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
- Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
- Galapagos Scuba Dive - 5 Days
- 8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
- Darwin Yacht Budget Cruise 5 Days
- Enchanting Ecuador & Galapagos Expedition
- 6 Days: Exploring Santa Cruz (Budget-Friendly Solo Adventure)
- Galapagos Dive Discovery - 4 Days
- 6 Days Santa Cruz & Isabela: Volcano and Island Escape
- 8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping Tour (San Cristobal - Santa Cruz - Isabela)
- 5 Days Galapagos Island Hopping: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz
Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
“Wonderful Holidays UK tour of Ecuador including the Galapagos. Looked perfect. Everything was high quality: the guides, the equipment, the transportation, the rooms.”
Stephen, traveled in July
Duration 11 days Destinations Quito, Tena, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island, Guayaquil Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $343 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
- US$3,777
Diving adventures cost approx. $260 daily, with equipment and two-tank dives at Gordon Rocks and North Seymour. Accommodations, meals, and Baltra Island transfers included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Seymour Norte, Pinzón Island Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $278 Operator Cami Adventures From
- US$1,388
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 Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $237 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,935
2% Off- US$1,896You save $39
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Rabida Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $590 Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
2% Off- US$2,950
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Mindo Valley, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Playa El Manglecito, Guayaquil Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $759 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
2% Off- US$6,072
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 $263 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,610
2% Off- US$1,578You save $32
North Seymour's dive sites, Santa Cruz highlands, and Bahía Pinguino await for around $1,000 total. Package includes diving gear, snorkeling equipment, daily meals, and professional guides.
Duration 4 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Pinzón Island, Seymour Norte Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $264 Operator Cami Adventures From
2% Off- US$1,056
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Puerto Villamil Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $320 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,960
2% Off- US$1,921You save $39
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 Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Puerto Villamil, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Leon Dormido Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $284 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $2,315
2% Off- US$2,269You save $46
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 $349 Operator Responsible Travel South America From $1,780
2% Off- US$1,744You save $36
What people love about Budget Tours in Galapagos Islands
- Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
This was a grandpa-granddaughter (13) trip. To be an educational experience with challenging new activities. Through TourRadar we found this Wonderful Holidays UK tour of Ecuador including the Galapagos. Looked perfect. Whitewater rafting in the headwaters of the Amazon, Quito, Otavalo and other communities of the Andes, snorkeling at the Galapagos. Questions to Wonderful were quickly responded to with straightforward answers that convinced us. It was all it was advertised to be… and more. Penny, Barbara, Ronnie and all were at our fingertips while we were in Ecuador. Everything was high quality: the guides, the equipment, the transportation, the rooms. Couldn’t ask for more. Do we recommend? Absolutely yes.
- Galapagos Ultimate Adventure & Wildlife 6 Days
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."