Galápagos on a Budget: Island-Hopping Without a Cruise

Cruises can cost thousands, but the inhabited islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela) are easy to explore on your own, with simple hotels, set lunches and public speedboats.

The fixed costs

National Park entry fee: $200 for foreign adults ($100 for under-12s, and $100 for citizens of Andean Community or Mercosur countries), paid in cash on arrival.
Transit Control Card (TCT): $20, bought at Quito or Guayaquil airport before you fly.
Isabela arrival fee: $10 for foreigners at the Puerto Villamil dock.
Inter-island speedboats: since 11 August 2026, tourists pay $50 per leg on the regular service and $65 on the faster special service, with half price for under-12s, students and over-65s. Add about $1 for the water taxi at each end ($1.50 on Isabela).
Flights: about $350–$450 return from Quito or Guayaquil.

A sample 5-day budget

Budget travellers report about $1,050–$1,200 per person, including flights, fees, two speedboats, basic hotels, set-lunch meals and one snorkel tour such as Los Túneles on Isabela. A more comfortable version, with extra day tours like Bartolomé, runs about $1,800–$2,000. Not counting flights, plan on roughly $60–$100 a day on the islands, plus tours.

Free and cheap wonders

Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz (a walk from Puerto Ayora), the sea lions at Playa Mann and La Lobería on San Cristóbal, the flamingo lagoons and Wall of Tears on Isabela, and snorkelling at Concha de Perla. Rent a bike or snorkel gear for a few dollars a day.

Tips

Bring cash: card readers fail. Book speedboats a day ahead in high season. Respect the park’s 2-metre wildlife distance rule, and never feed or touch animals. Choose locally owned guesthouses, so your money stays on the islands.

Sources

Prices and requirements checked in October 2026 and subject to change. Always confirm with the official source.