Galapagos Islands

The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands sit far off Ecuador’s coast in the Pacific Ocean. These volcanic islands are home to wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Giant tortoises roam lush highlands while marine iguanas bask under bright sun. Blue-footed boobies perform unique mating dances along rocky shores. The waters around the archipelago teem with colorful fish and playful dolphins. Each island shows different landscapes from arid plains to misty forests. Visitors experience clear skies, gentle breezes and quiet trails that let them observe nature up close without crowds.

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Island in Ecuador

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, especially by guides and in hotels, but not all locals speak it fluently. Learning a few phrases in Spanish can be helpful, especially in smaller communities.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Galapagos Islands Summary

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World-class for wildlife encounters. Snorkel with marine animals, hike volcanic islands, watch unique species and explore protected natural landscapes.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Islands

Sea

Natural sites

Wildlife

Diving

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 9

Couples

Ecuador – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Ecuador, especially in urban areas. However, cash is still widely used, particularly in rural regions. Credit cards are accepted in larger establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Ecuador, though not mandatory. A 10% tip in restaurants is common, and small tips are also welcome for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Ecuador, and alcohol consumption is confined to licensed establishments like bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, including restaurants and public transport. Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor areas.

Independence Day (10 August)	National holiday celebrating Ecuador’s independence
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated with family gatherings, festive meals, and fireworks

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Ecuador is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the Galapagos Islands. It offers a mix of nature, culture, and adventure for travellers.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌬️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, July - Sep., Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - June, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Warm and wet season December to May suits snorkelling and swimming, cool and dry season June to November suits wildlife and diving with cold water

Wildlife varies by month: sea turtle nesting January to April, albatross at Española late March to December, blue-footed booby courtship May to July

Island cruises sell out months ahead for December to January and July to August; park fee and entry card required on arrival

Don't miss

🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos
🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
🦈 Dive at Kicker Rock to see hammerhead sharks
🌋 Hike volcanic landscapes and lava fields on Isabela Island

You've been here?

Why travel to Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are home to an unparalleled variety of wildlife, much of which can only be found here. The islands offer a perfect combination of natural beauty and adventure. Whether you’re hiking through volcanic landscapes, diving with sea lions or just observing giant tortoises, there’s something magical about this place. However, be prepared for the high cost of travel due to its remote location and limited infrastructure. A visit here is also a reminder of the importance of conservation, as the islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site with strict regulations in place to protect the environment.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Isla Santa Cruz
2 Isla Genovesa
3 Isla Floreana
4 Parque Nacional Galápagos
5 Charles Darwin Research Station
6 Isla Isabela
7 Bartolomé Island

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Tortuga Bay
2 Kicker Rock
3 Volcán Sierra Negra

🛍️Shopping

1 Amadita Mini Market

🎈Events

Galapagos Music Festival
Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen
Galapagos Sea Lion Festival
Carnival
Galapagos International Marathon

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Book guided tours only. Independent travel restricted in national park.
Pay $200 USD entry fee upon arrival and carry Transit Control Card always.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and binoculars for wildlife viewing.
Choose liveaboard cruises over island-hopping to access remote uninhabited islands.

How to travel to Galapagos Islands

You can reach the Galapagos Islands from Ecuador’s mainland by flying into either Baltra Island or San Cristobal Island. Flights from Guayaquil or Quito are frequent, but be sure to book in advance, as the islands are a popular destination. Ferries and boats connect the main islands.

Access summary

From Baltra/San Cristóbal airports: Shuttle and boat to towns, 30–60 minutes.
From Quito: Morning flights via/without Guayaquil, usually about 2–3 hours.
From Guayaquil: Direct flights to Galapagos typically around 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Galapagos Islands

Accommodation varies widely from basic hostels to luxury eco‑lodges. While most visitors stay on Santa Cruz Island, there are options across the islands, including beachfront hotels, private villas and budget‑friendly guesthouses. The eco‑lodges tend to have a more sustainable focus.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Santa Fe

9.3

Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge

9.4

Hotel Fiesta

8.3

Hostal Suenos Silvestres

9.7

Hotel Galapagos Suites B&B

8.6

Hotel La Laguna Galapagos

8.3

Isabela Hotel Loja

8.6

Galapagos Apartments - Bay View House

9.8

Hotel Albemarle Galapagos Beachfront

9.8

La Casa de Marita

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Galapagos Islands

Most of the Galapagos Islands are accessible by boat and the main islands have local transport via buses, taxis and even bicycles. For more remote areas, you’ll need to book boat tours or use private boats for island hopping.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-58 %

Daily expenses in Galapagos Islands are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£57	£137	£387
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£41	£105	£285
🍝 Food per day	£15	£29	£84
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£3	£18

Notable additional fees: Park entry US$200 (£150.23) per foreign adult, US$100 (£75.11) under 12, cash on arrival at Baltra or San Cristóbal. Plus the US$20 (£15.02) INGALA transit card, now bought online before you fly.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£12.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.25
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£12
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.55

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£26
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

The Galapagos Islands are generally very safe for tourists. However, as with any destination, it's important to stay aware of your belongings, especially in tourist areas. The natural wildlife is not dangerous, but it's important to respect local regulations to avoid disturbing animals.

Health & Medical

Medical services on the islands are limited. There are small clinics on the main islands, but for major medical issues, you’ll need to travel to mainland Ecuador. It's essential to have travel insurance and bring any necessary medication.

Accessibility

The Galapagos can be challenging for people with mobility issues due to uneven terrain and remote islands. Most tours are accessible to general visitors, but some activities, like hiking and snorkeling, may require physical ability.

Tap water

Tap water in the Galapagos is not potable and you should rely on bottled or filtered water. Bottled water is readily available throughout the islands and most accommodations provide clean drinking water.