Here’s how to do the Galapagos on a budget (for real)
Yes, the Galapagos can be done cheaply. I was also surprised by this when I found out that the Galapagos Islands would be one of the cheapest destinations in my 6-month South America backpacking trip!
We all expect Galapagos to be super expensive because of its remote location and the high cost of the cruises, but the truth is that you can 100% do the Galapagos on a budget!
I spent 2 weeks exploring the Galapagos without sparing any experiences, and the total cost of my trip was USD 1,100 – though I could have had an amazing time for half that!
Here are my 10 tips on how to do the Galapagos cheaply!
1. Skip the cruise and do the Galapagos land-based
Back in the day, going on a USD 2K+ cruise ship was the only way to truly experience the Galapagos. This is no longer true, as many of the main attractions can be accessed on day trips from the three main islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela.
In fact, a lot of 2-3 night cruises don’t go beyond what is accessible for those going land-based!
Apart from cost, there are many other advantages to exploring the Galapagos without a cruise, such as:
- Being able to truly own your itinerary, and fit in only what truly interests you
- Enjoying downtime in stunning free beaches
- Reliable internet access
- Having lots of restaurants to choose from (more on that next)
Doing the Galapagos land-based can cost as little as ~USD 50 per day if you skip the expensive tours!
Still want to go on a Galapagos Cruise even though you’re on a shoestring budget? There are some budget cruise ships that become much more affordable when booked last minute! In February 2025, my friend went on a 7-day cruise in the Danubio Azul boat for USD 1,800 and had a blast!
2. Buy food in the back streets
A full meal in the Galapagos Islands costs as little as USD 4.99. No kidding. The secret to finding good and affordable restaurants is to avoid anything on the beachfront, as prices there are at least 2x higher!
The budget food is diverse and legitimately good – in fact, I ate in both the fancy and budget restaurants in the Galapagos and the quality was identical!
Santa Cruz Island is particularly nice for cheap food! There is a street filled with restaurants selling their daily special meals for USD 4.99 a few blocks away from the oceanfront street.
Want to easily find the affordable food street?
📍 In Santa Cruz: Resident Restaurant as a target destination on Google Maps. The affordable restaurants span across the Charles Binford street between Av. Baltra and Av. Islas Pl.
My go-to meal was steak with rice at Servi Sabroson and it only cost me USD 11 for the plate!
Click here to see the menu (with prices) of Servi Sabroson, my favorite restaurant in the Galapagos!
3. Enjoy the many free things to do in the islands
I was so pleasantly surprised to find FREE beaches, hikes, and snorkeling sites in the three main islands!
Filling my schedule with these free activities not only made my trip more budget-friendly but also way more relaxing! It is freeing to hike at a comfortable pace and snorkel with sea lions without worrying about a group’s schedule.
Some of my favorite free activities in each of the main islands are:
📍 Santa Cruz: Tortuga Bay
📍 San Cristobal: Centro de Interpretacion Ambiental Gianni Arismendy
📍 Isabela: Concha de Perla
4. Bring cash!
Although cards (Visa & Mastercard) are commonly accepted in the Galapagos, cash is still king! In fact, things like the Galapagos Entrance Fee, taxis, and water taxis can only be paid via cash.
Cash gives you negotiating power in tour agencies and gift shops! You might be able to negotiate 5–10% off tour prices when paying in cash.
Restaurants and convenience stores also tend to charge extra for card purchases, so bring lots of US dollars to keep prices as low as possible!
Though ATMs are available in Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela, they usually have daily withdrawal limits and charge a fee. In Isabela, withdrawing cash is particularly challenging because the ATMs sometimes run out of money!
Pro tip: Bring all your cash in bills of USD 20 or less. Having lots (~30) of $1 bills is incredibly convenient for paying for taxis and water taxis! Once I couldn’t get into a time-sensitive water taxi because my smallest bill was $50.
5. Strategically prioritize tours
There are SO MANY tours available in the Galapagos, and it can be overwhelming to pick just a few because of a strong fear of missing out!
My top tip for picking tours in the Galapagos is to only do one expensive tour (USD 150+) per Island.
Though the expensive tours are often worth it, there are tons of equally amazing activities that are free and affordable (typically under USD 50) which can fill up your schedule without breaking the bank!
Here are the activities I recommend doing in each island:
|
“Expensive” tours |
Affordable/free tours | |
|---|---|---|
|
Santa Cruz |
Tortuga Bay, Charles Darwin Research Station, Highlands Tour | |
|
San Cristobal |
Interpretation Center, Playa Mann | |
|
Isabela | ||
6. Buy snacks in the local supermarkets
Though food in the Galapagos is not expensive, bringing your own snacks to hikes and activities can help you save money!
I remember starving after activities (specially the San Cristobal Interpretation Center) and severely overpaying for fries in the first restaurant I could find!
Having a bag of chips would have saved me money and a subpar meal.
Local Supermarkets to shop in each of the Galapagos Islands:
📍 Santa Cruz: Proinsular Market
📍 San Cristobal: Foods & Healthy Market
📍 Isabela: Minimarket Estefania
7. Bring your own reliable pair of snorkels
Snorkels are the #1 item in my Galapagos packing list because:
- There are (amazing) free snorkeling sites where you cannot rent gear and must bring your own. You can buy or rent snorkels in the main cities in the Galapagos, but…
- Both crappy and quality snorkels retail for 2x-5x the normal price, a lesson I learned the hard way! In Santa Cruz, I paid USD 100 for a good set that is worth ~ USD 40 in the US!
- The snorkels available for rent downtown (~USD 5/day) or provided in tours are often low-quality. I always feel most comfortable with my own set!
Having a good fitting gear is a must, considering that itineraries to the Galapagos are usually 80% snorkeling! Here are my top gear picks:
- Tempered glass & silicon skirt snorkeling mask: a lot more scratch resistant than the cheap plastic ones, and it also serves for scuba diving if you’re into that. This is the type of mask I purchased in the Galapagos and now bring in my snorkeling and diving travels around the world!
- Full snorkeling set: a lot bulkier than getting just the mask, but might be a good idea if you have enough space in your luggage.
Important to note: I do not recommend full face snorkeling masks! Though they are very comfortable and allow new snorkelers to relax underwater, they come with lots of additional risks.
8. Stay in a centrally located accommodation
The Galapagos has amazing infrastructure, but not Uber, and getting hold of taxis is challenging unless you’re in a [expensive] full-service hotel! Even though the taxi cost is only ~$1.5 per ride, this is money and stress that can be saved!
The good news is that each of the inhabited islands is incredibly centralized, and everything can be done by walking as long as you stay in the small central area.
Staying downtown means saving on taxi rides, having access to more food options, and tour agencies to shop around for the cheapest prices!
Best areas to stay in each island in the Galapagos:
📍 Santa Cruz: Near the Gus Angermeyer Pier. I stayed at the Hostal Elizabeth and loved it! Another good budget option is Hostal Gardner.
📍 San Cristobal: Near the San Cristobal Main Dock. Good budget options are Hostal León Dormido and Hostal San Francisco.
📍 Isabela: I stayed at Hostal Neptuno – Poseidon, which was very affordable and convenient!
9. Skip on the souveniers
The urge to purchase all things with a blue-footed boobie design is real. When you’re vacationing somewhere as special as the Galapagos, it’s completely natural to want to bring home cute decor and thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
But let’s be honest—most of those souvenirs end up as clutter collecting dust on a shelf.
The Galapagos Islands are extraordinary because of their untouched natural beauty. The sustainability efforts there are serious, and the heavy consumerism often found in gift shops just doesn’t align with the eco-conscious spirit of the archipelago.
Skipping the souvenirs means saving money for experiences that matter.
10. Weigh in scuba diving vs. snorkeling
If, like me, you’re a certified scuba diver, you’re probably dreaming about diving in every site in the Galapagos!
I went scuba diving at Kicker Rock, which known to be one of the top 2 dive sites in the Galapagos, and… left thinking that snorkeling would have been better!
Why? Snorkeling would have been much cheaper, much more comfortable, AND I’d have seen the same wildlife!
Currents and water temperatures can be tough in the Galapagos, making scuba diving actually feel like a bit of an extreme sport.
In my experience, the quality of wildlife sightings were the same across snorkeling and diving, so there is no need to break the bank paying USD 100+ in each of the dives available!
I recommend just picking one dive site (probably Kicker Rock or Gordon Rock) and snorkel in every other place!
Galapagos on a Budget FAQ
Is a trip to Galapagos expensive?
Though many expensive Galapagos packages exist, a trip to Galapagos can be incredibly affordable once you arrive on the islands! Many activities are free, accommodation is affordable (starts at ~USD 20 per night), and food can be as low as USD 4.99 per meal.
Non-negotiable expensive side of visiting the Galapagos is usually flying in (which you can do with credit card points) and the USD 120-220 fee to enter the islands.
How much money do I need for Galapagos?
Apart from flights and the entrance fees, I recommend budgeting depending on your Galapagos travel style:
- Shoestring budget: a minimum of USD 40 per day, which means skipping the expensive tours.
- Backpacker budget: about USD 100 to USD 150 per day will allow you to explore join some of the best tours in the archipelago!
- Budget cruise: a minimum of USD 260 per day (if you find a great last-minute deal)
Is it expensive to fly to the Galapagos Islands?
Roundtrip flights to the Galapagos from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, cost about USD 300-600 at LATAM (my preferred airline) and Avianca.
Considering it is a ~4-hour flight, the prices are quite reasonable!
As a budget traveler, I found the best deal purchasing my flights to the Galapagos with credit card points.
Important to note: Apart from the flight, you’ll need to pay an additional entrance fee to enter the Galapagos. Those range anywhere between USD 20 and 220 depending on nationality and age.
How much cash to bring to the Galapagos?
Bring cash for all expenses! Though there are ATMs across the Galapagos, they typically charge fees and have withdrawal limits.
It is most important to have cash for entrance fees to the Galapagos that must be paid upon arrival. Those can cost up to USD 200 depending on the traveler’s age and nationality.
An additional minimum of USD 40 per day is recommended for those on a shoestring budget, and USD 100 to USD 150 for those on a regular backpacker’s budget.
The wrapup: How to do the Galapagos on a budget
A trip to the Galapagos does not need to be a once-in-a-lifetime bank-breaking adventure! The archipelago can 100% be visited on a budget.
The 10 tips we talked about allowed me to spend two weeks exploring the best of the Galapagos while only spending USD 1,100. Now, you’re also well informed to be able to visit this incredible destination without breaking the bank!
Planning a trip to the Galapagos? Check out our other helpful posts!
✅ All the Necessary Permits to Go to Galapagos: A Checklist
✅ Free snorkeling & hiking in San Cristobal’s Interpretation Center
✅ Is the Los Tuneles Tour Worth It? Full Review + Secret Tips!
✅ Is Visiting The Charles Darwin Research Station Worth It?
