The right trip for your budget – Galapagos Islands

Without a doubt, the Galapagos Islands are not a cheap travel destination when all costs are considered. Between the costs of airfare, touring, and extras the dollars can soon add up. So what are the most important considerations when finding the right trip for your budget in the Galapagos Islands ? Read on to find out …

What trips are available for different budgets at the Galapagos Islands?

Galapagos cruises are the most popular way to see the islands, but also the most expensive. To make budget planning easier, Happy Gringo divide cruise yachts into four different categories (Standard, Comfortable, Luxury & Super Deluxe), so you can browse yachts in the category that closest matches your budget.

A cheaper and increasingly popular alternative is Galapagos Land Tours, where you can even custom-make your itinerary with Happy Gringo, and select your choice of hotels and activities. This is a great budget-friendly option.

What other travel expenses should I take into account when visiting Galapagos?

Firstly, you need to travel out to the Galapagos Islands. Return flights usually cost between $450 and $550 dollars, with fares going up and down depending on dates of travel, where you fly from, and the airline.

Another unavoidable expense, are the Galapagos fees that all visitors must pay, the $100 national park fee, and $20 transit card. Finally, there are the extras such as bar tabs, souvenirs, tips, and possibly equipment rentals (snorkeling, wetsuits etc) that may not be included in the tour price.

What about Single Supplements when visiting the Galapagos Islands?

The good news is that aboard cruises single travelers do not have to pay any supplement, as long as you are willing to share your cabin with another traveler.

A few Galapagos yachts, like the Mary Anne, have a single cabin with no extra charge. But you will need to reserve well ahead of time with our staff as there are only a few boats that offer this accommodation.

Can I save $$$ by booking a “Last Minute” Galapagos cruise?

Last minute Galapagos deals do often offer significant savings, so it can adjust to the right budget for your trip to Galapagos, especially if you wait until just one or two weeks before travel.

But it can also be risky to wait so late to lock down your cruise, as there are limited spaces available on the yachts. Last minute spaces are those that have not yet been sold, so they may not be on your preferred yacht or itinerary route.

I have seen some super cheap tours on the internet, are these something for me?

As with all services, there is always a balance to strike between price and quality. If something seems too good to be true, then it is usually is! We strongly recommend booking through a reputable agent, so you know that your money is in safe hands. At Happy Gringo we choose our Galapagos partners with the utmost care, to be sure that quality is high, and we never scrimp on the details.

For more information about how we can help you plan a Galapagos trip where moments create memories that last long after the bags are unpacked and the trip is over, contact a member of our team.