Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Galapagos Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Galapagos Islands or Ensenada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Galapagos Islands or Ensenada, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Galapagos Islands or Ensenada?
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Galapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador PricesEnsenada Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGalapagos Islands $160Ensenada $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Galapagos Islands is $160, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $115. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Galapagos Islands and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGalapagos Islands $65Ensenada $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGalapagos Islands $130Ensenada $84
Compare Hotels in Galapagos Islands and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Galapagos Islands or Ensenada? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Galapagos Islands $54Ensenada $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $123
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $123
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Galapagos Islands or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Galapagos Islands change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayGalapagos Islands $55Ensenada $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.
- Mexican Cooking Class at Hacienda Eco-Domes | Valle de Guadalupe: $84
- Tacos and Margaritas Food Tour in Ensenada Mexico: $85
- Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe : $89
- Surprises, Delights and Joys Ensenada Wine, Mezcal, and Food Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Galapagos Islands $35Ensenada $9.79
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour: $39
- Santa Cruz Bay Tour: Half-Day Tour with 5 Sights: $48
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $62
- Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak : $64
- Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
- Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Half-Day Hiking Tour to Sulfur Fumaroles on Isabela Island: $95
- Trekking experience at Sierra Negra Volcano: $100
- The Galapagos Giant Tortoise Experience + Los Gemelos | Shared: $105
- Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling : $108
- Santa Cruz Highland Tour: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnel & Gemelos: $158
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Explore Ensenada with Private Car and Walking Tour: $65
- 10 Hour Private Tour in ensenada, bufadora or valle de guadalupe: $290
- ATV Mountain Tour: $70
- ATV Off Road Adventure Shore Excursion Optional Taco Stop: $119
- ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
- ATV'S on the Mountain with Ocean View Private Tour: $110
- Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
- Canopy Ziplines Tour in Las Cañadas Private Tour: $89
- Couple Tour: $116
- Ensenada City Tour on Ford T Replica and Beach Horse Back Riding : $120
- Ensenada Pvt City Tour w Tacos, Culture, Sites +Massage add ons : $119
- Ensenada Shore Excursion: Blowhole and La Bufadora Tour with Horseback Riding: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGalapagos Islands $15Ensenada $9.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $27
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour : $109
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Experience: Wine Tastings Included: $112
- Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $145
- Pvt Wine Tastings + Cheese Store + Massage Shore Excursion: $149
- Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galapagos Islands and Ensenada, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Galapagos Islands is in South America and Ensenada is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ensenada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ensenada and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands than you might in Ensenada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Galapagos Islands Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.