Budget Tours to Galapagos Islands
Galapagos on a budget - it’s totally possible! Visit San Cristobal and Santa Cruz islands, snorkel at Kicker Rock with hammerheads, and see giant tortoises just wandering around. You’ll see sea lions everywhere, marine iguanas that swim, and wildlife that doesn't run from humans because they've never learned to fear people. If you’re a wildlife fan, this one’s for you.
10 best Budget Galapagos Islands tour packages
Compiled by
NadineGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- 7 Days Galapagos Express Adventure
- 7 Days Galapagos Expedition: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz Island
- Ecuador & Galápagos: 8 Days of Nature’s Magic
- Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure 7D/6N
- 8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
- 8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping Tour (San Cristobal - Santa Cruz - Isabela)
- 6 Days: Exploring Santa Cruz (Budget-Friendly Solo Adventure)
- 5 Days Galapagos Island Hopping: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz
- 5 Days San Cristobal Island Wonders
- Galapagos Island Hopper (Intra Tour Air Ecuador And Galapagos Hopper)
7 Days Galapagos Express Adventure
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodations were good & in close proximity to restaurants & shops. Excursions were all great.”
Lori, traveled in March
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $177 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,290
4% Off- US$1,240You save $50
The Galápagos awaits at approx. $260 daily, with hotels and guided tours to Kicker Rock and Santa Cruz highlands. Puerto Ayora offers free time, while included snorkel equipment enhances marine adventures.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $254 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,830
3% Off- US$1,780You save $50
At approx. $500 daily, round-trip flights from Quito to Baltra Island, 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners are covered throughout the trip. Four nights in Quito and 3 nights in Puerto Ayora include accommodations and all airport transfers in the price. Cotopaxi National Park's volcanic landscapes, Limpiopungo Lagoon hikes, and the giant tortoise reserve visits come without additional entry fees.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $478 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $4,499
15% Off- US$3,824You save $675
Island-hopping through the Galapagos at approx. $310 daily includes 6 nights across Isabela, Santa Cruz, and San Cristóbal islands. Snorkel gear, daily breakfast, 3 lunches, and inter-island transfers included. Bartolomé Island tours available.
Duration 7 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Fé Island, South Plaza Island, Bartolomé Island, Seymour Norte, San Cristóbal IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $361 Operator Bamba Travel From
15% Off- US$2,527
Snorkel Concha Perla, relax at Tortuga Bay, and watch wildlife at Charles Darwin Station for approx. $240 daily. Package includes hotels and guided excursions. Bike rentals and hiking trails offer additional adventures.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $242 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- US$1,935
Charles Darwin Station tours, Kicker Rock snorkeling, and Sierra Negra Volcano hiking cost approx. $280 daily. Package includes island hotels, daily breakfast, and wildlife encounters.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Villamil, San Cristóbal Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $281 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $2,300
2% Off- US$2,250You save $50
Puerto Ayora welcomes you at approx. $270 daily with guided Charles Darwin Station tours and La Lobería snorkeling. Santa Cruz highlands offer tortoise viewing, while Puerto Ayora's hidden coves await exploration.
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $268 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
2% Off- US$1,610
The Galapagos reveals its wonders at approx. $350 daily, with stays in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and Puerto Ayora. Highlights include Kicker Rock snorkeling, Charles Darwin Station, and Santa Cruz Highlands, plus guided tours and most meals.
Duration 5 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $308 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,590
3% Off- US$1,540You save $50
Naturalist guides lead adventures to Kicker Rock and Española Island at approx. $310 daily. Comfortable 2.5-star lodging, most meals, and transfers included, plus unforgettable wildlife encounters at Gardner Bay.
Duration 5 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Leon Dormido, Española Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $338 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
3% Off- US$1,690
Galapagos Island Hopper (Intra Tour Air Ecuador And Galapagos Hopper)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
This 6-day island-hopping adventure costs around $2,000 (approx. $330/day) and takes you across Isabela, Santa Cruz, and San Cristobal Islands with all ferry transfers included. You'll stay in budget-friendly accommodations while enjoying 5 breakfasts and 2 dinners throughout the trip.
No departure dates availableDuration 6 days Destinations Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki
What people love about Budget Tours in Galapagos Islands
- 7 Days Galapagos Express Adventure
Accommodations were good & in close proximity to restaurants & shops. Excursions were all great & the guides were wonderful. It was an awesome experience overall. Thank you!
- Galapagos Ultimate 6 Days Tour
Travel today apparently is impossible without a smart phone. Even though I just happened to have mine with me, the transfer fee was the best $70.00 I've spent in my life. Joshua Santa Maria knew how to to all that stuff--take a screenshot of my passport photo, forward it to the authorities to get a temporary visa and the declaration, etc. This was needed at several stops along the way. The people on San Crostobal apparently alerted the people on Santa Cruz that I had a hearing problem so my host made it a point to talk loud the whole time. Edison was a great guide for the diving. Beside the care from the people involved the experience itself was all I bargained for.
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to Galapagos Islands
When is the most affordable time to visit Galapagos Islands?
Plan your visit between June and November to find the best deals on accommodations and tours. The cooler low season brings smaller crowds to key sites like Sierra Negra Volcano and Charles Darwin Research Station. Temperatures hover around 70°F (21°C) making it comfortable for hiking and wildlife viewing. A TourRadar traveler visiting in July shared: "We had great weather and smaller groups during our visit."
What essential entrance fees should I budget for in Galapagos?
Set aside USD 220 for required entrance fees: USD 100 for the National Park entry and USD 20 for the Transit Control Card. You'll need extra for the USD 10 Isabela Island fee and USD 5 Baltra airport shuttles each way. Keep small bills handy as noted by a TourRadar traveler: "Make sure you have dollar coins available for small boat fees that are not previously mentioned until already in the taxi boat."
What are the best budget-friendly areas to stay in Galapagos Islands?
Look for accommodations in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. These town centers offer reasonable lodging like Posada Del Mar Hotel plus local restaurants at better prices than remote locations. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "Santa Cruz Island has the most going on for tourists and a more vibrant town."
How much should I budget for optional activities in Galapagos?
Optional activities range from USD 30-100 per excursion. Popular choices include snorkeling at Kicker Rock for USD 50-70 kayaking at Tortuga Bay for USD 30-40 and touring Las Tintoreras on Isabela Island for USD 60-80. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The Kicker Rock snorkeling is amazing do not miss that one. The 360 tour was awesome as well."
What's included in budget tour transportation?
Budget tours cover inter-island speedboat transfers between Santa Cruz Isabela and San Cristobal plus airport pickups and attraction transport. Budget extra for water taxis (USD 1-2) and Baltra airport buses (USD 5). A TourRadar traveler notes: "We have to use public transportation private transportation ferry and yacht for full-day tours."
What meals are typically included in budget Galapagos tours?
Expect daily breakfast and lunch during excursions with dinners at your own expense. Tours provide box lunches for full-day trips to spots like Tortuga Bay or Kicker Rock. A TourRadar traveler suggests: "The tour includes most meals but we enjoyed exploring local restaurants in Puerto Ayora for dinner especially at the QUIOSKOS street for fresh seafood."