While Galapagos may not be among the budget-friendly destinations, there are ways to minimize the costs of your trip without compromising the experience. In this travel guide, I'll share the techniques I used during my time there with ballpark prices, so you won't have to negotiate prices on your own.
I'll also recommend ways to find last-minute cruises, the best routes to take, and so much more. Without further ado, here is a complete travel guide to the Galapagos Islands.
- Should I travel Around Galapagos independently or with a last-minute cruise?
- Which last-minute cruises to pick for the Galapagos Islands?
- How to save money when visiting the Galapagos Islands?
- Why is Galapagos so expensive?
- Why visit the Galapagos Islands?
- When to visit the Galapagos Islands?
- How to get to the Galapagos cheaply?
- How long to stay on the Galapagos Islands?
- More Galapagos Activities
- Where to Stay on the Galapagos Islands?
- What to Pack for Galapagos, Ecuador?
- Further Reading for Ecuador
Should I travel Around Galapagos independently or with a last-minute cruise?
Exploring the Galapagos Independently
Pros: It's cheaper because you have more control over your budget, and you can do it on your own schedule.
Cons: You don't get to see the most beautiful and remote parts of the island where animals thrive, as you are bound to the two towns on the shores of Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Isabella. A day trip could cost you somewhere from $100 to $250 per trip, and it might be more expensive than a cruise to do the same amount of activities.
Estimated Cost: $100 - $1,500 depending on how many activities you want to do.
- Hostal El Pinzón (Budget)
- Hospedaje Germania (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Hotel Cucuve (High-End)
- Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure (10 days)
- Galápagos Multisport (10 days)
- Galápagos Island Hopping (9 days)
Exploring the Galapagos with a Last-Minute Cruise
Pros: You get to see the best and most remote parts of the Galapagos. You have more animal encounters and see more landscapes. There are full-day activities and amazing food on board.
Cons: More expensive. You have zero control over the budget and schedule. Not great if you often get seasick.
Estimated Cost: $600 - $1500 USD depending on how many days you want to spend cruising around the Galapagos Islands.
What is the best way to Explore the Galapagos?
My recommendation is to go with the cruise, hands down. With a cruise, you have access to all the places you can't normally go independently, and you get to see much more wildlife than if you do it on your own.
Which last-minute cruises to pick for the Galapagos Islands?
Most cruises have a similar standard, with some charging you more for better accommodation and a larger deck. Other than that, you will likely have a similar experience no matter which cruise you decide to go on with.
So, it all comes down to the route you want to take and the duration. Here are some options available:
Central loop - Isla Isabella and Isla Fernandina: I chose this one because it worked best with my schedule and it allowed us to visit the remote part of Isla Isabella and catch a glimpse of Isla Fernandina.
Cost: ~$1100, Time: 6 days
Northern Loop - Isla Genovesa and the outer islands: I didn't do this one, but I heard it's good if you want to see birds. I prefer marine life, so I passed it up for the central loop.
Cost: ~960 USD, Time: 4-6 days
Southern loop - Isla Floreana and Isla Española People say that this area is better than the north loop in terms of wildlife spotting. On Isla Española, you will find the exclusive red-footed boobies.
Cost: unknown, Time: unknown days.
Complete loop: This combines the central loop with shorter versions of the south and north loops to create the ultimate trip. If you have the time and money, I highly recommend it.
Cost: ~$1,500 USD; Time: 9 days
How to save money when visiting the Galapagos Islands?
- Do not book the cruise from abroad or somewhere else other than from the island. I heard the cruise could be as high as 3500 USD if you book it from abroad.
- Go with the last-minute cruise provided by the local travel agencies in Puerto Ayora.
- Do spend some time asking around the travel agencies in Puerto Ayora. Even, if you found the perfect one, tell them that you will look around some more and they will likely reveal a cheaper price for you.
- When you are about to buy a cruise, ask them to throw some free stuff in like wetsuits and snorkeling goggles, etc. I found that they are more likely to give you free stuff than to reduce the offered discount price. So while negotiating, force them to throw in a wetsuit for you so you don't have to rent it on the boat for 10 USD per day!
Why is Galapagos so expensive?
First off, if you are on the fence about the Galapagos, let me say this: The Galapagos is one of the best experiences I had in South America, and even though it was expensive, there is no other place on earth like it.
The reason it costs so much is that a significant portion of the fee goes toward the protection and maintenance of this fragile ecosystem. This ensures that future generations can experience the true beauty of nature without being affected by mass tourism.
There are few places on earth that demonstrate how we can truly enjoy and sustainably protect wildlife, and the Galapagos is one of the best examples. The animals there perceive us as mere guests and continue with their days without interruption, and that is how we should travel.
Picture the south of Thailand with its pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and natural beauty, all without the crowds, noisy parties, obnoxious tourists, and litter scattered everywhere.
Galapagos is not for everyone, but if you have the chance, embrace it proudly and without regret!
Why visit the Galapagos Islands?
Sea lions, sea turtles, iguanas, sharks, rays, and birds, none of them giving the slightest care about our presence, carrying on with their days as we observe the true essence of wildlife. If this isn't reason enough for you, I don't know what is!
When to visit the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos is great to visit throughout the year, offering varying vegetation and opportunities to encounter different marine animals depending on when you visit.
For instance, July to November is ideal for whale watching, while March and April boast perfect conditions for snorkeling. Personally, I visited in October, and despite the slightly chilly water, I had no trouble snorkeling for an hour every day.
How to get to the Galapagos cheaply?
The most economical option I discovered is to book a round-trip flight from Guayaquil to Isla Baltra, Galapagos, via LATAM or TAME for US$351. The earlier you book, the more affordable the fare becomes.
You can also book a flight from Quito for a bit more, but if you are traveling down from north to south anyway, Guayaquil is your cheapest choice. To book a cheap flight, I would recommend browsing through Skyscanner or Expedia to compare prices and pick the cheapest one for you.
Ferry? No, the only means of reaching the Galapagos is by air.
How long to stay on the Galapagos Islands?
Seven days is a good starting point. However, if you're considering a last-minute overnight cruise, which can span from 4 to 9 days, it's advisable to allocate additional time, as these cruises adhere to a set schedule.
10 days is my recommended duration, providing some buffer days in case the desired cruise extends later in the week.
Changing your flight can incur significant costs, so make sure to allocate a few buffer days; otherwise, you might end up paying 150 USD, as I almost did. Fortunately, I found a cruise that fit my schedule.
More Galapagos Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure (10 days)
- Galápagos Multisport (10 days)
- Galápagos Island Hopping (9 days)
Where to Stay on the Galapagos Islands?
For the Galapagos, you are going to want to base yourself on Puerto Ayora where you can then begin your search for the perfect Galapagos cruise. Below, I've listed some recommended accommodations in Puerto Ayora:
What to Pack for Galapagos, Ecuador?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Galapagos, Ecuador:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Ecuador
There's so much more to do in Ecuador, and I have written a few articles about my experience in Ecuador. To read further about Ecuador, make sure to check out these articles.
- Looking for a complete travel guide for Ecuador? Here’s the perfect one-month itinerary for Ecuador.
- Looking for a complete backpacking guide to the entire South American continent? Here is the ultimate 6 Months Backpacking Itinerary for South America.
- First time in South America? Check out the 20 Best Places to Visit in South America.
- Packing for a trip to visit South America can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for South America
- Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, standing at 2850m, and you will likely start your journey in Ecuador there. Here is a complete travel guide on the top 7 things to do in Quito, Ecuador.
- Banos is a place you may not have heard of, but you have definitely seen a photo of it. It is where the famous "swing at the edge of the world" photo was taken, and it is a must-visit when you are in Ecuador. Here's a complete travel guide on how to spend one day in Banos, including zip-lining, swinging off cliffs, and more.
- Not convinced by my words about Ecuador? Check out 34 breathtaking photos that will inspire you to visit Ecuador.
- You can also watch my Ecuador travel video here: Ecuador Crossing travel video.
- To see all articles about Ecuador, visit the Ecuador Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Ecuador? Popular destinations after Ecuador are Colombia and Peru. Be sure to check out my Colombia travel guide page and my Peru travel guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for South America? You can find more on my South America Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
7 Comments
Splendid, Pete! Does the rule of "not booking from abroad or somewhere else other than from the place" apply to all countries, including countries like New Zealand? Should one apply this rule to every place they plan to visit? Do you book hostels/activities in every country this way?
Mostly I'd go unplanned but I would book something before for places like western europe and new zealand during peak season because there are lots of tourists in these places and everything gets booked fast!
Thanks for the information on this article. Do the cruise start and end at puerto ayora or could end in some island ? as that could affect the return flight starting point.
Hey Ananya,
Most cruisws will end where it started but some cruises like mine stopped at Isla Balta (airport) before going back to Puerto Ayora which, if you have a flight that day you can get on it no problem wihrout traveling back and forth. That's what I did as the cruises arrived in the early morning.
When you book a cruise, ask them if they can drop you off. If the airport is on the route, they will probably do it for you. :)
Good luck with the Galapagos. You are in for quite a trip!
thanks a lot pete!
Hey Pete! nice post, thanks a lot for the great work you put in!
I am planning to stay ~10 days in the Galapagos... all depends of the internet... Have you done a speedtest or do you have any feedbacks on how the hotspot via your phones worked ? (cellular data tend to be better than WiFi)
thanks!
Hey Clement,
10 days is a good amount of time, perfect to do 6 - 7 days trip with the cruise. :) On the cruise, there will be no internet whatsoever but when you are on land, with a sim card, you will get EDGE speed internet on the island, and maybe some 3G but don't expect it to be blazing fast. If you require fast reliable internet for skype session, then on Puerto Ayora there are a few internet cafe where you can pay Wifi per hour which is considerably faster but pricey if you plan to use for long hours.
Keep in mind, that this was 2016 so maybe the speed of the internet via sim cards may have improved already. I would recommend getting a sim card before arriving and then use the internet cafe when you are on land if you need reliable speed.