Explore the Galápagos Islands

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Planning guide

At a glance

Best time: any time. December to May is warmer with calmer seas; June to November is cooler, with more marine life
How long: 7 to 10 days, including a night in Quito or Guayaquil
Fitness: easy to moderate. Snorkelling and short hikes on rough lava

Cruise or island hopping?

Cruise (4 to 8 days): reaches remote islands and the best wildlife sites. Every boat follows a park-approved itinerary with a certified naturalist guide.
Island hopping: stay on Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela and take day trips. Cheaper and more flexible, but some sites are only reachable by cruise.

Entry fees and rules

Foreign adults pay a Galápagos National Park entrance fee of US$200 in cash on arrival (US$100 for children under 12). Before your flight you also need a Transit Control Card (US$20), bought at the Quito or Guayaquil airport, plus an online biosafety declaration. Your luggage is inspected for plants and food. Keep the receipts, since you'll need them to leave.

Rough costs per person (excluding flights to Ecuador)

$ to $$: island hopping with budget hotels and day tours: about US$150 to $250 a day
$$$: mid-range cruise or good hotels: about US$400 to $700 a day
$$$$ to $$$$$: luxury yachts: US$800 to $1,500+ a day

The return flight from mainland Ecuador to the islands usually costs US$300 to $500 extra.

Good to know

Stay at least 2 metres from wildlife, and never touch or feed animals.
A shorty wetsuit makes snorkelling far more comfortable from June to November.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and bring motion-sickness tablets for inter-island boats.

Sources

Researched 16 October 2026. Prices are rough estimates and fees change, so check official sources before you book. This guide is not medical, legal or visa advice.

Book through a partner

Partner booking links are coming soon. We don’t sell or organise trips ourselves.