Last Updated on October 30, 2020
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Galápagos Islands is of these destinations, that is considered to be pretty expensive. It’s mostly due to the cost of cruises, that can be quite pricey. If combined with the cost of getting there and the park fee, the final price tag can be pretty high. Having said all that, it is possible to experience Galapagos on your own and on the budget. No, you won’t be able to get to the most remote ones you can only reach by boat. This doesn’t mean you can’t see the beauty of the places you can reach and experience the animals of the Galapagos Islands. I put together a list of all the practical information you need to know, to help with the logistics of planning a trip to Galapagos on your own.
Things to know before traveling to Galapagos on your own
The two most populated islands are San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. They are also the only two islands with an airport. If you make these two islands your base, like myself, you’ll have plenty to do there, and can also do day trips from both. My time in Galapagos was limited and so was my budget. Despite that, I was determined to maximize my time there and get as much out of my trip as possible. I found plenty of cheap or even free activities on both San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.
For tips on what to pack for your trip, make sure to check out my Galápagos packing guide.
How to get to Galapagos Islands
To get to Galápagos Islands, you first need to get to the main land Ecuador. You have two choices of airports: Quito or Guayaquil. My go-to website to compare prices and scope out best deals on flights is Skyscanner.
From there you hop on the local airline ( TAME, Avianca and LAN ) to either San Cristobal or Baltra, which are the only two airports in the islands. Since most flights to Quito ( where I flew in ) arrive late at night and regional flights leave in the morning, it requires at least one overnight stay. If you decide to fly through Quito as well, I do recommend stopping for a day or two ( time permitting ), as Ecuador’s capital is definitely worth checking out ( here ).
How much does it cost to get to Galapagos?
Flights
On top of the flight to mainland Ecuador ( either Quito or Guayaquil ), you need to book flights to the Islands. The 3 airlines flying to San Cristobal and Baltra airport are Avianca, LAN and TAME, and their pricing is very similar. A round trip ticket costs approximately $400.
Fees
There are a couple of things that happen before you can check in for your flight, drop off your baggage and board the plane.
- transit card – when you first get to the airport you need to buy a transit card which costs $ 20. Do not lose it, because you have to return it when you leave the islands. After you purchase your transit card, your baggage ( that includes all your personal belongings ) has to go through screening to prevent anything undesirable ( plants, animals, seeds) from being transported to the islands.
- National Park fee – before you can hear Welcome to the Galapagos Islands and grab a taxi to your hotel, you have the National Park fee of $100 ( $50 for a child 12 years old or younger ). Only cash is accepted. Money goes to different parties involved in managing and preserving the Islands.
Ferry from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz
San Cristobal and Santa Cruz are the most populated and developed islands in the Galapagos. Getting from one to another is pretty easy, and there are 2 ways to do it. Since both have airports ( only two airports in the islands), you can hop on one of the local flights. If you don’t want to deal with the airport hassle, there is also a ferry service, which is a better option in my opinion.
While getting to San Cristobal Airport is quick and easy, it can’t be said the same about Baltra Airport. If you plan to stay in Puerto Ayora, it takes a while to get there from Baltra and is more expensive ( more on that later. ) There are 2 rides on the schedule, 7 am and 3 pm, although I’ve heard the 3 pm does not run if there are not enough people. Tickets can be purchased once on the island, and the day of the trip HOWEVER, I would recommend getting them a day before, if you have a chance. The 7 am boat I took was full, and I happened to be there during the shoulder season. There is no actual booth to get your tickets. 30-40 minutes before the boat’s departure staff shows up, selling tickets and opening up check in.
Bags need to be inspected, so you are asked to show up at least 20 minutes before the departure. Have your passport ready as you will need it for check in ! It takes about 2 hours to get to Santa Cruz. The ride was really enjoyable and smooth in my case, but totally depends on the weather conditions and how rough the water is.
Arriving on Santa Cruz
Once in Puerto Ayora, you will notice a lot of water taxis zooming by. The ferry boat is not able to dock, therefore, you need to hop on one of the taxis to transport you and your luggage for about $1. There will be plenty of taxis waiting near the dock.
Getting around Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora is very walkable. If you are staying in town, you can easily walk to most restaurants and stores. Bike rentals are everywhere and some hotels / B&Bs might have them as well. Pick up truck taxis are always available, if you have luggage or want to venture out into the highlands of Santa Cruz. It’s very easy to hire a driver for the day/ half a day to take you further inland. To grab one of the water taxis to go to i.e. Las Grietas simply head to the main dock and there will be plenty available there to take you across.
Getting to Baltra Airport from Puerto Ayora
The airport is located on Baltra Island. Not much there, other than the airport. There are a few steps to get from Puerto Ayora to the actual airport. First you need a taxi to take you to Itabaca Channel, which flows between islands of Santa Cruz and Baltra. It takes approximately 30 minutes to get there.
Next step is to take the ferry across the channel. Luggage goes on top, you pay $1, put on your life vest and 10 minutes later you are there. Once off the boat, there will be a bus waiting to transport you to the airport.
Where to stay in San Cristóbal
We stayed in Hotel Casa Blanca. The location was perfect, right on the main road, across the street from the Pier. The room Isabela located at the top is very spacious, comfortable and comes with amazing views.
Where to stay on Santa Cruz
we chose La K- Leta Guest House in Puerto Ayora. It’s a great value, centrally located B&B, with most attractions a walking distance. Service provided by Yogo and his Mom is SUPERB! From delicious breakfast delivered to your room, to best island tips and help organizing activities!
Galápagos Islands tips
- You will need more Spanish than you think, so it’s good to learn some basics before you travel or bring a Spanish phrasebook. None of the taxi drivers spoke English. Same with little cafes and restaurants.
- The currency used in Ecuador is an American dollar.
- Bring lots of sunscreen ! – you will need it, and it’s very expensive once on the islands. A bottle can cost you up to $30.
- Don’t forget travel insurance ! It’s important to be covered every time you travel, especially in a remote destination like Galapagos Islands. World Nomads is my personal choice : it’s affordable and has many different options, that guarantees finding the coverage you need.
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