Without question, the absolute best mode of travel through the Galapagos Islands is a live-aboard boat – any other way and you would miss out on the greatest treasures this archipelago has to offer. But it’s true: a trip to these jewels of Ecuador comes with an exorbitant price tag and could easily turn into the most expensive trip you take in your lifetime.
I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. You can do the Galapagos on a budget. Those sea lions acrobatically swirling around in your head can be doing somersaults around you in the South Pacific sooner than you might think.
Here’s how I managed to save $2,600 on my two-week Galapagos adventure.
Planning
About six months before my departure, I stumbled across a post on one of my favourite Toronto-based travel sites, YYZ Deals. It gave me sudden heart palpitations – a Galapagos flight for $774 round-trip, taxes included! Did I pounce on that deal? You bet I did. That’s a savings of about $400, and something this sweet seldom appears. For my Toronto readers, you’ll want to sign up for updates on this site that shares with its followers discounts on flights from Toronto to destinations all over the world, sometimes at drop-to-the-floor bargain prices. The deal I seized may never appear again but trust me, this site is gold.
It didn’t matter that I couldn’t find a travel companion with whom I could make the journey. I was determined to see the mysterious tropical islands in all the glorious diversity that so inspired Darwin almost two centuries ago. Without personally knowing anyone who had gone before me and whose footsteps I could comfortably follow, off I went with no friendly advice for guidance. After learning through my research that a last-minute cruise can be significantly discounted when booked locally, I chose to make no pre-trip arrangements except a hotel reservation for my first night. I embraced flexibility and spontaneity over pre-organized plans. The rewards? For a week, I cruised the ocean on a first-class yacht and experienced the wonderland of sun-soaked landscapes and curious wildlife – all without breaking the bank. After disembarking, I had the opportunity to leisurely explore the town of Puerto Ayora and its surrounding areas on Santa Cruz Island at my own pace and make a day trip to a neighbouring island.
Once There
I saved over 50% simply by booking my cruise on arrival in the Galapagos instead of from home. The small town of Puerto Ayora is dotted with travel agencies that can make the arrangements for you and I was struck by how easy it was to find a last-minute deal. (This was in March but I’ve read that bargains can be found year-round except during the holidays.) I walked into a travel agency first thing in the morning on my second day and inquired about one-week cruises. The agent placed several phone calls, and showed me photos of three boats and their itineraries, all of which departed on different days. I selected my boat, signed the contract, made my payment and boarded a first-class yacht four hours later. The savings: $2,200. It cost me $1300 instead of the $3500 I would have paid had I booked the cruise from Canada. And, if you’re willing to forgo some luxuries, you can make the cruise even more affordable by selecting a tourist class boat.
The key to doing the Galapagos on a budget is to be there long enough to be flexible. By ensuring I had two weeks on the islands in case I couldn’t embark on my preferred boat for a couple days, I was able to complete my trip without time-related stress. If you have time to kill before or after your cruise, you can simply book extra nights at your hotel or another one nearby and take each day as it comes. There is no shortage of things to see and do in Puerto Ayora. I visited the Charles Darwin Research Station, the idyllic beaches of Tortuga Bay and the iconic giant tortoises, and joined a day trip to Isabela Island.
Read: The Ultimate Galapagos Packing List for a Cruise
Pre-Booking vs. Last-Minute Booking
If you’ve read this far and the idea of not having a solid plan before you step off of home soil still shoots anxiety up your spine, consider the potential complications of pre-booking. What could I possibly risk by being well organized, you ask? For a pre-booked cruise, you’ll likely be picked up at the airport by your guide and taken directly to the boat. On my yacht, two passengers boarded – but their luggage didn’t – and half their cruise was spent without their belongings. Another group boarded a day late. One of their connecting flights to the Galapagos was delayed, they missed their final flight and, as a result, a full day of their cruise at $500/day (they booked from home and therefore paid full price). If that wasn’t enough, upon landing at the airport, they then had to cough up an extra $800 to hire a speedboat to transport them to where we were at sea. After a rough hour-and-a-half on a loud speedboat, the exhausted group finally boarded and one poor woman, seasick from the choppy ride, could do nothing but lie in bed until the next morning. Neither of these scenarios is ideal, is it?
YOLO, So Go Solo
But I can’t find anyone to take this trip with me, you might say. So what? The Galapagos Islands are unbelievably safe and if you don’t want to pay the expensive single supplement fee and you’re willing to share a cabin with another solo traveller, you’re all set. I made sure my contract stipulated that my cabin would only be shared with another female (it’s not always a given so it’s best to specify). Luck would have it that most visitors to the Galapagos do travel with companions so I didn’t get paired up with another solo female passenger and, to my unexpected delight, I enjoyed a spacious cabin to myself for a whole week.
That doesn’t mean I spent all my time alone. A 16-passenger boat is small enough to allow for social bonding with your fellow passengers and more personalized attention from your guide, and this can make a world of difference. And with so many nationalities represented, our group was a refreshing microcosm of the world. By the end of the week, not only did I learn about and revel in the natural world at its best in a pristine paradise, I forged international friendships with travellers who in the end I was reluctant and sad to leave.
Search for accommodations in the Galapagos at Booking.com:
Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island)
Puerto Villamil (Isabela Island)
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal Island)
It’s Possible to Do the Galapagos on a Budget
There are few places in the world where you can experientially and viscerally connect with such unique flora and peculiar fauna in a meaningful way. A visit to the Galapagos is so nourishing to the soul that the memories will linger long after you’ve returned home. The great news is that, by being flexible and surrendering to your whims, the trip you’ve spent your life dreaming about may actually be within your financial reach. If it is, don’t you think it’s time to make it a reality?
If you’ve done the Galapagos on a budget and have other tips to share, please leave a comment below to help out my readers.
Disclosure: I earn a modest commission from Booking.com if you click on one of their links and make a reservation through their site (at no cost to you). Thank you for your support!
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Great post, definitely on my to do list. Just wanted to share my Ecuador adventure with a fellow traveller, hope you enjoy.
http://www.atruetalltale.wordpress.com
Thanks, Erin. Must be so nice to stay there for longer than 2 weeks and really immerse yourself.
“I saved over 50% simply by booking my cruise on arrival in the Galapagos instead of from home. The small town of Puerto Ayora is dotted with travel agencies that can make the arrangements for you and I was struck by how easy it was to find a last-minute deal.”
This is a really good tip not only for the Galapagos, but travel in all of South America. I never book my tours in advance, and in that way, I save big. Of course, traveling on the fly is not for everyone, but as you point out here, no matter how organized you are, something could go wrong. Glad you had a great time. 🙂
Very true indeed! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
I’m glad you find the info valuable. Thanks for your interest!
Good information. We were on a Coral yacht, which held 38 passengers. We are all friends/acquaintances/former travel companions, so that helped a bit on the smaller boat. Your post points out two important things to remember when traveling: be flexible, and travel very light. One carry-on, plus a reasonably-sized daypack. It’s harder to lose your luggage when you don’t check it.
Gorgeous photos!
Good point. Thanks for the feedback!
Would you recommend booking upon arrival for those who only have 10 days to spend in Ecuador? I’m in the midst of the daunting task of figuring out which cruise to book beforehand and it seems that my options are limited, many yachts are fully booked already and it’s tough to find the itinerary that I want. Any recommendations on whether to go with the eastern (Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz) route vs the western (Fernandina, Isabella) route?
Thanks for following! Hmm… 10 days is pretty tight if you want a last-minute 7- or 8-day cruise, but you’ll probably be safe for a 3- or 4-night cruise. You may want to contact Moonrise Travel – they’re quite reputable and I booked my day trip with them (http://www.galapagosmoonrise.com). I didn’t visit any of the eastern islands except Isabela (that was my day trip). If you’re travelling during the dry season, that’s the area to be in if you want to see the whales. If you’re not super-keen on seeing them, then I think you’ll see more than enough on any 7- or 8-day cruise. I was on the Millenium (http://www.millenniumyacht.com). When are you going and are you interested in seeing particular wildlife?
Sorry, I meant I didn’t get to any of the WESTERN islands except Isabela! That’s where the whales go in the dry season.
I’m impressed, and good for you. Everything worked out so well – and I bet you had some great encounters with the wildlife. Thank you, by the way, for following my blog – happy travels!
I did, indeed! Thanks, and you’re welcome 🙂
Super great tip. Sounds like you had the most amazing time! Will file this away in my memory bank for when I cross the Galapagos off my bucket list! Sounds like the way to do it.
Glad you found the post useful. I hope you make it there!
We didn’t visit Galapagos on our RTW trip last year because of the exorbitant cost! I wish I’d read your article before we landed in South America!! 🙂
Aw… that’s unfortunate. I guess that means you’ll have to go back to South America 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and the follow.
Agreed you need to have 2 of the 3 in : Time/Quality/Price. You were lucky to have time so quality and price were easy. Those who rush either suffer in quality or price. I’ll definitely share with others as many think the Galapagos is outrageously expensive.
Thanks Ayngelina. You’re right: a year ago, I thought I’d need over $5000 to make the trip happen, and most people don’t realize it doesn’t have to cost that much!
I have been putting off Galapagos because even just trying to price it makes my head spin. It never occurred to me to go there and book there. It would be so much preferable to book it with an actual person rather than just guessing a company online. That was one of my bigger problems, no one I know has been there so finding information from someone who actually knows…not happening.
Do you think it matters what day of the week you arrive by flight?
Thank you for your post!
I don’t think it would matter, but be aware that some (if not most) of the travel agencies are closed on Sundays in Puerto Ayora. I booked mine at the first agency I walked into and was given at least 3 different options on different boats that left on different days of the week. I didn’t even shop around, but I realize that I REALLY lucked out with the boat, the price and the people. Feel free to ask more questions because I love being able to help others make their Galapagos trip a reality. It was spectacular 🙂
Thanks so much!! The more I am realizing how attainable the goal of going is, the more I need to start penciling in some dates. I will be back here with 238942389473 questions once I figure it all out!
Ask away!
This is really good information. I have a hard time going somewhere without having everything set up in advance, but I think when it comes time to go to the Galapagos, my need for saving money will win out over my need for a plan.
Thanks, Katherine. I’m glad you found the post helpful. The boats are sometimes anchored at Puerto Ayora, depending on the day, so you can also ask to board a boat and take a look around before committing to the cruise.
The Galapagos last minute deal are great if you the time to catch one, and also it depends of the season, try to get a last minutes in hight season is impossible, think on that. Any way Galapagos always is amazing. Nature Galapagos wonderful.
Yes, last-minute deals can be hard to come by at certain times during the high season, so I was lucky. And I couldn’t agree with you more: the Galapagos is amazing! Thanks for your feedback.
Did you have to pay for your last minute trip in cash? If so, did you take out the money in Puerto Ayora or did you bring all your money with you to the Galapagos? Thanks!
Hi Allison. I chose to pay cash (which I withdrew from home) so I can’t say whether the travel agency would have accepted a credit card.
Did you have to pay for your last minute trip in cash? If so, did you take out the money in Puerto Ayora or did you bring all your money with you to the Galapagos? Thanks!
Dear Allison is better if you bring enough cash to the Galapagos Islands, some times the comunication and the networks are not working, and this may cause a little problems, there are ATM´s machines but as I said the networks some times fail. Nature Galapagos
I’ve always wanted to go to the Galapagos, but thought it seems a little out of reach, but after reading your about how you did it, I’m convinced it’s feasible and within the next 6 months can become a reality. Thanks for sharing your experience. Best of luck with any upcoming travels.
I’m so glad you found the post helpful, Paula! Good luck in your travel planning.
What a grand adventure! I travel solo a lot and love your adventurous approach! With kids, this isn’t quite as easy, but we have made some last minute hotel arrangements saving more than 50% (works best in large hotel markets like Orlando). Happy travels!
Oh, travelling with children must be quite the challenge. I bow to you. I suppose it also forces you to be resourceful, and it sounds like it’s paid off! Cheers to savings!
What a great article! Everyone has heard about Galapagos, but you’ve just made it attainable for the average person. I’ve included it in the myWanderlist Best January Travel Experiences
Thanks, Brad! You’ve got a great list going.
There are references to the high season not having any last minute deals. Would that be all of July and August?? Thanks for any info.
July and August are indeed high season. I’m not sure it’s impossible to find a last-minute deal during that time, but you’d definitely be taking a gamble.
Thanks for sharing this. I am thinking of going, but trying to find a budget way of doing it. I think I might wing it like you.
You’re welcome, Jaklien. Feel free to shoot me a message if you have any questions.
Thanks so much for sharing this! It’s wonderful to see people make their dream trips. Plus, these have some great tips on saving lots of money while travelling internationally.
Thanks, Jordan! You’re right: some of these tips can apply to trips to other destinations.
Hi! What a wonderful post to read and to know that it is possible to take a cruise if you’re on a budget. I’m going to Galapagos in the beginning of August, so during the holidays 🙁 Do you think that the same cheap opportunities would accure or is this definitely a month I should book ahead?
And do you perhaps know if its possible to book a one way flight (to have more time if needed), because I read somewhere you can only book returns..
Maybe you’ve heard something!
Greetings!
Hi Helen, thank you for this helpful post! I’m actually in TO as well, would you be interested in meeting for a coffee to talk more about the Galapagos?!
Hi Pam! Thanks for stopping by. Please email me at notwithoutmypassport[at]gmail[dot].com. 🙂
I’m actually going now in March from the 19th to the 29th so hopefully I can get a good deal on something when I arrive 🙂 thank you for the block. Do you have Instagram by any chance if you do feel free to follow me sikview
Sounds like you’ll be on quite the adventure, Juan. Enjoy! And, yes, I’m on Instagram (@notwithoutmypassport); feel free to say hello!
Hi Helen,
Thank you so much for your tips on budget travel to the Galapagos. The pricing is really making my trip there daunting! I had a few questions though, you said that you found a great deal to go from Canada to the Galapagos, but which airport did you fly into within the Galapagos? And were you diving on the 8D/7N Cruises or snorkeling only? If you were diving, did you bring your own equipment?
Please let me know! Would love to hear more about your time. Thank you so much for your help!
Hi Sophia. I flew into Seymour Airport on the island of Baltra, which is where most travellers fly into to get to Puerto Ayora. I do not dive so my cruise was snorkelling only. Hope this helps!