Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
Explore a wide diversity of christmas & new year tours through Galapagos Islands. We have 239 adventures that vary from 1 days to 24 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best christmas & new year Galapagos Islands tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- Galapagos Affordable 8 Days Tour
- Galapagos Essentials
- 6-Day Galapagos Islands plus Bike, Kayak, Hike, Snorkel
- Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
- 7 Day Galapagos Express Adventure: Santa Cruz Island Escape
- 5 Days Galapagos Expedition Tour
- Galapagos Adventure (6 days)
- 9 Days Galapagos Active Escape
- 8-Day Highlights of Quito and the Galapagos Islands + Air Ticket (Private Tour Group)
- Galapagos an enchanted Archipielago (8 days)
Galapagos Affordable 8 Days Tour
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was extremely well-curated and I saw everything I wanted to see and more. Your customer service is the best!!!”
Sandra, traveled in February
Penguins welcome snorkelers at Tintoreras Islet for Christmas, while Bartolomé Island's marine iguanas create New Year memories. Puerto Ayora's local restaurants serve festive meals throughout the season.
Duration 8 days Destinations Guayaquil, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Bartolomé Island Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
- US$2,549
Galapagos Essentials
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We broke the seal on the lock down culture surrounding Covid, and were the first folks back on the trail in a year!”
Kerry, traveled in March
Nature's paradise reveals giant tortoises in Santa Cruz highlands and vibrant marine life at Academy Bay. This Galapagos escape features special seasonal experiences across 4 iconic island locations.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Adventure Journeys From
- US$1,570
Holiday adventures await with kayaking at Tintoreras Islet and hiking at Sierra Negra Volcano. Christmas activities showcase wildlife at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and special visits to the Charles Darwin Station.
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Puerto Villamil, Las Tintoreras Islet Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Nature Galapagos & Ecuador From
- US$1,618
Jewels of Ecuador: Galapagos and Amazon
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“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 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $3,762
8% Off- US$3,461You save $301
7 Day Galapagos Express Adventure: Santa Cruz Island Escape
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodations were good & in close proximity to restaurants & shops. Excursions were all great.”
Lori, traveled in March
Puerto Ayora buzzes with holiday spirit while wildlife thrives at Las Grietas and Tortuga Bay. Christmas brings special encounters with sea lions at La Lobería and blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
8% Off- US$1,405
5 Days Galapagos Expedition Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodation in Postale de Mar an La Jungla was excellent with nothing too much trouble for the great hosts.”
RICHARD, traveled in June
Swim through Los Tuneles' lava formations with white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, and Galapagos penguins in clear turquoise waters. Hike Sierra Negra Volcano's 10-kilometer crater rim for views across Fernandina and northern Isabela. Meet giant tortoises at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and snorkel Las Tintoreras where marine iguanas and Humboldt penguins gather.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
8% Off- US$1,431
Galapagos Adventure (6 days)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hotel was great for the price you paid - the team there are helpful & there are lots of other travellers so it's quite sociable.”
Rebecca, traveled in January
Seymour Norte hosts Christmas celebrations while Sierra Negra Volcano welcomes the New Year. Las Tintoreras offers festive snorkeling, and Tortuga Bay showcases seasonal wildlife. Galapagos Dreams Hotel provides holiday festivities.
Duration 6 days Destinations Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Seymour Norte Age Range Operator Cami Adventures From
8% Off- US$1,993
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
8% Off- US$5,620
8-Day Highlights of Quito and the Galapagos Islands + Air Ticket (Private Tour Group)
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Galapagos was incredible, so much to see and do. Loved all the wild life. Puerta Ayora and Puerta Villamil were wonderful to explore.”
Lucia, traveled in November
Immerse yourself in Galapagos wildlife during the holidays at Charles Darwin Station and El Chato Reserve. Relax during festive evenings at Puerto Villamil's beach after snorkeling with sea lions at Las Tintoreras and conquering Sierra Negra Volcano.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island, Puerto Villamil, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Fé Island Age Range Ages 25-50 Operated in English, Spanish Operator Cami Adventures From
8% Off- US$2,839
Galapagos an enchanted Archipielago (8 days)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everyone and everything was amazing.”
Lisa, traveled in January
Sea turtles glide through Las Tintoreras as visitors snorkel during holidays. Sierra Negra Volcano offers hiking adventures while Poza de Flamingos showcases festive wildlife. Giant tortoises greet visitors at Arnaldo Tupiza breeding center.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Seymour Norte Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Cami Adventures From
8% Off- US$1,731
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Galapagos Islands
Good tours, good hotels, good transport and good communication. I was the only the only guest on a 7-day tour in February but tour dates were coincident with Ecuadorian national holiday aka "Carnival" so I had a good time partying with the locals.
Galapagos Affordable 8 Days Tour
The trip to the Galapagos was eye-opening and exciting, being so close to the wild life animals on land and under the water. All the tour guides are nice and helpful, in particular Rafael Arevalo from Quito who is informative and shared the interesting things about the daily life of the people living in the city. Rafael is also knowledgeable
Galapagos Essentials
- 7 Day Galapagos Express Adventure: Santa Cruz Island Escape
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!
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
How far in advance should I book a Christmas & New Year tour to the Galapagos?
Book Galapagos festive season tours 8-12 months ahead to secure preferred accommodations and activities. Places like the Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel and Isamar Hotel fill up early as do tours to Sierra Negra Volcano and Kicker Rock. Recent travelers who waited until 6 months before departure found limited options. A TourRadar traveler shared "We booked our Christmas tour 10 months ahead and were glad we did as many other travelers we met had trouble finding availability just 6 months before."
What makes Christmas & New Year in the Galapagos Islands special?
The Galapagos combines holiday festivities with natural wonders during the festive season. Hotel Solymar guests enjoy Christmas dinner while sea lions and marine iguanas roam nearby shores. December's 79°F temperatures create ideal conditions for snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Tortuga Bay where tropical fish sea turtles and rayseler noted "The Christmas dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean while watching the sunset was absolutely magical and the wildlife encounters made it an unforgettable holiday experience."
What wildlife can I expect to see during a Christmas & New Year tour?
The festive season presents prime wildlife viewing. Giant tortoise hatchlings emerge at the Charles Darwin Research Station while green sea turtles begin nesting at Tortuga Bay. Waved Albatross colonies remain active on Española Island before their seasonal departure. One traveler reported "We saw everything from baby sea lions playing on Christmas Day at La Loberia to blue-footed boobies performing their mating dance on New Year's Eve - it was like nature's own holiday celebration."
What are the accommodation options during Christmas & New Year?
Hotels across the islands offer special holiday programs. Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel provides festive packages with seasonal decorations while Isamar Hotel hosts beachfront celebrations. Most properties arrange Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners. According to a guest "We stayed at the Red Mangrove Hotel in Puerto Ayora which was beautifully decorated for Christmas and offered amazing holiday feasts with local specialties."
Are there any local Christmas & New Year traditions in the Galapagos?
Puerto Ayora's main square comes alive with Ecuadorian holiday customs blended with island traditions. Local music and dance fill the streets while venues like Red Mangrove serve Christmas Eve dinners featuring fresh seafood and traditional dishes. A recent visitor observed "Spending New Year's Eve in Puerto Ayora was incredible - the whole town comes alive with music dancing and local traditions we'd never experienced before."
What's the best way to travel between islands during Christmas & New Year?
Speedboats connect major islands like Santa Cruz Isabela and San Cristóbal. Morning departures offer calmer conditions compared to afternoon crossings. The Santa Cruz to Isabela route takes about 2.5 hours. A traveler suggests "We took early morning boat transfers during our Christmas tour which were smoother and offered beautiful sunrise views of the islands."
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