{"id":1306210,"date":"2026-10-12T08:37:49","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306210"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:00:27","slug":"galapagos-islands","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/ecuador\/galapagos-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Gal\u00e1pagos Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306049,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hu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guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Gal\u00e1pagos Islands","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Volcanic islands 1,000 km off the coast, where sea lions sleep on benches, giant tortoises graze in the highlands and nothing is afraid of you. Expensive, but you can do it from land on a budget.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1307729","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan your days | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"5\u20137 | Days to do it properly","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Wildlife without fear","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"The Gal\u00e1pagos are a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific, around 1,000 km west of mainland Ecuador. Their isolation produced species found nowhere else, from marine iguanas and giant tortoises to flightless cormorants, and inspired Charles Darwin's thinking on evolution after his visit in 1835. Almost all of the archipelago is a national park and marine reserve, and the wildlife has no fear of people.\r\n\r\nThere are two ways to visit. Cruises reach the remote islands but cost thousands. The budget way is land-based: stay in hostels on the inhabited islands of Santa Cruz, San Crist\u00f3bal and Isabela, travel between them by ferry, and take day trips by boat. You will see sea lions, iguanas, tortoises, rays, sea turtles and sharks, often without paying for a tour at all.\r\n\r\nGive the islands at least five days, ideally a week or more, split between two or three islands. Budget carefully: flights, the US$200 national park fee (around \u20ac170) and boat tours add up quickly, even if you sleep in dorms.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish\r\nCurrency | US dollar. Bring cash\r\nPark fee | US$200, about \u20ac170, cash on arrival\r\nTransit Control Card | US$20, online or at the airport\r\nGetting around | Ferries between islands, taxis on land\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Not drinkable. Refill with purified water\r\nTipping | Tip guides and boat crews\r\nHow long to stay | Five days to a week or more\r\nBest months | Any. December to May for calmer seas","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Santa Cruz is the hub, with the most hostels and tours. San Crist\u00f3bal has the best free wildlife in town, and Isabela is the quietest and wildest.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"8","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz | Hub, most hostels and tours | The biggest town, with the most hostels, restaurants and day trips. Central for ferries. | -0.7430 | -90.3140 |  | \nPuerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Crist\u00f3bal | Sea lions, free wildlife | A relaxed port town where sea lions sleep on the beaches. Has its own airport. | -0.9020 | -89.6110 |  | \nPuerto Villamil, Isabela | Quiet, wild, beaches | A sandy village on the biggest island, with flamingos, volcano hikes and Los T\u00faneles. | -0.9570 | -90.9660 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Two or three islands, ferries in between, and the sea every day.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_do_body":"On Santa Cruz, walk to Tortuga Bay, a long white beach with marine iguanas and a calm lagoon for swimming, and swim in Las Grietas, a clear pool in a crack in the lava. The Charles Darwin Research Station has a tortoise breeding programme, and in the highlands you can walk among wild giant tortoises at the El Chato reserve and through lava tunnels.\r\n\r\nOn San Crist\u00f3bal, sea lions take over the town's beaches and benches. Snorkel with them at La Lober\u00eda and Playa Mann, visit the Interpretation Centre, and take a boat to Kicker Rock (Le\u00f3n Dormido) to snorkel or dive with sharks, rays and turtles. On Isabela, the biggest island, hike to the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano, snorkel at Concha de Perla and take the Los T\u00faneles tour to see lava arches, sea turtles and blue-footed boobies.\r\n\r\nDay trips by boat from Santa Cruz go to islands such as North Seymour, with frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies, and Bartolom\u00e9, with the archipelago's most famous view. They sell out, so book a few days ahead.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Tortuga Bay | Marine iguanas and a calm lagoon\r\nKicker Rock | Snorkel with sharks and turtles\r\nLos T\u00faneles | Lava arches and blue-footed boobies\r\nGiant tortoises | Wild in the Santa Cruz highlands","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Much of the best wildlife is free. Tortuga Bay and Las Grietas on Santa Cruz, La Lober\u00eda, Playa Mann and the Interpretation Centre on San Crist\u00f3bal, and the flamingo lagoons and the tortoise centre on Isabela can all be reached on foot or by a cheap taxi.\r\n\r\nThe Charles Darwin Research Station is free to walk around. Watching the fish market in Puerto Ayora, where sea lions and pelicans wait for scraps, is one of the best free shows on the islands.\r\n\r\nBring or rent a snorkel: the snorkelling from the shore is excellent.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Tortuga Bay | A walk from Puerto Ayora\r\nLa Lober\u00eda | Sea lions on San Crist\u00f3bal\r\nFish market | Sea lions and pelicans in Puerto Ayora\r\nShore snorkelling | Bring or rent a mask","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Seafood is the obvious choice: grilled fish, ceviche and lobster in season. In Puerto Ayora, the Calle de los Kioskos (Charles Binford street) fills with outdoor stalls in the evening, the best value dinner on the islands.\r\n\r\nEverything else is shipped from the mainland, so supermarket prices are higher than in Quito. Almuerzos in local restaurants away from the seafront are the cheapest lunch.\r\n\r\nMany hostels have kitchens, which helps the budget a lot.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Los Kioskos | Outdoor seafood stalls in Puerto Ayora\r\nCeviche | Fresh and everywhere\r\nAlmuerzos | Away from the seafront\r\nKitchens | Cook to save money","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Nights are quiet. Puerto Ayora has the most bars, along the seafront, with a few places for dancing at weekends. San Crist\u00f3bal's Puerto Baquerizo Moreno has a small bar scene on the malec\u00f3n.\r\n\r\nMost people are up early for boats and snorkelling, so evenings are about dinner and a drink while the sea lions sleep on the pier.\r\n\r\nIsabela is the quietest of all.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Puerto Ayora | Seafront bars\r\nSan Crist\u00f3bal | A few bars on the malec\u00f3n\r\nIsabela | Very quiet\r\nEarly mornings | Boats leave early","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Flights from Quito and Guayaquil land at Baltra, next to Santa Cruz, or at San Crist\u00f3bal. Before you fly, you need the Transit Control Card (US$20), which can be bought online or at the airport, and your bags are checked for biosecurity. The US$200 national park fee is paid in cash on arrival.\r\n\r\nFrom Baltra, a bus, a short ferry across the Itabaca channel and a bus or taxi take you to Puerto Ayora, around an hour in all. Public speedboats link Santa Cruz with San Crist\u00f3bal and Isabela, around two hours each way, and the crossings can be rough.\r\n\r\nOn the islands, taxis are usually white pick-up trucks and cheap. Bikes can be rented on Isabela and San Crist\u00f3bal.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"Flights | From Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra or San Crist\u00f3bal\r\nTransit Control Card | US$20, online or at the airport\r\nFerries | About 2 hours between islands. Can be rough\r\nTaxis | White pick-up trucks","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What the Gal\u00e1pagos cost","hw_hub_city_money_body":"The Gal\u00e1pagos are the most expensive part of Ecuador. Flights from the mainland are the biggest cost, and on arrival you pay the US$200 park fee (around \u20ac170) and the US$20 Transit Control Card. Isabela adds a small dock fee.\r\n\r\nDorm beds cost more than on the mainland, around \u20ac18 to \u20ac30. Day boat tours are the main extra, often \u20ac100 or more each, so choose one or two and fill the rest of your days with free beaches and shore snorkelling.\r\n\r\nBring US dollars in cash: card machines and ATMs are less reliable than on the mainland, and the park fee is cash only.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Park fee | US$200, around \u20ac170, cash\r\nDorm bed | Around \u20ac18\u201330\r\nBoat tours | Often \u20ac100 or more each\r\nCash | Bring plenty of US dollars","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"The Gal\u00e1pagos are very safe. The islands have been far less affected than the mainland coast by Ecuador's security problems.\r\n\r\nFollow the park rules: stay at least two metres from animals, never touch or feed them, and stay on marked trails. Many sites can only be visited with a licensed guide.\r\n\r\nThe sun is fierce on the equator, and the sea can have currents, so use reef-safe sun cream and snorkel with others. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nWildlife | Two metres away. Never touch\r\nSun | Fierce on the equator\r\nCurrents | Snorkel with others","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth a day on the water for","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Uninhabited islands you can only reach by boat.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Kicker Rock | Full day | Boat tour from San Crist\u00f3bal | Snorkel or dive with sharks, rays and turtles around a split rock. |  | 1306355\nBartolom\u00e9 | Full day | Boat tour from Santa Cruz | The famous Pinnacle Rock view and snorkelling with penguins. |  | 1306359","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips in the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"There is no bad time. December to May is the warm season, with calmer seas and clearer water. June to November is cooler, with mist, rougher seas and more marine life thanks to the cold currents.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. Water is coolest from July to October.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 29 | 4 | Warm season. Calmer seas\r\nFebruary | 30 | 3 | Warm, some rain\r\nMarch | 30 | 3 | Warmest, calm water\r\nApril | 29 | 3 | Warm\r\nMay | 28 | 3 | Transition\r\nJune | 27 | 4 | Cool season begins\r\nJuly | 25 | 5 | Cool, busy, rich marine life\r\nAugust | 24 | 5 | Coolest. Rough seas\r\nSeptember | 24 | 3 | Cool, quieter\r\nOctober | 25 | 3 | Cool, quieter\r\nNovember | 26 | 3 | Transition\r\nDecember | 27 | 5 | Holidays, busy","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Wildlife seasons rather than festivals.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Barcelona","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/europe\/spain\/barcelona\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Warm season | December to May | All islands | Calmer seas, warmer water and green land iguana and tortoise nesting. |  | \nCool season | June to November | All islands | Cold, rich currents bring more marine life, with blue-footed booby courtship. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on island prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Flights, the park fee and boat tours are extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 20 | 15 | 5 | 15\r\nMiddle of the road | 35 | 28 | 10 | 60\r\nComfortable | 70 | 45 | 20 | 120","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in the Gal\u00e1pagos, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in the Gal\u00e1pagos","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/galapagos-islands\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Gal\u00e1pagos questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"Can you do the Gal\u00e1pagos on a budget? | Yes, from land. Stay in hostels on Santa Cruz, San Crist\u00f3bal and Isabela, take ferries between them, and mix a few boat tours with free beaches and shore snorkelling.\r\nHow much is the Gal\u00e1pagos park fee? | US$200 (around \u20ac170) for foreign adults, paid in cash on arrival, plus the US$20 Transit Control Card.\r\nHow many days do you need in the Gal\u00e1pagos? | At least five, ideally a week or more, split between two or three islands.\r\nHow do I get to the Gal\u00e1pagos? | Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, next to Santa Cruz, or to San Crist\u00f3bal. Many flights from Quito stop in Guayaquil on the way.\r\nWhich island should I stay on? | Santa Cruz for the most tours and hostels, San Crist\u00f3bal for sea lions and Kicker Rock, Isabela for quiet and wild landscapes. Most people combine two or three.\r\nCruise or land-based? | Cruises reach remote islands but cost thousands. Land-based trips are much cheaper and still show you most of the famous wildlife.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | Any time. December to May has calmer, warmer water. June to November is cooler, with more marine life.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels in the Gal\u00e1pagos: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in the Gal\u00e1pagos | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/ecuador\/galapagos-islands\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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