Is it Expensive to Visit Galapagos Islands? My expenses

One of the most common questions from people planning a trip to the Galapagos is, “How much will it cost?”

You might have heard that visiting the Galapagos is prohibitively expensive, but that’s largely a myth! Sure, if you’re searching online, you’ll likely come across Galapagos cruise sites with eye-popping prices. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream trip. While it can be pricey, how you plan your Galapagos adventure makes all the difference in managing costs.

Having experienced the magic of the Galapagos myself, I’m here to debunk the myth and share tips on making this dream destination affordable. So don’t let those high prices scare you off! And if my advice helps you get closer to your Galapagos adventure, a small token of appreciation—like buying me a coffee—would mean the world 🙂

For example, my wife and I went on a land-based trip to the Galapagos and spent under $5000 altogether. We opted for medium-end hotels (but you can find even cheaper accomodation on Hostel World or VRBO), ate out every day, and went on six different tours. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can definitely do it for under $2000 (plus the cost of your airfare to get to the Galapagos). Plus, while we were on the island, we were offered some insane last-minute deals on cruises – we’re talking about discounts of up to 70% off! So don’t let the initial prices scare you off, there are plenty of ways to make the Galapagos affordable and accessible to everyone.

Fortunately, you can manage many variables to help decide whether to take a budget or a luxurious journey to the Galapagos Islands. I shared our full trip details in the video:

What Are the Major Costs of Traveling to the Galapagos Islands (Besides Airline Tickets)?

1. Tours

If you’re planning an island-hopping trip in the Galapagos, tours will likely be your biggest expense. The good news? You can save about 30% by booking through local agencies once you arrive on the islands. However, there are a few tours I’d recommend securing in advance to avoid any disappointment (trust me, I learned the hard way). For must-see spots like Bartolome Island ($350), North Seymour Island ($340), and the Tour 360 around San Cristobal ($250), it’s wise to book ahead. These tours have strict visitor limits, so waiting until you’re there may leave you without options.

For us, tours were by far the major expense, totaling $2,100 for the two of us. But these experiences were absolutely worth it, showcasing the incredible diversity of the Galapagos. I shared more details about our trip in my blog post “Our 10-day Budget Trip to Galapagos Islands: Route and Tips“.

2. Food and Dining Costs on the Galapagos Islands

Dining out was our second major expense, as food in the Galapagos tends to be pricier than on mainland Ecuador. On our first day, we splurged a bit—$60 for a simple burger and fried chicken dish—but we quickly learned to find cheaper (and tastier) options.

If you’re tempted to eat at one of the beachfront restaurants with a scenic view, be prepared for prices to double. However, just a short walk from the beach, you’ll find plenty of local cafes, many offering freshly caught fish grilled to perfection. These spots not only saved us money but gave us some of our favorite meals.

One of our best meals was a whole Brujo fish, fried to perfection with two different sauces, all for just $25—it was delicious and a real local treat. This is where we tried it:

Planning trip to Galapagos Islands?

My wife and I spent two weeks on these magnificent islands, visited nearly every possible tour, and explored as much as we could. I shared all the important details in my comprehensive Galapagos Islands Travel Guide, where I cover everything you need to know about planning a trip to the Galapagos.

Galapagos Islands travel might surprise you with extra fees to enter the islands, the complicated logistics between islands, booking tours, and knowing which spots are free to explore and which ones are not. I’ve covered it all in this Galapagos Travel Guide.

Also, if you’re planning a trip to the Galapagos, make sure to use my link for discounted hotel prices via Booking.com. It really helps support my blog!

Another great option is to buy fresh fish from the Puerto Ayora fish market; we paid $10 for a fresh catch and gave $10 to a local chef to cook it up for us. We then enjoyed our dinner right on the beach at sunset—a memorable and affordable experience!

Many full-day tours include lunch (often delightful, like the fresh fish ceviche we had), and we also chose a hotel that included breakfast, letting us fuel up quickly and head out for the day. In total, our food expenses came to $450 for the 10-day trip.

3. Entry Expenses, Guides, Permits

Here are the main fees as of my last update in April 2023:

• Galapagos National Park Entry Fee: This fee is required for all visitors and goes directly towards the conservation of the islands. The cost varies depending on the visitor’s age, nationality, and residency status. For most foreign tourists, the fee is $100 for adults and $50 for children under 12. Residents of Ecuador and tourists from some South American countries may be eligible for reduced rates.
• Transit Control Card (TCT): Before traveling to the Galapagos, all visitors must obtain a Transit Control Card from the Consejo de Gobierno del Régimen Especial de Galápagos. This card is intended to prevent illegal migration and monitor the movement of visitors. The cost is $20.
• Isabela Island Fee: If you plan to visit Isabela Island, you’ll be required to pay an additional fee upon arrival. This fee is around $10, and it contributes to local conservation efforts on the island.
• Guides Fee: Many places and hiking trails in the Galapagos Islands cannot be explored without a guide, as getting one is mandatory. The fee for a guide is usually around $10 per person. This ensures that visitors have informed and safe experiences while also protecting the islands’ delicate ecosystems.

4. Accommodation

Accommodation costs in the Galapagos Islands were actually more reasonable than we expected. There are plenty of budget-friendly options on Booking.com or Hostelworld. For our last night, we treated ourselves to a stay at the well-known Finch Bay—highly recommended, as it was one of the best experiences we had. Our total for 10 nights came to $850, though it could have been much cheaper if we’d chosen hostels, which can be as low as $20 per night.

Tips to Save Money on the Galapagos Islands

1. Avoid booking tours online, as I found the prices often had a 20-40% markup. Instead, you’ll get a better deal by purchasing them directly on the islands. However, there are a few exceptions—Bartolome Island, North Seymour Island, and the Tour 360 around San Cristobal. Due to their high demand and strict visitor limits, it’s best to book these tours online in advance. I missed out on Bartolome because it was fully booked 3.5 weeks ahead. Many tourists we met had reserved theirs through Viator. As for the rest, they were easily accessible, although we lucked out with North Seymour and Tour 360 thanks to a last-minute cancellation.
2. Look for affordable lodging on platforms like Hostelworld, but be sure to compare prices and availability on Booking.com as well. A bit of research can go a long way in finding great deals and can result in significant savings on accommodation.
3. Bringing your own snorkeling gear and underwater camera is a smart choice for the Galapagos. While you could skip the snorkeling kit, I strongly recommend bringing a GoPro or a budget-friendly underwater camera. Capturing moments like playing with sea lions or swimming near Galapagos sharks is priceless, and it saves you from the $50 per day rental cost for a camera on the islands. Having your own snorkeling kit is also beneficial, as it allows you to explore some incredible, lesser-known snorkeling spots without needing to rent gear. This freedom to dive in whenever you want makes all the difference.
4. Dining in less touristy spots can save you a good amount of money. It’s helpful to ask your hotel reception for recommendations on affordable yet delicious seafood restaurants. For instance, in the busy tourist areas of Santa Cruz Island, seafood entrées can easily go over $60. But I found a few spots where a whole Brujo fish—more than enough for two people—cost just $25. You can also buy fresh fish from a local market and have a chef cook it for you, which gives you a more authentic (and budget-friendly) taste of the islands.
   

1. For travelers on a tight budget who want to skip pricey tours, the Galapagos Islands still have plenty of incredible sites to explore either for free or at a minimal cost. Spots like Tortuga Bay, Las Grietas, the Wall of Tears, Concha Perla, Puerto Chino Beach, and Playa Tijeretas (as shown in the image below) allow you to experience the islands’ natural beauty for as little as $10 per person or even free. These places offer a stunning taste of the Galapagos without breaking the bank.

The Reason Behind the Cost of a Galapagos Trip

The Galapagos Islands aren’t a cheap destination—but they’re absolutely worth it. Their remote location, the challenges of sustainable tourism, and the need to support local development make the Galapagos more costly than mainland Ecuador. While budget travel is possible, a trip here can still add up.

A big part of the expense comes from logistics. Transporting food and other essentials to the islands is costly, driving up prices. Additionally, local crew members and employees earn regulated wages to ensure a decent living, which is part of maintaining a sustainable community.

Visitors also contribute to conservation efforts with a park entrance fee, over $100 per person, which funds initiatives to protect the Galapagos National Park. The logistics, workforce needs, and specialized equipment required for tours and activities mean that trips, lodging, and excursions often come with higher-than-average costs.

How Much Money Will I Spend to Travel to The Galapagos Islands?

The overall cost of a Galapagos trip can vary widely depending on the experiences, services, tours, and travel choices you make.

Getting to the Galapagos requires a flight, with economy-class tickets for international travelers costing between $500 and $550 per person. Three airlines—Avianca, Latam Airlines, and Tame Airlines—provide service to the islands.

In addition, travelers must pay for a Transit Control Card ($20 per person) and the Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100 for adults, $50 for children), both of which must be paid in cash at the airports in Guayaquil or Quito.

There are numerous cruise options within the Galapagos. Costs vary based on the number of days and the cruise category, with a four-day cruise typically starting at $2,529 per person. For those seeking more budget-friendly choices, Latin Trails can assist in finding additional cruise options.

In Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz), San Cristobal, and Isabela Island, first-class lodging may run about $450-$650. If you have budget, these are must-stays in the Galapagos:

• Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel (Santa Cruz)
• Hotel La Isla (Isabela)
• Hotel Galápagos Casa Playa Mann (San Cristobal)

All inhabited Galapagos Islands offer first-class tourist lodging, starting at around $160 per night for a twin room, which includes breakfast for two.

Top-rated Galapagos hotels generally include breakfast, though if you’d like to try a local restaurant, expect to pay about $10 or more per person. Lunch is typically covered in daily tour packages, which kept our food expenses reasonable, averaging around $20 per day. You could easily spend more or less, depending on your dining choices.

Daily navigation excursions range from $150 to $250 per person, depending on the tour’s popularity and duration. These prices usually include snorkeling gear, lunch, and a guide, though tips and beverages are extra. Land tours, which include lunch, a guide, entrance fees, and transportation, typically cost around $220 per person.

We found that taxis on the islands were quite affordable, with an average fare of just $1–$3 for an SUV that seats up to four people. A taxi ride between Puerto Ayora and the highlands typically costs around $20–$25. For inter-island travel, we took speedboats, which averaged $45–$50 per person.

If you’re seeking the best budget options, remember to check Hostelworld and VRBO, and compare hotel prices on Booking.com to find the best deals.

Travel Options to Galapagos Islands

Galapagos by Cruise

You can also explore the Galapagos Islands by cruise—a personal dream of mine! However, since cruises can be quite costly, we opted for a land-based trip. Still, if you’re already on the islands, you can save over 70% by booking a last-minute cruise deal.

A cruise offers an unmatched way to observe the diversity of Galapagos wildlife. Since the boat sails at night, you can reach a wider range of islands, including more remote locations with unique wildlife viewing opportunities that aren’t easily accessible on a land-based trip.

While land excursions offer chances to see Galapagos tortoises, sea lions, and iguanas, a cruise allows you to experience the full variety of species the Galapagos has to offer in a way that’s hard to match.

On a cruise, most travel happens at night, giving you more daylight hours to explore without losing time in transit—meaning more opportunities to snorkel with sea lions and discover new spots each day.

The Galapagos consists of thirteen main islands and seven smaller ones. On a land-based trip, you’ll typically cover three to four islands, while a cruise usually takes you to five to eight islands, with two distinct tourist sites each day. This lets you experience the full scale and biodiversity of the archipelago.

That said, don’t be discouraged if a cruise isn’t feasible. Our land-based trip was an absolute blast and far more budget-friendly, with its own unique perks and incredible experiences.

Galapagos by Land

A land-based vacation might be the ideal way to explore the Galapagos if you prefer a more flexible schedule. This option is especially great for families with children, as it allows them to explore and move around freely without the constraints of a strict daily itinerary. Plus, it’s more affordable—which is why we chose the land-based route.

Land-based excursions also offer the unique chance to enjoy a completely private Galapagos experience, sometimes for a similar cost to a cruise. Unless you’re able to charter a private cruise, this is the best way to explore the islands on your own terms.

Land-based excursions offer a wide range of activities, including longer hikes, biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. With this flexibility, you can tailor your Galapagos experience to match your travel style and cross items off your Galapagos bucket list at your own pace.

Tips on How to Go to Galapagos Islands on a Budget

There is no need for such an expensive Galapagos tour. Traveling the Galapagos on a tight budget while still feeling at ease is possible.

With some careful planning, I was able to create an affordable Galapagos island-hopping itinerary. For us, a budget double room ranged from $30–$40, while a single private room cost about half as much. For meals, we spent around $20 per person each day, covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I recommend seeking out local “comedores” for meals. These eateries are geared towards locals, offering delicious, home-cooked meals at much lower prices. While they may not provide the most luxurious dining experience, they’re a fantastic option for those looking to keep food costs down.

Tours can be pricey, but your costs really depend on how you choose to explore. We opted for day trips and kept expenses down by renting a cab with another couple for an hour, taking walks to explore the islands on foot, and using water taxis to reach spots that weren’t accessible by car or on foot. This mix allowed us to see a lot without overspending.

Ferries are a great option for traveling between islands without the added cost of a tour. Prices range from $20 to $150 per person, depending on the route. Scuba diving, on the other hand, is usually the priciest activity, costing around $150 per excursion.

Conclusion

The Galapagos Islands are a once-in-a-lifetime destination on many travelers’ bucket lists, but the high costs can make it challenging for most to visit. However, with careful planning, it’s entirely possible to experience the magic of the islands on a budget. A bit of preparation beforehand can help you save significantly.

One of the biggest factors impacting your budget will be the tour company you choose. This company plays a crucial role in making your trip memorable and ensuring all logistics are taken care of so you can focus on enjoying the islands.

Opting for a land-based itinerary is one of the best ways to keep costs down. Even on a budget, this journey will still feel like the adventure of a lifetime!

If you found these tips helpful, consider showing your appreciation by buying me a coffee 🙂

Planning trip to Ecuador?

My wife and I rented a car for 15 days and traveled from the northern part of Ecuador to the south, visiting amazing cities like Quito, Otavalo, Baños, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. Along the way, we explored iconic places such as Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Lake, and many more breathtaking destinations.

Not many blogs cover traveling in Ecuador in detail, so I spent nearly three weeks creating this comprehensive Ecuador travel guide based on our trip. It’s packed with everything you need to know, and honestly, I consider it the best free travel guide about Ecuador out there.

If you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, don’t forget to use my link for discounted hotel prices through Booking.com. It’s a great way to support my blog while saving money on your accommodations!