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When to go, what it costs to get in, how to get there and how to book. All on one page.
When to go
You can visit the Galapagos all year round. The difference is in the sea and the weather, not in the animals you see.
Warm, with the occasional short shower. The sea is calm and the water at its warmest, ideal for snorkelling.
Drier but cooler. A cold ocean current sometimes brings the water down to 20 °C, and the sea is a little rougher. Lots of life in the water.
During Easter week many Ecuadorians travel to the islands too. Many ships have separate prices for high and low season.
Entry and costs
These costs are usually not included in the price of a cruise.
200 USD pp
Children under 12 pay 100 USD. You pay on arrival at the airport.
20 USD pp
We buy the transit card (INGALA) for you in advance. That way you skip the long queue at the airport.
± 525 USD pp
Return, including airport taxes. Children under 12 get a 30% discount.
Keep your receipts with you during your whole stay on the islands. Ecuadorians pay much less, so do not confuse their prices with yours.
Flights
Around ten flights a day go to the Galapagos, from Quito via Guayaquil or directly from Guayaquil. You land on Baltra (next to Santa Cruz) or on San Cristóbal. Every cruise starts from one of these two.
We book your flight together with your cruise, because the ship picks up all its guests together at the airport. If you choose a different flight yourself, the cruise line usually charges a supplement.
| Quito – Galapagos – Quito | ± 550 USD |
| Quito – Galapagos – Guayaquil | ± 550 USD |
| Guayaquil – Galapagos – Guayaquil | ± 525 USD |
Avoid this mistake
Going via Quito is a detour here.
That saves money and you never cover the same ground twice.
Guides
Every cruise and every excursion comes with a guide licensed by the National Park. The better the ship, the better the guide usually is: good cruise lines pay their guides better.
Language
Spanish is spoken on the islands. All guides speak English, and the higher the class, the better. Some large ships also have French- or German-speaking guides.
Booking
Book as early as possible: some ships fill up fast, and the best cabins go first. Send us these details; we check availability and send you a complete trip proposal within a few days.
That is the same as for the rest of Ecuador. You will find it all on the practical page of our sister site.