🐢 Backpacking Galapagos: How to Travel Galapagos on a Budget

Backpacking the Galapagos islands is an easy and affordable way to see one of the most incredible places this world has to offer.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a tour, guide, nor permit to visit the inhabited islands of the Galapagos. All that is required is a plane ticket, an INGALA transit control card purchased at the airport, and $100 for entry upon arrival.

Sophie and I visited the Galapagos on a self-guided adventure in April 2023. With careful budgeting, we spent less than $1000 per person in our two weeks on the islands!

In this guide, we will teach you how to travel Galapagos on a budget. This includes advice on the cheapest restaurant and accommodation options, which island(s) to stay on and visit, and a breakdown of typical expenses for budgeting purposes.

💰 Galapagos Travel Budget Overview

The primary costs of visiting the Galapagos are flights, tours/activities, accommodation, meals, and travel fees in that order.

We have not included international flights to Ecuador in these approximations as many backpackers will visit Galapagos as part of a larger trip. This is something you will need to take into consideration depending on your starting point.

Including flights from Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador, the minimum cost an individual should expect to incur is between $800-$1000 for a one-week visit. This breaks down as follows:

FIXED COSTS		Minimum Cost
	Roundtrip flights to Galapagos from mainland Ecuador	$450
	Galapagos National Park Entry Fee *children 12 and under are half-price*	$100
	INGALA Transit Control Card	$20
	TOTAL FIXED COSTS	$570
DAILY COSTS
	Meals @ 3 per day	$15
	Accommodation	$15
	Taxis / Transport / Misc Fees	$5
	Total Minimum Cost Per Day	$35
	ONE WEEK TOTAL	$805

We will discuss each budget item included in the table above, as well as additional items worth considering, in dedicated sections below.

In addition to learning about the average costs and pricing, we will discuss tips for minimizing your expenses while backpacking Galapagos.

🗺️ Map of the Galapagos Islands

The map of the Galapagos Islands above shows the archipelago in its entirety.

It has been color-coded to indicate the islands that are inhabited and can be stayed on, those accessible by day tour, and those that are accessible via cruise ship only.

In addition, ferry services and airports are indicated by the appropriate symbols.

As you begin to plan your Galapagos itinerary, it is helpful to understand the layout of the islands and how each can be visited.

🐢 DISCOVER MORE:
BEST GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TO VISIT & STAY ON

🏝 Cheapest Galapagos Island(s) to Stay On

Key Takeaway
San Cristobal is the best Galapagos island for backpacking and budget-friendly vacations.

There are 4 inhabited Galapagos islands you can choose to stay on, but the only two worth considering for a budget-friendly holiday are Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

These are also the only two islands that you can fly to from mainland Ecuador.

San Cristobal is the best Galapagos island for backpacking and budget-friendly vacations as you will find slightly lower average costs than on Santa Cruz. It is also the easiest island to fly in and out from as the major airport (SCY) is located on the island only 10 minutes from town.

Conversely, the major airport for Santa Cruz (GPS) is actually located on the adjacent island of Baltra and requires a lengthy journey involving a ferry and multiple buses to reach the main town of Puerto Ayora.

Santa Cruz is the more popular island for tourists, but this leads to a slightly higher average cost. If you do not speak at least basic Spanish, however, Santa Cruz will be the better option.

🏡 DISCOVER MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO ISLAND HOPPING IN GALAPAGOS

🎟 Entry Fees for Galapagos National Park

Key Takeaway
It will cost about $130-$150 for Galapagos entry fees and airport transport.

Understand that the entirety of the Galapagos archipelago is part of a national park.

While you do not need any pre-arranged permit or visa to visit, there are a few unavoidable fees you will incur for entry. These are the INGALA transit card, national park entry fee, and taxi/shuttle services from the airport to town.

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INGALA Transit Control Card ($20)

You must purchase your TCC at the airport on mainland Ecuador prior to departure.

They cost only $20 per person and are available at a kiosk in Quito and Guayaquil, which are the only two airports that fly to Galapagos.

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Galapagos National Park Entry Fee

Once you have arrived in the Galapagos, you will need to pay the national park fee in order to leave the airport.

The cost is $100 per adult and $50 per child, and is cash only.

This is a one-time fee regardless of how long you stay and how many islands you visit.

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Airport Transport Costs

Once you have exited the airport, you will need to reach the major towns of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal).

Santa Cruz

From Baltra airport to Puerto Ayora, you will need to take the “Airline Bus” ($5), then a water taxi ($1-$2) to reach Santa Cruz.

Once on Santa Cruz, you will need to travel south to Puerto Ayora. You have the option of a public bus ($5) or a taxi (~$25). The taxi can be split by up to 4 people making it an affordable option if in a group.

San Cristobal

From SCY airport to town (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno), you have the option of walking or taking a taxi. It is approximately a 15-25 minute walk (0.6-1.2 miles/1-2km) from the airport to town, depending on where exactly you choose to stay.

A taxi will typically cost $8 – $10 and can be shared by up to 4 passengers.

✈️ Budgeting for Flights to Galapagos

Key Takeaway
Fly first to Quito ($ = variable), then Quito to Galapagos ($450 roundtrip)

BE CAREFUL NOT TO BOOK A LOCALS-ONLY FARE!

IMPORTANT
The Ecuadorian Government has lowered airfare for Ecuadorian residents in an effort to make it more accessible to locals. You need to be very careful not to book a resident rate as a tourist.

Flights to Galapagos are only available from the Ecuadorian cities of Quito and Guayaquil. Three airlines offer these flights: Avianca, Latam, and Equair.

While modern flight booking platforms will allow you to set your final destination for San Cristobal (SCY) or Santa Cruz/Baltra (GPS), it is recommended you book your flights to mainland Ecuador first (usually Quito), then book separately to Galapagos.

This is to avoid any issues with the residents-only fares, provide a cushion in case of delays or cancellations on layovers, and to break up a lengthy journey.

Flights to Galapagos from Quito or Guayaquil start at $450 roundtrip for tourists.

If you see anything cheaper than this, you are booking a resident-only fare and will not be permitted onto the airplane without buying a new ticket! This is an expensive mistake many backpackers make!

This post does an excellent job explaining the different airfare classes and how to identify them for each airline.

✈️ READ MORE:
HOW TO GET TO GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

🏠 Backpacker & Budget Accommodation in Galapagos

At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any bookings made using the links below.

Accommodation in the Galapagos is surprisingly budget-friendly.

As it has the most options, you will typically find the cheapest accommodation in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. However, San Cristobal and Isabela still offer several budget-friendly options.

The starting price for a bed in a shared dorm start at $15-20 per night and a private room starts at around $20-30 per night.

Most prices you’ll see for accommodation online will exclude a 12% VAT charge so be sure to click all the way through to see the final total price.

Below are some recommendations for highly-rated budget-friendly accommodations on each island.

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Best Budget Accommodation on San Cristobal

• Hostel Dorm Rooms: N/A
• Private Rooms: Palma del Mar 2 ⭐️ 8.9/10
• Apartment: La Casa de Amelia ⭐️ 9.3/10

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Best Budget Accommodation on Santa Cruz

• Hostel Dorm Rooms: Hostal Vista al Mar ⭐️ 8.5/10
• Private Rooms: El Paraiso ⭐️ 9/10
• Apartment: The Finch House (La Casa del Pinzón) ⭐️ 9.1/10

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Best Budget Accommodation on Isabela

• Hostel Dorm Rooms: Posada del Caminante ⭐️ 8.7/10
• Private Rooms: El Rincon de George ⭐️ 8.9/10
• Apartment: Apartahotel Casa Soleil ⭐️ 9/10

🛏 READ THE COMPLETE GUIDE:
WHERE TO STAY IN GALAPAGOS ULTIMATE GUIDE

🍽 Cheapest Food & Restaurants in Galapagos

Key Takeaway
Local Ecuadorian food (“comida típica”) is plentiful, costing $5-$6 per meal.

Each of the main inhabited Galapagos islands will have a variety of food and restaurants to choose from, but it is important to remember how remote they are. Most food and spices that need to be imported come at a premium and are often mediocre in flavor.

If you are backpacking or planning to travel Galapagos on a budget, you will want to look for the local restaurants advertising “comida típica” for $5 or $6.

These restaurants offer limited lunch and dinner menus for a set price that typically includes rice, beans, salad, soup, and your choice of protein. Some may offer plantains and/or potatoes instead of rice or beans.

Be sure to brush up on your Spanish as these places will rarely speak English. The most common items listed are:

• Carne (beef)
• Pollo (chicken)
• Pescado (fish)
• Arroz (rice)
• Sopa (soup)
• Menestras (beans)

Any non-local food will automatically cost a bit more and likely be smaller portions. It will be easy to find common American and European foods at an affordable price between $8-$15 per person on the major islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela).

🦎 PLAN YOUR PERFECT TRIP:
ULTIMATE 7-DAY GALAPAGOS ITINERARY

🚤 Day Tours & Activity Costs

Key Takeaway
Day tours are the most expensive budget item, but the easiest to avoid.

You will be shocked at the sticker price of day tours from any of the Galapagos islands. The most affordable will be between $50-$100 and will only be local half-day tours, with snorkel trips and visits to some of the sister islands starting between $120-$250!

The good news is that you do not need to book any tours whatsoever! The wildlife is plentiful on Galapagos and much of it can be seen right from a local beach or pier.

This is another reason that San Cristobal is the best island to stay on for budget travel. You can snorkel right off the nearby beaches of Playa Mann, Playa Oro, and Playa Punta Carola and expect to swim with sea lions and marine iguanas while all sorts of avian species soar overhead.

There are, of course, some experiences worth considering that can only be done via tour. Of those available, the Kicker Rock and 360° Tour offer the best value.

⛵️ DISCOVER MORE:
29 BEST GALAPAGOS DAY TOURS

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Booking your Galapagos Day Tours

You will get the best rates for Galapagos day tours by booking locally on the islands.

For any tours you don’t mind missing out on, you will save money by waiting to book your tours once in Galapagos; just know that many will not have last-minute availability.

For example, booking a 360° tour online will cost you around $220-$260, compared to just $170-$180 at a local tour office in town, but it is also usually selling out days in advance.

You can sometimes get a further reduced rate by booking multiple tours through the same operator.

It is worth noting that most tour companies don’t have websites, and even the ones that do will not typically offer online bookings. Instead, you’ll be directed to a local WhatsApp number to arrange your tour or be redirected to book through Viator.

You will, therefore, need to decide on the best option for you:

1. Arrange the tour once on the island for a cheaper rate, but risk the tour being sold out.
2. Book online through Viator for an easy and guaranteed tour at a higher price.
3. Reach out to tour operators directly, but navigate complicated systems and pay a slightly higher price.

💵 Miscellaneous Expenses to Budget For

There are a few other miscellaneous expenses that are mostly unavoidable and should be budgeted for. While these can add up, they are unlikely to break the bank.

• TIPS: Up to 20% gratuity is often expected for guides, servers, and drivers.
• INSURANCE: Due to its remote location, travel insurance is essential for a visit Galapagos.
• TAXIS: Be prepared for $1 water taxi fees to come up any time you leave any pier.
• INTER-ISLAND TRANSPORT: $30 for transport between inhabited islands.
• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: $3-$5 per beer, $5-$10 per cocktail.

🙋‍♀️ How to Travel Galapagos on a Budget FAQs

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on how to travel Galapagos on a budget.

Use the dropdown arrows to reveal answers.

📚 More Galapagos Islands Travel Guides

Hopefully, this guide has answered all of your questions, now it’s time for the rest of your planning!

These guides will help you through the process step-by-step, providing insight on everything from finding flights to top activities and so much more.

Planning Guides

• Where to Stay in Galapagos
• How to Travel to Galapagos in 10 Easy Steps
• Galapagos 5-Day Itinerary
• Galapagos 7-Day Itinerary
• Galapagos 10-Day Itinerary
• Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
• How to Island Hop the Galapagos
• Galapagos Packing List
• Galapagos Trip Cost & How to Budget
• How to Visit the Galapagos on a Budget

Local Guides

• Santa Cruz Island Ultimate Guide
• San Cristobal Ultimate Guide
• Isabela Island Ultimate Guide
• Bartolome Island Ultimate Guide
• Pinzon Island Ultimate Guide

Things to Do Guides

• Top 50 Things to Do in Galapagos
• Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos
• Best Galapagos Day Tours
• Galapagos Photography Guide
• Best Beaches in the Galapagos Islands
• Why You NEED to Visit the Galapagos Islands
• Best Galapagos Snorkeling Spots
• Iconic Galapagos Animals & Where to See Them

💬 Final Thoughts

We truly hope you have found this guide useful as you plan your backpacking or budget-friendly travels to Galapagos.

Now we’d like to hear from YOU!

Was there any information that was missing, confusing, or outdated?

Was it everything you hoped for and more?!

Help us to help future readers by sharing your thoughts and personal experience in the comments below!

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