How to Visit the Galapagos Islands on a Budget

How to Visit the Galapagos Islands on a Budget

We thought twice about writing this post. The Galápagos Islands were once an exclusive travel destination, but are now on the brink of mass tourism. We wondered if posts like this were contributing to the devolution of this once secluded paradise. But as we said in Green Tourism in the Galápagos, an independent trip to the region is arguably more environmentally friendly than a visit on a 100-person cruise ship. If you've always wanted to visit, you should do it yourself. Not only are you more flexible, but you also don't have to spend several thousand euros on your visit. Here's how we saw the Galapagos Islands on a budget and how you can too.

1. Stick to the inhabited islands

There is a certain appeal to visiting the uninhabited islands - a sort of Isla Nublar Jurassic Park charm - but this is only possible as part of a cruise (i.e. super expensive) and is also one of the more damaging aspects of tourism to the area. The inhabited islands offer almost all of the wildlife native to the region with the added benefit that the uninhabited islands are as free of humans as possible.

Here you can see the famous animals of the area.

Blue-footed BoobyInhabited: Las Tintoreras (Isabela), Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal) Uninhabited: North Seymour, Española, Genovesa

Frigate birdsInhabited: Punta Pitt (San Cristóbal), diving at North Seymour (from Santa Cruz) Uninhabited: North Seymour, Española

Penguins inhabited: Las Tintoreras (Isabela), Floreana uninhabited: Bartolomé, Fernandina

Giant tortoisesInhabited: Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz), breeding centers on Isabela and San Cristóbal. Uninhabited: Española, Pinzon

Green sea turtlesInhabited: Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz), diving at North Seymour (of Santa Cruz) Uninhabited: Bartolomé, Gardner Bay (Española)

IguanasInhabited: Marine iguanas on all major islands; Land iguanas at Charles Darwin Station (Santa Cruz) Uninhabited: Marine iguanas on all major islands; Land iguanas in North Seymour, South Plaza, Santa Fé

Sea lionsInhabited: All larger islands, especially La Isla de los Lobos (San Cristóbal), South Plaza, La Lobería (San Cristóbal) Uninhabited: All larger islands, especially Champion

SharksInhabited: Diving from North Seymour (from Santa Cruz), Leon Dormido (San Cristóbal) Uninhabited: Bartolomé

Waved Albatross inhabited: not possible uninhabited: only found on Española from April to November

2. Use public ferries to travel between islands

It's certainly not luxurious and its brisk waters are enough to stir the heartiest of stomachs, but the public ferry is the cheapest way to travel between the islands. As you can see from the list above, visiting the main islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristóbal will allow you to see most of the region's wildlife.

You can take a ferry between Santa Cruz and the other two islands. Tickets cost $30 per person each way and can be purchased at reputable travel agencies along major streets. Just avoid Galapagos Mockingbird on Santa Cruz as they have proven to be unreliable!

3. Consider flying out of another island

We bought last-minute round-trip flights (Guayaquil to Baltra before Santa Cruz, 1 hour 50 minutes) that cost $400 per person. You can also probably get a good discount if you book well in advance. Our friends in the airline industry tell us that five weeks in advance is a good time to book.

To save an extra trip between the islands, consider flying to Baltra (Santa Cruz) and from San Cristóbal. This way you don't have to fly back to Santa Cruz to depart and save $30 per person (book through skyscanner.net).

Consider the following:

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instead of:

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3. Use bikes to get around

Bicycles are a cheap and environmentally friendly way to get around. There are several places along the main streets that rent them out for the whole day for about $7 per person.

4. Eradicate cheap accommodations

You may have to stay a little outside the city center, but it is possible to find cheap accommodation in the Galápagos Islands.

We recommend:

Santa CruzGalápagos Dove: $30 per night for a double room (10 minute walk outside of town but clean and comfortable with hot showers) Planet House: $50 per night for a double room (clean, comfortable, nice owners)

San CristóbalCasa de Lewis: $40 per night for a double room. Hotel Mar Azul: $50 per night for a double room

IsabelaHostal Cerro Azul: $45 per night for a double room Cabanas Tero Real: $45 per night for a double room

5. Refuel at lunch

Lunch is a big deal in Ecuador. Most local restaurants offer an “Almuerzo” for just a few dollars. This usually includes a menu consisting of soup, main course and drink. Vegetarians should always inquire beforehand whether there is a suitable dish. Filling up on lunch this way means you can grab a little street snack in the evening (try Charles Binford Road on Santa Cruz as a starting point).

6. Only take one tour per island

Most attractions on the islands can be reached either by taxi or by bike, so there is no need to purchase an expensive tour. However, when it comes to water-based activities, you will probably have to spend money. In this case you can get by with just one excursion per island.

We recommend:Santa Cruz: Diving North Seymour and Daphne Island (Academy Bay)San Cristóbal: Diving or snorkeling at Leon Dormido aka Kicker Rock (Wreck Bay Diving Center)Isabela: Snorkeling at Los Tuneles or, if you really want to see penguins, Las Tintoreras (Red Mangrove)

If you're on a very tight budget, you might want to leave it until the night before or even the morning to see if you can score a last-minute bargain. Don't be afraid to negotiate. When companies take a boat both ways, it's in their best interest to fill capacity!

Total budget per person

Note: Does not include international flights to and from Ecuador, similar to most cruise packages.

10 day trip:

• Hin- und Rückflug von Guayaquil nach Baltra Island vor Santa Cruz: 400 $
• Unterkunft für neun Nächte: $175 pro Person, wenn sie von zwei Personen geteilt wird
• Essen: $150 (es ist möglich für $15 pro Tag zu essen)
• Fähren: 120 $ für vier Fahrten mit der Fähre
• Eintrittsgebühr für Wassertaxis und Isabela: 15 $
• Parkeintritt: 100 $
• Einwanderungsgebühr: 20 $
• Ausflüge: $250

Total: $1,230 per person (around £800)

Compare this to G Adventures' Galápagos expeditions and you'll see that even on the cheapest tour you'll save at least $1,000!

Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands also offers tips for visiting the Galapagos Islands on a budget.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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