Is Galapagos Islands Expensive?

Is Galapagos Islands expensive to visit?

Galapagos Islands is a very affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $30210. Compared to the rest of South America, it is a very affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability, comparable to places like other cities in the country.

How expensive is Galapagos Islands?

For a trip to Galapagos Islands, travelers spend on average $30210 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Galapagos Islands here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Galapagos Islands?

On average, a weekend trip to Galapagos Islands costs about $90,629 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $181,257.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Galapagos Islands?

A one week trip to Galapagos Islands costs about $211,467 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $422,933.

Is it expensive to backpack in Galapagos Islands?

Galapagos Islands has a very limited selection of hostels and budget accommodation, so it's not the first place that comes to mind for backpackers looking for social and cheap accommodations. This makes it hard at times to travel here as a backpacker, so you'll have to be resourceful to travel on a tight budget here. Low-cost hotels are always an option, as are guesthouses or couch surfing options. The difficulties in finding budget accommodation are especially tough for solo travelers who might need to pay for the full price of a hotel room on their own. Otherwise, you can save money here by finding free activities, eating at low-cost restaurants or cooking your own food, and using public transportation when available.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Galapagos Islands?

In Galapagos Islands, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $7,364 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $21.

  • Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist : $179
  • Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling : $108
  • Half Day Tour in Sierra Negra Volcano & Lava Fields: $78
  • Santa Cruz Highland Tour: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnel & Gemelos: $158
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Sierra Negra Volcano's Sulfur fumaroles: $200
  • The Galapagos Giant Tortoise Experience | Los Gemelos | Shared: $150
  • Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour: $35
  • Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90

Is food expensive in Galapagos Islands?

In Galapagos Islands, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $11,967 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $31.

Is transportation expensive in Galapagos Islands?

Local transportation in Galapagos Islands can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $3,526 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $10. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Galapagos Islands

If you're planning a trip to Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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