If you’re looking for the cheapest way to travel to the Galapagos, you’re in the right place. It’s completely possible to explore the Galapagos on a budget and I’m going to show you how. 

Galapagos on A Budget

Cost vs. Reward

I want to start by explaining how rewarding a Galapagos trip will be without having to overspend.

Keep reading to find out how to cut costs without missing out on key experiences.

Is a visit to the Galapagos on a budget still epic?

In the image below is a list of animals we were able to see during our 7 day Galapagos itinerary (land based.) We were more than happy with the variety of fauna we spotted will doing a land based itinerary in the Galapagos on a budget.

It would’ve been a stroke of luck for us to see a Whale Shark or Galapagos Shark, but the cost of a premium cruise wasn’t worth it for us to get up to the remote islands of Darwin/Wolf to increase our chance to see those species. 

The Flightless Cormorant is most commonly spotted on Fernandina Island which is not possible to reach by land based tour. So again, if this species is crucial for you to see, you may opt for investing in a Galapagos Cruise. 

The Waved Albatross would’ve been very possible to see if we had just one more available day to take a day trip to Española Island from San Cristobal.

Land vs. Cruise Based Travel 

For years, I thought the only way to travel to and through the Galapagos Islands was on an exorbitantly priced cruise. This perception makes sense, as it seems only the cruise lines are spending the money to market the region to Americans.

Finally, one day, I noticed Airbnb listings on the islands and it prompted me to start researching land based Galapagos on a budget tours. 

Deciding between a Land Based and Cruise Based Galapagos Vacation: 

• Budget: If you want to see the Galapagos on a budget, then the prices of Galapagos cruises will quickly sway your decision on land vs. cruise based travel through the islands.
• Dates: If you have a specific window of time you can be on the islands, you’ll need to find a cruise itinerary that complements your flights to and from the islands. 
• Travel Goals: If there are specific species you’d like to see, or islands you wish to set foot on, you may opt for the cruise. 
• Willingness to Plan: Cruise lines take much of the planning work out of your vacation. Depending on the itinerary, some even arrange your transportation to and from mainland Ecuador. 
  
  If you’re willing to put in the extra legwork up front to book your own accommodations and excursions up front though, it’s possible to do the Galapagos on a budget and save thousands!

How much are Galapagos Cruises?

Just to be sure we were making the right choice, we requested a number of live aboard Galapagos cruise price quotes and engaged in some back and forth negotiations.

Here are some of the prices we were quoted for a Galapagos Cruise: 

Metro Journeys: 

• 4 Night/5 Day: $5,899.00 per person (based on a dual occupancy, King Cabin)
• 6 Night/7 Day: $7,649.00 per person (based on a dual occupancy, King Cabin)

Celebrity Cruise Line

• 3 night land/7 night outer loop cruise from Quito: $10,219 per person (based on a dual occupancy, interior cabin)

Silversea Cruise Line

• 2 night land/7 night cruise from Quito: $12,150 per person (based on a dual occupancy suite)

Now, keep in mind, these cruises have all of your excursions built in, plus food, typically alcohol and Wi-Fi too.  We still found this to be significantly more costly than our DIY land based itinerary paying for these items ourselves. 

How Much is “Galapagos on a Budget,” exactly?

I’ll cut to the chase and share what we spent and then break down how:

1. You can save even more! There are many ways we could have cut costs further.
2. You can estimate your own travel expenses for visiting the Galapagos on a budget. 

Here is a summary of our travel expenses for our one week Galapagos anniversary trip(total for 2 people):

Overall Trip for Two: $5,023       Our Cost after Point Redemptions: $3,763

I’ll break it down below.

Flight Total: $1,720 for two people

(We used points to reach Quito so we only spent $600 for two people on the domestic Ecuador flights.)

• Round Trip Milwaukee, WI (USA) to Quito (Mainland Ecuador) $560 per person (Delta/LATAM)
  
  I used Google Flights to find the best possible travel dates for the least cost (points/dollars)
• Flight from Quito to Santa Cruz Island $140 per person (Avianca)
• Flight from San Cristobal to Quito $160 per person (Avianca)

Accommodation Total: $905 for 8 nights ($765 after IHG hotel free night redemption)

• Hotel in Quito the night we arrived: $140 (However, we booked it with a credit card free night certificate.)
  
  We booked a hotel near the airport so an airport shuttle was included.
• Hotel in Quito the night before our departure flight: $145
• 4 nights in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island (Airbnb): $425
• 2 nights in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island (booking.com): $195

Fees: $460 for two people

TCT card: $20 per person (cash required)

National Park Entrance Fee: $200 per person (cash required, $20 bills or less are recommended)

Dock fee upon arrival to Isabela: $10 per person

Be sure to review our guide to the documentation and fees required on arrival to the Galapagos for more info. 

Tours/Excursions: $1,389 for two people

• Isabela Tour from Puerto Ayora: $110 per person
• Bartolome Tour from Puerto Ayora: $295 per person 
• Santa Cruz Highlands by Taxi: $50 total
• San Cristobal 360 Tour: $180 per person + $9 per person fee to pay deposit online
• San Cristobal Highlands by Taxi: $50 total
• Cash Tips for Guides/Boat Crew/Taxi Drivers: $110 total

We also recommend checking out a free walking tour if you have any time in Old Town Quito before you fly home. (Plan to tip your guide!)

Taxi/Ferry: $170 for two people

• Shuttle Bus at Baltra Airport: $5 per person
• Water Taxis: $10 per person ($1 per person every time we used one, which was often.)
• Taxi to Puerto Ayora: $25
• Taxis in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for sightseeing/airport: $15
• Ferry to San Cristobal: $50 per person (should’ve been $35 if we’d booked in advance)

Food Total: $379 for two people

• Meals in Santa Cruz: $211
• Meals in San Cristobal: $108
• Meals/Drinks in Quito: $60 for two people

Ways we saved:  We didn’t spend anything at airports for food/beverage because we used our Priority Pass benefit that came with our credit card. We picked up some snacks and beverages at the supermarkets in the Galapagos. Grocery prices are very affordable.

For our three boat tours, lunch and snacks were included.

Essential Travel Tips for Seeing the Galapagos on A Budget

The Savings: If we had booked one of the cruises we’d researched, we estimate we would’ve spent $11,535 more on our 2 person trip without even counting our flight into Ecuador or cruise gratuities!

That means we saved about $7,740 by doing it on our own.

Wondering where to start? Here are things to consider as you build out your affordable Galapagos itinerary.

Decide Your Must Do or Must See Experiences

• Are there certain animals you’d need to see to make your Galapagos investment worth every penny?
• Are there certain islands or viewpoints you want to experience for yourself?
• Is there an experience you’d prioritize above all others? (i.e. snorkel/scuba, a beach day amongst sea lions, swim with sharks, etc.)

Decide if You’re Willing to Take Some Risk to Save Money

Last minute tours booked on the island are 20-50% cheaper than what you can book online in advance!

We booked two of our tours in advance based on our must sees. Then we filled the rest of the days with tours booked on the islands.

Are you willing to wait until you arrive to the islands to book any last minute deals you can find?

Booking Online in Advance

Booking When You Arrive on the Islands

How to Get to the Galapagos on a Budget

One of the largest costs associated with travel to the Galapagos is your international flight to reach Ecuador. Use a flight tool like Google Flights to find the optimal timeframe to book your flights. The two airports on the mainland that service the islands are Guayaquil and Quito.

Once you have that, the flights to and from the mainland to the islands are pretty consistently priced at $120-$140 each way per person. We booked with Avianca Airlines.

Make sure to also give yourself a buffer night on each end of your Galapagos stay so you don’t miss any flights due to delays in and out of mainland Ecuador.

We’ve created a very detailed guide on what to expect when flying to the Galapagos.

Accommodations in the Galapagos on a Budget

While we stayed in guesthouses (booked through Airbnb and booking.com) we could’ve saved even more staying at hostels.

Money Saving Tips:

• Even if you find a location through a booking platform, try reaching out to them to see if they’d take your booking directly for less. Typically, the easiest way to communicate is via WhatsApp.
• If you book something upon arrival to the islands, you can save money, but I’m too risk averse for that endeavor! If you choose this money saving trick, I recommend booking at least your first two nights before arrival.

Eating on a Budget in the Galapagos

If you walk a couple blocks off the main drag of the cities, you’ll find more affordable eateries that serve the locals. (Check out Kiosk Street in Puerto Ayora!)

Grocery stores and mini markets are another way to save a bit, especially for light snacks. Compared to US prices, their groceries were very affordable. Plus, we enjoyed trying some unfamiliar produce.

Free and Cheap Things to Do in the Galapagos

Once you’re on the islands, you can experience a lot of the islands beauty without even spending a dime!

Here are Galapagos experiences that are completely free – just pack your own snorkel equipment and comfortable walking shoes!

• Santa Cruz
  • Walk the shoreline, spotting Brown Pelicans, Marine Iguanas, Sally Light-Footed Crabs, and Sea Lions.
  • Visit the Darwin Research Center.
  • Snorkel at the beaches on the Darwin Research Center Campus. You may find yourself swimming with a Sea Turtle or Sea Lion!
  • Bird watch from the Darwin Research Center beaches.
  • Hike to Tortuga Bay
  • Snorkel at the calm and secluded beach just beyond Tortuga Bay’s beaches, called Playa Mansa, “tame beach.”
  • Explore the Mosaic Garden
• San Cristobal
  • Cerro Tijeretas Interpretation Center and Trails
  • Snorkel from Playa Tijeretas
  • Walk the Boardwalk (Malecon) in downtown Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
  • Hang out at the beach with sea lions. Playa Punta Carola was our favorite, but you’ll find them lounging at Playa Mann and Playa de Ora too.
  • Look for blue footed boobies on the rocks near the Navy base.

When to Visit: Off-Season Travel to Save Money

There is, quite honestly, no BAD time to visit the Galapagos. Year round, you’ll find incredible animal diversity.

Right now, in fall 2024, the Galapagos are incredibly affordable because tourism dropped more than 30% lower than usual for this time of year due to mainland Ecuador’s energy crisis. This energy crisis didn’t impact our time in the Galapagos at all.

Typically, the peak travel season for the islands is December through May while the weather is warmest and the ocean is (usually) more calm. You should also expect more showers during this time though as it is their rainy season. You can expect lower prices June-November.

Some will say February is the best time for snorkeling as the water reaches its warmest temperatures, but with wetsuits we felt great in the water in October.

If there’s a specific animal sighting you’re interested in that may help you determine the best time to go. The Male Frigatebirds nesting with their inflated neck pouches, for example, occurs in December.

Booking Last-Minute Galapagos Cruises and Tours

Above I highlighted the pros and cons of having pre-arranged tours vs. booking on arrival to the islands.

If you’re booking last minute cruises, we recommend having done some research online in advance so you know where to start negotiations.

Have cash in hand and offer to pay that amount. This comes in handy for taxi led tours and boat tours.

Getting Around the Galapagos on a Budget

Highland tours on the islands can be easily arranged with a taxi driver. You can try to find one with decent English speaking skills or if you speak Spanish you’ll be showered in fascinating facts and local insights.

Your driver will wait for you while you explore each and take cash upon your return to the city.

• Tours to the Santa Cruz Highlands (Tortoise Ranch, Lava Tunnels, and Sink Holes) should not cost more than $50 by Taxi.
• Tours to San Cristobal’s Highlands (Tortoise Breeding Center, Lagoon, Puerto Chino) should be no more than $60-65. (Rate sheet says $80)
• Additionally, ask for a standard rate sheet, like this one for reaching other spots on the island.

A Few More Practical Cost-Saving Hacks for the Galapagos

• Pay in cash for discounts and to avoid credit card processing fees.
• Travel in a group to share costs of lodging and taxis.
• Negotiate your taxi fare before departing.
• Call the hotel (or whatsapp them) to see if you can get a discount for paying cash instead of paying the full amount online.
• Book your ferry online in advance to move between the islands.

Sample Galapagos on a Budget Itinerary

Check out our detailed 7 day affordable itinerary for the Galapagos Islands, here.

It has a great variety of beach, highlands, museums, animal encounters, and water activities.

Save These Tips for Seeing The Galapagos on a Budget 

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