One of the most asked questions of people planning to go to the Galapagos is, “How much does it cost to travel there?”
You may have heard that traveling to the Galapagos is too expensive, but that’s just a myth!
I know that when you search on Google, you may come across some Galapagos cruise websites with crazy pricing, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream vacation. It is a fact that it can be expensive to visit the Galapagos Islands. But, how you plan your trip to the Galapagos Islands can significantly impact the expense.
As someone who’s been there and experienced the magic of the Galapagos, I want to debunk this myth and help you find affordable options to make your trip happen. So, don’t let the prices scare you away! And if my advice helps you plan your dream trip to the Galapagos, consider showing your appreciation by buying me a coffee 🙂
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
Buying tours would be your major expense for your Galapagos Islands trip if you opt for an island-hopping journey. You can save about 30% if you purchase tours through local agencies upon arrival on the islands. However, there are some tours I highly recommend buying in advance online so you don’t face disappointment like I did. I strongly suggest getting tours for Bartolome Island ($350), North Seymour Island ($340), and Tour 360 ($250) in advance before your trip because I consider them must-visit sites on the Galapagos Islands. There’s a chance you won’t be able to get them on the islands due to the limited number of visitors allowed, and you probably won’t have enough time to wait once you’ve arrived in Galapagos. Tours were our major expense, and we spent $2,100 in total for two people.
2. Food and Dining Costs on the Galapagos Islands
Our second major expense was dining out, as it’s more costly in the Galapagos compared to mainland Ecuador. We spent a lot on the very first day (paying $60 for a simple burger and fried chicken dish), but we quickly found cheaper and far more delicious options.
If you decide to dine at a restaurant along the beachfront with a nice view, be prepared for prices to double instantly. However, venturing away from the beachfront will lead you to many local cafes, most serving freshly caught fish grilled to perfection.
For example, we enjoyed a whole Brujo fish, fried with two different sauces, for just $25, and it was absolutely delicious.
Additionally, you can purchase freshly caught fish at the Puerto Ayora fish market (we paid $10) and ask local chefs to cook it for another $10. Then, enjoy your dinner on the beach at sunset!
Keep in mind that full-day tours often include lunch (which is always delightful, such as the fresh-caught fish ceviche we tried), and for breakfast, we chose a hotel that offered this meal so we could quickly eat and then continue exploring the Galapagos Islands.
Our total food expenses were $450 over 10 days.
3. Entry Expenses, Guides, Permits
Visiting the Galapagos Islands involves several specific fees and expenses aside from the usual travel costs like flights and accommodations. These entry expenses are in place to help manage tourism and contribute to the conservation of the islands. 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
Surprisingly, the cost of accommodation in the Galapagos Islands was not as high as we expected. You can find many budget-friendly options on Booking.com or Hostelworld. We also decided to spend our last night at the famous Finch Bay, which I highly recommend; it was one of the best stays ever. In total, we spent $850 for 10 nights, but it could have been much cheaper if you are okay with staying in hostels (some are as cheap as $20 per night).
Tips to Save Money on the Galapagos Islands
- Avoid purchasing tours online, as the prices I found often carried a 20-40% extra markup. Instead, buy them directly on the islands for a better deal. However, an exception is the iconic Bartolome Island tour, North Seymour Island and Tour 360. Due to their high demand and strict visitor restrictions, it’s advisable to book this one online in advance. I missed out on Bartolome Island experience when I visited because the tour was fully booked 3.5 weeks ahead. Many tourists we’ve met booked it via Viator. The rest of the tours were easily accessible besides North Seymour Island and Tour 360 we got luck to get on board due to last minute cancellation.
- Search for the most affordable lodging options on platforms like Hostel World, but also compare prices and availability on Booking.com. A little time spent on research can lead to significant savings.
- Get your own snorkeling kit and underwater camera. While you can skip on snorkeling kit, I highly recommend bringing your own GoPro or a cheaper camera. Capturing your marine memories in the Galapagos can be priceless. From playing with sea lions to swimming near Galapagos sharks, these memories are worth every penny, especially considering the local camera rent costs $50 per day. I would still recommend bringing your own snorkeling kit, as there are some extraordinary places to snorkel that you can explore without the need for renting equipment. Having your own kit provides the freedom to discover these hidden gems at your leisure.
- Dining out in less touristy areas can save you a considerable amount. It’s wise to consult with the hotel reception for recommendations on cheaper yet delightful seafood restaurants. For example, in the popular tourist areas of Santa Cruz Island, seafood entrées might cost over $60. However, I found places where the entire Brujo fish was just $25—enough for two people. You can even buy fresh fish at a local market and ask chefs to cook it for you, providing a more authentic and affordable culinary experience.
- If you’re traveling on a tight budget and prefer not to spend extra on tours, the Galapagos Islands still offer a wealth of magnificent places to visit either for free or at a minimal cost. Destinations like Tortuga Bay, Las Grietas, Wall of Tears, Concha Perla, Puerto Chino Beach, and Playa Tijeretas (see the image below) are just a few examples where you can enjoy the natural splendor for as little as $10 per person or even free of charge.
The Reason Behind the Cost of a Galapagos Trip
Galapagos is not a cheap place to visit (but so worth it). Due to their location, the challenges of sustainable tourism there, and the need to support local development, the Galapagos Islands are more expensive than the mainland of Ecuador. While budget travel is feasible, the trip can still cost you a lot.
The substantial logistical expenditures for transporting food to the islands and other necessities are one of the main factors why a Galapagos trip is expensive.
Another reason is that the crew and employees are native to the Galapagos, and official regulations determine salaries and pay to ensure a decent living wage.
Over $100 is paid by foreign visitors every person because The Galapagos National Park, which includes the islands, depends on park entrance fees (paid upon arrival in the archipelago) to pay for its conservation and protection initiatives.
Due to logistics, workforce, and equipment, activities, trips, and lodging frequently have higher than usual expenses.
How Much Money Will I Spend to Travel to The Galapagos Islands?
The cost may depend on the experiences, services, tours, and ways to travel around the islands.
Only airplanes are available for travel to the Galapagos Islands, and for international passengers, economy-class flights cost between $500 and $550 per person. Three airlines offer service to Galapagos: Avianca, Latam Airlines, and Tame Airlines.
You must purchase the Transit Control Card ($20 per person) and the Galapagos National Park entrance charge ($100 per adult and $50 per child) in cash at the airports of Guayaquil or Quito.
In Galapagos, there are numerous cruise alternatives. The cost varies based on how many days you spend on the boat and what category it is, with a four-day cruise starting at $2.529 per person. The travel assessors at Latin Trails might also request additional cruise options that are more affordable.
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 provide first-class tourist lodging starting at $160 per night for a twin room with breakfast for two.
Top-rated Galapagos hotels offer breakfast; however, if you choose to eat breakfast in town, a local restaurant will likely charge $10 or more per person on average. Lunch is typically included in our daily tour itineraries. As such, our food expenses were very reasonable, so it averaged out to about $20/day. You can easily spend more or less in this category.
The average cost per person for daily navigation excursions is $150-250 depending on popularity and length. This rate includes snorkeling equipment, lunch, and a guide. It does not include any tips or beverages. For land tours, the prices may go from $220 per person, including lunch, guide, entrances, and transportation.
We found the most reasonably priced service on the islands, with an average taxi fare costing $1-3 for an SUV seating up to 4 persons. A taxi to/from Puerto Ayora to the highlands is often between $20 and $25. For the inter-island boat ride, we spent an average of $45-$50 per person for a speedboat.
Once again, if you are looking for the cheapest options, make sure to check Hostel World and VRBO and also compare different hotels on Booking.
Travel Options to Galapagos Islands
Galapagos by Cruise
You can visit the Galapagos Islands by boarding a cruise ship. Personally, this is my dream travel. But since it is costly, we opted to do the land-based trip. The cost is insane but you can save over 70% by taking a last-minute cruise deal while on Galapagos.
The best way to observe a variety of wildlife when traveling is on a cruise. Since the boat cruises at night, you can reach a wide variety of islands, including the farther-flung, more secluded islands with distinctive prospects for animal viewing that are inconveniently inaccessible on a land-based excursion.
Even while you’ll see Galapagos tortoises, sea lions, and iguanas wherever you go in the Galapagos, a cruise is simply the most excellent way to properly appreciate the variety of species that the Galapagos has to offer.
On a cruise, you spend most of your time traveling at night. As a result, you will have more time during the day to explore and less time spent traveling between locations when you could be snorkeling with sea lions.
The Galapagos consists of seven smaller islands in addition to thirteen larger islands. You’ll typically see three to four islands while traveling on land.
On a cruise, you’ll visit five to eight distinct islands, with at least two unique tourist attractions daily. You can then have a more thorough knowledge of the archipelago’s size and biodiversity.
However, do not feel disappointed if you can’t visit Galapagos by cruise, because a land-based trip has its advantages and it was a blast and way cheaper for us.
Galapagos by Land
A land-based vacation may be the best option for visiting the Galapagos Islands if you dislike being bound by a rigid daily schedule. Children may benefit most from land-based activities because they will have greater flexibility to run around and explore whenever they choose. It’s cheaper too, that’s why we did land-based tour.
Land-based excursions are the only option to enjoy a completely private Galapagos experience, sometimes for a similar price as a cruise, unless you have the money to charter your cruise.
Longer treks, biking, paddleboard, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and other activities are all available on land-based excursions. You can customize your land-based vacation to fit your travel preferences and Galapagos bucket list.
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.
I’ve just created my own inexpensive Galapagos island-hopping itinerary with enough planning.
In our case, a budget double room is $30–$40, but a single private room costs only half as much. We spent about $20 on food per person for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
We advise finding nearby “comedores.” Delicious cuisine is served here, and the restaurant is intended for residents to eat lunch or dinner. It will always be the least expensive choice, but it won’t be the most pleasant one.
Tours can be costly, but it depends on what you decide to do. To visit each island on foot, we went on day trips, rented a cab for an hour with another couple, went on walks, and used water taxis to get to other parts of the island that were not reachable by car or foot.
Boat schedule on Santa Cruz island
Ferries are an excellent way to travel between islands without paying for a tour. The cost per person ranges from $20 to USD 150. The most expensive excursion is always scuba diving (USD 150).
Conclusion
The Galapagos Islands have long been on many tourists’ bucket lists as a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. However, only a handful of individuals can afford to visit the enchanted islands because it is a pricey location.
Nonetheless, with proper tour planning, you can still visit the Galapagos and enjoy what the islands offer on a budget. Planning everything beforehand will save you a lot of money.
The primary factor to consider when planning your budget for a trip to the Galapagos is the tour company you’ll select for your excursion. Keep in mind that this firm will be responsible for making your trip worthwhile and handling every aspect so that you can concentrate on making the most of your time in the Galapagos.
The most crucial thing to remember is that a land-based itinerary will significantly reduce the expense of your Galapagos Islands trip. Your trip is still a once-in-a-lifetime journey, even if you did it on a budget!
If these tips were helpful, consider showing your appreciation by buying me a coffee 🙂
