used our international T-mobile plan, which worked fine but they throttle you to 2g speeds internationally even if 4g is available. If you have an unlocked phone, you can definitely pick up a local Ecuador sim card to use for data when you’re there. I can’t comment first-hand how fast it is or how good the coverage is, but I’d assume it would be fine within each of the towns you can stay at. Probably just not way out on the boats.

April 25, 2019 at 8:14 AM

You need to use Claro operator, Movistar is slower and less extended. It is 10 dolars for 2 Gb for 15 days. I myself used Tuenti, which gives you more gb (3gb for 10 dolars for 30 days). It worked more or less well on Cristóbal and Santa Cruz, but there wad no coverage on Isabela.

January 22, 2019 at 12:14 PM

Heyy you guys!

I assume that you guys dove with Macarron dive center to Isla Daphne/Seymour for 150$? Can you tell me which kind of animals you encountered?

Kind regards,

Ingmar Rondeel

January 24, 2019 at 1:10 PM

Yes we did dive with Macarron and paid $150 for 2 dives each. We saw many fish, eels, sea lions, and rays. Others saw a school of hammerheads during the same dive, but we missed them. We put together a short Youtube video of the dives here: https://youtu.be/r5iQf4dZh5I

November 21, 2018 at 11:25 AM

Hello. We will be at Galapagos from 30/08 to 09/09. Can this program fit? We are two adults and a child of 8 years Sorry for the errors but I’m Italian and I use goolgle translate 😊

30/08 Guayaquil – Isla Santa Cruz – isla isabela 31/08 isla isabela tour Tunnels 01/09 isla isabela TOUR VULCANO SIERRA NEGRA 02/09 isla isabela – TOUR TINTORERAS E CENTRO DI CRIANZA 03/09 isla isabela-santa cruz 04/09 Isla Santa Cruz Bartolome e Pinnaculo Beach 05/09 Isla Santa Cruz Isola Santa Fe e Playa Escondida 06/09 Isla Santa Cruz Isola Seymour e Bachas beach 07/09 Isla Santa Cruz-san cristobal visita a Tijereta, punta carola e La Loberia 08/09 san cristobal Leon dormido, Manglecido, cerro Brujo 09/09 sna cristobal -santa cruz-guayaquil

December 1, 2018 at 6:14 PM

Yes, I think such an itinerary would work. The only aspect I’d caution you about is on your proposed first and last day. It will depend on what time your flight times are. If your flight to the Galapagos lands in the afternoon it will be difficult or impossible to catch the ferry to Isabela on the same day. You would need to go to Isabela on the following morning. You may run into a similar problem on the final day too, trying to get back from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz then flying out all in the same day. There is an airport directly from San Cristobal with flights to Guayaquil, in which I’d recommend instead. Hope that may help in your planning and you have a great trip. Buon viaggio!

November 1, 2018 at 9:34 PM

OMG. What a well written and comprehensive website! I will be booking my outbound flight to Ecuador in a few days. That date won’t change but what might change is that now I may include the islands in my itinerary. Like everyone else, I took a cursory look at prices and was put off by just the gringo airfares from Ecuador mainland and the park entrance fees. But now that I see how the land portion of the islands can be done economically, I’ll sit down and do some hard research. Your blog is over a year old so prices will have gone up but I’ll see if we could swing it. I’d planned to instead visit the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Amazon 5D/4N. Probably can’t afford to do both side trips but we’ll see. This will be a very tough decision if the Galapagos aren’t unreasonably more costly than the flights and lodge in Cuyabeno and I can afford only one of them. They are both bucket list items for me. Decisions, decisions!! 😉 Given all the details you’ve given of names of places to stay and tours to take and other references has made my “job” of researching SO much easier. THANK YOU. And thank you for opening my eyes to the economic possibility of us visiting the Galapagos. Fingers crossed, we’ll see. We’re both seniors but adventurers. Two of our weeks in Ecuador will be a home exchange in Cuenca. Then two weeks on our own based in Quito with day trips.

November 10, 2018 at 2:11 PM

Hope that you’re able to swing the Galapagos and enjoy it! We certainly found it to be worth it and still fairly budget-friendly when traveling independently. So glad this guide was helpful. I wouldn’t anticipate that the prices have gone up too much from a year ago. Hope you enjoy Quito, Cuenca, and all that Ecuador has to offer! 🙂

October 23, 2018 at 7:51 PM

Hey guy! Your guide is super helpful! thank you so much. I just have a question. I have read somewhere that before entering the Galapagos you need to proof that you have all your accommodation book for the entire period of your stay. Is that true?

thanks a lot for your help cheers Isabella

April 17, 2018 at 10:04 PM

Thank you for this great post. It has inspired me to try my own DIY trip this June. Any chance you’ll post your sample itinerary blog soon? I really need it!

April 9, 2018 at 1:35 PM

Hi! I just wanted to thank you for this post, it helped tremendously when we were in Galapagos for ten days a couple of weeks ago. We did island-hopping and didn’t end up taking even a single day tour, but still got to see just about everything we wanted (excluding the penguins, but it was the wrong time of year for them and so we would have only seen them if we’d booked a cruise). We were lucky when snorkelling in Concha de Perla and saw manta rays, sting rays and a sea turtle! Thanks again!

April 11, 2018 at 4:02 AM

We’re delighted that you found our tips helpful, Andy! It sounds like you had an incredible trip. Your detail of snorkeling with the wildlife has me reminiscing and wanting to return. Being in the water so close to observe the animals was the absolute highlight of our time in the Galapagos.

January 14, 2018 at 11:22 PM

Hi, great article and thanks for the info. Still a bit confused and need guidance. We’re in our 50’s and am hoping to arrive Quito late night Friday Feb 23 or early Feb 24 and need to depart Quito on Thursday March 1, what should we do for either day tours, live aboard or other suggestion, not sure how to get around, need suggestions on how to plan this one… HELP! Thank you.

January 15, 2018 at 7:36 PM

That decision really comes down to personal preference and budget. A liveaboard will make any planning and logistics a total breeze, so that may be a good route to consider if you have the budget for it. As to how to get around, there are buses and taxis from the two airports in the Galapagos. Once in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz), Puerto Baquerizo (San Cristobal), Puerto Villamil (Isabela), walking or renting a bike is the mode of transportation. In Puerto Ayora, taxis or bikes can help get you further afield across Santa Cruz to see lava tunnels or tortoise sanctuaries. Meanwhile regular daily ferries connect Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal. While day tour boats help you to reach other islands. Hope that helps! But if it all still sounds a bit confusing, I’d suggest a liveaboard if you can. It’ll take any confusion away as the entire trip will be planned for you.

January 4, 2018 at 12:18 AM

Absolutely FABULOUS post !!!! Thanks so much for all your details. We’re heading to the Galapagos in April and I’m so excited – it’s been on my bucket list for many years.

January 5, 2018 at 7:53 PM

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback! Hope you have an amazing trip in April – such an incredible place in the world!

December 21, 2017 at 5:43 AM

Regarding the ferry between the islands, is it possible to buy tickets from Christine at Santa Cruz to the other islands and back again? Or do I have to pay again when I want to go frem one of the islands to Santa Cruz at another agency to 30$? Love the details of everything on this site btw.

December 21, 2017 at 9:03 PM

Yes, it is definitely possible to buy all of your ferry tickets in advance from the Cristine agency in Santa Cruz. So, for example, you can buy a roundtrip ferry ticket to Isabela for $50 from that agency. Other agencies sell the same ticket for $30 each way or will do $55 for round-trip.

November 15, 2017 at 8:50 PM

What about credit cards. Can I use those on trips and tours or should I bring more cash? Conversion rate?

I am going to be traveling to the islands late January as a solo, planning on staying in a hostel. Is it best to stay in one and use that for my base or plan to move to the other islands during the 5-7 days that I paln there.

Great site! Love all of the information.

November 18, 2017 at 4:22 AM

Credit cards can be used for big purchases in the Galapagos, as some travel agencies and hotels will accept them. However, they always tack on a hefty fee for anyone using credit cards. That credit card fee usually amounts to 5% or even higher. So we recommend to use cash instead.

USD is the currency for Ecuador, including the Galapagos, so conversion rates will depend on whatever currency you may be trying to convert. If you don’t have USD, you’ll likely find better conversion rates before arriving. There are some ATM machines Puerto Ayora which is what we used since we have a no-fee ATM card. But just be aware that they have daily withdrawal limits of a few hundred dollars per day and there are not ATMs on Isabella.

For 5 days, I’d recommend picking two islands and base yourself in Santa Cruz for 3 nights and base yourself on one of the other for the other two islands (San Cristobal or Isabella) for the remaining two nights. If you have a full seven days, you may be able to squeeze in all three islands.

November 13, 2017 at 4:32 AM

I would love to do the Galapagos. I think the last minute cruise deal sounds good, but a bit risky? I guess I would need to have a backup plan!

November 13, 2017 at 11:00 PM

Yeah, the last minute cruise deals can be a gamble. There are some real bargains to be had on the ground, but best to have a back-up plan.

November 9, 2017 at 9:51 PM

Thanks so much for the info, i’m planing to travel to Galapagos in December, please let me know which scuba center used for your scuba day trip? Regards

November 14, 2017 at 12:08 AM

We dove with a dive shop called: Macarron. Scuba Iguana is often cited as the best and most reputable dive agency, but they also have higher prices. We were happy with Macarron and they were safe and professional.

November 15, 2017 at 10:19 AM

Thank you John for the info, I will try with Macarron!! keep having a nice trip around the world!

October 28, 2017 at 1:37 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience! Really helping with my planning. When you did DIY activities like snorkelling, where did you leave your belongings? Especially those that aren’t waterproof. I was thinking of bringing along a backpack to more secluded areas so leaving my stuff in my accommodation may not be a feasible option.

October 28, 2017 at 8:28 PM

So glad it’s helping! 🙂 When venturing out on our own to do snorkeling, we usually just took a small backpack with us to hold bottled water, sunscreen, camera, and perhaps a small amount of cash for the day. When going in the water, we would risk leaving the backpack on shore and would occasionally look up at it. The only item of value left in the backpack was our camera, so we did undertake a small risk in leaving it there. But these places usually weren’t crowded and we didn’t get a sense that theft was an issue, so it seemed safe for us to leave these items ashore for short periods. Still, there is of course some risk in doing so. I’d recommend to take as little as possible with you during these day trips and leave any valuables at your accommodation. Even if you’re checking out, they all will hold luggage for you.

April 25, 2019 at 8:33 AM

On San Cristóbal we were told by locals that there is no stealing there. On Santa Cruz and Isabela we were told that there were cases of stealing, so we left all valuable items in the hostel. You also can buy some waterprof small bag to take items like money or credit cards with you to the water. We did this on Cristóbal, since our hostel did not look like a safe place (we chose the cheapest one).

October 4, 2017 at 1:58 PM

I can’t seem to find the 2nd part of this post – pardon me if I’m being slow! Could you post a link? I love all of the information you have provided! I’m planning a trip likely May 2018!!

October 25, 2017 at 12:31 AM

You’re not being slow. It’s us that are being slow! 😉 We’ve been traveling pretty aggressively lately which hasn’t left us much time to write and I never got around to writing the second part to this. I still do hope to finish writing that and publishing it before the end of the year. In the meantime, please feel free to let us know if you have any questions.

September 30, 2017 at 12:02 AM

A quick question about using your underwater camera (I just ordered one!): Did you hold it in your hand for most of the videos on this blog or did you use a head strap or something else. Any tips would be appreciated.

Where are you travelling now?

Thanks, Gerri

October 25, 2017 at 12:51 AM

Hi Gerri and sorry for the delayed reply as we’ve been crossing the Pacific with limited Internet. (currently in Japan!) We used this GoPole Floating Handgrip attachment: http://amzn.to/2jhcyRE

It’s made for a GoPro but it also fits onto the DBPower cam that we used. I definitely recommend having some sort of floating attachment because the camera will otherwise sink if you drop it. Hope you have a great trip!

October 25, 2017 at 1:10 AM

Hey John, thanks so much for the info. Wow, your travels sounds amazing! Enjoy Japan 🙂

September 29, 2017 at 10:22 PM

Hey guys, what a great post! I love all the detailed information. I have been researching and it’s difficult to find the price of the day trips, so thanks so much! Also, I’m so excited to hear your underwater camera recommendation as I need a new one for our trip to the Galapagos in April 🙂

I really appreciate the time and effort you took to educate the rest of us!

Happy Travels, Gerri

October 25, 2017 at 12:54 AM

So glad you found our post helpful. Yes, there seemed to be a lack of (or outdated) info on pricing for day trips in the Galapagos, so hopefully this gives travelers some ideas on what to expect when planning. We were pretty pleased with the underwater camera, particularly so for the price! We still use it. Hope you have a great trip come April!

August 27, 2017 at 6:48 PM

I’m heading to the galapagos in the begining of october and I think I’ve read 50+ guides, tips, reviews etc. But this is BY FAR the most useful. It helped me to make quite a few decisions 🙂 Thank you só much and now I am even more excited to be going.

August 30, 2017 at 6:33 PM

That is so nice to hear! Thank you very much for taking to time to drop us a comment. When we were researching about the Galapagos we found a lack of detailed information, so was hoping this will help others to plan. Glad to hear that it is. 🙂

August 20, 2017 at 9:43 PM

this is so sweet!! great blog!! and cool thread too!!

August 21, 2017 at 5:28 PM

Glad you enjoy! 🙂

August 20, 2017 at 9:51 AM

We’re in our 50’s/60’s and are doing a 15 day independent trip in March 2018…and we’ve actually come quite close to your budget. We just have to figure out where to cut back on some of the day trips. The shopping list was great and my amazon cart is filling up! Can’t seem to find that specific “knockoff” camera though.

August 20, 2017 at 10:25 AM

Very cool – hope you have a great trip next year! Yeah, those day trips can be the biggest budget busters. It’s hard to say which of the day trips are “worth it” over others because they are each pretty special in their own regards. But easing off the day trips is definitely the place to be able to cut back on expenses. Glad to hear the shopping list was helpful. That knock-off camera always seems to move around on Amazon, disappear, and reappear. Strange, not sure why it does that. I’ve changed the link a few times in this article since I initially posted it. Looks like that action cam is now located here: http://amzn.to/2weAGyj I still have it, use it, and find it to be a fantastic bargain for $50! Hope you have a wonderful Galapagos adventure!

August 6, 2017 at 9:44 PM

Very good information. I have a question for you. Do they accept credit cards especially the last minute cruise deals? Had heard they charge outrageous credit card fees.

August 16, 2017 at 8:45 PM

Most (not all) places will accept credit cards but what you heard about the credit card fees is absolutely true. Usually they agency will charge at least a 5% fee, sometimes more. For such a big purchase, potentially in the thousands of dollars, that can really add up. So while credit card is possible, it’s definitely best to have cash if at all possible. There are ATMS in Puerto Ayora to access cash, but they do have daily withdrawal limits.

June 30, 2017 at 4:11 AM

Wow – what a wonderful amount of information. Thanks loads!

I have a question for you though. We are planning on travelling to The Galapagos and like you want to be flexible with our travels. Basically we want to make up our mind where to go and what to see when we are there.

But we see that there are some new rules that tourists have to show hotel or cruise bookings for the whole trip when they leave Ecuador or they won’t be allowed entry. Have you heard about this? If so, do you have any thoughts on either (A) whether they are really rigid about this, or (B) whether there are any ways around it?

We would really hate to have to lock down our trip now.

June 30, 2017 at 2:02 PM

I had heard about that new rule going into effect in May this year but had also heard it wasn’t being strictly enforced since it hadn’t been too widely publicized. Still, I would be prepared in the instance that it is being enforced during your visit. What I would recommend is to see if you can book a place online that is completely cancelable and refundable. Print that out and then cancel the reservation. To be extra careful, you may want to wait until you get through to the Galapagos to cancel, but I doubt a customs official would go as far as calling the hotel to confirm your reservation. Most hotels that offer free cancelation only do so up until a certain date though, so you may likely have to make the cancelation before you arrive. …just an idea. Hope that helps!

August 26, 2017 at 9:33 AM

I flew into GPS yesterday and I wasn’t asked for any of those things. I had them prepared, just in case…

August 26, 2017 at 6:07 PM

Thank you so much for the update on that – very helpful to know!

May 4, 2017 at 10:14 AM

Thanks for the information! My husband and I did our own DIY trip. Ended up only staying on Isabela and Santa Cruz. My husband couldn’t handle any more of the boat trips. Thank you for posting the picture of the cheaper ferry option. 25.00 each way was a nice savings. I was able to do Santa Fe for 90 pp and it was our favorite trip. I can’t remember the tour operator but it was near the street with the restaurants (same side) heading down towards the water. Maybe 4 operators down. I just walked in and out of each one and 90.00 won it for us. Sierra Negra can be booked through most of the hostels (ours was Gran Hostal Tintorera for 35.00 a person. And the tour agency you walk by on the way to Isabela from the port can do Los Tuneles for 100.00 pp. Just have to ask nice:) The emenandas at the port in Isabela were amazing. I loved the Galapagos and hope to go back soon!

May 7, 2017 at 4:59 PM

That’s great to hear! Yes, that $25 ferry is a real saver. We looked long and hard and never saw anything other than $30 except that one or occasionally some would do $55 for a roundtrip. Awesome that you found Los Tuneles for $100, and Sante Fe for $90 – that’s a steal! Thanks for chiming in with those prices – really good for others to know to try and find them. And Santa Fe, yes, such a great day tour! Glad you had a great trip to Galapagos. We’re also hoping to make it back there some day. Really amazing and totally lives up to its fame. Cheers!

April 21, 2017 at 6:47 PM

Thank you for so wonderfully informative and clearly written piece. I flinders it extremely helpful in planning my trip to the Galapagos which was great!

April 29, 2017 at 4:19 PM

Hi Josh, Thanks for the comment! We’re thrilled that you found our budget tips helpful when planning your trip to the Galapagos! Enjoy your time exploring these beautiful islands!

April 15, 2017 at 6:24 PM

Wow! Amazing information! Thank you so much 😃

April 17, 2017 at 6:24 PM

Hey Sari, thanks for the comment. We’re happy that you found our information helpful!

April 10, 2017 at 6:41 PM

Galapagos seems like an amazing destination, Heather! Now as I know that I can go there on a budget, I added it to my bucket list!

April 17, 2017 at 5:57 PM

Fantastic! You’ll love it, and it’s absolutely possible to enjoy the Galapagos without breaking the bank 🙂

April 2, 2017 at 6:39 AM

Being in the great places in the world is like having a thousand memories put together.

April 3, 2017 at 11:54 AM

Hi Lorraine, Thanks for the comment and we couldn’t agree with you more!

March 28, 2017 at 9:41 AM

Very exhaustive report John (and Heather), very nice of you. I created the Galapagos Cruise Links website you reviewed above. It’s a very fair review – thanks. I have consciously limited access to only 15 ships, and folks can only contact 2 ships / 24 hour period. The idea was to direct quality inquiries to ship owners, and avoid the situation of travellers peppering all ship owners at the same time, and to drive a reasonable amount of enquiries to the owners.

Just a note on prices – for some ships, it MAY be possible to find a lower price (e.g. $20 or $30) through some other agent elsewhere, but at the end of the day, there is a real value in dealing directly with the ship owners (or their official sales team) e.g. if anything goes wrong (and it can happen – read the forums), you’ll be talking with the folks with whom the buck stops. They won’t be able to give you the run-around. I think that is worth $20 or $30. And typically, if anything goes wrong in this “last minute” sales environment, it’s usually the fault of the intermediary agent.

Keep up the great work! I’m impressed!

April 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM

Hi Marc, Thanks for the comment and sharing your valuable insight with our readers considering a cruise deal. We completely agree with the benefits you pointed out about dealing with the ships directly, such as avoiding possible disappointments from promises made by some agents.

March 28, 2017 at 6:15 AM

Ecuador still on my list and this detailed blog confirms i will be there in 2017 🙂

April 3, 2017 at 10:48 AM

Hi Michelle, Thanks for the kind comment! We’re thrilled that we’ve provided some inspiration to add Ecuador to your 2017 travel itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!

March 27, 2017 at 3:01 PM

Great article and very detailed, which is much appreciated! Thank you for spending all the time to put this together.

Based on your experiences and maybe some you have heard from other travelers, which “off of Isla Santa Cruz” day tours would you recommend? We are travelling in August so the water temp will be quite cool. Given that, snorkeling might not be in the cards for me — maybe 30 years ago!

Thanks again, greg

April 3, 2017 at 10:47 AM

Hi Greg, Thanks for the comment and question. From personal experience, we really enjoyed the Pinzon tour. It’s a fairly new tour for day trippers that was formerly only available to cruise tours. The snorkeling was remarkable and the highlight was the curious sea lions that would swim right up to us. It’s so hot in the Galapagos that the cool waters during your visit might be welcome. Also, most agencies have wet suits that are either included in the package or you can rent for an extra fee. Enjoy your time in the beautiful Galapagos!

March 27, 2017 at 7:44 AM

Amazing blog!

March 12, 2017 at 12:26 PM

Very informative and full of details on how to get the real deals

March 15, 2017 at 5:45 PM

Hey Leonora, thanks for the comment! So happy you found our tips to be helpful 🙂

March 9, 2017 at 5:15 PM

So glad I found this post! I’m off the Ecuador this year and it’s great to know that Galapagos can be done more inexpensively.

March 7, 2017 at 4:09 PM

Thanks for such a thorough article! I just got back from the Galapagos on a DIY (mostly, with a few tours) trip and it can be done. I was surprised at how easy it was to navigate on my own.

March 7, 2017 at 7:14 AM

This is an amazingly detailed list of wonderful ideas. You were able to find significant savings especially after reading that the price can be 7000 – 15000 not including the flight. Those streets better be paved in gold. Lol. The Galapagos islands are on my to go to list so I’ll be save this post

March 9, 2017 at 5:11 PM

Hey Christopher, thanks for the comment! Glad to hear that the Galapagos Islands are on your wish list. It’s truly a remarkable place that can absolutely be enjoyed without breaking the bank 🙂

March 6, 2017 at 4:31 AM

What a comprehensive post about Galapagos! Amazing tips as well. I haven’t really thought of visiting this place before but I’ve been seeing more and more people going and having a great time that its making me want to visit as well.

March 6, 2017 at 9:48 AM

Hey Janna, thanks for the comment. We’re thrilled to hear that this post helped to provide some additional Galapagos inspiration 😀

March 5, 2017 at 9:37 PM

Fantastic post – I think the perception is that you have to get a luxury cruise to experience the Galapagos, but we went for a DIY land based experience and saved so much money while still having a once in a lifetime experience. Based ourselves on San Cristobal and didn’t actually do any island hopping – caught cheap taxi’s everywhere and snorkelled so close to marine mammals we could touch them just from the local beaches. Hit up grocery stores because we had an apartment with self catered facilities. Was very cheap 🙂 Loved it!

March 6, 2017 at 9:41 AM

Hey Meg, thanks for the comment and sharing your experience! I loved San Cristobal and found it to be my favorite island. How fantastic that you had an apartment there. Snorkeling with the sea lions and turtles was such an incredible experience and something I’ll never forget.

April 25, 2019 at 8:52 AM

We spent more than a week on each island (abril 2019) and San Cristóbal turned out to be our favorite as well. So many free activities you can do! And snorkling at Loberia is just amazing (another great one and free is on Concha Perla, Isabela). In the last case, if you come at different times, at low or high tide respectivly, you will see different animals.

March 5, 2017 at 7:47 PM

I´m so glad to know that is possible to gon on a budget to Galapagos. It seem like a wonderful place to go 🙂

March 6, 2017 at 9:33 AM

Thanks for the comment! The Galapagos is an extradonary place to visit and it is absolutely possible to plan a vacation there without breaking the bank.

March 5, 2017 at 12:41 AM

Awesome post, great details. We visited Ecuador a couple of years ago but did not go to the Galapagos because of the perceived cost. After reading all of your great tips I see that it can be done with a little more of a budget than I thought. We are headed south again later this year I think I will have to put visiting the Galapagos back on our list of things to experience.

March 4, 2017 at 10:35 PM

I love all of your DIY suggestions for visiting the Galapagos. The food sounds awesome, especially the almuerzos lunches and pastries. Also – great tip about bringing enough sunscreen. I’d hate to spend $30 dollars for a bottle!

March 6, 2017 at 9:30 AM

Hey Mindi, thanks for the comment! The seafood was so good and economical (at the right restaurant 😉). I was so glad I stocked up on sunscreen prior to our visit (two large bottles). I would have hated to pay those prices!

March 4, 2017 at 6:57 PM

Very thorough post. When I visited the Galapagos, I chose to suck it up and to the full cruise and I don’t regret it. I liked staying out on the water at night and being able to visit some of the more remote areas. It’s worth going at whatever level you can afford. The wildlife is unparalleled.

March 6, 2017 at 9:27 AM

Hey Carol. Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience with a Galapagos cruise. The wildlife is absolutely amazing. We’d love to return sometime and visit some of the areas we didn’t get to on our first trip.

March 4, 2017 at 6:07 PM

This just makes me want to visit the Galapagos even more now! Thank you for sharing so much detail about your trip, i’ll definitely be referring to it when i make y own trip.

March 6, 2017 at 9:24 AM

Thanks for the comment Lauren. We’re so happy to hear that we’ve give you some Galapagos inspiration 😀

March 3, 2017 at 5:25 PM

Holy oh my god this is the most detailed travel guide I’ve ever seen! Saving it for later part of my South America trip! Currently in Brazil, going south.

Thanks so much!

March 6, 2017 at 9:21 AM

Hey Owen, thanks for the comment! We’re so happy you found our guide to be helpful. Enjoy Brazil and your continued travels through South America!

March 2, 2017 at 8:21 PM

A long but very informative blog post. Well done. That would have taken a bit of effort to research and write up.

March 3, 2017 at 7:23 AM

Thanks, yeah we generally try to cover all the details. It makes for some lengthy posts, but we hope it really helps people to be able to take a Galapagos trip like this without having to spend all their savings. It is quite an effort to organize our thoughts and write up a post like this. But we’re always meticulous about researching destinations, so that part almost comes natural these days. It’s getting all that info up here that certainly takes quite a bit of time. Sometimes too much, lol!

March 1, 2017 at 12:02 PM

Great post, thanks for all of the tips!!

March 3, 2017 at 7:25 AM

Thanks Jessica! The Galapagos was such an awesome trip, so we’re now happy to show how’s it is possible 🙂

March 5, 2018 at 6:17 PM

Brilliant blog, got me excited, heading there soon, thanks this is uber helpful Lilia

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Home » South America » Ecuador » Galapagos

Backpacking Galapagos Travel Guide (2024)

“ A man who dares to waste an hour of time has not discovered the value of life ”- Charles Darwin.

Follow in Darwin’s footsteps and embark on an adventure unlike any other to a place with untouched islands and undisturbed eco-systems… I’ve always wanted to explore the Galapagos Islands; there is something truly incredible about this rarely visited place and, in the future, I very much hope to head on out there.

This week, I chatted to Galapagos veteran Lisa Swenson and she filled me in on everything I needed to know to explore Galapagos on a backpacker budget…

I had always wanted to explore the Galapagos, with its confusing and utterly fascinating creatures – a land where a Godzilla like creature is a harmless vegetarian and tortoises grow to the size of a fully grown man; what’s not to be curious about? My husband and I decided to not get bogged down by the daunting tour prices and instead try and do Galapagos on a budget. And a pretty tight one at that. Here is a great travel guide to backpacking Galapagos on a budget…

Exploring Galapagos on a budget

Getting to the galapagos islands, where to go while backpacking galapagos on a budget, top 10 animals to see in galapagos, how much does it cost to backpack galapagos on a budget, food in galapagos, backpacker accommodation in the galapagos, staying in touch while backpacking galapagos on a budget, volunteer in galapagos, galapagos tours, what to pack for galapagos, top tips for broke backpackers in the galapagos islands, books to read, apps to download while backpacking galapagos, backpacking galapagos for free, scuba dive the galapagos on a liveaboard trip, how to stay safe in galapagos.

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We  flew into Quito and bought our Park Pass for Galapagos, an essential, at the airport which cost us about $100 per person. Once we reached Baltra we had to taxi across the dry desert island to get to a water taxi that would then take us to Santa Cruz. Our ‘real’ journey to Galapagos had begun, and it did not seem like an easy one.  

The bus was cramped and people were squished together like canned sardines. The air was humid and stuffy and there wasn’t any air-conditioning – this certainly wasn’t any luxury tour but we didn’t care; we were heading somewhere amazing and would be seeing Galapagos on a budget. We were so thankful when we saw the ferry. But of course, we were once again jammed in with as many people as they could fit on the $2 water taxi. Finally, we could begin the last leg of our first journey and head on over to Santa Cruz.

Backpacking Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz was a destination in itself. We could have spent an entire week here seeing all that it had to offer – sandy beaches, colourful villas and ever smiling locals. Once we got to Puerto Ayora we realised it had everything we needed – restaurants, cheap places to stay, shops and even a couple of bars. The small island town was always busy with the locals walking or riding their bikes from home to work.

The town was directly on the blue sapphire water with access to piers, beaches, and water taxis and this made it to the perfect place to arrange Galapagos day trip . The day trips ranged from $45 – $95 dollars for an all-day snorkelling and land excursion to Isla Daphne including lunch. There are a lot tourist excursion kiosks so make sure you shop around and bring your haggling A-game to get the best price.

Backpacking Isla Daphne

The boat ride out to the island was beautiful; the water was calm and crystal blue. Birds soared through the salty blue sky squawking overhead as we skirted over the water. The island jetted out of the waterm full of life. We spotted a ton of birds: frigates, boobies, and some stunning tropic birds…

While snorkelling we saw sea lions, a few eagle rays, sea turtles, and a white tipped shark. Although the cost of this excursion isn’t crazy cheap, it is well worth doing and is one of the better value trips whilst exploring Galapagos on a budget.

Spotting Tortoises

After the trip we ventured out on our own to the El Chato Tortoise Reserve to see some unique species of birds. We then cabbed to Rancho Primicias where the Galapagos tortoises grazed about throughout the free range property. We walked along the lush green trails weaving in and around ponds and trees and constantly spotting many giant tortoises. They were massive- much larger than the ones at the Darwin Center and El Chato.

Backpacking through the Lava Tunnel

The Lava Tunnels were very similar to many caves I had previously explored in the US but with one major difference; the tunnels are surrounded by hardened lava rock. We paid the taxi driver extra so we could see these tunnels and crawl through the narrow openings. The tunnels had a string of dim lights that helped us see our way.

The driver picked us up on the other side of the tunnels where a bucket of water awaited us to wash ourselves off after clambering through the admittedly mucky tunnel. We then went to see Los Gemelos – two huge sinkholes that look like gorges. We went on a short walk and guess what we saw…

Giant iguanas and flamboyant flamingos in the lagoons near the Darwin Station. Our first tryst with these super fascinating beings. What an incredible experience! It was at this point that we really felt that our budget Galapagos adventure was off to an amazing start… We were seeing the highlights of the islands, on the cheap, without the need for an expensive tour.

It was almost sunset by now. We were absolutely exhausted but so overwhelmed and happy at what we had seen today. Not bad for the first day of a budget trip yeah?

Backpacking Isabela

The following day we returned to the same kiosk we had gotten the day trip deal from. The salesman gave us a map of Isabela, marked out locations for us and told us that we could see much of the island on our own. We went ahead and bought the ferry ticket, loaded our backpacks in and left on a 2 hour journey to Isabela. Our search for accommodation took way longer than we anticipated. We found a nice private room with a private bath for $50 – expensive I know! You can find hostels in the area for as cheap as $8.

Backpacking Los Tunneles

We embarked on a day trip to the beautiful Los Tunneles, early next morning. There were lava bridges over the sapphire blue waters and tunnels under the water. In the shallow snorkelling area, the snorkelling guide pointed out a sea horse for us all to come over and see! This was my first sea horse sighting and I was so happy to see one in the wild. We saw shoals of parrot fish darting in and around prettily through the lava formations.  I even spotted a squid, spotted eagle ray, sting rays, and a couple of sharks. This area is so fascinating to explore. The snorkelling experience was truly one of a kind because of the beautiful formations.

Backpacking Punta Tortuga

After returning to the island we had a few hours to kill before taking the long water taxi back to Santa Cruz so we explore the small mangrove cove close to the pier called, Punta Tortuga. We saw some colourful fish and a couple of rays but we weren’t very impressed so we ventured to the beach area on the other side of the docks. Best decision ever! We left our backpacks on the shore with the sunning sea lions standing guard, and dove right in. We swam off shore with the friendly sea lions and a ton of little penguins.

I was constantly tapping, poking, and grabbing my husband to show him the little torpedo of penguins diving through the mangroves chasing the shimmering fish. While swimming I felt what I thought was my husband grabbing my toes to point out some more sea life and turned around to look, I saw two wee little penguins nibbling at my toes! Such an endearing experience.

Backpacking the Other Islands

Galapagos has many other islands to see that offer more wildlife viewing on the land as well as in the ocean surrounding them. Many of the Islands are only accessible by long cruises. Wolf Island is one of those due to its distance from Santa Cruz. Many islands also only allow scuba divers so make sure you do a bit of research before venturing out & bring your hammock with you if you want to camp!

Galapagos is famous for its splendid wildlife. Most adventurers come here to get their fill of spotting beautiful creatures that aren’t found anywhere else. The most famous animal of all would be the giant land tortoise. The islands where they can be spotted are Santa Cruz, Isabella, and San Cristobal. Another famous reptile is the Galapagos Land Iguana which can be found on Isabella, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Baltra, and North Seymour. Another rare beauty is the Marine Iguana, which can be spotted on all the islands as they travel through the ocean all over Galapagos.

In the ocean waters you might happen across a Manta Ray or as the locals called them the Diablo Ray or Devil Ray. We spotted two doing somersaults as we cruised on the deep blue sea. Some mantas were doing flips while eating so we caught sight of their white bellies. These rays are found in deep channels and in the Canal Bolivar. Hammerhead sharks and white tip sharks can also be spotted all over Galapagos. The famous and ultra vibrant Sally Lightfoot Crab is also easy to spot. We saw many of these rock hopping along the shoreline.

Galapagos is the most famous for the Darwin’s Finch, which can be spotted on Santa Cruz and Espanola. The Galapagos is also home to the Galapagos Flamingo which is one of the largest flamingos. They can be found in shallow lagoons in Isabella and Floreana. The Blue-footed booby  is a popular favourite and is found all over the Islands, you can’t miss their bright blue feet! My favourite of bird by far were the inquisitive wee little penguins that swam all around the islands and dove in and out of the mangroves. A land so rich in wildlife, you will end up spotting most of these animals while backpacking Galapagos on a budget.

The main cost of going to Galapagos is the air fare. First you have to get to Quito (flights from the states are around $500 for a roundtrip) and then you have to make your way to Baltra, a $200 return flight from Quito. Of course, if you’re already in South America, you can travel overland from Colombia or Peru and enter Ecuador that way. Once you’ve made it to Baltra, you must pay a park entrance fee of $100 per adult and $50 per child. The rest of the trip was pretty budget friendly.

The food in general was amazing and there was always plenty of yummy beer to go with it. Meals ranged from $3 a person to $15 a person. If you eat where the locals eat you can get a good wholesome dinner for just $5 a meal. If you plan to eat where the tourists do, you’ll end up spending around $10-$15. Our most expensive dinner was $15 for the two of us to share a pizza and drink cokes at a tourist restaurant. So, yeah a word of advice; eat local if you aim to backpack Galapagos on a budget.

You can find plenty of hostels with private rooms and shared rooms. They charge per person for rooms – starting from $8 for shared, going to about $15 a night for a private room.

Couchsurfing is another viable option in the Galapagos. CS is a great platform for backpackers who want to crash on a couch for free. I would advise you to do a thorough check on the host though. 

There are plenty of budget hostels in The Galapagos , but if you are still wondering  which is the best part of the Galapagos to stay in?  Well, let me give you a few suggestions.

In terms of tourism, Santa Cruz is the most popular island in the entire archipelago! The main airport is actually on a separate island – Baltra – however, Santa Cruz is the closest inhabited island, and is only a short ferry ride away.

San Cristóbal

San Cristóbal is the most populous island in the Galapagos, and is home to the administrative capital – Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Isabela Island

The largest island in the archipelago, Isabela is nevertheless quite small population-wise – making it a great pick if you want an easy going and relaxed beach holiday!

Floreana is easily the most unique of all the islands in terms of culture! By far the least populated, and smallest in size of the inhabited islands.

We did not have any service while we were in the Galapagos and we were fine with it. But if you absolutely must have reception, grab a local SIM card for about $5 and activate 3G on it. You can also use free WiFi that most hostels offer. Also, make sure you have a good Virtual Private Network for your cell; which basically prevents others from stealing your info while you’re using public Internet.

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst giving something back. There are loads of different volunteer projects in Galapagos ranging from teaching, to animal care, to agriculture to pretty much everything!

Despite high levels of tourism, poverty is common throughout the Galapagos and there are plenty of opportunities for backpackers to volunteer. Most gigs you’ll find are helping with permaculture, and sustainability projects, helping the landscape recover from the damaging effects of mass tourism. It’s also possible to find opportunities in English teaching and housekeeping. If you plan to volunteer in Galapagos for more than three months, then you’ll need to apply for a volunteer visa.  

Worldpackers

Our go-to platform for finding volunteering gigs is Worldpackers who connect travellers with host projects. Have a look at the Worldpackers site and see if they have any exciting opportunities in Galapagos before signing up.

Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and platforms like Workaway are usually very well-managed and reputable. However, whenever you are volunteering do stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Alternatively, Workaway is another excellent common platform used by travellers searching for volunteering opportunities. Workaway is pretty massive, with over 40,000 hosts registered (that’s 40,000 opportunities) and over 350,000 reviews on the site. With a database base that big, odds are you’ll be able to find something that strikes your fancy. You can read our review of Workaway for more info on using this terrific platform.

Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and platforms like Workaway are usually very well-managed. However, whenever you are volunteering do stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children.

Global Work and Travel

Last, but certainly not least, Global Work and Travel is another viable option for finding volunteer opportunities in Galapagos. What sets Global Work and Travel apart from other volunteering platforms is the amount of assistance they give, from a 24/7 global help-line, help with VISA processing to airport transfers and continued support once you are in Galapagos. It may be a smaller platform, but the projects you’ll find are high quality and immaculately organised. There are new programs and opportunities listed constantly as Global Work and Travel continues to grow its reach.

For those interested in volunteer work in Galapagos, Global Work and Travel offer a fantastic project one where you’ll get to choose between community conservation or assistant teaching . There are options to stay anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks with weekends off. As with all volunteer abroad programs, there’s a cost, but you’ll be able to pay it off in interest-free instalments. Don’t forget to bring your camera and make sure you are between the ages of 18-85 to qualify!

If you’re en route to Galapagos and you want to check out what’s available in terms of a last-minute Galapagos cruise, you should check out  Galapatours. This is an online portal of all the cruise operators in Galapagos, and it’s updated daily. This means you can check out any last minute offers before you arrive and grab a place on a boat with a great island itinerary that will get you to the islands and wildlife you most want to see.

Feeling crushed by the extravagant pricing of cruises – from $6500 all the way to $14,000 for a ten day cruise, I was pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive they could be if you just rocked up and looked around a bit.

A great tip for those wanting to backpack Galapagos on a budget – go for a last minute trip. Once you get to the island you can find specials and deals being offered everywhere for last minute trips.

Day trips range from $40-$95 depending on where you want to go. Tour costs very much depend on what you want to do and see. For a week of adventuring, I would estimate spending between $400-$800 dollars on cruises to see all of the islands.

That’s a total steal compared to the prices quoted online… If you want to see the Galapagos on a budget; just go and figure it out once you have arrived.

All of that said, sometimes it makes sense to book a tour in advance, especially if you are picky and limited on time, looking for an eco-tour, etc. You’ll find our guide to the best Galapagos tours hire .

On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full  backpacking packing list.

To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst traveling in South America in general I recommend sticking to these basic rules of budget adventuring….

• Camp: With plenty of gorgeous natural places to camp, the Galapagos is an excellent place to take a tent, though camping is highly restricted. There are still a few opportunities, however. Check out this post for a breakdown of the best tents to take backpacking.
• Cook your own food: I took a small gas cooker with me to the Galapagos and cooked a few of my own meals as I could and saved some cash – check out this post for info on the best backpacking stoves.
• Haggle: Haggle as much as you can. You can always get a better price for things especially while in local markets, though you might find that the locals won’t budge much on certain things.
• Pack a travel water bottle : save money (and the planet) every day! Stop buying bottled water! I may be repeating myself, but having your own water bottle is that important!

Why You Should Travel to Galapagos Islands with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

• Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands  –  This book is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Spot an iguana, swim with penguins, get out there and discover the heart of Galapagos islands.
• Galapagos: Islands Born of Fire  –  This book offers an unforgettable photographic tour of the Galapagos. Explore with the author the incredible diversity of wildlife and habitats of the most fascinating and exotically beautiful places in the world.
• Huasipungo: The Villagers: a Novel  – “The Villagers” is a story of the ruthless exploitation and extermination of an Indian village of Ecuador by its greedy landlord. An interesting read.
• The Queen of Water  – Virginia’s story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope.
• Galapagos Regained  – The book centres on the fictional Chloe Bathurst, an unemployed Victorian actress who finds work on Charles Darwin’s estate, nurturing the strange birds, exotic lizards, and giant tortoises he brought back from his trip around the world. An interesting take on the theory of evolution.
• Galápagos  – A story of the character Kilgore Trout who watches and broods over his no-longer-human descendants who have made natural selection a matter of debased survivalism.
• Beyond the Islands  – A hilarious and troubling take that recreates the Galápagos Islands as the famous cradle of evolutionary theory and as an earthly paradise.

Galapagos Islands Offline Map Travel Guide

You will end up exploring the islands mostly on foot or by boat. Because of the lack of connectivity you will need something that will go off-grid with you. The Galapagos Islands Offline Map Travel Guide app is your best bet. It is detailed and will help you save all the info offline. Perfect if you’re backpacking Galapagos on a budget and want to save money on transport.

Are you a native English speaker looking to earn cash whilst traveling the world? Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills! It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to  start teaching English online .

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online,  TEFL courses  open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on  teaching English abroad .

Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with  MyTEFL  (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.

Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.

The waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands make up some of the best scuba diving opportunities to be had in all of South America. The marine life is so abundant due to the heavy ecological protections placed upon the island by the Ecuadorian government years ago.

Joining a Liveaboard trip in the Galapagos is a great way to experience both the islands and the underwater marvels of the sea surrounding them.

Going to the Galapagos is an expensive affair generally. Plus it can be difficult to move around the islands.

Liveaboard trips go to remote dive sites and parts of the islands otherwise inaccessible to foreigners (and other divers). Eat, sleep, and go diving, all from the comforts of an awesome boat…

Sounds pretty awesome right?

For more information,  check out Liveaboard scuba diving trips in the Galapagos here.

Check out our  Ecuadorian safety guide  for tips and advice for visiting. Otherwise, you can read our  Backpacker Safety 101  for some more general information on staying saf while backpacking.

Pick yourself up a  backpacker security belt  to keep your cash safe on the road.

Check out this post for plenty of ideas on ingenious ways to  hide your money when travelling.

I strongly recommend travelling with a headlamp whilst in Galapagos (or anywhere really – every backpacker should have a good headtorch!) – check out my post for a breakdown of the  best value headlamps to take backpacking.

Travel Insurance for Galapagos

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Being a Responsible Backpacker in the Galapagos Islands

Reduce your plastic footprint:  Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in landfill or in the ocean. Instead, pack a  tough travel water bottle .

Go and watch A Plastic Ocean on Netflix – it’ll change how you view the plastic problem in the world; you need to understand what we are up against. If you think it doesn’t matter, get off my fucking site.

Don’t pick up single use plastic bags, you’re a backpacker – take your daypack if you need to go to the shop or run errands.

Bear in mind, that many animal products in countries you travel through will not be ethically farmed and won’t be of the highest quality. I’m a carnivore but when I’m on the road, I only eat chicken. Mass-farming of cows etc leads to the rainforest being cut down – which is obviously a huge problem.

Need more guidance? – Check out our post on  how to be a responsible backpacker.

Backpacking South America and the Galapagos Islands can be one hell of a party at times. Take it from me, it can be easy to get carried away. It is important to keep in mind that you are an ambassador for your country, which is awesome. We can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your country.

If you visit indigenous villages or small communities always ask before taking photos. The people who live in these villages are not exhibits in a museum. They are normal folks just living their lives.  Always show them the complete respect that they deserve.

When buying a local craft, do not haggle so low that the price is unfair to the person who spent countless hours crafting it. Pay people what they are worth and contribute to the local economies as much as possible.

Avoid eating at fancy gringo-owned restaurants. I don’t care how badly you want that lasagne and red wine.  You make a choice with every dollar you spend. Try to spend your money in places where the experience is mutually rewarding.

I know it can be hard, but do your best to use the  least amount of plastic water bottles  that you can. Refill the ones that you do buy!  Use a Grayl Geopress . Refill at your hostel! There are plenty of ways to reduce plastic!!!

Backpacking South America or any region for that matter often illuminates some of the great socio-economic inequalities of the world. Never take it for granted that you are healthy and financially able to go traveling. Show the world around you some gratitude and help to make a positive impact on it. Most of all have the time of your life and spread the love!

Hope this budget travel guide has inspired you to stop freaking out about expensive tours and get out there and explore Galapagos on a budget!

About the Author:  Lisa Swenson

Lisa Swenson is a third grade teacher at a local Arts Integration and Dual Emersion School in Georgia. Lisa enjoys adventuring outdoors with her family; Nathan, Stephanie, and Rebekah. She enjoys traveling to new places and exploring outdoors by hiking, kayaking, biking, camping, and photoghoraphing.

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Visiting The Galapagos On A Budget – The Ultimate Guide

“Is it even possible to travel the Galapagos on a budget ?”

It’s a question I get asked a lot. And before we go any further I need to tell you that the Galapagos Islands aren’t exactly a cheap shoestring backpackers destination (you knew that already right?) BUT there are ways to make a trip to the Galapagos affordable.

In today’s budget Galapagos guide , you’ll find all the information you need to plan your own Galapagos adventure using these money-saving tips.

We’ll be looking at all the practical aspects of travelling in the Galapagos Islands as well as discussing the pros, cons and the costs involved for the 3 main ways of travelling the Galapagos on a budget;

• A D.I.Y Galapagos trip
• A last minute cruise
• A budget pre-booked tour or cruise (yes they do exist although they are elusive – don’t worry I’ll show you how to find them…)

This is a detailed article and if you just want to skip to the bit where I tell you about the most affordable Galapagos tour companies, you can find them here…

But if your looking for all the information you need to plan a Galapagos trip then read on. We’ll start by taking a look at the practicalities of budget travel in The Galapagos…

What you can expect from this article...

• 1.1 Important things to know about travelling in the Galapagos Islands on a budget
• 1.2 How to get to the Galapagos Islands
• 1.3 How to get between the Galapagos islands
• 1.4 When is the best time to visit The Galapagos Islands?
• 1.5 What animals can you expect to see in the Galapagos Islands?
• 1.6 What to pack for a trip to The Galapagos Islands
• 1.7 Top places to visit in The Galapagos Islands
• 2.1 Booking Accommodation on the Galapagos Islands
• 2.2 Food and drink in the Galapagos Islands
• 2.3 Booking Galapagos Day Tours (including ways to get a bargain)
• 2.4 Free things to do in the Galapagos Islands
• 2.5 DIY Galapagos Trip Pros and Cons
• 2.6 DIY Galapagos on a Budget – How much will it cost?
• 3.1 Questions to ask before you book a last minute Galapagos cruise
• 3.2 Last Minute Galapagos Cruise Pros and Cons
• 3.3 Last minute Galapagos cruise budget
• 4.1 Reputable Galapagos tour companies
• 4.2 Pros and Cons of an organised Galapagos cruise
• 4.3 Budget for a pre-booked Galapagos Cruise or organised tour
• 4.4 Suggested Galapagos Cruises and organised tours
• 5.1 How much does it cost to visit the Galapagos Islands?
• 5.2 How do I visit The Galapagos on a budget?
• 5.3 What is the best way to visit the Galapagos Islands?
• 5.4 What is the best month to go to the Galapagos Islands?
• 5.5 How many days should you spend in the Galapagos?
• 5.6 Can you stay on the Galapagos Islands?
• 5.7 Do you need a permit to visit The Galapagos?
• 5.8 Is the water safe to drink in The Galapagos Islands?
• 5.9 Are The Galapagos Islands Safe?
• 5.10 Is a visa required for The Galapagos Islands?
• 5.11 Is there malaria in the Galapagos?
• 5.12 Is there Zika virus in The Galapagos Islands?
• 6.1 Relevant Blog Articles
• 6.2 Books about the Galapagos Islands

Planning a Trip to The Galapagos on A Budget

Important things to know about travelling in the galapagos islands on a budget.

• There are no ATM’s on Isla Isabela so make sure you take cash.
• Tours and even last minute cruises are often paid for in cash so make sure you have plenty and/or know how much you can withdraw from your bank each day.
• You will be required to pay a National Park entrance fee on arrival at The Galapagos of $100/adult and $50/child. This may seem steep but the money goes toward conservation and keeping the Galapagos Islands pristine. You’ll also need to pay for a tourist transit card which is $20.
• The main islands are bigger than you’d imagine so make sure you factor in travel time for getting about. Many people are surprised by how big and how spread out The Galapagos Islands are.
• You will find animals everywhere and they are not afraid of humans. But remember they are still wild animals, keep your distance and give them the respect they deserve.

No time to read it now? No worries, pin it for later!

How to get to the Galapagos Islands

There are two main airports in the Galapagos found on Baltra Island and San Cristobal.

If you are arriving to Baltra Island, you will take a water taxi to Santa Cruz organised at the airport. The airport here is often referred to as Santa Cruz airport as there is not much to do on Baltra Island and it is only really used to service the most populated island on the Galapagos which is Santa Cruz.

You can only fly to The Galapagos on a domestic flight from mainland Ecuador. So there is no way of getting a flight direct to The Galapagos from your home country. Check flight times and prices HERE .

The two airports which operate regular flights to The Galapagos are based in Quito (Mariscal Sucre Airport) and Guayaquil (Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport)

Be aware, that there can be long waits in the airports and make sure you have the cash on you for your National park Fee .

How to get between the Galapagos islands

There are ferries between the main islands but please book a few days in advance especially in the high season as they can get booked up quickly.

Also note that there are no direct ferries between San Cristobal and Isabela so you will have to stop over at Santa Cruz along the way.

Ferries cost $30 between each island. You can find times by using the Rome2Rio website which I use to plan my transport whenever I travel.

If you want to reach the smaller or remote islands, you will need to take a cruise or a day trip.

When is the best time to visit The Galapagos Islands?

This really depends on what wildlife you are most excited about seeing on your visit. There’s a great infographic here which will give you a good idea about breeding times and wildlife spectacles during certain months.

In general, January-April sees hot and humid weather. The weather is probably at it’s best in May and June with warm dry days and ideal water temperatures for swimming. From July onwards the weather is cooler and sometimes windy.

If you want to see baby sea lions the best time to visit is in August. If you want to snorkel with them, visit a few months later in November when they are a little bigger and will be more likely to visit you underwater.

If you want to see humpback whales, the best time to visit is between June and October and to see Green Turtles nesting on the beach, you need to visit in January.

In general, I think the best time to visit The Galapagos Islands is between May and November for pleasant weather and more wildlife opportunities and baby sea lions.

** Pssst, this article may contain affiliate links. If you have no idea what this means, click here and everything will be explained!**

What animals can you expect to see in the Galapagos Islands?

So so many animals! But here are a list of some of my favourites…

• Sea Lions – swimming with them is incredible
• Colourful crabs – such bright colours
• Penguins – mostly found in the western islands
• Killer Whales or Orcas – more likely to be seen in the west
• Marine Iguanas
• Land iguanas
• Sea turtles
• Giant tortoises
• Galapagos Hawk
• Galapagos Albatross
• Blue (and red) footed boobies
• Frigate birds
• Darwin’s finches

What to pack for a trip to The Galapagos Islands

• Number one item to pack is an action camera. You won’t want to miss getting some great pictures and videos of the magical underwater world in the Galapagos Islands. I have a GoPro Hero 6 which takes fantastic quality photos and videos but you can also get great budget versions such as this one for under $50!
• You’re going to be getting on and off boats a lot during your trip to The Galapagos Islands so make sure you have a dry bag to keep your belongings safe. A waterproof phone cover is also a great idea for protecting your phone and being able to use it as a camera on the beach.
• Consider taking your own mask and snorkel and even your own fins if you are planning to do a DIY budget Galapagos trip and save on money spent to hire them. It’s also useful on cruises as you won’t have to battle to find one which is your size and doesn’t leak!
• Make sure you take reef safe sunscreen . Regular sunscreen can be really damaging to the coral and subsequently the wildlife. If you want to know more about this, I suggest you read this article.
• The tap water is not safe to drink in the Galapagos Islands so I recommend you save money and do your bit for the environment by investing in a Water To Go bottle . These bottles filter the tap water as your drink making it completely safe for consumption. This will also save you money in the Galapagos Islands. If you use the code GLOBETROTTERGP when you purchase one on their website, you’ll get 15% off.
• You’ll be in and out of the water constantly when you are in the Galapagos Islands so you’ll need an antibacterial towel which dries fast such as these fun stripey towels from Dock and Bay.
• The volcanic rock in the Galapagos Islands is very unforgiving on your feet so I’d recommend taking water shoes or waterproof sandals like these ones from Teva.
• And don’t forget your travel insurance . Make sure it covers adventure activities like snorkelling and diving.

For more packing tips, read this complete Galapagos packing list…

Top places to visit in The Galapagos Islands

Sullivan Bay, Santiago – a great place to see fascinating lava formations. There’s also great snorkelling opportunities from the beach – that was where I saw my first white-tipped shark and penguin.

Bartolome Island – take a hike to the gorgeous viewpoint overlooking this volcanic island and go snorkelling at Pinnacle rock which is a great place for spotting reef sharks.

Cerro Dragon – this is the island you should go to if you want to spot land iguanas. They are larger than marine iguanas and are a golden yellow colour. They are usually a lot shyer than marine iguanas so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled.

Darwin and Wolf Island – you can’t make a dry landing on these islands in the north but they are known to be some of the best dive locations in The Galapagos Islands.

Espanola – for me this was one of the best islands for wildlife. This is the island to go to if you want to see the huge albatrosses – you might even get lucky and see their odd little mating dance. Here there are also SO many marine iguanas – there were hundreds lying on top of each other to keep warm.

Post Office Bay, Floreana – make sure you visit this quirky post office where you can look for a postcard which you are able to personally deliver. Leave your own postcard and who knows, it might reach its destination within a few years! You may also spot flamingoes on Floreana at Santa Cormorant.

Gardner bay – This is one of the longest beaches with beautiful white sand and plenty of sea lions.

Cerro Brujo – For me this was the prettiest beach I saw in The Galapagos Islands. In fact it may be the prettiest beach I have ever seen full stop.

Kicker rock – famous for looking like a sleeping sea lion, there is some amazing snorkelling opportunities near this rock formation.

La Loberia – one of the best places to see a lot of sea lions. You are likely to see lots of pups depending on what time of year you visit – later in the year is best as many sea lion pups are born around August time.

Tortuga Bay – often referred to as the most beautiful beach in the Galapagos (though I still think Cerro Brujo can’t be beaten for beauty.)

Charles Darwin research centre – the best place to learn about the Galapagos giant tortoises and to learn the story about ‘Lonesome George…’

Planning a DIY Galapagos Trip on a Budget

If you are wanting to travel the Galapagos on a shoestring or you prefer independent travel, you may prefer to organise a DIY Galapagos trip. It’s certainly possible to see the Galapagos without a cruise.

You may find it harder to reach the smaller more remote islands and day trips can add up if you plan to take a lot. It’s important to remember, this isn’t always the cheapest way to see The Galapagos but we’ll get onto the budget in a bit…

Booking Accommodation on the Galapagos Islands

There are 3 islands which are inhabited where you will be able to base yourself for a DIY trip. Santa Cruz is the most inhabited island and has an airport so this is the easiest island to visit if you only plan on staying in one place.

However, if time allows, try to spend a few days on each of the three islands. Here are a few accommodation options for each…

Accommodation on Santa Cruz – Puerto Ayora

Accommodation on isla isabela – puerto villamil, accommodation on san cristobal, food and drink in the galapagos islands.

You can eat fairly cheaply in the Galapagos Islands, for as little as $5. But you will need to leave the tourist areas and find out where the locals are eating. If you eat in a tourist trap – expect to pay $10-20 per meal.

Cocktails can start to add up so make the most of happy hours where you can often get 2-4-1. Beer is probably the cheapest thing to drink. If you decide to take a cruise, your food is usually included but alcohol is extra so take enough cash if you want the occasional tipple.

Booking Galapagos Day Tours (including ways to get a bargain)

Tours in The Galapagos can vary in price so it’s worth shopping about. Whilst you might get some half day trips for around $50, most day trips will cost at least $100. You are likely to pay well over $150 if you want to take a trip that includes diving. So if you plan to take a lot of day trips, you may find a budget cruise actually works out cheaper.

However there are a few ways you can try to get a better deal on day trips. Here’s a few ideas…

• Book last minute. If you go shopping for day trips late afternoon the day before, they may offer you a bargain as they have seats to fill.
• Book multiple trips with the same tour company and ask them to do a deal.
• Shop around, find the lowest price and use that as your base for haggling.
• Speak to people in your hostel or hotel and see if you can get a group together. If you can fill multiple spots on the tours, they may offer a group discount.
• Ask for a deal – there’s no harm in asking!

Tours you can book in advance

If you want to book your tours in advance, here are a few day trips that might fit the bill.

• Half day Santa Cruz Tour
• Sierra Negra Volcano walking tour
• Isabela wetlands tour
• Isabela Kayaking trip
• Lobos Island and Gardner Bay
• Kicker rock and snorkelling
• Tortuga bay tour and yacht trip to La Loberia Island
• Full day Lava tunnels tour from Isabela
• Bartolome day tour
• Floreana full day tour

There is also a combi-ticket where you get four of the most popular day tours for an overall discount of 20% It will still be cheaper to wait and book tours when you get there but if there’s one trip you desperately don’t want to miss out on, then it may be worth considering booking it in advance.

Free things to do in the Galapagos Islands

There are of course some free things to do in the Galapagos Islands which will at least save you a little money such as;

• Visit the beaches
• Go snorkelling straight off the beach
• Some tortoise breeding centres are also free to visit.

DIY Galapagos Trip Pros and Cons

In theory, if you stay in a hostel, eat where the locals eat and mix day trips with days spent doing free things like walking and exploring the local beaches, you may be able to see the Galapagos on a tight budget. You can also taylor the trip to your exact preferences.

However, you wont be able to reach the smaller more remote islands without forking out for pricey day tours. Also, when travel time is taken into consideration, you will be visiting places at their peak times when there will be more tourists. The boats in comparison, sail overnight so they get the best spots to themselves before the day tours all start arriving.

It would be very easy to end up spending more than you would on a cruise if you take too many day trips.

DIY Galapagos on a Budget – How much will it cost?

Flights Return approx $400

National Park fee $110

Food $10-25/ day

Accommodation $20 hostel dorm $50-70 basic double room >$150 for something more luxurious

Transport between islands $30 per trip

Tours mostly upwards of $100

How much does backpacking for a week in the Galapagos cost?

So for a week, presuming you stick to hostels and cheap restaurants and stay on 2 of the islands, it would cost around $800 before tours . With 3 day-tours included and the other days spent doing free things, it would cost $1100 for 7 days .

If you stayed in luxury hotels, ate at tourist hot spots and took 5 day-tours, it could easily cost over $2300

Booking a last minute Galapagos cruise

This can be a great option to nab a bargain but you also need to be prepared that you might not get a cruise at all. If seeing the Galapagos by cruise is important to you then I would recommend booking ahead of time. Try to allow at least a week before your allocated Galapagos time to be in the area to find a last minute cruise.

Questions to ask before you book a last minute Galapagos cruise

• Which islands does it visit? Do your research beforehand to make sure you know which ones you want to see the most. Though you may have to be willing to be a bit flexible if you are booking last minute
• How many people are on the boat? This is important to consider as if you are on a boat with 100 people, those beaches aren’t going to seem quite as peaceful when you all set foot on them. I prefer smaller boats with under 20 people. You get to know everyone and feel like a family by the end of your trip.
• Is it a standard or upgraded trip? Ask to see photos of the boat in advance to see if the accommodation is somewhere you can imagine staying.
• How experienced is your guide or naturalist?
• Are meals included? Drinks? Snorkel equipment and activities? Most boats will include your meals and equipment but drinks are often extra. Take cash for this.
• Are there any reviews? Tripadvisor is often a good place to start looking.

Last Minute Galapagos Cruise Pros and Cons

You could get an absolute bargain. But, you might not get on a cruise at all! Especially if you don’t have much time so you can’t be flexible on dates or you are booking in peak season.

Also, when under pressure to decide on a boat, you could end up making a decision without doing enough research and end up on a badly organised cruise.

Last minute Galapagos cruise budget

Whilst the price of a last minute cruise varies enormously, it seems the average price most people manage to secure by booking last minute is between $1500 and $2000 (depending if it is a 5 or 8 day cruise.)

You also need to consider that you may need to arrange to get to Quito, Guayaquil or The Galapagos Islands a week or so ahead of your tour to find your cruise. During this time, you will have additional expenses to consider such as food and accommodation. It may end up being no cheaper than a pre-organised tour and of course has no guarantees.

Booking a pre-organised Galapagos cruise or tour

Personally this is the way I always recommend seeing the Galapagos if you can afford it. You’ll see in the budget breakdown below, it’s doesn’t have to be extortionate.

Reputable Galapagos tour companies

The three companies that I recommend are G Adventures , Intrepid and Live Aboard . I’ve travelled extensively with G Adventures and Intrepid Travel. Whilst I’ve not travelled with Live Aboard yet, they have a great reputation for dive trips. You may be able to do an optional dive with the first two companies but if you want to dive every day, Live Aboard is the one for you.

Read More | Galapagos island hopping trips which won’t break the bank

I personally travelled with G Adventures in The Galapagos Islands. I had an absolute ball and was pleasantly surprised by how luxurious my boat was. My cabin was surprisingly spacious and there was a proper shower. (I’ve sailed on many boats with a wet room instead and only been allowed a 2-minute shower as water was restricted.) Here I could enjoy my warm shower after a snorkel!

The food was incredible and the staff so helpful. Our itinerary was varied and we always got to the best places before other tourists arrived. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. They were also the cheapest company I could find for seeing the specific islands I wanted.

Read more | A G Adventures Galapagos Review

Pros and Cons of an organised Galapagos cruise

The pros are obvious. This is simply the best way to see more of the islands. You’ll get to visit the smaller, more remote islands which are often the prettiest and have the most unusual wildlife.

Since the bulk of the sailing is done overnight, travel time is reduced meaning more of your time will be spent on the islands or snorkelling. Usually, every day involv es 2 snorkel trips and 2 nature hikes in 2 different locations.

It’s a brilliant way for solo travellers to make friends. I made some fantastic friends on my trip and the best thing was that we were all like minded – passionate about travel, nature and photography.

Taking a cruise is also the best hassle-free way of seeing The Galapagos so it feels like a real holiday. No need to worry about finding somewhere cheap to stay or eat every time you move base. We were treated like royalty by the amazing staff onboard.

The only downside as far as I can see is the price. BUT as you’ll see below, it’s not quite as expensive as most people think. Yes it CAN be expensive and many ships charge ludicrous prices. But I’ve scoured the internet and found the best bargains. In fact I have another article specifically about the most affordable tours in the Galapagos you may want to check out.

Budget for a pre-booked Galapagos Cruise or organised tour

For a weeks trip including flights from Quito, pre-booked cruises can start from $1900 for a week and 10-day trips start from around $3000 . If you are looking for a budget land-based trip, prices start from as little as $870 for 1 week (flights not included.)

You will need to shop around to find these deals as the average Galapagos cruise costs between $5000 and $10000!

But I’ve made shopping about easier for you! After months of research, these are the most affordable companies I found. The following websites all offer budget cruises with a great reputation. Some are even quite luxurious!

I personally travelled with G Adventures on a 10-day cruise and I had the most incredible time which you can read about HERE .

You may also want to read my article about budget Island hopping tours on the Galapagos Islands which includes 12 fantastic options for every type of traveller and budget.

It may surprise you to realise organised Galapagos tours can be so affordable. Remember we calculated that a budget DIY week with 3 tours would cost $1100? Well, you could book a pre-arranged land-based tour for $1400 including flights. For an additional $500 you can sail around the Galapagos, the best way to see a lot in a short time.

Suggested Galapagos Cruises and organised tours

• Galapagos Express with G Adventures – a land based tour
• The Galapagos on a shoestring (land-based tour) with Intrepid Travel  
• Galapagos Family Adventure – land based – with Intrepid  
• Aqua Diving Trip with Live Aboard – includes north islands for best diving 
• Central south and east islands aboard the Monserrat – the trip I took and loved. 
• Budget Sailing in the Galapagos with G Adventures  
• Complete Galapagos with G adventures – a 17 day extended trip to see it all

The Galapagos on a Budget F.A.Q’s

We’ve covered a lot of ground today so I decided to summarise with some Galapagos F.A.Q’s. These are some of the most common questions people ask about visiting the Galapagos islands on a budget.

How much does it cost to visit the Galapagos Islands?

A shoestring backpacking trip for a week could cost as little as $1000 although you’ll be limited to visiting mostly the large inhabited islands.

It is possible to find a last-minute cruise for between $1500 and $2000 but with the risk you won’t get on a cruise at all. This also won’t include flights and you also need to factor in the money spent on hotels and food whilst you are waiting for your cruise.

A budget land-based trip with a reputable company will cost you $1400 with flights included.

A pre-organised budget Galapagos cruise with a reputable company will cost between $1900 and $3000. This can sometimes work out as cheap as a last minute cruise with a more expensive company.

How do I visit The Galapagos on a budget?

If you are planning a land based trip, stay in budget hostels in dorms, eat where the locals eat, spend time hiking, swimming and snorkelling and keep day trips to a minimum.

If you are planning to go on a cruise, you can either take a gamble on getting a last minute cruise at a bargain or book with affordable companies such as G Adventures , Intrepid or Live Aboard .

What is the best way to visit the Galapagos Islands?

A cruise is the best way to visit The Galapagos islands. You’ll get to see all the remote islands which are often the prettiest and have the most unusual wildlife. A D.I.Y land-based backpacking trip is an alternative way to visit The Galapagos Islands if your budget does not stretch to a cruise.

What is the best month to go to the Galapagos Islands?

May and June have the best weather but August to October is the best time for seeing whales and young sea lion pups.

How many days should you spend in the Galapagos?

Ideally at least a week but longer is preferable if your budget will stretch to it. The Galapagos islands are spread out and there is so much to see and do on all the islands which are very different from each other. The longer you can spend there, the better!

Can you stay on the Galapagos Islands?

Yes you can! The 3 most inhabited islands in the Galapagos Islands are Isla Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Santa Cruz is the most popular place to stay with good ferry links to the other islands and it’s own airport.

Do you need a permit to visit The Galapagos?

You will need to purchase a $20 tourist transit card in Quito or Guayaquil airport before you fly. Then on arrival in The Galapagos Islands, you will have to pay a $100 national park entrance fee which goes towards the cost of conservation and island upkeep. For children this fee is $50

Is the water safe to drink in The Galapagos Islands?

No, the tap water is not safe to drink in The Galapagos Islands so you will need to buy bottled water or you could invest in a Water To Go bottle which filters the water as you drink, keeping you safe. It’s also better for the environment. Get yours HERE and use the code GLOBETROTTERGP to get a 15% discount.

Are The Galapagos Islands Safe?

Yes, The Galapagos Islands are a safe destination, great for solo travellers. Crime rates are pretty low here. But as always, take sensible precautions such as avoiding walking down unlit streets at night or leaving your valuables unattended.

Is a visa required for The Galapagos Islands?

Most nationalities will not need a visa to visit the Galapagos Islands. The following countries are exceptions to the rule and will need a visa before visiting Ecuador.

• Afghanistan
• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Is there malaria in the Galapagos?

There is little to no risk of Malaria in The Galapagos and Ecuador although the risk will be slightly higher in some surrounding countries in South America. I always use FitForTravel to check the malaria risk for anywhere I am visiting.

Is there Zika virus in The Galapagos Islands?

The risk of Zika is virtually non-existent in the Galapagos Islands and there have been no recent reported incidents at the time of writing. Please always check the CDC website before you travel anywhere.

Any other Questions? Drop them in the comments below!

Relevant Blog Articles

• Galapagos Island Hopping Trips which wont break the bank
• Galapagos cruise with G Adventures – A review
• G Adventures vs Intrepid Travel
• The Galapagos Central Islands
• The Galapagos Eastern islands
• The Galapagos Southern Islands
• A Galapagos Packing List

Books about the Galapagos Islands

• A Galapagos Travel Guide
• The Rough Guide to Ecuador and The Galapagos
• Wildlife Photography: Proven Techniques for Capturing Stunning Digital Images
• Galapagos National Geographic Adventure Map
• Wildlife of The Galapagos
• Galapagos – Islands born of fire

I hope you feel prepared now to plan your own trip to The Galapagos Islands on a budget! Do you have any questions about your Galapagos budget? If so, drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.

In the meantime, here are some pretty pins for your Pinterest boards…

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Hiking the lare’s trek – an alternative to the inca trail, slapped in the face by an eagle & other wild animal encounters, visiting sepilok orangutan sanctuary – and other ways to see orangutans in borneo, this post has 2 comments.

Thank you so much. That is such a helpful summary. I think I like the sound of a quieter island and if as you say there are tour operators to help with land based tour.

Well written post on Galapagos Islands. Looks like there is a lot to do for adventure seekers. It also has amazing wildlife. Saving this to use in the future.

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Six Days for $900: How to Visit the Galapagos on a Budget

“Can we really stay in the Galapagos on a budget?”

Sherri’s voice carried quickly in the early morning air. A mother walking her son to school looked back over her shoulder at us; along the road, cars filled with diving gear and men in board shorts passed by.

We were waiting for our tour guide to arrive: for a man we’d never met who was about to take us to San Cristobal island for a day of snorkelling .

Except we happened to be an hour ahead of schedule – hence sitting on the kerb outside his closed-up shop at 7am. And they say the Galapagos islands are luxurious…! 

6am is time for napping

Traveling to the Galapagos on a budget

Of course, if you’ve decided to take one of the (hopefully!) affordable Galapagos cruises around the islands , then you probably don’t need to worry about missing the start of your tour.

But for those of us on a definite Galapagos budget – those who opt to spend their visit searching out the cheap Galapagos tours and day trips to different islands – there’s no time to waste.

Going back in time in the Galapagos Islands…

Travellers who’ve already been in South America for a while might be confused about the Galapagos. This isn’t mainland Ecuador – not at all.

First up, the Galapagos islands have a different timezone (hence why I neglected to wind my watch back an hour as the plane landed, and got out of bed an hour earlier).

Second, the hospital, dentists and at least twenty pharmacies are all clustered together on the main road; the sole purpose of the vast majority of shops is to sell boat tours; and there’s one long street with all the evening’s food options flanking either side, with tables jostling for space on the tarmac.

Most of all, there’s an overwhelming sense of safety and security. While Quito may be known as one of the most likely cities in South America to get pick-pocketed, this small island couldn’t feel more different.

Puerto Ayora is an Ecuadorian city with a great deal of wealth. There are sealions lazing on the pier, iguanas scuttling along the pavements and herons swooping overhead.

And Santa Cruz island, located in the middle of an infamous archipelago, is the place where pretty much every Galapagos-bound visitor arrives.

So what’s the cheapest way to visit Galapagos?

When I decided to volunteer in Ecuador I knew that the Galapagos islands were a must-see, but I didn’t want to spend a large part of my budget on an expensive cruise. So I decided to try attempt the cheapest way to get to Galapagos:  fly to the archipelago, stay on the main island of Santa Cruz and take day trips to the surrounding islands.

While this can start off as a good idea, it’s very easy for the money to start vanishing. We met people who were spending two weeks on Santa Cruz and taking day trips almost every day: when you add up the $70+ day trip price, plus nightly dinners and accommodation, it starts to look like an all-inclusive cruise would be more economical!

My friend Sherri and I were certain we could get the majority of the Galapagos experience without the huge price tag – but obviously that comes at a price of its own.

• We didn’t eat a huge amount, and the meals we had weren’t at all fancy.
• We walked most of the time, resulting in occasional flipflop blisters and a fair amount of sunburn.
• We hungrily searched out every free activity we could – even if it involved extra effort and time.

But it worked!

We managed to experience a large amount of what the Galapagos had to offer for a surprisingly cheap price – each spending approximately $900 (or £600 of my own native British currency) for a six day trip.

Intrigued? Sceptical perhaps? Here’s how I saw the Galapagos islands on a budget of $900…

How to visit Galapagos Islands on a budget – the full breakdown

First up, I don’t suggest this method for everyone.

This is essentially the ‘Galapagos Islands Backpacking Method’: it’s for the long-term travellers who are happy to cut all possible corners, rather than families with only a few weeks holiday to travel Ecuador with. Put simply, it’s not the glitziest style of travel!

Secondly, it’s helpful to know the cheapest time to visit Galapagos. Many will say there’s no ‘bad’ or ‘best’ time, but avoiding the summer and Christmas/New Year influxes of tourists is a good start. We went in April when the rainy season was finishing, which meant lots of lush green vegetation and not many tourists. August to November is the coolest part of the year, which is best for clear diving waters. September is the least touristic month and so probably the best for scoring last-minute Galapagos tour deals.

Thirdly, decide how long to spend in Galapagos. We opted for just under a week: bearing in mind that arrival and departure days are mostly spent travelling, that gave us three or four days of solid exploring.

Finally, you should be relaxed about this style of trip, and have enough free time to play with.  That’s because we booked everything last-minute, from flights to accommodation to day trips once we’d arrived. It’s the absolute best way to guarantee you’re getting the best Galapagos Islands deals (and bartering in Spanish is pretty fun too!)

Flights to/from the Galapagos:  $430 (£274)

There’s no doubt about it: when flying to the Galapagos cheap tickets are hard to find. But the vast amount of visitors seem to come to Ecuador for these islands only – when it’s surely much more cost effective to combine a budget Galapagos trip with a few weeks in the rest of the country?

– Fly to the Galapagos from somewhere close. Because I’ve been living in Cuenca for the last five months it was no hassle to book the two hour internal flight to the Galapagos. And instead of flying from Quito, I flew from Guayaquil, my nearest airport, which cut my air fare pretty much in half.

– Book your flights last-minute. By booking flights just two weeks before I wanted to be in the Galapagos, I got a great deal: just $430 round trip (or £274 for us Brits).

Galapagos airport tax on arrival: $100 (£64)

The other major sting in transport prices is the requisite Galapagos entrance tax of $100 – unless you can prove you’re Ecuadorian national, when it’s $6.

But I don’t recommend attempting the identity fraud method unless your passport looks suspiciously like an Ecuadorian one. The last thing you want is to be thrown back on the plane without having seen a single sea lion.

Local transport in Galapagos:  $10 (£6.40)

Emerging from Baltra airport was a tad confusing. We weren’t met by a guide and whisked away, and there weren’t any visible directions for those not joining a cruise (presumably because not many people do it!). Luckily we worked it out soon enough.

The airline bus ride to the water is free. This is followed by a five minute $1 boat ride across to Santa Cruz island. After that you either wait patiently for a non-visible bus (timetable not strictly adhered to), or sight three other people in your eye-line and approach one of the many pick up truck drivers, waiting patiently in the parking lot, to be your taxi for the next 45 minutes.

The journey cost us $12 split four ways, and making conversation with our driver resulted in good tips for what to do for free on the island.

There’s little need for transport in the actual town of Puerto Ayora, as it’s small enough to walk everywhere. That said, heading to the various beaches on the island’s coast require the use of a water taxi to cross the bay –  but at 60 cents a ride, it’s not exactly expensive!

Galapagos accommodation:  $15 a night (£9.50)

After 45 minutes of rudimentary Spanish while driving through the bizarrely sparse but bird-filled Santa Cruz, we were firm friends with our taxi driver. So when we mentioned we had no accommodation sorted, he dropped us in the centre of town near a cluster of hotels, and threw his arms around vaguely to ensure us that everywhere here would be fine.

Check out some Galapagos hostels here!

The first place we walked into had decent enough private rooms with heavy duty fan and an ensuite for $15 each a night, and the smilingly rotund Miguel, the owner, rubbing his stomach in satisfaction that we wanted to stay there, sealed the deal for me.

Hostal Lirio del Mar was parallel to the main street of Avenida Baltra and only a few minutes walk to the harbour, which made it easy for us to come and go as we pleased. There are cheaper places to be found in town, but Lirio del Mar was more than suitable for what we needed.

Galapagos food:  $90 for six days (£57)

Spending money on food is where the budgeting really shows – and it’s much easier to do if you’ve only recently been living the “I’m an impoverished student” lifestyle.

Avoiding the $5 or $6 ‘American Breakfast’ options on the harbour, we headed further into town where we had a typical breakfast of bollon de queso and aji plus a coffee for $3 .

On trip days, we breakfasted on yoghurt and fruit purchased from the tienda next door and kept overnight in the hostel fridge. Being in a hot climate tends to make me less hungry anyway, so we usually just had a snack for lunch; an empanada from a street stall, some cookies or a bag of crisps, none of which cost much.

Occasionally a doughnut from the supermarket if we were feeling particularly rebellious.

But dinner time on Santa Cruz is where a budgeter can really see the pay off. While there’s plenty of dining options for tourists, Puerto Ayora is fundamentally an Ecuadorian town – and Ecuadorians like to eat.

So every night, the main food street is littered with whiteboards advertising that evening’s ‘ cena ‘ offering; a soup, main dish of meat, rice and salad, and a glass of juice, all for the princely sum of $4.

It also arrives on your table faster than any other order – perfect if you’re hungry.

Our hostal did have a kitchen, so while we never fully utilised its cooking capabilities there was clearly an option to eat even cheaper than we already were. For supplies we headed the supermarket on the waterfront, where there was more than enough available to cook with, if we’d so fancied.

As there’s no potable water on the island we also picked up bottled water in bulk (four litres for a couple of dollars), and refilled little bottles each day.

Galapagos day trips:  approx $70–$100 per trip (£45–£64)

Without a doubt, the bulk of your galapagos islands budget will be spent on day trips..

Day trips from Puerto Ayora allow tourists already staying in land-based accommodation to catch a small tour boat in the early morning, spend the day at sea and return to Santa Cruz in the early evening.

The downside to day trips is that many of the most popular islands to visit aren’t that close to each other, so it’s only possible to see a few via the day tour method – hence why so many visitors take multi-day cruises instead. (It’s also possible to book a few short, multi-day tours if you fancy a longer stint at one specific island (ie two days/one night or three days/two nights) – just make sure you’re getting a good deal. And be sure to check the accommodation you’ll be using on board! 

Read more: How to find a Galapagos cruise on a budget

However, the upside of a day trip – apart from the much cheaper cost! – is that you’ve got the freedom to decide exactly when and where you want to go.

If you fancy a full day of snorkelling in the waters around San Cristobal , followed by a day off exploring Santa Cruz, and then a day on land at Isla Isabela, it’s perfectly doable.

As a general rule, all day tours should include:

• transport to and from the island
• a guide (specify that your guide gives his tour in English too if you don’t feel your Spanish is up to scratch)
• lunch either on board the boat or on the island
• depending on the company, they may also include snorkel gear (mask & fins) for free / for a rental price

NB: Bear in mind that Isabela island charges you a $20 tax upon arrival which is never normally included in the tour price – i.e. you’ll have to pay it as an extra.

In the Galapagos, it’s a good idea to haggle

After six days, we felt like we’d talked to pretty much every agent – including Stalin, an enterprising young guy who constantly alternated between smiling, winking, and asking us out for beers, which we turned into an opportunity to successfully bargain for a discount!

Remember: the same tour will often be sold by multiple agents in different shops, but it’s ultimately up to your particular agent to choose the end price of the tour (which essentially means he’s able to work out what commission he’s going to make). So spend enough time bartering and you can easily save $20.

Galapagos activities:  free!

Ah, the magic word! Everything touristy on Santa Cruz island is free, from the otherworldly rock chasm of Las Grietas to the Charles Darwin tortoise breeding centre to the stunning white sand beaches of Tortuga Bay.

All you need are a couple of willing legs and a large dollop of suncream. We explored the island thoroughly over three days, and spent our other two days on trips to other islands.

I’d also recommend heading to the Tourist Information office on Avenida Charles Darwin to pick up a free guide book with maps of all the main islands and highlights of each.

This little book was indispensable for me and Sherri – not least because we both have a pretty terrible sense of direction!

Unexpected bonuses to seeing the Galapagos on a budget

While I couldn’t help being overwhelmed by the amount of nature and wildlife in the Galapagos, I’m more of a people person at heart. One of my favourite things to do when travelling is seek out the hidden elements of a place, to really feel like I’ve discovered something special – and through choosing to stay on Santa Cruz rather than onboard a boat in the water, we were able to see parts of the island that many people probably never experience.

We had the time to stumble across a hidden mosaic garden, for instance, delighting in the detail the creators had clearly worked hard to achieve.

We discovered the local graffiti and gorgeous colours that make Puerto Ayora a wonderfully bright and exciting place to wander through.

We spent hours at the fish market, watching the birds flutter excitedly over the latest catch.

And all the while, the sealions slumped under the tables and snored in total relaxation.

He’s not dead. Promise. He’s just trying his damnedest to get extra fish thrown to him.

Budget versus all-inclusive: which style of Galapagos trip is best?

We spent a large portion of our time postulating about how our trip compared to a cruise.

Although the benefits of cruising are more than evident, I still whole-heartedly believe that I had just as good an experience of the Galapagos when doing it cheaply. We visited three different islands, snorkelled with giant turtles, sea lions and sharks, sunbathed as much as we were physically able and ate a great deal of fresh fish.

Plus, by the end of six days spent on Santa Cruz, primarily in Puerto Ayora, we felt like we knew the place backwards. We’d discovered the best place for a local breakfast of bollon de queso and unholily delicious fresh homemade ahi ; chatted with the friendliest tour operators; befriended the supermarket staff; rode with a variety of different water taxi drivers; and had sampled the majority of the evening cena plates on offer.

The Galapagos is an incredible place, but its not just about the animals, the weather and the landscapes. The people who live on these islands are incredibly warm and welcoming, and deserve equal recognition for why this destination is so favourably touted worldwide.

If you’re still considering opting for a budget Galapagos cruise instead of spending your time here, by all means do it – but perhaps tack a few more days onto the end of your trip, and take some time to explore Puerto Ayora too. Because for the ever-constant influx of tourists who experience Santa Cruz and the archipelago as their sole impression of Ecuador, there are few better places in which to form their opinion.

Have you ever budgeted like this on a ‘luxury’ destination? Do you think you could spend less money in the Galapagos than I did?

Let me know in the comments (and please pin this article if you found it helpful) .

A bite-sized budget guide

Round trip flights from Guayaquil: $430 | £274 Airport arrival tax: $100 | £64 Local transport: $10 | £6.40 Accommodation for six nights at $15 per night: $90 | £57 Food: $90 | £57 Two day trips at approx $80 each: $160 | £102

Total: $880 | £560

Flora Baker is the founder and editor of Flora the Explorer, where she writes about her travels around the world, her volunteering exploits and her ongoing attempt to become fluent in Spanish by talking to anyone who'll listen. Follow her on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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137 comments.

Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Every review of story I’ve heard of people visiting the Galapagos makes it sound so much harder to get to and much more expensive. This guide is so helpful and makes it seem a bit easier to visit than I thought. Thanks for sharing all the facts from your trip. I’m really keen to visit one day. Although would like to do a lot of diving here on top of touring the island.

Wonderful to hear Bobbi – I’m so glad you found it useful! You can easily do a range of day trips to different islands and practice your diving. The only reason I didn’t dive was because I’m a tad scared of the whole ear pressure thing (I’ve never dived before) – plus it was obviously a bit more expensive than snorkelling 🙂

Tim Meredith

Brilliant – as always. Thanks Flora.

Tim! Thanks so much for reading, I didn’t know you were a regular visitor here 🙂

I love reading about how to achieve perceived “expensive” trips on a budget. I am sure this will be priceless information for budget travellers who previously thought the Galapagas unachievable. I love the way the seals own the place.

Same here – it’s a great challenge to try and experience these ‘pricy’ places for less money. Hopefully the tips I’ve provided will help out the more budget minded amongst us!

Michael Hodson

Comprehensive. Impressive. Glad you had a great time and this is a fantastic resource, Flora. Well done.

Thanks so much, Michael – really glad you enjoyed the piece!

So good to hear that it’s possible to do it on a budget. Thanks for this great guide!

You are one of my favorite travel bloggers and I love the advice you’ve given in this post. The Galapagos are now on my bucket list – and I’ll have to use your tips to do it on the cheap! Thanks for this one. It’s bookmarked, for sure.

Aww thanks so much Coti! They’re definitely a buck list destination, particularly when it’s not half as hard to see them cheaply as everyone seems to think! Looking forward to hearing about your Ecuadorian adventures 🙂

Daynne@TravelnLass

huge THANK YOU, Flora!

As a solo wanderlust “of a certain age” presently expatting in Vietnam (Mongolia! Laos! Cambodia, et al, oh my!) – I’d pretty much given up on the notion of ever setting my baby blues on those legendary Galapagos Isles. Far too spendy for this budget traveler, and worse, I figured it was all sewn up with touristy cruise boats.

You make it sound so lovely, so easy and so very DOABLE!

Shoot, I may have to change continents here shortly! 😉

Seriously. Thanks for breaking it down so sweetly. Your report is truly an inspiration!

You are so very welcome Daynne! Your expat adventures sound absolutely amazing – Mongolia is high up there on my list of where to head to next. But I’ve got to admit, much as I love Asia, South America is definitely the place to be :p

“South America is definitely the place to be”.

No doubt purely wondrous Flora, but I spent 20+ years as an int’l tour operator in Latin America (specializing in Belize and Costa Rica) so I’m now enjoying exploring this half of the globe.

Do give a shout when you’re ready to head to Mongolia, I spent a month there in the Gobi and western Mongolia staying with local eagle hunters in the Altai Mountains, and would be happy to give you a few tips.

Sounds like an incredible twenty years experience, Daynne! And of course I didn’t mean that South America is the only worthy place to spend time – it’s just proving incredible for me at the moment 🙂 I’ll definitely take you up on your offer of Mongolia tips too!

This Battered Suitcase

This is SUCH a great guide to the Galapagos. I had an extremely similar experience to you – I spent 8 days there last year and about $1500. The difference was that I went scuba diving, which cost $350. I wish this post had been around last year because I seriously travelled there on a wing and a prayer, hoping that I could do it as cheaply as possible. I think I could have even cut down a little bit more, but I agree with you, I thought that my experience was just as great as those who choose to take an expensive boat tour. I also felt right at home in Puerto Ayora, and yes, I met Stalin, too!

I will definitely be sending people to this guide in the future! Thank you for such a comprehensive piece.

Aha Stalin gets everywhere doesn’t he?! Really glad to hear you agree with my pricings though Brenna, and it wasn’t just a fluke that I spent so little – I’m still debating whether it would’ve been worth it to try my first attempt at diving while in the Galapagos. Thanks for reading!

Hi. Can you tell me how many dives was the $350 for? Thanks

It’s always been a dream to visit these islands, but I’ve always brushed them off as being too expensive for me… This post was absolutely perfect in convincing me I can do it on my budget, so thank you so much!

Wonderful Jaime! I’m so glad I’ve convinced you that the Galapagos are doable 🙂

Melissa @ Suitcase and Heels

Thanks for this detailed post. I actually wasn’t really aware that the Galapagos could be experienced in any way *but* a cruise. Glad to know there are other options. 🙂

It’s crazy how many people aren’t aware of the non-cruising option: myself included before I started researching!

Exactly! Thanks to your blog!

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Great tips! I’m thinking of heading there as part of my RTW tour & it’s always good to know how to get a bit more bang for your travel buck.

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Hi, thanks for this post, we are busy planning our 3 month trip and we are super keen ontthe galapagas, but its so expensive! This gives us other inspiration! I’m curious though, do you think this would be possible with very little (almost no) Spanish?

Thanks agaifor the post.

Yeah probably – I don’t think my Spanish was an integral part of making this trip so cheap. But I’d recommend asking around for cheaper hostels, as that’s usually where a lack of Spanish catches you out. Shoot me an email if you’ve got more questions about the Galapagos as I’d be more than happy to answer!

Thanks for the info. I am a science teacher looking to go there with my wife and two daughters (10 and 11), and had only been looking at the tours. I think I might try a hybrid trip – 3-4 day tour mixed with a couple days on our own… Will let you know what happens, assuming the trip happens this summer.

Sounds like a great idea Steve – I think doing a mix of both styles of Galapagos trips is a really good way to get a cohesive experience of the islands. Plus you normally have to spend at least the day you arrive and day you depart on Santa Cruz anyway, so you may as well do some day trips too! I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. Definitely keep me updated on how it goes!

Thanks for the great information. I am planning to go in late April with my daughter for 4-5 days. We also plan to be very budget conscious with day trips etc. She is already in Equador for a semester abroad. I was planning to meet up with her in Guayaquil and leave from there. My thoughts were to wait until I get to Guayaquil to book a flight. (I will be a couple days ahead of her) Do you think late April is slow enough that I could expect to get two seats on a flight with only a day or two notice?

Glad you found the article useful, Patrick! Because I’ve only booked flights to the Galapagos once I’m afraid I don’t have knowledgable info about whether that time of year will be safe enough to book flights a few days before, but I think there’s probably a good likelihood that you’ll be fine. Just keep tabs on how many flights there are available for a week or two before you plan to go and then make a decision from there 🙂

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Wow, 900$! Everyone I spoke to spent at least twice that amount, and I’m sure they weren’t stumbling upon any mosaic gardens. Makes me regret not going to the Galapagos when I was in Ecuador… But I’ll definitely be heading back, and then I’ll do the islands broke backpacker style!

Great to hear it Nikita – the backpacker experience of the islands is absolutely worth it, and you’re really not missing a huge amount doing it that way either.

I enjoy what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.

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Really usefull ! Thanks a lot. May I ask you, where did you sleep? Because when I’m surfing the internet, I can only find very expensive hotels…

Hey Elise, I stayed at the Hostel Lirio del Mar which was $15 a night. There are a few other options in Santa Cruz that are similar in price: Hostel Elizabeth, on the sea front, is pretty good value, and Los Amigos is the cheapest around at $10 a bed but it’s usually overbooked because of that fact. The latter can be booked online/over the phone though!

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Hi thank you so much for all of this wonderful information. I am planning on going to the galapagos this june with my mom and your blog is EXTREMELY helpful for trying to plan a trip on a budget! Thank you!!!

I’m so glad this helped you out, Talia! If you need any more help don’t hesitate to let me know 🙂

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Hello there! Good post! Please keep us posted!

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Great stuff, Flora. Thanks for writing this up, very helpful for my upcoming trip!

You’re welcome, Martin! Let me know if you need any more help with planning your Galapagos trip 🙂

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Dear Flora, Thanks for the info. I’m planning to go in July but we are concerned that we won’t find a hotel/great hostel/apartment for 2 couples (4people) I’ve been doing searches in the web but find the prices high .

Do you suggest to book a place once we get there? What do you recommend that has a good view/clean and it can even be a house rental?

Please help

Are you looking for a place to stay in Santa Cruz? There are a lot of different options but it completely depends what you’re after. I specifically spent as little as I possibly could both times I visited the islands, so the places I stayed really weren’t that great! There aren’t really any hostels on Santa Cruz though so you’ll probably be staying in two double rooms. I’d say just wander around when you arrive as then you’re more able to negotiate for a lower price, and you can see what the place is like before you agree to stay there.

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Do you have to bring your own snorkel gear?

No, not at all – every day tour company will normally provide snorkel equipment, and you can rent sets from a lot of places on the islands for a few hours or a day etc if you’re just wandering to a beach without a tour.

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Thanks for finally talking about >Six Days for $900: Doing the Galapagos on a Budget <Liked it!

Flora- Thanks for your guide- it’s awesome!

So here’s my dilema; I am travelling to the galapagos islands, but alone.

I am debating a hostel based tour, but I know that everything on offer is totally doable alone!

My question is- did you meet fellow travellers doing the trip alone too? Ideally, i’d like to make some hostel friends and tag team together for day trips (at least the ones that don’t involve paid for day tours). I’ve been reading a lot about people taking similar trips to yours, but am yet to find someone who went without a friend!

Hi Sophie, glad you enjoyed the article! I travelled to the Galapagos twice, but for both visits I was with someone I already knew before. I did meet other travellers on the islands who were travelling solo but didn’t spend that much time with them. I think there’s definitely a chance you’ll meet other people in hostels who want to go – particularly if you stay in hostels in Guayaquil, as most people go there solely to hit the Galapagos 🙂

When are you going to Galapagos? If you would like – we can connect. I just purchased my ticket from Canada from Calgary. I am going to fly into Quito Dec 16th 2014 and will leave from Quito back on Jan 1st. And yes, all alone as well! Not a whole lot of time but if you are going there this upcoming holiday, hit me up at [email protected] .

Nathan or Sophie- I too will be traveling to the Galapagos solo from December 24th to Jan 2nd- maybe we could all connect. I’m actually trying to figure out where to stay. I’m a little nervous about staying in hostels by myself since I’m not familiar with the area and do not know if it is safe. Any recommendations?

How was your experience to the Galapagos?! Was it easy to meet up with fellow solo travelers?

I am going Feb 1, 2015 – Feb 10. Just curious how your experience was and if you had any advice.

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Great blog you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Thanks Flora, this was very helpful in deciding on how many days to spend in Galapagos, I have decided on spending 5 days (Mar 1 / 15 – Mar 7 / 15) including travel days from / to Quito. You are quite the traveler!!

Hope you have a great trip, Steve!

Thanks for this enlightening post Flora!

However, I’m still relatively unclear as to how the boat tours work? i.e. do we sleep on the boats, or is it a day tour to a specific island, also price-wise, would it be cheaper to go on a boat tour or just hop on boats yourself and visit various islands and places?

I’m planning on making a trip in Feb. 1 – Feb. 10. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks, Ken

Hi Ken, thanks for your comment!

The boat tours I’ve mentioned in this article are day tours only, so tourists would already be staying in accommodation on Santa Cruz island, getting a tour boat at 8 or 9am and returning to Santa Cruz in the evening. The issue with doing this is that a lot of the most popular islands to visit aren’t that close to each other, so it’s only possible to see a few via the day tour method – hence why so many people do the cruise option (from anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks on board a boat).

If you check out my other article about booking a last minute Galapagos cruise that might help you out further. Doing a few day tours is undoubtedly cheaper than a two week cruise but it totally depends on what you’re wanting from the experience. Hope that helps a bit!

Thanks, just checked out your last minute Galapagos post–extremely informative!!

However, I just had a few more follow up questions.

1. How long did it take for you to get such a good bargain deal for a cruise? Is it common to fly to the Galapagos and book cruises at a discount?

2. Would it be more difficult for a solo traveller to get the same deal as what you had gotten?

Usually the closer to the departure date of the cruise, the cheaper it will be – boats often have a few spaces left over and it’s in the organiser’s best interest to sell it for cheap rather than not sell it at all. Obviously the timing can be a tricky task though, as you’d almost certainly book your flights to/from the islands ahead of time so you’re somewhat stuck to a rigid window of how many spare days you have to play with for cruising.. Ultimately you just have to chance it, I think! If you’re more concerned with saving a substantial amount of cash then it’s worth it.

I don’t know about the solo traveller thing. Because I speak good Spanish and was booking for two of us I was able to bargain with the price, so obviously there’s less leverage with just one traveller. Shouldn’t make too much of a difference though!

Hi! Just wondering what months you were in Galapagos? We are going in late June to mid-July and wondering whether we need to book in advance day trips to islands/snorkelling trips/guided half-day trips etc, considering it is peak season. Or would it be safe to barter and look around when we get there? Cheers 🙂

Hi, so sorry I missed your comment! I visited the islands first in May and again in March the following year. I’m afraid I can’t remember what counts as peak season but I think it’s safe to say that day trips should always be cheaper/more reasonable when you’re booking on the ground & have a chance to barter and ask around 🙂

Such a great post and love your constant feedbacks to your reader’s comments! We’re planning a trip to Galapagos in mid-April and we’re planning to do the same thing as you did and stay in Puerto Ayora and take day trips throughout our trip. However, the more tour companies I contacted, it seems they don’t offer day trips to San Cristobal and Isabela. Is that true?

We’d love to visit San Cristobal (Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo) and Isabela (Volcano Sierra Negra) but these companies are saying we have to stay 1-2 nights to work. Consequently, from your experience, are we able to actually find tours once we arrive there that do 1 day trips to those places?

Thanks so much for your help!!

Hi Sherman, sorry I didn’t respond to your comment earlier (especially after you mentioned my level of feedback!). I hope you had a fantastic trip to the islands though 🙂

This is great insight about the islands. If I don’t want to do the cruise, is there another way to get to the galaapagos other than an airplane that you can purchase from Quito or Guayaquil? And you mentioned there are hostels in Santa Cruz that we can find once we land? I didn’t realize you can grab daily tours once we arrive at santa cruz. I thought everything had to be booked ahead of time. Good to know.

I’m pretty sure the only way to arrive in the Galapagos archipelago is via plane from Guayaquil – but maybe there’s some kind of boat option!?

Galapagos Islands are in! | Epic travels in Ecuador

[…] money is still a big concern for our adventures, I want to use this blog (Six Days for 900 USD: Doing the Galapagos on a budget) as a guideline on what to do and when and […]

Galapagos Tour Guide on a Budget: $600 to 900 | Adrian Sanchez's Peace Corps Paraguay Blog!

[…] See the pictures below of me in the Galapagos and this other helpful guide: Six Days for $900: Doing the Galapagos on a Budget […]

Planning a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos for next year and this has been so helpful, but also reassuring. Very worried that costs will skyrocket, I’m glad it seems achievable. Any tips for Quito and surrounding area as we would have to fly into there?

I haven’t actually spent a huge amount of time in Quito, sadly — you’re probably better off researching some other bloggers 🙂

Where to travel in 2016: The Wishlist | Dan Flying Solo

[…] The ultimate untouched, man escaping, nature trip. As an avid Scuba Diver and a lover of all things wildlife this is one of those places that smashes it out of the park. It is certainly no cheap trip, but Flora The Explorer has got some tips on have to save some pennies when you head to the Galapagos on a Budget. […]

Great article! Any additional thoughts for a pair of septuagenarians who are heading there this February of 2016?

Hi Jack, sorry for not getting back to you sooner – I must have missed your comment! Hope you had a fantastic trip to the Galapagos though 🙂

Thanx for responding

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[…] days trying to experience the best of the Galapagos as cheaply as I could. And I managed to do so with only $900, something I was very proud […]

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Amazing and useful post! Would love to hear more. I’ll be going through your blog in minute detail in the next few weeks 🙂

Aww that’s lovely to hear! Hope you enjoy more of my writing 🙂

Thanks for the excellent info. I will be heading there on September 2 and already have my flight and lodging paid for so that takes care of a big chunk. I am planning to do lots of day trips and hope to get to know Puerto Arroyo well. Thank you.

So glad I could help out, Jan! Hope you have a fantastic trip to the Galapagos 🙂

Hey realy like your blog about Galapagos, but I booked a tour on the Astrea Yacht and the service was very very good. I think that you also get to know very much if you travel like zou did , but you can not compare it with a tour on the yacht because you get to see other islands and diving places. But still I hope you keep writing your amazong blogs.

Cheers for the recommendation, Ralf!

Galapagos Islands Tours On A Budget

[…] you can do Galapagos on your own –– however you’ll get a lot more from your Galapagos trip if […]

Hi Flora, loved reading about your experience and the tips. Am thinking of heading to the Galapagos in late December or early January. One daughter is already living somewhat near Cuenca, and the other would fly down with me to visit her. The boat tours sounded amazing b/c they go to so many islands — but way beyond our budgets. However, a good friend of mine who went there a few years ago and is VERY athletic (swam a 5K while there), says that the day trips on the boats are just exhausting physically and she wouldn’t do it that way again. What can you tell me about that? I have one 22 year old who gets seasick (but took Dramamine and managed well on a couple rough Atlantic one hour excursions). My friend was highly recommending we NOT do day trips. How did you find the trips? Which islands did you go to? And what wildlife did you see and what did you miss? So many questions!! Thank you!!!

Hi Anne, thanks so much! I’m not sure which of these questions I’ve already answered in our emails, but I really enjoyed taking day trips (I don’t usually get seasick unless it’s really rough/bumpy though) and I didn’t have prior expectations/desires about seeing specific wildlife so was really happy with everything we saw. Not totally sure about every species I saw, but we went snorkelling with turtles, baby seals and above groups of sharks on the day trip to San Cristobal (my other day trip was more island than animal focused)

Just found a round trip flight from Quitos for $200! & hoping I can be just as lucky for a few days on a boat.

This…is a bloody brilliant blog post. Thank you so much! It’s been ridiculously helpful in our planning of a Galaps-on-the-cheap trip as part of our Americas trip. 🙂

That’s fantastic to hear Hayley! I’m so glad you’ve found this article useful – have a fantastic trip to the Galapagos!

Had a great time with my two daughters (18 and 22) — LOVED Nemo III — they treated us so well and gave us a great last minute cruise deal for 3 nights, 4 days — 3 of us in 2 bunk room — one Q size, 1 almost double size upper bunk.. Stayed at Estrella del Mar — $70 a night for 3 of us and was right on the bay, quiet, 2 rooms, one with windows with a great view. Be careful at agencies — arranged a 1 day trip to Isabel, and almost got ripped off — make SURE you get an invoice that says exactly everything that is included. Young man met us at our hotel, took us to the dock, and we were put in the “lesser” group without all we had been told was included. Called him from Isabel and with much pushing and assistance from others, rearranged on the fly. Speaking Spanish helped, but I trusted the young man too much at the start. Thank you for all your tips, Flora.

Fantastic news, Ann! I’m so glad you had a fantastic time with your daughters – and that you managed to negotiate for both a last-min cruise AND for the elements you actually paid for! Well done 😀

Hi Flora, Thank you for the great info!! What time of year did you visit ? We are planning to go there in late Oct to early Nov. We are interested in doing land based tours and visiting a few islands. I know Oct. is not the peak season, but would you recommend we book a land based tour a few months ahead or do you think we will be able find tours easily once there for a better price too? Also, If we do risk it by booking there will we have difficulty communicating with the tour agencies as I speak little to no spanish? Thank You for any information you have.

Hi! I visited the islands first in May and again in March the following year 🙂 As I’ve said in earlier comments, I never booked anything before arriving at the islands so I can’t honestly compare prices, but I found booking on the ground to work well for me. My Spanish certainly helped when discussing prices, but tour operators usually speak some English too!

Ahh!! Thank You Flora!!! Again, great information and much appreciated!

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[…] Six Days for $900: Doing the Galapagos on a Budget […]

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I would love to do exactly this someday, stay in Equator for 2 weeks and 1 week doing the islands but on a budget. The cruises seem very expensive and not my thing anyways, thanks for the wonderful article

Galapagos Islands Tours On A Budget | Barefoot Expeditions

[…] you can do Galapagos on your own –– however, you’ll get a lot more from your Galapagos trip if you […]

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Galapagos Islands on a Budget

If you know one thing about the Galapagos (aside from the fact there’s a tonne of cool animals) it’s probably that it’s really, really expensive.

Well, what if I told you it didn’t have to cost you an arm, a leg, three fingers and a toe? Yes, that’s right, you can visit the Galapagos on a budget!

Thom and I spent around one week in the Galapagos while we were backpacking for three months in South America.

In this post, I’ll show you how to travel to the Galapagos and how much our trip to the Galapagos Islands cost (spoiler alert it’s probably a lot less than you thought travelling to the Galapagos cost!).

It is 100% possible to visit the Galapagos Islands but you can’t really travel to the Galapagos cheaply (it’s not a $10 a day place!).

However, you can go to the Galapagos Islands on a budget if you know what you’re doing.

The key to doing a budget Galapagos Islands trip

If you want to plan your dream Galapagos Islands vacation you should forego the cruise. Yes, that’s right, do not plan a Galapagos Islands trip that involves a cruise if you want to visit these islands on a budget.

Galapagos Island cruises cost £2000 and upwards. They’re more commonly at least £3000/$4980 (and that’s for a “cheap: Galapagos cruise).

This meant when we thought about doing a Galapagos Islands trip as part of our South American adventures, we ruled the cruise option out straight away.

The more I looked into Galapagos travel, the more I realised it was possible to do a Galapagos holiday without a cruise. I’d thought the islands were tiny and that there wasn’t much on them. Turns out several of them are actually big towns. They have shops, restaurants and everything else you’d need.

So, instead of doing a Galapagos Islands, Ecuador cruise we opted for a land based trip where we’d do some island hopping.

We didn’t to a Galapagos Islands tour or vacation package and spent 8 nights in the Galapagos Islands, using Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz as our base.

If you’re planning to go to the Galapagos with a tour company, your Galapagos holiday cost will skyrocket.

A 6 day tour with the company Galakiwi costs about three times as much as we spent on our Galapagos vacation.

An 8 day land based tour with Raw Adventures costs even more! As far as I’m concerned these tours didn’t do anything I didn’t do, and they probably didn’t see any cooler animals either. Here’s how to visit the Galapagos Islands on a budget!

About the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean and are part of Ecuador. They’re famous for the diversity of plant and animal species.

The Galapagos Islands population is roughly 25,000 and the main language is Spanish.

It’s also where Charles Darwin began to come up with his theory of evolution. If you’re interested in reading about Charles Darwin’s time in the Galapagos then check out this book LINK. I read it while we were over there and found it super interesting.

How many Galapagos islands are there?

The Galapagos consist of 13 major islands and 6 smaller islands. On top of this there are huge numbers of islets and rocks in the area that resemble tiny islands too.

Where are the Galapagos Islands located?

The Galapagos Islands location is about 1,000km off the coast of mainland Ecuador.

What’s the typical Galapagos Islands weather?

Whilst the Galapagos Islands are on the equator, the Galapagos weather isn’t tropical. Temperatures range from 69°-84°F / 21°-30°C. From June to December there tends to be a layer of high atmosphere mist in the sky.

Galapagos Islands map

Check out this Galapagos map to get your bearings.

What Galapagos Islands animals will I see?

While we were in the Galapagos Islands we saw a lot of Galapagos animals. It’d be impossible to visit and not see any. The main Galapagos Islands species we saw were; both land and marine iguanas (these guys are EVERYWHERE!), bright orange crabs, rays, the Galapagos penguin, giant tortoises, sharks, SO many birds, and sea lions.

How to get to the Galapagos Islands

If you’re wondering “how do you get to the Galapagos Islands” here’s your guide.

Getting to the Galapagos involves catching a plane. You’ll need to get to mainland Ecuador first and then getting from Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands is super easy.

You can take a plane from either Quito or Guayaquil. Guayaquil is closest to the Galapagos Islands and if you fly from Quito you’ll probably stop in Guayaquil along the way.

Most Galapagos fights tend to be early in the morning or in the evening. We were flying to the Galapagos via Quito from Peru so ended up sleeping on the floor of the airport for a few hours before our flight!

If you’re planning a similar Galapagos trip to what I’ve outlined below then look to fly into Baltra Island. From here you’ll take a bus and a ferry ride to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

Best time to go to the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos only really has two seasons. Those are: cool and dry (June to November) and warm and wet (December to June). We visited at the end of July and I don’t remember it being too wet.

In general the warmer season is the best time to visit especially since the seas are calmer with good underwater visibility if you plan to snorkel or scuba.

How much does an 8 day Galapagos Islands trip cost?

Here’s a breakdown of how much our Galapagos Islands vacation cost.

Cost of flights to the Galapagos Islands

Cost of flying to the Galapagos Islands:: £278.58/$462.53

This was at the end of July (high season) for return tickets. This price includes all the taxes and extra bits airline companies add.

This involved taking a flight from Quito to the Galapagos with a stop in Guayaquil. We landed at Baltra Island which is one of the main Galapagos airports.

I used (and always use) Skyscanner to book my tickets to fly to the Galapagos Islands. It makes it super easy to find cheap flights to the Galapagos – well cheaper anyway!

Galapagos Islands National Park Entry & Visas

$110 (£66.27) each

Since the Galapagos is a National Park you need to pay to enter. You also have to buy a visa. There’s no avoiding these charges either.

Before you leave Quito or Guayaquil you must make sure you’ve had your check-in bags scanned and that you’ve paid $10 for a form you have to fill in. This form is your visa while you’re on the Galapagos Islands.

You also must take an extra $100 in cash to pay once you’ve landed at your chosen Galapagos Islands airport.

There are no cash machines at the airports and you cannot pay by card. We found this out the hard way.

Transport from the airport to your accommodation

Taxi/Bus from the airport: $16/$2 respectively + $1 for the boat (£10.24 or £1.81)

If you’re flying to the island of Baltra you have a bit of a journey ahead of you until you actually get to a town.

First, you should take the free shuttle bus from the airport to the small port where the Galapagos ferry leaves from. The ferry takes 2 minutes (it basically crosses a canal, not a section of ocean) and you’ll land on the island of Santa Cruz. The ferry costs $1 each.

When you arrive you then have the choice of taking a taxi ($16 per taxi), or hanging about until one of the buses to Puerto Ayora leaves ($2 each).

The taxi drivers will try and tell you that there’s no buses into Puerto Ayora; that’s a lie. There’s no timetable for the buses though, they work on a “we’ll go when we’re full” policy.

Cost of accommodation in the Galapagos Islands

£70/$116.20 for 8 nights

I travelled with my boyfriend and the two of us paid £70 each for eight nights (£140 total) in an Airbnb rental. This Airbnb doesn’t seem to be available anymore but I have suggested some alternative accommodation of a similar price below.

Our accommodation was about a 15-20 minute walk from the port in Puerto Ayora making getting around pretty easy. The rental had three bedrooms and the owners lived upstairs. The room was also cleaned everyday with fresh towels and linen provided every other day. All in all a fantastic deal, definitely one of the best places to stay in the Galapagos Islands if you ask me!

Where to stay on the Galapagos Islands

Since our Airbnb is no longer available here is some of the best budget Galapagos accommodation. All these places to stay in the Galapagos Islands are a similar price to what we paid back in 2014 (roughly £20/$25US a night for two people).

Cheap Galapagos Islands hostels

A lot of the Airbnbs available in Puerto Ayora is also hostels. These Santa Cruz, Galapagos hostels get great reviews and offer cheap Galapagos Islands accommodation too.

If you’re trying to stick to a budget then you’ll find the cheapest accommodation in Santa Cruz is pretty much all hostels. However, if you get a double or single room then it basically feels like a hotel anyway! Galapagos Islands hotels tend to be much more pricey and I honestly don’t think they’re worth it.

• Eden Galapagos House : A private room in a beautiful looking house and includes breakfast.
• Spectacular villa in the hills: Stunning villa in the hills above the town. Perfect for luxury lovers!
• Gala House Galapagos :  Budget-friendly private rooms with gorgeous mountains views.
• Hotel Ninfa: This beautiful guest house has bright rooms and lovely outdoor space.
• Hostal Gardner Galapagos : Budget-friendly and close to everything you’ll need in town.

Save money on your first Airbnb booking here!

Food costs in the Galapagos

Roughly $7/£4.22 a day

Obviously it depends what you want to do for food. If you eat out at touristy restaurant the cost will be a lot higher.

We ate out along a small street of restaurants in Puerto Ayora. I’m not sure there’s a road name but if you walk up Avenue Baltra, away from the port, you’ll see the street on your left hand side. At night it comes alive with tables outside and lots of hungry tourists and locals. You can find a two course dinner, with a drink for less than $3.

Compared to the more tourist-y restaurants where one main course will set you back about $15, this is a way to keep costs down and eat traditional Ecuadorian food at the same time.

If you opt to stay in a hostel, or Airbnb then you’ll probably also have access to a kitchen. The biggest supermarket is right by the port and cooking for yourselves keeps costs even lower!

Since our Airbnb had a kitchen we’d make breakfast there, take a packed lunch and then sometimes cook dinner at home too. This is the best way to travel on a budget!

Cost of tours and trips on the Galapagos Islands

There are actually quite a lot of free things to do in the Galapagos, especially on the island of Santa Cruz, and it’s a great place to use as your base for Galapagos day tours and activities.

As we didn’t do a cruise, we did our own version of Galapagos island hopping by doing several day tours. Below is an outline of everything we we got up to during our 8 days in the Galapagos Islands on a budget. This includes trips to some of the best islands to visit in the Galapagos and shows you how to do Galapagos tours on a budget.

Santa Cruz Bay Tour $35/£21.08

If you’re wondering what to do in the Galapagos I’d highly recommend the Santa Cruz bay tour. You’ll get on a small boat and head out on the water around Santa Cruz checking out some of the bays, snorkelling and seeing plenty of wildlife.

Santa Fé Snorkelling Tour $60/£36.15

This Galapagos Islands day trip takes you over to Santa Fé island which is great for snorkelling with sea lions.

You also get to visit “Hidden Beach” which very few tours, and no cruises, have access to.

Lunch is included along with full snorkelling equipment. Wetsuit hire is $10 extra.

Bike rental $15/£9.04

We hired a bike for an entire day which came with helmets, maps and a tool kit (just in case!).

The bikes were extremely well looked after and we had no problems at all. We used the bikes to head over to some caves, explore the backroads of Santa Cruz that we hadn’t seen yet and visited a more remote beach.

This was one of the best Galapagos tours we did and the cheapest too!

Day Trip to Isabela Island, Galapagos $60/£36.15

Day tours to Isabela Island cost upwards of $90 and include transport, lunch and a couple of activities. Instead we just paid the cost of a boat ticket and did our own tour of the island which cost substantially less.

The ticket for the 2 hour ferry journey from Santa Cruz to Isabela cost $30 each way and then we spent $3 each on a set menu lunch and visited the tortoise breeding centre (the main attraction) for free. While we waited for our boat back I also swam with penguins in the sea: free!

Free things to do in the Galapagos Islands

You’re in luck if you’re wondering what to do in the Galapagos Islands for free . There’s plenty to keep you entertained and you’re bound to see some interested animals along the way.

We spent some afternoons at the beach where we saw sharks in the surf and iguanas on the walkover. We visited the Darwin Research Centre and saw some giant tortoises, wandered around the port where the birds were waiting to be fed fish from the fishermen’s latest haul and visited the beautiful Las Ninfas (some beautiful green pools with a boardwalk where we saw some rays).

Scuba Diving

We didn’t go scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands but if you’re looking to Scuba dive then the best scuba diving company in the Galapagos is Tiptop Diving .

Tiptop Diving charge approx. $150 for a full day, all equipment, 2 tanks and lunch (not included in totals as we didn’t scuba dive).

Getting around Santa Cruz Island

If you’re staying in Peurto Ayora then it’s easy enough to walk from place to place. The main hub is pretty small. You can also rent a bike (as above) or take taxis if you’re exploring further afield.

You can expect to pay about $40/£24.10 for a taxi to the highlands (price per car) which includes paying for the taxi to wait while you explore.

All rides within the town of Puerto Ayora cost $1. Some taxi driver may try and charge $2 as a “night rate”, don’t pay the extra.

Total cost for 8 days on the Galapagos Islands

£569.06/$944.73

This is based on getting a taxi to and from the port for the airport on Baltra, Galapagos.

On top of the fact that doing it yourself is clearly loads cheaper, you also get the freedom to decide what you want to do and when. Want a lie in one day? That’s fine. Want to cook for yourselves? You can!

Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by Hannah

Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe , a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada , you’ll find posts on all of this.

Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.

Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.

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Thanks so much for these costings, they are really helpful and another great post!

Thanks Dante! I hope you get to visit the Galapagos soon!

I often prefer to make my own plans instead of ones from a tour. Just a little bit of research can go a long way to having a great time at a fraction of the cost.

Definitely! Tours can be fun sometimes but the costs are also so much higher!

Wow, it really does add up, but it seems like you made it work planning it your own way! I would love to visit someday! 🙂

It really does. The cruises cost so much more though! I hope you get to go someday too! 🙂

I missed out Galapagos when I was travelling in Ecuador, because I couldn’t afford it. Sadly £569.06 would still have been too much for me, but I do agree that this is a lot cheaper then the organised tours and probably worth it due to the incredible sights the islands offer.

It is definitely still expensive yes but a great experience too. Mainly the taxes and the flights that make it cost so much.

Galapagos On a Budget: The Ultimate 8 Days Galapagos Travel Guide

Many people have the idea that Galapagos is an expensive destination due to the high prices on cruises but in reality you could visit the Galapagos on a budget if you follow the following itinerary. You do not need to hire a tour to visit the Galapagos Islands as the islands are serviced by ferries you can take on your own. The best thing to do in Galapagos is to take day tours as it is the most affordable way to see the Galapagos.

Our flights from Guayaquil to San Cristobal round trip cost only $20 each thanks cashing in 18,000 kilometers on LATAM Airlines . In that time we visited the three main islands: Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

➳ Read More: What to do in a layover in Guayaquil

Flights are tricky as you can only fly from either Quito or Guayaquil and there is a price difference for the same flight depending if you are from Ecuador or a foreign. Tickets range between the $200 to $600 round trip depending on the season.  The cheapest way to get to Galapagos from Ecuador is between Quito to Baltra Airport (Santa Cruz).   From Baltra you will have to take a boat or bus transfer to Puerto Ayora. The transfer cost a few dollars.

You will need to buy a Park Pass for Galapagos at the airport. It cost $100 for Foreigns not living in Ecuador over 12 years old and $50 under 12 years old or foreigns part of the Comunidad Andina o Mercosur. If you are under 12 years old and belong to either the Comunidad Andina o Mercosur the fee is $25. $3 for Ecuadorians and foreigns living in Ecuador under 12 years old and $6 over 12 years old. $25 for students (Ecuadorians or not) who go to an Ecuadorian school. Countries that belong to the Comunidad Andina o Mercosur : Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, argentina, Brasil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

We have provided an in-depth itinerary which can be used as your own Galapagos travel guide to visit the Galapagos Island on the cheap.

➳ Read more: The Best things to do in Quito

Things to do in Galapagos travel video:

Tips and things you should know before visiting the Galapagos:

• The main islands to visit without a cruise are: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, Bartolome and Floreana.
• You can fly to Santa Cruz (Baltra) or San Cristobal.
• You can visit the islands bellow by ferries. You can book these yourself in person by showing up at the relevant dock. Make sure to check out the times for the ferries are there is normally only two ferries a day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The price for a ferry one way ranges from $25 to $30 USD depending where you are planning on going.
• There are two entry fees for a total of $120 USD which goes to conservation if you are international. 
• You must book all your accommodations and outbound flight before getting to the island and have travel insurance and show proof of that before checking in.
• Flights are either from Quito or Guayaquil to Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal.
• The main island is Santa Cruz from where the majority of the tours leave.
• Bring plenty of cash with you, especially if going to Isabela Island has they have no ATMs at all.
• Credit cards are accepted sometimes but they charge very high commissions.

How much does it cost to visit the Galapagos on your own?

It all depends on the activities you choose to do, the type of accommodation and where you eat. For instance, in our case we spend $30- $40 on a budget double room and it is half for a single private room. Find the best prices on hotels in the Galapagos with a new booking platform managed by a local tour operator with direct contact with the hotel to get the best prices.

In food we spent around $12 per person eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. We recommend to look for locals “comedores”, more informal restaurants that locals eat at. These places have delicious food and are meant for locals to buy their lunch or dinner. It will be always the cheapest option yet not the most comfortable experience.

Tours can get pricy but once again it all depends on what you choose to do. We took day tours, rent a cab for the hour with another couple to visit each island by land, walk and took water taxis to go to other places in the island not accessible by car or foot. Ferries are a great option to go from island to island without having to hire a tour. Prices ranges from $20-$150 USD per person. Scuba Diving is always the most expensive tour ($150 USD).

We spent   $600 USD   per person for 8 nights excluding the airfare from Guayaquil to Galapagos. We stayed in budget friendly accommodations, took several tours including one scuba diving immersion, and dine as a local.

When is the best time to visit The Galapagos?

The best time to visit the Galapagos is during the months of November to February although there are benefits to visiting in different months as animals have different breeding seasons so there is always something special to see on your trips to Galapagos islands on regardless of the month you choose to visit.

• December to June is the rainy season, when the water and the climate is warmer. It is the perfect time to enjoy the Islands although there is a higher chance of sporadic rain.
• July to December is considered the dry season, when the water and climate are colder. It is also the breeding season for sea lions, shore birds, fur seals, marine iguanas, which is exciting for wildlife viewing.

The Ultimate 8 Day Itinerary for Galapagos on a Budget

Day 1: mainland to galapagos.

We arrived in San Cristobal via plane right after lunch. Forgoing the $1/person taxi ride, we walked the one kilometer to our hostel, Hostal San Francisco. Locals recommend it for its cheap price and prime location on the pier.

A double room cost us $25/night. They also offer single, double and triple rooms at $15 per person per night. My wife highly recommends this hostel, being the second time she has stayed. It is a no frills room, but includes hot water, a private bathroom, a fan and a TV (not hooked up to cable).

In the afternoon we found a cab driver, Mr. Eduardo, who took us on a tour of the east part of the island, stopping at Puerto Chino, La Galapaguera, Cerro Colorado and El Junco. The tour cost us $50 total, but the price was per car, so try to go in group of four. There was enough time to do the short walks at each location and be back to the hostel before dark. If for any chance you do not get a taxi, you can take a San Cristóbal island highlands tour through San Cristobal.

We bought round trip ferry tickets to Isabela and back, for a total of $240. All ferries travel through Santa Cruz, with the cost of each leg costing $30/person. $30 x (4 legs) = $120 x (2 people) = $240.

Puerto Chino is a beautiful white sand. It is a great place to relax, enjoy the sea and watch the birds feeding.

Galapaguera Cerro Colorado is a small interpretive center built to breed the endemic giant tortoises of the island. Here you can get up close and photograph the turtles, just make sure not to touch! There is information about these unique reptiles and the programs used for their preservation and reproduction.

Note: You should not use a camera flash on the islands as this can affect vision of animals.

El Junco is a freshwater lagoon located inside a dormant crater. San Cristobal is the only island with fresh water in the Galapagos archipelago. There is a path all the way around the crater if you have time, or just follow the signs for a picture spot, at the entrance, which quickly takes you down to the closest point to the water that visitors are allowed. You can enjoy the diverse vegetation that covers the islands.

Total cost day 1: $315 for two people + food

Day 2: San Cristóbal to Isabela

We left at 7AM for Santa Cruz via a two-hour boat ride. Both the islands of San Cristóbal and Isabela require you to pay an additional $0.50-$2.00 for a water taxi from the boat to the dock! Upon arriving we immediately checked in for the ferry to Isabela, four hours later. They allowed us to leave our luggage while we saw the island of Santa Cruz.

During the layover we visited Las Grietas. To reach the trail you must take a water taxi, charging $0.50-$0.60/person each way. The crystal clear waters and colorful fish make for a perfect snorkeling adventure.This whole trip took about three hours, before we had to pick up our bags at 1:30 pm and board the boat to Isabela at 2:00 pm.

Isabela is my favorite island, as is has the largest variety of marine and terrestrial life. Tired from the long day, we opted to pay the $1/person taxi from the docks to town, about one kilometer away. The hostel, Gladismar , is located only two blocks from the beach and two blocks from downtown. The double room was only $25/night and an additional $5/night to use the A/C. Singles and doubles are available at $15/person/night. The rooms have air conditioning, fan, television and a communal area with a kitchen.

The island’s infrastructure is lacking at best. They are just starting to build a paved road from the port to the city, while being the only Island to charge visitors additional fees to enter.

The main dirt roads of Isabela Island turned to ankle deep muddy water even with a short rain. There were large construction related holes in the middle of one of the main intersections in town.

For our two days on the island we could only find one store selling water, another store with meat and no stores with chicken or fish. All the other stores where waiting for the next cargo ship to bring supplies in a “a day or two”.

Another unmissable thing to do in Ecuador is visiting the Bartolomé Island.

Total cost day 2: $30 for two people + food

Day 3: Taxi Tour in Isabela

We joined another couple we met at the hostel to do a tour around Isabela with a taxi driver, Mr. Juanito. He took us to the Cave of Sucre, Mirador el Mango, flamingo pools, and the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center. The tour cost $30/car, which was split with the other couple, a great way to save money on taxi tours.

The tour ended at the tortoise breeding center, only 1.5 kilometers walk from town along a nice trail. The trail ended at the edge of town at Iguana Crossing , a boardwalk where marine iguanas cross the street towards the rocks to sun after feeding in the water. From there we walked to the dock to watch animals in the shallow bay. Off the dock you can also snorkel and see sea lions, iguanas, fish, penguins, stingrays and turtles. If you do not find a taxi, you could also take a wetlands tour.

Cave of Sucre is a cool little lava tunnel at the end of a half a kilometer path. The cave has a short loop path and makes for a great underground experience. Flashlights are recommended, but the flashlight function on a cell phone is sufficient.

Mirador el Mango is a high overlook hill that provides spectacular views of the southern part of Isebela and several nearby islands. It is only a short walk from the road up to the top of the hill.

The Flamingo Pools are several small pools near what looks to be an industrial plant. During our visit, there were only about a dozen flamingos in total. It is located in between Mirador el Mango and the tortoise breeding center, making it worth the quick stop and photo opportunity, but does not warrant its own trip.

The Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center has giant tortoises of varying ages, being bred to recover the wild populations. There is also an information center where you can learn about the breeding process and local threats to tortoise populations.

Total cost day 3: $55 for two people + food

Day 4: Snorkeling in Isabela

We started the day with a snorkeling tour to “ Los tuneles “ , a vast landscape of lava formed arcs in the water. We snorkeled at two locations, los tuneles and another just as beautiful point along the way. We were able to experience many exotic animals up close, including sharks, blue footed boobies, tortoise, penguins and a seahorse. Another great tour you can do in Isabela is to the Tintoreras to see sharks and Concha Perla Tour to see some of the coolest wildlife in Galapagos.

In the afternoon we took a walk along a road starting at Iguana Crossing ending at the Wall of Tears. We took detours to view the playa del amor, the tunnel of estero, the pools of devils, and Orchilla hill. The entire path took us through a variety of complex wetlands and features a section roaming with wild tortoise. The entire walk was approximately 14 kilometers, including all the side paths we took.

Note: This road was only accessible via foot, bike, and motorbike at the time due to ongoing road construction.

The Wall of Tears is the lasting impact from Isabela’s not so positive past. Isabela was a Penal Colony from 1946 to 1959, and this wall was built of lava rocks by the prisoners there. It is now kept as a memorial to all those prisoners who lost their lives building the needless wall.

Playa del amor is the best place to view and enjoy marine iguanas. The rocky waters provide a small calm lake-type beach to swim.

The tunnel of estero is just several meters off the main path. It is a tiny volcanic tunnel near the beach, that you can duck into during low tide.

The pools of devils are a handful of wetland lakes that are the prime sites for flamingo breeding. While we did not see any flamingos on our trip, locals said they are often full of birds.

Orchilla hill is an overlook of the town of Isabela and surrounding hills. It is a short but moderate walk to the top of the hill and the perfect spot to get a shot of the city and the bay.

Total cost day 4: $125 for two people + food

Day 5: Isabela to San Cristóbal

We got up at 5:40 am to catch the boat to San Cristóbal, again with a four-hour stopover in Santa Cruz. In Santa Cruz we took a taxi tour of the highlands. There were five of us in the taxi, so the $25 total cost came out to $5/person. We went to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Los Gemelos, and lava tunnels.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center has various species of both turtles and tortoise from around the Galapagos, before they are released back into the wild at a young age.

Los Gemelos are are pair of craters formed by the collapse of magma chambers. They are very green, making them the perfect spot to view a variety of flora and fauna of the island.

The lava tunnels consist of long underground lava tunnels. You can experience the rich history of how the Galapagos islands formed. Flashlights are recommended, but the flashlight function on a cell phone is sufficient.

After the tour we had to go straight to the boat to San Cristobal, where we checked back into Hostal San Francisco.

Total cost day 5: $35 for two people + food

Day 6: Snorkeling in San Cristóbal

We had a relaxed day and walk around Tijeretas Hill . We went through the interpretive center, Playa Mann, Playa Punta Carola, and snorkeled in the bay of Tijeretas Hill. The water is full of huge schools of small colorful fish. Near the rocks we had the chance to snorkel with some playful sea lions. If you are lucky a mantaraya might make an appearance. We spent the afternoon at Loberia, a coral sand beach known for its sea lions and iguanas.

Playa Mann is a white sand beach with water suitable for snorkeling. We only saw several small fish, so don’t head here to be “wowed.”

Playa Punta Carola is a more secluded beach, still with plenty of sea lions. It is a great place to relax in the sand or swim in the refreshing waters.

Total cost day 6: $25 for two people + food

Day 7: Scuba Diving

We made reservations on day one to go s cuba diving in León Dormido this day. What we did not take into account was the food poisoning I got the night before. This put a negative note on the end of our trip and caused quite a problem with the dive tour company.

We made reservations with Galapagos Fishing Adventures S.A. (aka Gustavo Tour S.A.), the friendliest and best-priced tour we found in town at $150 per person. There would have been no problems had I not gotten sick.

Having spent the whole night in the bathroom I was in no condition to get in a wetsuit and sit on a boat. First thing in the morning, an hour before we were told to arrive, we called them to explain my condition. Their response was to eat a pastry and see if I feel better. I did not.

We went to the store to cancel my reservation. They did not want to help, I was told I can go snorkeling at the same cost, while the thought of sitting on a rocking boat did not help my stomach. Declining this, we were offered $50 of the original $150 for cancelling. They finally agreed upon a $75 reimbursement.

My wife still went on the dive, not wanting to miss the well advertised underwater wonders Galapagos has to offer.

The diving equipment was not in good shape either. My wife’s face mask broke during the dive and one of the group members air tanks had a leak, along with the backup equipment. The divemaster ended up with the leaking equipment in exchange.

It turns out there was not much to offer that snorkeling could not provide and on this specific tour, the snorkeling group actually saw more wildlife.

Total cost day 7: $325 for two people + food

Day 8: Back to the mainland

After a busy and tiring week, we spent the last half-day relaxing along the boardwalk and meandering through the gift stores. With plenty of time we walked the kilometer back to the San Cristóbal Airport to catch our 2:00PM plane back to Guayaquil. Make sure to check our travel blog again soon for more exciting adventures, travel guides and suggested itineraries for trips around Ecuador and the world!

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Thursday 1st of August 2019

I want to visit Galapagos so much, it feels like a magical place. it's a great post

Travel To Blank

Thursday 8th of August 2019

Thank you so much!

Top 13 Places in Ecuador You Can Not Miss - Travel To Blank Travel Guide

Monday 3rd of July 2017

[…] 1. Isabella, Galapagos Islands […]

Obligatory Traveler

Friday 13th of January 2017

The Galapagos is my top dream trip. Your post had great information, and of course, baby turtles!

Thank you! We hope you can make it to Galapagos soon!

Thursday 28th of April 2016

I am putting this place on my bucket list for sure. I would love to dive there. I have seen many documentaries about this place and your pictures confirm how beautiful it is. The prices are inexpensive there as well. I am sure the air fare from the US would be quite expensive.

The airfare is not too bad, if you plan in advance tickets can be as low as $350!

Friday 19th of February 2016

Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

Solo Travel The Galapagos on the Cheap (ish): How I Did 7 Days/Nights for $994, Including Flights!

by Crazy Travelista | Mar 18, 2017 | Ecuador , Off the beaten path , South America , Travel Tips | 23 comments

Visiting the Galapagos is a dream for most and I honestly didn’t think I would ever make it there as it is known to be extremely expensive. Due to it’s remote and isolated nature of the Galapagos, as well as its endemic animal species which aren’t found anywhere else in the world, it’s clear why this is such a sought after destination.

Visiting the Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and one that people usually plan for years in advance. But I decided to go on a whim and got my plane tickets less than 3 weeks before. Because that’s how I roll.

In all honesty, I wanted to see if I could challenge myself to do this destination for under $1000, without a cruise, just on my own. And when I found out I could use miles to fly there, I was sold.

The entire trip ended up costing me $994 total, true story (I even surprised myself). But I was determined to prove that it CAN be affordable.

So here’s how I did it…

Galapagos On a Budget

Plane tickets.

I used airline miles for this trip and I thought it was a great deal for the amount of miles it required. It required 40,000 miles roundtrip (using Mileage Plus/Star Alliance) from Washington Dulles, to Baltra Island, Galapagos. The regular ticket price is around $750 and up. I picked multi destination and flew into Baltra island and out of San Cristobal island. This worked out well since I didn’t have to waste time   (and money) backtracking back to Baltra.

Total cost: 40k miles + $88.16 in taxes

Visas/National Park Fees

The Galapagos is one of the most protected areas on earth. 97% of the islands are protected to be exact. In order to enter, you must pay a few mandatory National Park fees and for a tourist card. There is no way around these fees so make sure to bring enough cash to cover them.

One of only 1,200 penguins on the Galapagos

Fees I paid to enter the Galapagos:

• $20 for a tourist card (upon departure in Guayaquil or Quito)-they don’t tell you this and I got all the way to the gate without it. I had to run back to the check in area to get one real quick and go all the way through security. The only reason I didn’t miss my flight is because it ended up being delayed. Make sure you get your visa card BEFORE boarding your flight to the Galapagos.
• $100 National Park fees upon entrance to the Galapagos
• $10 to enter Isabela island ($5 for locals)

Total: $130

Galapagos on a Budget | Accommodation

I always thought accommodation on the Galapagos would cost a fortune. But it’s the complete opposite. You can do it super cheap if you want. I saw hostels for $15/night. They also have some super fancy eco resorts that are very pricy as well. But overall, it was very affordable to stay on the islands.

I went on the cheap (ish) side and paid an average of $30 a night , including a mixture of hotels, a private room in a hostel, and an Airbnb. The standards are not as high as one might be used to, but overall it wasn’t a problem. The only problem I had was the presence of little tiny bugs (smaller than ants) that were in almost every place I stayed. I think they just have a problem with bugs being a tropical climate.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQmK6nxA6JN/?taken-by=crazytravelista

Oh and the wifi….the wifi. Wifi on the Galapagos was officially the worst wifi I had ever experienced. It hardly every worked in my room (although the hotels claimed wifi in all rooms) expect for Iguana Hotel on Isabela island. And when it did work, it was so slow you couldn’t even open anything if more than a few people were on the network. I couldn’t open any videos at all while I was there. It was kinda nice to disconnect, but at some points I really needed wifi to look stuff up so it was an annoyance for sure.

Where To stay in the Galapagos:

Puerto villamil, isabela island.

Hotel Iguana ($40/night).

This was the cleanest and best place I stayed in the Galapagos. It was also the only place I didn’t see many bugs and the wifi actually worked (slowly) in my room. It was the most expensive accommodation on my trip, but well worth it. Check rates for Hotel Iguana on booking.com here . 

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Hostal Vista al Mar ($30/night)

I got a private room here right near the port and good dining options. However, it wasn’t as clean as I would have liked, it had NO air conditioner (only a fan), the wifi was the worst I had experienced, and there were many bugs. I wouldn’t recommend this place honestly.  

Hotel España ($30/night)

A cute little hotel with a chill lobby filled with hammocks. When I alerted them of the many bugs in my room, they sprayed it while I was out and it got rid of the problem. The staff was super nice and helpful! Check rates on booking.com here . And if you’re new to booking.com, use my $20 off coupon here . 

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal

Airbnb San Cristobal ($18/night)

I rented a room in a huge house and was very large and spacious. It had 3 double beds and could have slept 6. It was an 8 minute walk from the main port in a quiet neighoborhood. The host gave me snorkel gear to wear to the beach, which was nice.  Oh, and it was a 5 minute walk to the airpot! The only problem was the huge black beetle bugs I found the first night. When I arrived, all the windows were open so I’m sure thats where they came from. I kept all the windows closed and only saw one more the next day. You can view the listing here . 

Galapagos on a Budget |  T ours

Tours in the Galapagos are highly regulated and not every tour company will operate every day. The reason is they limit the amount of people that can visit each island to a small number per day. This prevents damage to the environment from mass tourism. I wish more places would adopt this method because you can really see how clean and well preserved the environment is over there.

Tours in the Galapagos are not cheap and this is where you will spend a majority of your budget. BUT, the key is to book LAST MINUTE on arrival. DO NOT book tours online, as they are up to 3 times as much! I was quotes as much as $325 for a tour that I eventually went on for $160, by booking last minute.

It can be a little nerve wrecking getting there without any booked tours, especially ones you really want to do. But you will save a shit ton doing it this way. Don’t forget to bargain down about 20% of the asking price as well. They are more negotiable last minute.

Note: they were fully booked for my tour to Bartoleme when I inquired the day before. Apparently tho is one of the most popular tours and not every company will operate daily. I really wanted to do this tour, so I had to move my schedule around and change 2 hotel dates (which both hotels surprisingly let me do free of charge!).

Recommended Tours To Do in The Galapagos:

Bartoleme island (day trip from santa cruz island).

→(10-hour tour including pickup from hotel, breakfast, and lunch)

This tour takes you to the infamous Pinnacle Rock lookout and to snorkel on a nearby beach on Santiago island called Sullivan Bay. It requires light hiking up to the summit for the viewpoint, but it isn’t hard at all.

• Regular tour price in-person: $180-$200 (and up to $325 online in advance!)
• Price I received last-minute: $160 (I found one company that offered me as low as $150, but the day didn’t work out)

Los Tuneles (day trip from Isabela Island)

→(5-6 hour tour including lunch. Usually leaves twice a day at 7:30am and 11:30am)

This tour takes you to some great snorkelling spots where we saw sharks, turtles, and sea horses. It also takes you to the otherworldly Los Tuneles, underwater tunnels formed from volcanic lava. It’s like no other landscape you will ever see! We also saw blue-footed boobies here as this is a popular nesting site for this species.

• Regular tour price in-person: $120
• Price I received last-minute: $100

I went with the Pahoe Hoe tour company and I was really impressed! Our guide Juan Carlos was super friendly and showed us all the cool animals, including a sea horse! I would have never seen it on my own. He even went down into the caves to find sharks for us to see! Lunch was yummy chicken and yellow rice in an individual tupperware jar.

Kicker Rock (day trip from San Cristobal Island)

→(6 hours and leaves at 9am)

This tour takes you to the iconic Kicker Rock, a popular spot for viewing sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks, manta rays, and sea lions. We saw ALL these and it was incredible! From the second I jumped into the water and looked down, I saw 2 white tip sharks! If you only do one tour in the Galapagos, do the Kicker Rock. It was hands-down my favorite tour and a day I will never forget.

• Regular tour price in-person: $100-$120
• Price I received last-minute: $90

I went with Scuba Eden company and I highly recommended them! They have awesome/upbeat tour guides and very small group sizes. We only had 6 people in our group! They also take GoPro footage of you and give you the footage for free if you want it!

Total spent on tours: $350

Galapagos on a Budget |  Rentals

For the days I didn’t do an organized tour, I rented a bike one day on Isabela island and snorkel gear on Santa Cruz.

Galapagos “traffic”

• Snorkel rental: $8/day in Puerto Ayora
• Bike rental: $15/day Isabela island

Galapagos on a Budget |  Transport

Ground transport on the islands is very cheap (although you can walk to lots of places as well). There are taxis readily available and I paid $1-$2 for each ride.

On Isabela and Santa Cruz, the boats can’t dock and you will need to take a water taxi to the boats. Each ride costs $.50-$1.

A word about ferries…

The so-called ferries are actually little speed boats they pile a bunch of people into. It wasn’t the most comfortable situation, especially when the boats are full. The sea can get choppy so make sure to take some Dramamine and sit at the back of the boat to avoid sea sickness.

Ferries between the islands cost $30 one-way. You can only travel to Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal by ferry (the only 3 inhabited islands on the Galapagos). All other island require a day trip or cruise to get to.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQo1FaRAWVN/?taken-by=crazytravelista

Note: there is no ferry between Isabela and San Cristobal. If you want to travel between these islands, you must go back to Santa Cruz first and then buy another ticket. So essentially, it would cost $60 to go from Isabela to San Cristobal and vice versa.

Buy tickets as soon as you can because they can fill up, especially in the peak season.

What I spent on transportation in the Galapagos:

• Water taxis: $4
• Ferries: $90

Total: $104

Galapagos on a Budget |  Food

How much I spent on food:

• Dinners: $52
• Grocery store snacks/lunch/bottled waters: $37
• Coffee: $3.50

Total: $92.75

How I did it so cheap:

I brought 2 boxes of protein/granola bars from home which I ate for my breakfasts. I went to the local markets for lunch foods (I never sat down for lunch once, mostly due to no time…but I usually don’t eat a big lunch anyways because it makes me tired and lethargic).

I also inadvertently cut back on 2 of my usual (expensive) habits: coffee and wine. It was so hot and humid that I couldn’t drink much coffee and I was too dehydrated and hot to drink any alcohol. Being hot saved me a lot of money!

There was also one day when my awesome tour guide bought me dinner right after the tour at a local stand that only costed $2 for a fried plantain stuffed with salsa and tuna (sounds like an odd combo, but it was actually really good!)

Through my research, most online sources said that food will be your biggest expense in the Galapagos. Well, that might be true if you go to the super touristy places on the waterfront. I walked past menus where the average prices were $18-25 per dish. Oh hell no, that’s absurd!

Out of all my expenses, I spent the LEAST on food. And honestly, it’s one of the cheapest places I’ve ever eaten dinner.

The key to eating cheap in the Galapagos is to eat where the locals go. The 2 words you’re going to want to learn are ALMUERZOS  and  MERIENDAS.

• Almuerzos (what it’s called at lunch time)
• Meriendas -(what it’s called at dinner time)

This is a pre-set type of menu that the locals indulge in. It usually consists of soup, fresh juice, rice and main dish of seafood, beef, etc. One place even served dessert with it! And the greatest part is that you can have dinner or lunch for $4-$7 . True story.

Where to Eat in The Galapagos:

Kiosco Voluntad de Dios  (Santa Cruz): cheap eats from $4.50. I decided to order something off the more “expensive menu” and tried an awesome shrimp with coconut sauce dish (it was $9.50 and well worth it). It’s also a cool spot where you eat at big community tables.

I met some really cool Austrian traveler’s this way. They offered me a bite of fresh fish they had ordered, and it was one of the best fresh fish I ever tried! It was so meaty and huge so definitely try the fish here if you want to splurge on a great meal.

Encanto de la Pepa (Isabela island): it’s on the main strip but super cheap and had a cute little vibe. They offered a $7 set menu consisting of soup, papaya juice, choice of one main (fish, beef, calamari,etc) and one side (rice, salad, fries), plus banana cake. I ordered the calamari in coconut sauce and it was delicious.

Lucky’s  (San Cristobal): the cheapest dinner I had in the Galapagos for $4. Included is juice, chicken and veggie soup, chicken or beef and rice, and salad. I couldn’t believe I had all that for dinner for only $4! Ecuador for the win!

Free (or cheap) things to do in the Galapagos:

For full details and elaboration of this list, I have put together a separate blog post and you can read it here: Best Free (or Cheap) Things to Do in The Galapagos. 

Santa Cruz Island

• Tortuga Bay (free)
• Charles Darwin Research Station (free)
• Las Grietas(free-ish)

Isabela Island

• Self-guided bike tour ($15/day)
• Wall of Tears (free)
• El Estero (free)
• Playa del Amor (free)

• Las Salinas (free) 
• Concha la Perla (free) 

San Cristobal Island (all free activities)

• Cerro Tijeretas Hill
• Punta Carola
• Playa Mann beach 
• Interpretation Center

Summary of Costs in the Galapagos

• Airline tickets $88
• Visas/National Park Fees $130
• Accommodation $206
• Rentals $23
• Transportation $104

Grand total of $994

Travel Insurance for The Galapagos

I never travel without travel insurance anymore, it’s just silly. Shit happens when you least expect it. You especially want to be covered when you’re visiting more report places like small islands. If something happens and you need to be air-lifted to the nearest hospital on the mainland, this would cost a fortune!

My go to travel insurance that I have been using for the past 4 years is World Nomads . I have made 3 claims and have been reimbursed without any hassle. I highly recommend them.

Other Things to Note About The Galapagos

• Ecuador uses the dollar
• Ecuador uses the same outlets and voltage as the U.S., meaning no need for a convertor/adaptor
• They charge an absurd amount of interest in credit card purchases so try to pay cash
• There are ATMs on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal but none on Isabela island (try to bring cash because sometimes the machines are empty)
• Wifi is virtually non-existent so expect to be “disconnected” during your time there. Some hotels have wifi but in my experience it never worked in the room and only in the lobby. If more than a few people were on at the same time or didn’t work. When it did work it was slower than dial up internet and I couldn’t watch any video of any type, couldn’t view Snapchat, etc. It was ok for sending WhatsApp messages
• It’s hot AF (the islands are located right around the equator after all) so re-apply sunscreen every few hours. I got burnt bad and I re-applied about 5 times a day
• Bring bug spray or repellent bracelets (I got eaten alive)
• Don’t feed or touch the animals…just don’t (please practice responsible tourism)
• They charge 22% credit card fees to book tours! Wtf

Liked it? PIN it for later♥

Have you been to the Galapagos? Were you able to do it on a reasonable budget? If you can add any budget tips, please do!

PS: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book using my link, at NO extra cost to you. It’s what helps this site remain add free (ads annoy the crap out of me!). Thanks ♥

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23 Comments

hello really liking your trip. Want to go in August of 2018 solo.

I live in Canada, and looks amazing.

Once you landed in Baltra Island what was your first destination and how did you get there from the airport?

How long did that take?

Hi Rick, Once you land in Baltra, there will be buses that coordinate with the flights to take you to the channel crossing. Then you will board a boat to cross which takes like 15 minutes. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the Porto Ayora in Santa Cruz. I was able to share a taxi with a few others so it costed next to nothing. I think the taxi took like 45 minutes to get to Porto Ayora. The whole thing takes like 1.5 hours to get from the airport to Porto Ayora. Just make sure you have cash to pay for the bus and taxi. I started in Santa Cruz, then went to Isabela island and then to San Cristobal. Hope that helps!

Hi Rick, Once you land in Baltra, there will be free buses that coordinate with the flights to take you to the channel crossing. Then you will board a boat to cross which takes like 15 minutes. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to the Porto Ayora in Santa Cruz. I was able to share a taxi with a few others so it costed next to nothing. I think the taxi took like 45 minutes to get to Porto Ayora. The whole thing takes like 1.5 hours to get from the airport to Porto Ayora. Just make sure you have cash to pay for the taxi. I started in Santa Cruz, then went to Isabela island and then to San Cristobal. Hope that helps!

Thanks for sharing your experience! Really helping with my planning. As a solo traveller, when you did DIY snorkelling, where did you leave your belongings? Especially those that aren’t waterproof.

Hi! I’m so glad my article was helpful! Well, if i wasn’t on a tour and knew I was going snorkeling, I usually just brought my Gopro and phone, I left all my other camera gear at my hotel. But I just left my stuff on the shore and tried to keep an eye on it. Most the place I went, there were hardly any people there. I guess it’s up to you if you wanna leave your stuff behind in the hotel and just bring a waterproof camera.

Wow I love your blog! I’m planning a trip to the Galapagos later this year myself and this is just the resource I needed. I have a question- did you travel there solo or with others? I’m asking because I’m just a bit worried about the safety of exploring the walks and beaches alone. Any ideas? Sorry if that’s an obvious question! Thanks 🙂

Hi! Yes I travelled there solo and felt completely safe 100%! I had no issues at all. I would definitely recommend it as a solo trip!! 🙂

really amazed to read your article..how nicely you described the beautiful places,budget ,transport everything,,i will definitely plan my trip to galapagos for sure…thanks a lot for sharing the amazing writing with us

Glad I could help and show that it can actually be an affordable destination! Good luck with your trip! 🙂

really amazed to read your post… it is full of information,,how nicely you described the different places,budget,transport everything…i will definitely plan my trip to galapagos for sure..

Wow I’ve never been to the Galapagos and honestly didn’t know much about it before reading your post. What a comprehensive guide of what to do, how and how much it costs. Thanks a lot about the tips of booking last minute and where to find cheap food. (the baby sea lion is sooo cute!!)

Glad it could help! And yes, the baby sea lion almost had me in tears! hehe 🙂

Thanks for this! I may be travelling to Ecuador later in the year for work and I want to see if I can take a few extra days off for the Galapagos Islands! I’m bookmarking your post.

Awesome, i would definitely look into it! You can make it an affordable trip for sure! 🙂

Thanks for this! I may be travelling to Ecuador later in the year for work and I want to see if I can take a few extra days off for the Galapagos Islands!

I’m hoping to get here early next year, so this article is fantastic! You’ve got some amazing photos too, love it!

Thank you! Hope this helped. If you have any more questions, please let me know. I’d be happy to help!

OMG! Galapagos is on our bucket list. This is so helpful. im saving it for when we decide to go.

Vrithi Pushkar http://www.epicuriouspassport.com

It’s such a special, unique, and amazing place. And WAY more affordable than I ever imagined! Hope you get to make it there soon! Good luck 🙂

I really had ZERO idea this trip could be done so inexpensively! I love how you broke this down and how informative you are in this post. And can we talk about how gorgeous your photos from there are?! I’m already looking up flights LOL

Honestly, I had NO idea it could have been done that cheap! I challenged myself to a $1000 budget but didnt think i would come close haha. And only having to use 40K miles was awesome! It takes 60K to go to Europe and 80-90K to go to Australia so i definitely thought it was SO worth it!

This is a great resource! I was just looking at how to visit the Galapagos islands recently and was having so much trouble finding out how to do it without spending a fortune. Thanks for sharing!

No problem, glad it could help. The key is booking the tours last minute in person and eating where the locals do! It can be done at a reasonable price!

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Privacy Overview

How to Tour the Galapagos on a Budget

As you seek to tour the Galapagos on a budget, you'll discover the phrase "enchanted islands," because so much of what you'll see here is rare or impossible to find anywhere else on earth. The Galapagos Islands offer an opportunity to observe nature -- plant life, landscapes and animal life -- at levels you'll never forget.

Unfortunately, the distances and logistics of visiting this important area are daunting. You'll need a careful logistical strategy, as well as a reliable tour operator that specializes in Galopagos vacations. As with any popular area, there are a few unscrupulous operators who will try to sell you bogus tours.

Getting to the islands from mainland Ecuador usually involves a short flight from either Quito or Guayaquil. The distance of about 600 miles is covered in roughly 90 minutes by air to either the easternmost island of San Cristobal or a small former military base at Baltra. Keep in mind that the islands are one hour behind the time on the mainland.

From those points, many visitors embark on cruises lasting from 2-7 days. The cruise line arranges daily excursions and provides a cabin and meals. Note that many group tours do not include the cost of equipment rentals or the entry fee to the national park, which is $100 for adults and $50 for children under the age of 12.

Ecuadorian companies will arrange vacations that combine tours of the Andes (Quito) and the islands. Prices and the quality of the arrangements vary widely. Do some research. Determine tours in your price range and then examine reputation, length of time in business, complaints and specifics of the trip. Don't be afraid to choose a tour that is slightly more expensive than its competitors if it will provide a better experience or comes with a trusted recommendation.

A Few Tour Operators to Consider

Don't view the following list as endorsed vendors. The links are furnished only as starting points for your research. Be sure to read the fine print of all trip agreements before completing the transaction.

Ecoventura uses "expedition yachts" for their seven-day trips that leave San Cristobal on Sunday evenings. The ratio of guide to passenger is kept low, at about 10 to 1. Cruise rates start at about $3,600 double; you can charter the entire ship for a group of 20 or fewer for $72,000. Rates do not include airfare or entry fees to the national park.

SmarTours.com offers packages that combine a Quito layover and a visit to the markets in Otavalo with cruises in the islands. These 10 day trips run about $4,000/person, and there is a provision to receive a discount if you book well in advance of travel.

Klein Tours operate from Quito and offer a variety of trips ranging from just a few days to more than a week in duration. Prices increase with the complexity and duration of each tour.

Lindblad Galapagos Cruises offers 10-day itineraries from $4,700. Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic teamed up in 2004 to provide the tours through Sunstone Tours.

G Adventures sometimes has tours available. One recent budget trip started at $1,800 for six days (four days in the islands) with a beginning and ending stay in Quito.

A Few Cautions

There have been consumer complaints about fraudulent Galapagos tours over the years, so please be sure to check references and take seriously any pattern of complaints you might dig up against a given company. Notice the word "pattern" here: a few complaints are to be expected, but large numbers of people bringing up the same concerns might be worthy of more consideration.

Beware of an operator that wants to make the deal quickly. Ask yourself why someone would be in a hurry to close the deal. Reputable companies will let you take your time and think about your options.

In short, be sure you watch for signs of a travel scam as you would with any other planned tour.

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Budget Tours & Trips to Galapagos Islands

Explore a varied offer of budget Galapagos adventures that will take you through some of the most well known destinations such as Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela. Each affordable Galapagos Islands tour will provide you with memorable experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market. Find here the best Galapagos tours .

89 Budget Galapagos Islands tour packages with 148 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions

The tour was very well organised. there was plenty of time to do all the additional activities and the guide made sure we did what we wanted.

Galápagos Express Adventure: Wilderness & Wildlife

Jonathan knows so much about wildlife of the region, and he was good at getting us organised. The activities were cool, and it was balanced with enough free time. Our team was great and loved hanging out with each other. We loved seeing sea turtles and sea lions, and all kinds of things. I was a little disappointed when we went to Kicker's Rock on San Cristobal island as we got stung by jellyfish and didn't see anything else but jellyfish. That day tour had been highly recommended, and was very expensive. We had an awesome boat to ride to and from though. Also I am disappointed that TourRadar did not communicate about my husband's dietary needs for when meals were included or to our tour leader, or help us with booking accommodation as we were getting there a day early, or giving us any help with transportation as we arrived into a different island. We would have liked to be connected with a local to help us not be so stressed about this part of the trip.

Galapagos Discovery

Great experience, I would recommend this tour.

Galapagos Experience

I was very happy with this tour. Seeing giant iguanas and enormous tortoises is something I shall never forget! My guide, Fernando, was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. I learned so much! Best of all, because Fernando is a local I also learned interesting details of life on the islands. Though there was an age range, Intrepid appeals to people who want to truly immerse themselves in the local experience. In a single week I made lifelong friends.

• Hiking & Trekking

Affordable Galapagos 8 Days Tour

A good variety of tours, knowledgable guides, and a surreal atmosphere. Everything is made easy for you so you just show up and enjoy the wildlife.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

10 Days Galapagos Highlights Small Group Tour

Really enjoyed it. Our guide was Pedro, and he really knew his stuff. The canoe rides and sightseeing were unforgettable. The food and restaurant service was great. The only suggestion I have is to give warning when the power and water are to go off, so we could plan around it.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

5 Days San Cristobal Island Wonders

Galapagos Experience: 5 days

• €134 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Volunteering

Galapagos Experience Volunteering & Travel 3 Weeks

Ultimate Galapagos 6 Days Tour

it was a great tour in Ecuador mainland and the Galapagos Islands , good price and excellent service thanks again Guidecuador Travel

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS DISCOVERY TOUR 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

Too short, but that was our fault. They do nickle and dime you to death; $1here, $5 there for all the transport. The location was beautiful, the hotel was good. Guides were nice and helpful. The trip was overall worth it, will most likely go back.

7 Day Galapagos Island Hopping Budget

We had a lot of fun in the Galapagos on the Rebecca Adventure tour. This was different from tour groups in the past since one just follows the itinerary purchased and not necessarily in a big group. For example, the first three days of our 7 day tour overlapped with the 9 day tour, then on day 4 we traveled to a different island while the 9 dayers had one more day on Isabela. It felt like our private tour with others joining us for each excursion. The coordinators for each island were each top notch and met with us each evening to let us know what to expect the next day. Day guides and transportation were always on time. A no worry, no hassle vacation.

6-Day Galapagos Islands plus Bike, Kayak, Hike, Snorkel

Discover the best of Santa Cruz in a basic 4 days and 3 nights tour!

It was a short tour that we squeezed in before our longer tour in Peru so no complaints but wish we had stayed longer in Galapagos too and visited some islands. The tour was simple and easy going. Not really a group tour but several one day tours. since we had different people with us in different days. The guides were friendly and respectful. The islands are a step back in time. Felt like we were in a Jurassic parks movie with giant turtles iguanas and seals. The boat trips were amazing. A very unique place.

Highlights Of Quito and Galapagos Islands

The experience was great. Nearly everyone who assisted us was very helpful. The one exception was Cecelia on Isabella Island. At the beginning of the second day, no one showed up to take us to the designated locations. Our hotel manager called the local tour company and reported that we had been forgotten. The name of the company was something like Georeisen. The representative told me she would get someone to pick us up. Guess who showed up? Cecelia! She made no reference to our being forgotten, and she didn’t apologize. Her English is poor. Actually, my high school Spanish is what allowed us to communicate. She should not be a tour guide.

What people love about Budget Tours in Galapagos Islands

This was a great tour, the galápagos is amazing! G-adventure has a well organized tour. There are some early morning days but they don't matter because you are in the Galápagos! The rooms are basic but have air conditioning which is good since it is very hot there. José was a fantastic guide and had so much knowledge about the islands. Definitely choose the add-on snorkeling trips they are worth it. I think the Galápagos needs to be on everyone's list.

My tour guide was amazing! He is so passionate about The Galapagos. He took great care of us.

lovely tour - very good itinerary and comfortable pace

Galapagos Islands Tours starting in:

• Baltra Island (25)
• San Cristóbal Island (9)
• Santa Cruz Island (6)
• Budget Group tours (75)
• Budget Family tours (60)
• Budget Partially Guided tours (54)
• Budget Active tours (52)
• Budget Christmas & New Year tours (49)
• Budget Explorer tours (38)
• Budget Personalized tours (34)
• Budget Fully Guided tours (30)
• Budget Wildlife tours (12)
• Budget Private tours (10)
• Budget In-depth Cultural tours (8)

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• Singles and Solo (261)
• For Couples (43)
• Young Adults (9)
• Seniors (143)

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Visiting Galapagos on a Budget: The Ultimate 10 Day Island-Hopping Itinerary for the 30+ Traveler

• August 26, 2017 October 17, 2023
• Nature Galapagos & Ecuador
• Galapagos Information , Galapagos Travel Articles

The Galapagos Islands are a bucket-list destination for adventurous travelers of all ages—there’s so much to do and see , not even a month is long enough. And since few have that kind of time for travel anyway, it’s smart to get your itinerary right so you don’t miss any must-see sights and experiences when visiting Galapagos on a budget.

You can do the Galapagos in two ways, a land-based, island hopping tour or a cruise . Cruise itineraries are controlled by the government and arranged into two categories—both to control the flow of tourists to the delicate island ecosystems and to ensure passenger safety with ships navigating tight spaces. You don’t have a lot of options to design your own itinerary if you travel by boat.

Island hopping tours offers more flexibility to create the type of experience you crave in the Galapagos Islands. A good tour operator will give you several options for arranging your days and activities for a personalized vacation. Additionaly, thay are more flexible on burget too, as thay allow you to choose form various hotel categories. 

Keep in mind that any Galapagos itinerary requires a full day of travel on either end; you’ll fly to mainland Ecuador and then a shorter hop to the islands themselves. So if you choose a 7-day itinerary, you’ll need to block out at least nine days for your trip.

Here’s our suggestion for an adventure-packed itinerary for 30+ explorers.

Day 1: Arrive in San Cristobal and set your sights on the frigate birds.

You’ll definitely want to hit the Interpretation Center as soon as you arrive to help you orient yourself to the Galapagos Islands and the amazing wildlife. Don’t forget to take the trail to to Frigate Bird Hill to see your first frigate birds . Did you know these amazing birds can stay aloft for weeks at a time? And how awesome that you’ll see your first glimpse of our unique Galapagos wildlife within hours of arriving.

Day 2: Snorkel with the sea lions and sharks at Kicker Rock.

Kicker Rock is one of the most popular destinations in the Galapagos—it’s an underwater paradise for marine life. Galapagos sharks, white tip sharks, rays, sea turtles, and an abundance of colorful fish make this an ideal place for snorkeling. Swim with the sea lions and look for Nazca boobies and the iconic blue footed booby, both of which flock to the rock during the day.

Day 3: Zip across the sea to Tortuga Bay to kayak with the sea turtles.

Hop on a speedboat for a trip to Santa Cruz and kayak adventure at Tortuga Bay. The pristine beach is the perfect place to grab a little sun and hang out with the marine iguanas and sandy lightfoot crabs. Feel like surfing? You can hang 10 here—or take a kayak adventure and get up close and personal with the sea turtles and sharks.

Day 4: Swim with the Galapagos penguins on Bartolomé.

Want an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life? Take a dip in the waters off Pinnacle Rock and frolic with the Galapagos penguins . The island of Bartolomé is home to a colony of these iconic animals—as well as sea lions, green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, stingrays, and sharks. You won’t want to miss an excursion to this fascinating island.

Day 5: Hike Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela—and catch a glimpse of the Galapagos Tortoise at Flamingos Lagoon.

Sierra Negra is one of the most impressive volcanoes in the Galapagos archipelago. Its caldera is the second-largest in the world, measuring a massive 10 kilometers across. Spend a few hours hiking and taking photographs of the incredible landscape and then cool off with a trip to Flamingo Lagoon and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Did you know these crazy reptiles live about 155 years and can go up to 18 months without food or water?

Day 6: Snorkel the lava tunnels at Cabo Rosa (and don’t be surprised if you spot a few blue-footed boobies nearby!)

A quick boat ride to the Cabo Rosa lava tunnels is a great way to really appreciate the unique history and geography of the Galapagos islands—these volcanic lava formations flow seamlessly between crystal-clear sapphire pools and wild ocean waves. And the marine life is abundant as well.

But this is also a great place to catch a glimpse of the blue-footed booby. Did you know the blue-footed booby prefers to nest on land while the red-footed variety nests in trees?

Day 7: Check out the white tip sharks at canales de las tintoreras.

Las Tintoreras on Isabela is the perfect place to really get close to the white tip shark and other marine life in the Galapagos ( canales de las tintoreras means literally “shark canals”). It’s also a great place to interact with marine iguanas, sea lions, sea turtles, and the gangly blue herons. Go snorkeling or just take a relaxing swim.

Don’t forget to visit the Humedales and the Wall of Tears, one of the best places in the Galapagos to see migratory birds as well as Galapagos ducks, flamingos, finches, and plovers.

Day 8: Head to Ecuador to visit the mighty Cotopaxi, the world’s largest active volcano.

You don’t have to be an amateur vulcanologist to appreciate Cotopaxi , one of the most iconic features of Ecuador’s geography. If the weather cooperates, you can even ascend to the glaciers! And the incredible biodiversity of the Andean Paramo will blow you away—make sure your camera is fully charged and ready to go!

Day 9: Get your head in the clouds at the Mindo Cloud Forest.

The Mindo Cloud Forest is a transitional zone between the lowlands and the tropical Andes—a place where you can enjoy your favorite outdoor adventures like tubing, rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, and canyoning. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, as well.

Why not end your Ecuador adventure with a night or two in one of the luxurious eco-spas and resorts in the Mindo area? It’s an unforgettable way to pamper yourself and wind down your journey.

Day 10: Enjoy a foodie tour of Quito before your return flight home.

Flying home out of Quito? Take advantage of the time to enjoy a foodie tour of this historic city. Ecuadorian cuisine is some of the tastiest in the world—the ceviches and stews are flavorful and delicious. Treat yourself to espumillas, a meringue foam flavored with tropical fruits and topped with sprinkles and syrups.

Something catch your eye?

Ready to see yourself swimming with sea lions or searching for sharks in the Galapagos Islands this year? Get in touch today and find out how easy it is to plan the ultimate adventure vacation. And if you’re not ready to speak with a travel consultant, sign up for our free email course to learn everything you need to know about planning your perfect Galapagos tour.

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23 Ways to Explore Galapagos on a Budget

• T he Galapagos Islands are known for many things: epic wildlife, beautiful beaches, and being wildly expensive. What most people don't realize is that cheap and even FREE activities are plentiful here. So why the big secret?

The tourism industry has cemented the idea that the Galapagos can only be explored via cruise. This is false . While it's true that boats are necessary to reach more remote islands (which require a guided tour ), there are four other islands  where tourists can stay independently. This means plenty of options for a DIY trip!

Intrigued? Here's all the cheap and free activities you can do yourself in the Galapagos. Don't miss our other SUPER comprehensive post on planning a trip to the Galapagos on the cheap. Bon voyage!

• 1 Activities accessible on all islands
• 2 Activities on Santa Cruz Island
• 3 Activities on San Cristobal
• 4 Activities on Isabela
• 5 Activities on Floreana

Activities accessible on all islands

Across the four islands that tourists can reside on – that is, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana –  there are many activities that are cheap or free. Marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, and more can all be spotted without a multi-night cruise!

That being said, if you do wish to book a last minute cruise, we'd strongly advise checking our other post here . Now, here are general activities you can do on any of the four inhabited islands.

1. DIY snorkelling

What : Rent gear from equipment rental shops and/or accomodation, then visit various snorkel sites (ask staff for input, we list some below!) How : Rent gear or bring your own! Price : ~$15-$20+ USD per day (hence can be cheaper to bring your own)

Snorkel shop or hotel staff will know the best spots for marine life spotting. Every island has snorkel spots reachable by foot, water taxi, or kayak.

2. Sea lion selfies

What : Take photos with sea lions along beaches, docks, and the main strip How : Snap a pic! Do so responsibly – from a distance, quietly, and without flash. Price : Free!

Want the best selfie of all time? Grab a seat next to a local – sea lion, that is. Fearless of people, you can find them hanging near benches and beaches anywhere, no tour needed.

On Isla San Cristobal we could reliably hang out with them near the port, where nearby cafes & ice cream shops offer wifi to customers. Grab an ice cream and Skype home to show off your newfound friends.

3. DIY kayaking

What : Rent from rental shops along the main streets and set out from nearby beach (you may want to also rent snorkel gear) How : Ask your hotel or look for rental stores along the main streets. Price : $20-$40 USD for the day

It's not hard nor is it expensive to rent some kayak gear and paddle for the day. Simply pop into any of the abundant dive/rental shops and ask where is best to head out. Staff will be happy to advise on good kayaking and snorkel routes.

4. Island hopping

What : Visit any of the islands accessible by ferry and/or day tour. Islands you can visit on day tours  include Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela, South Plazas, Bartolome, North Seymour, and Santa Fe. Islands you can visit by ferry include Isabela, Floreana, Sana Cruz, and San Cristobal. How : For day tours, book ahead online , or in person at a shop or hotel. For ferries, purchase at ticket booth (usually located at an island's main port). Price : Tour prices vary from $60-$200+ USD (snorkel and dive tours cost most, land-based walking tours are cheapest). Ferries are ~$20USD+ each way.

Day tour choices are endless. The only question is, water or land? Tours are usually either land-based with short hikes and wildlife spotting, or water-based with snorkelling or dives. So, where to go?

For stunning vibrant flora, South Plazas is hard to beat with its red bushes, green cacti, and yellow iguanas.  Bartolome has epic volcanic landscapes that will make your Facebook photos the envy of all you know. that will make your jaw drop. Isabela holds the world's second largest volcanic crater. It's hard to go wrong with any option!

Most of the ferry rides are fairly long (a few hours) and pricey , so “island hopping” in this regard is best done with an overnight stay, not as a day tour.

5. Visit world-class beaches

What: Beach bum on pristine beaches next to friendly birds, iguanas, and sea lions Where : Any recommended beach, ask your hotel/hostel staff or a Tourist Information Center for recommendations Price : Free!

It's no secret that Galapagos has some breathtaking beaches. One can easily spend a full day picnicking next to wild iguanas and fearless birds with turquoise ocean before you. Simply ask at your hotel or tourist information centre for good beaches.

6. Wander the streets on foot

What: Explore the surrounding shops and neighbourhoods Where : Main strips and beyond Price : Free!

The Galapagos has a definite South American flare. Why not immerse yourself in its sights, scents, and culture? Have a street-made empanada or check out a local bar for a cold brew while a South American soap opera plays on a hanging old-school TV.

Many of the main streets offer exquisite handmade souvenirs and artwork. Even if you aren't after a splurge, it makes for great window shopping. Be sure to sample the local fare –platos del dias, soft-serve ice cream, fruit & yogurt bowls, freshly blended fruit smoothies, and more.

In Santa Cruz we stumbled upon a BBQ along the main strip (below) where fish were freshly prepared and cooked. Eager sea lions and pelicans happily awaited scraps!

Activities on Santa Cruz Island

1. el mirador de los tuneles (lava tunnels).

Where : Near Bellavista, look for signs saying “Los Tuneles” How : Take the local bus or taxi to Los Tuneles. Best combined with a trip to the El Chato Tortoise Reserve and the Los Gemelos Craters if you wish to see them. Price : Santa Cruz Los Tuneles $5USD entrance fee, plus ~$30-$40 for taxi hire (be sure to negotiate the price before getting in and confirm which stops you are making).

Much of the Galapagos was formed by volcanoes. But did you know that lava flows also created hidden underground caves throughout the islands? Hot, molten lava left hardened outer “skins” when it continued flowing outwards, leaving behind long, tunnelled caves.

On Santa Cruz Island you can explore these on your own, tour-free, for just a few dollars. We had the caves entirely to ourselves on our visit and it is conveniently close to the next attraction… tortoise viewing!

2. El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Where : Isla Santa Cruz – Bellavista Area (near Los Tuneles) How : Taxi hire or public bus Price : $3 USD (includes complimentary organic coffee & tea)

Gaze into the wrinkled eyes of 100+ year old tortoises at the El Chato Tortoise Reserve. Here winding paths are speckled with gently-roaming tortoises who are unfazed by tourists. This is a great rainy day activity (often it is rainy in the highlands anyway).

If you're making the trek here, you may as well combine it with a visit to Los Tuneles and the Los Gemelos craters as both are nearby. Most taxis will wait for you at the reserve while you take tortoise photo ops, explore the nearby lava tubes, and then drive you to the Los Gemelos craters. Be sure to agree on visiting all or any of these sites and a price before you first jump into the cab.

3. Las Grietas  (grottos)

These small natural rock formations cradle turquoise waters peppered with fish. The grottos are accessible via taxi followed by a ~30 minute walk. Snorkel gear can be hired here for $3 USD.

4. Los Gemelos Volcano Craters

Where : Isla Santa Cruz en route to/from the airport (taxi drivers will know) How : Taxi Price : Entry is free, taxi ~$30-$40 USD round-trip from Puerto Ayora

Once upon a time these twin craters held bubbling hot magma deep underground. Today the nutrient-rich soils here have birthed two lush, gaping holes that will make you feel ant-like as you stare in. Simply hire a cab to check them out.

5. Tortuga Bay

Where : A 2.5km walk from Puerto Ayora that leads you to a picturesque white sand beach How : Access by foot on a 2.5km trail from the main strip (get a map from Tourist Info or your hotel) Price : Free

This bleach white beach is contrasted by its blackish iguanas strewn about. The water here is blue as Koolaid and the wildlife is plentiful. Fancy a picnic? This is the place to do it and you can seek shelter in the clusters of mangroves.

6. German Beach ( Playa de las Alemanes)

Where : Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz How : Take a water taxi from Puerto Ayora main port then walk ~300metres up the wooden boardwalk to the beach Price : Beach is free, taxi is ~60 cents

7. Las Ninfas Lagoon

Where : Santa Cruz How : Walkable from main town, ask hotel for map & directions Price : Free

Called Lagoon of the Nymphs, this mysterious lagoon is best visited at dusk when “nymphs” (or perhaps ghosts?!) quietly stir up bubbles along the water. This lagoon has a quaint boardwalk around the water that offers a nice shadey walk on hot days.

8. Garrapetero Beach

Where : Santa Cruz Island on the Eastern side (Northeast from Puerto Ayora) How : Hire a taxi or bike from Puerto Ayora Price : Free

This is a highly secluded beach compared to others on Santa Cruz, largely because it is not as easily accessible. The serenity is totally worth it.

9. Charles Darwin Research Station

Where : Santa Cruz How : A short walk from the main town (ask hotel for map & directions) Price : Free

The Charles Darwin Research Station breeds and studies tortoises to aid in conservation efforts on the island. The museum is small and simple but has an array of insect specimens as well as see some tortoises up close and personal.

Activities on San Cristobal

1. mann beach & frigate bird hill.

Where : San Cristobal How : ~2 mile walk from main town (be sure to bring water) Price : Free

This epic hill scape so named for its popularity with frigate birds overlooks a nice snorkelling bay (pictured above and marked on our map below). The boardwalk that leads you there has a few routes and is well labelled to indicate lookouts and Mann Beach.

We've snorkelled in the bay pictured above and had pretty fabulous luck on our first go. Just seconds after plunging in the water, we spotted a sea lion sleeping on the sea floor, a giant manta ray, and countless star fish and colourful fish. The water can get quite choppy here, so go when seas are calm (hence why our second attempt wasn't so successful).

2. San Cristobal Interpretation Centre

Where : San Cristobal Island How : Walk from town (ask hotel for map/directions) Price : Free

This is a more impressive interpretation centre with fascinating history about the colonization and development of the Galapagos. This is best combined with a trip to Frigate Bird Hill as it's on the way.

Activities on Isabela

Isabela is physically the second largest island in Galapagos, but is still sparsely inhabited with just 2,200 residents who mostly live in the main town, Puerto Villamil. This is stopover on some multi-night cruises (which is how we've visited it), but tourists can visit via ferry and stay overnight tour-free if they so choose. There isn't much accessible here without a guided tour , save for the massive Sierra Negro crater and the local beaches.

1. Sierra Negro

Where : Isabela Island How : A 30-minute drive from Puerto Villamil steep hike (~3 hours up and 2 hours back down) Price : Free

The main attraction of Sierra Negro is not the usual Galapagos wildlife spotting, but observing the world's second largest volcanic crater. The hike is not simple, but if you're impressed by epic views, this will most certainly be worth it.

2. Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas)

Where : Isabela Island near Puerto Villamil How : 5km down a sandy walkway from Puerto Villamil (ask for directions if unsure) Price : Free

This tragic piece of history is one of the most significant historic sites in the Galapagos. The wall was constructed by prisoners in the 1940s-50s, many of whom died during the wall's construction. The wall allegedly served no functional purpose other than for prisoner's suffering to carry heavy lava rocks in the gruelling heat. The wall is reportedly haunted, with locals and visitors having claimed to hear cries and wailing alongside the wall.

Activities on Floreana

The least visited of the tourist-accessible islands, Floreana offers a handful of interesting sites for visitors, some of which require a guide (ask your accommodation if unsure). The main town is Puerto Velasco Ibarra on the aptly named Black Beach.

Some multi-night tours make a stop here, but you can otherwise access Floreana via boat from Santa Cruz. Just be sure to plan ahead as these boats do not depart every day, and may not leave if there aren't enough passengers.

1. Post Office Bay

Where : Floreana Island How : Ask locals/hotel for directions (it is a short walk) Price : Free

Post Office bay was first set up by whalers in the 1700s who placed a wooden barrel to deliver mail. The concept was if you spotted a letter in the barrel that you could hand deliver, you did so. Today this idea continues (see photo above!) – so feel free to drop off a letter, there's just no knowing when it will be finally picked up by someone heading to its destination!

2. Lava tunnels

Where : Floreana Island near Post Office Bay How : A short walk from the post office barrel is a ladder that takes visitors down into the lava tubes Price : Free

3. Cormorant Point

Where : Floreana Island How : Walk Price : Free

Cormorant Point has a few areas of interest to visitors including green sand beach (made green by olivine crystals), flour beach, and the flamingo lagoon. The latter is made popular by the fact that flamingoes can be spotted wandering the murky waters.

4. La Loberia Beach

Where : Floreana Island, just outside of Puerto Velasco Ibarra How : Walk Price : Free

This beach is regularly visited not only by tourists, but sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles. Snorkelling and kayak rental is also possible here.

5. Highlands (Cerro Alieri and Asilo de la Paz)

Where : Cerro Alieri – 15 minute ride from port, Asilo de la Paz – 45 minute ride from town How : Taxi or drive Price : Cost of taxi

The highlands can be visited by vehicle and offer plenty for plant lovers (there are 48 different plant species at Cerro Alieri!). Asilo de la Paz is mostly a historic site where visitors can see the “cave of the pirates” (pictured above and yep, they really were inhabited by pirates who first inhabited the island!). Also viewable is a fresh water spring that was essential for the first population of settlers.

And there you have it – all the ways you can explore the Galapagos and not break your travel budget.

Have you been to Galapagos yourself? What activities did you find to stretch your buck while sightseeing? Feel free to share below!

Hello April 16-29 my wife and I are staying on San Cristobel, Santa Cruz and Isabella. We have booked accommodation. We are interested in snorkeling and sightseeing. Are we better off just booking our itinerary on each island when we get there, or arranging some ahead of time. Also, is it an option to have a tourist office plan an itinerary based on our basic schedule? Thank you Brian Stewart Vancouver Canada

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• Travel Planning Guide

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• How much does it cost to travel to Galapagos Islands? (Average Daily Cost)
• Galapagos Islands trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Galapagos Islands expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Galapagos Islands?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Galapagos Islands?

You should plan to spend around $138 per day on your vacation in Galapagos Islands. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $33 on meals
• $54 on local transportation
• $131 on hotels

A one week trip to Galapagos Islands for two people costs, on average, $1,935 . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 138
• One Week Per person $ 967
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,935
• One Month Per person $ 4,145
• One Week For a couple $ 1,935
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 3,869
• One Month For a couple $ 8,291

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How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Galapagos Islands cost?

A one week trip to Galapagos Islands usually costs around $967 for one person and $1,935 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Galapagos Islands on average costs around $1,935 for one person and $3,869 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Galapagos Islands will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Galapagos Islands on average costs around $4,145 for one person and $8,291 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Galapagos Islands has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Prices in Galapagos Islands are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within South America, Galapagos Islands is a very expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in South America for its travel costs. There are only a few cities as expensive as Galapagos Islands in the region, such as many other destinations.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Galapagos Islands Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Galapagos Islands?

The average Galapagos Islands trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Galapagos Islands travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Galapagos Islands

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Galapagos Islands is $65. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Galapagos Islands is $131. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 65
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 131

Hotel Prices in Galapagos Islands

Looking for a hotel in Galapagos Islands? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

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Recommended Properties

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Transportation Budget in Galapagos Islands

The cost of a taxi ride in Galapagos Islands is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $54 per person, per day, on local transportation in Galapagos Islands.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 54

Recommended Services

• Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island Viator $ 55
• Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island Viator $ 48

Flights to Galapagos Islands

Rental cars in galapagos islands, food budget in galapagos islands.

While meal prices in Galapagos Islands can vary, the average cost of food in Galapagos Islands is $33 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Galapagos Islands should cost around $13 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Galapagos Islands is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 33

Entertainment Budget in Galapagos Islands

Entertainment and activities in Galapagos Islands typically cost an average of $35 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 35

Recommended Activities

• Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels Viator $ 36
• Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos Viator $ 90

Tips and Handouts Budget in Galapagos Islands

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Galapagos Islands is $13 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Galapagos Islands is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 13

Alcohol Budget in Galapagos Islands

The average person spends about $15 on alcoholic beverages in Galapagos Islands per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 15

Water Budget in Galapagos Islands

On average, people spend $2.78 on bottled water in Galapagos Islands per day. The public water in Galapagos Islands is not usually considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 2.78

Galapagos Islands On a Budget

Food and Dining

Transportation.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Information About the Enchanted Islands

Charles Darwin in the Galapagos

As one of the most famous visitors to the Galapagos, Charles Darwin and his impact on the world and the Islands continues to draw people to this amazing destination year after year. So, who is Darwin and what did he actually do?

Galapagos Weather: When to go?

Galapagos is the perfect year round destination because of its location on the equator and warm island weather. However, there are a few factors that might help you decide your perfect time to travel either during the dry or wet season...

Galapagos Wildlife

The Galapagos Islands are known for their fearless and curious wildlife. You can’t find another place in the world where sea lions will play with you in the water, iguanas pose for pictures, and sea birds walk right up to you. Learn more about each of these amazing creatures below.

Marine Life

Galapagos Fast Facts

• Fact 1: In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos as the first World Heritage site.
• Fact 2: The endemic Galapagos marine iguana is the only lizard to swim in the ocean.
• Fact 3: The lava tunnels on Santa Cruz, which you can walk through, provide an understanding of how the islands were formed.

Learn more here!

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