I will share with you how to book a last-minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands based on my experience.
Here's a dirty little travel secret: you can show up at almost any popular tourist activity worldwide and save serious cash by taking advantage of last-minute deals to book your trip.
Whether hiring a Nepali guide and porter for a trek to Everest Base Camp or going on safari in Africa, rare will be the occasion you can't get started within a few days of arrival.
Before I dive into how you can visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, I'd like to offer a disclaimer.
Results will vary significantly due to variables, from the time of year to tourism trends and the degree of desperation boat owners demonstrate at any given time to fill remaining beds before a cruise departs.
Table of Contents
When to Go
Due to their proximity to the Equator, the weather on the Galapagos Islands remains relatively constant, making it a great year-round destination.
However, there are still a few factors to consider when deciding when to go.
Water Temperatures
While the air temperatures may remain relatively constant, there are hot and cold seasons based on ocean currents.
Warm Wet Season = Late December to June
Cold Dry Season = Late June to December
If you plan to go scuba diving or take advantage of snorkeling opportunities (as almost everyone does), the warm water season is the best time to book a cheap Galapagos cruise.
During the cold water season, you can still get in the water. However, you'll probably be more comfortable renting a wetsuit from your boat (or bringing your own).
Peak Tourism
The high season for tourism is June to August due to the summer holiday season in North America and Europe.
Expect cruise rates and, therefore, last-minute prices to be higher during this time, and you may need a little extra time to book your preferred boat.
Migratory Patterns
Some wildlife species are only present in and around the islands at certain times of the year due to their migrations.
If you have your heart set on seeing whales or a specific type of bird off the coast of Isabella Island, do your research in advance.
For example, the giant waved albatross is not typically seen from December to mid-March.
Where to Buy a Galapagos Island Tour
There are three main cities where travelers are best off shopping around for and booking their last-minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands.
Quito
The Mariscal neighborhood around Plaza Foch in Quito has a high density of hostels, hotels, restaurants, bars, and tour agencies.
You can easily walk out of your hostel and spend a few hours collecting quotes and special offers from tour agencies, searching for the best price to make an informed decision.
While booking from Quito may be the easiest option, it will not necessarily offer you the best deals.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
If you're serious about saving a few hundred dollars off the price of a cruise, you can arrange your flight(s) to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island (home to giant tortoises) and then shop around for very last-minute cruises.
The longer you can wait before a cruise departs, the more likely you will get a bargain basement price.
Don't sit on a quote you like too long because someone else can put down a deposit at any time, and you'll either have to wait longer or go with an otherwise second or third choice.
For example, one Australian couple I know flew to Puerto Ayora and booked their 8-day cruise there. They learned everyone had paid a different rate on their boat, from $800 to $1,200.
Unfortunately, I don't know which boat class they used; however, based on the price, it was either Economy/Tourist Class or, more likely, a 1st Class motor yacht.
Puerto Ayora is a tiny town and not particularly picturesque; however, you can make many inexpensive day trips, such as visiting the Darwin Research Center or Tortuga Bay, to kill time before your cruise departs.
Be forewarned that these two popular spots may also appear on cruise itineraries.
There are several decent Internet cafes in town. Rooms can be had for $20/night, and if you avoid tourist restaurants and eat with the locals, you can get by on $5 per meal.
Guayaquil
Located on the coast, Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and is considered more dangerous than Quito.
There's no central tourist area to compare with Mariscal in Quito, so shopping at different agencies to compare last-minute Galapagos cruise deals isn't as easy.
While you may save $40 on your airfare to/from the islands by flying out of Guayaquil, it's the least attractive location to book your last-minute cruise, let alone kill time before flying there.
Length of Cruises
Most (non-diving) cruises are sold for five or eight days, and the last day of the cruise is short, so you're better off thinking of them as four- and 7-day cruises.
To go a step further, the first day is only a half-day, so choosing a 5-day cruise equates to 3 full days, while an 8-day cruise equates to 6 full days.
A cruise around the Galapagos Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most travelers, so I highly recommend the 8-day cruise to make the most of your visit.
The more walks you go on and the more snorkeling you do, the higher your chances of seeing all the fascinating wildlife.
Another option is to take the 5-day cruise and tack on some extra time, in the end, to explore independently or do some scuba diving through another company.
Types of Ships
The most significant variable in determining how much you pay for a last-minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands will be the class of boat you choose.
Finding out what others paid to their cruise operators is meaningless unless you also ask which boat they took.
In addition to the class of boat, which equates to the comfort level and quality of service, there are three main styles:
- Sailboat
- Motor yacht
- Catamaran
Sailboats are primarily for show and are often powered by their motors more than the wind.
Motor yachts are the most common boat. And modern catamarans offer increased stability for those who are prone to seasickness.
The best options for budget travelers are the Economy and 1st Class motor yachts.
Economy / Tourist Class - Least Expensive
The economy class boats offer the Galapagos experience for those with the least money to spend.
Comfort, quality of food, and itineraries are all sacrificed to some degree when you choose these budget cruises.
Slower boats, such as the old sailboats, will not have itineraries as varied as the faster boats. These boats carry 12-16 passengers.
1st Class - Most Popular
Within the category of 1st Class are a wide variety of small yachts.
Therefore, some websites and tour operators break them out into the lower, middle, and higher levels to further delineate the quality of service and justify the pricing.
From a marketing standpoint, this makes sense -- getting on a "1st Class" boat sounds much better to customers than an "Economy" one!
The good news is even the lower-level 1st Class yachts are sufficient (if not entirely enjoyable) in terms of comfort, food, and quality of service by the crew.
For example, I experienced both Eden and Estrella del Mar and can say that while each had its pros and cons, they both met my expectations, if not exceeded them.
Common features included:
- Nice interior design
- Comfortable cabins and bathrooms
- Good air-conditioning
- Great and varied food
- Friendly staff
These boats can carry a small group of 12-16 passengers.
Deluxe / Luxury Class
Check out the Galapagos luxury cruises if you can afford to splash out on your adventure at sea.
These yachts and catamarans offer the highest quality service and the best-educated naturalists (who will also speak the best English).
And if you're looking for a jacuzzi on deck, these are the small ships for you.
Cruise Ships
Larger ships like the National Geographic Endeavour II offer luxury and stability that smaller boats can't compete with.
Larger boats also mean more passengers, which may be the preference of some visitors to the Islands.
I recommend getting quotes for all boats available when shopping around.
Don't be scared away by rates you see published online. Remember, you've got the advantage of booking at the last minute, at potentially significant savings!
You may get a great, last-minute deal on a Deluxe catamaran for the price of a typical 1st Class boat.
Itineraries
When I was getting quotes for my last-minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands, I found the faster, more expensive yachts often have plans focused on only encircling Isabella Island.
Isabella is the largest island on the western side of the Galapagos archipelago.
The coldest water passes along Isabella's western coast, which means it's suitable for whale watching, and there's also the chance to see dolphins, in addition to much of the same wildlife you can see on the smaller islands.
However, even some smaller, 1st Class boats have fabulous itineraries.
My Experience
I initially chose Eden, for example, because it was one of the few boats to visit the small, northern island of Genovesa on an 8-day cruise.
It's a very out-of-the-way island home to the world's largest colony of red-footed boobies, among many other birds.
Unfortunately, that yacht had a mechanical problem the first day, and we missed out on Genovesa as it wasn't on our new boat's, Estrella del Mar's, itinerary.
As a result of that experience, we learned that it takes a minimum of eight days for the park services to approve changes to cruise itineraries.
If something goes wrong, there's little chance your boat will be able to make up for it on another day.
All itineraries will ensure you have plenty of fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. So, if you get dizzy looking at and comparing them all, don't worry too much about it.
The itinerary of any given boat is a more significant factor if you're dead set on seeing certain types of birds or wildlife, such as the whales, which are only around Isabella Island, and the red-footed boobies on Genovesa.
My Favorite Island
Of my 8-day itinerary, the best day was spent on Espanola Island, where we could snorkel with wild sea lions, see red and green "Christmas" marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos hawks, frigate birds, and the waved albatross.
Related Expenses
The boat cost may be the most significant single expense if you want to book a last-minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands; however, there are additional costs to budget. Luckily, these are all well-known and easy to account for.
Required
- $430 - Roundtrip Airfare to/from Islands (this is slightly less in the Low Tourist season or if you fly out of Guayaquil vs. Quito). I was informed you could try to book the airfare yourself and note you're an Ecuadorian to get about a 50% lower rate. However, if they call you out on this at the airport, you'll be required to pay the difference on the spot.
- $100 - Galapagos National Park entrance fee (paid on arrival at the airport)
- $10 - Airport fee (paid at the airport from which you depart the mainland)
Optional
- $100+ Tip for the guide and boat crew. The rule of thumb is to tip at least $10 per day, split between the guide and boat crew. At the end of your cruise, you'll receive two envelopes for divvying up the cash. Tip more if you had a great time!
- $30 - Wetsuit rental for a week. Necessary during the cold water season and a good idea any time if you're prone to sunburn. The boats carry a range of full and half-length sizes to rent.
- $30 - Snorkel rental for a week. On nicer boats, this fee is included in the overall cost of the cruise, so make sure you find out when you're getting quotes. Or bring your own.
- Bar Tab - On lower level 1st Class yachts, the beers were $2.50, and cocktails $4-$5.
- Souvenirs - You'll have a few souvenir shopping opportunities in towns like Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.
How to Pay
Ecuador is very much a cash-based economy, so unless you want to pay high fees to pay for your trip with a credit card, expect to make a few large withdrawals from the local ATMs. The good news is the official currency is the U.S. dollar.
I booked my trip through Sangay Tours, which was recommended to me by Uncornered Market, and I'm happy to recommend them as well.
When I booked, they charged a 10% fee for using credit cards and a 4% fee for using PayPal.
If you have a debit card that charges a lesser foreign transaction fee, such as 1%, it'll make sense to take money out via ATM and pay in cash.
Depending on your daily withdrawal limit, this may require multiple trips to the ATM and travel office, which is another reason to book your trip in Quito or Puerto Ayora.
There should be no fee for paying the airline ticket via credit or debit card.
Related: Packing List for the Galapagos Islands
Total Cost of My 8-Day Galapagos Cruise
As soon as I'd announced my pending cruise to the Galapagos Islands, I started getting questions about how much the trip cost me, both from those who were planning to go and those who'd been.
I confirmed my spot on the last-minute Galapagos cruise four days before it departed.
Itemized List of ALL My Expenses
- $1,550 - an 8-day cruise on a (lower level) 1st Class motor yacht. The first night was spent on Eden, with the remaining six on Estrella del Mar. The rate includes transport between the airport and boat on the Galapagos, snorkel equipment, 7-night onboard accommodation, and three meals daily. Paid in cash.
- $428.60 - Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Santa Cruz Island via TAME Airlines. Paid on a debit card.
- $10 - Quito airport departure / park-related fee. Paid in cash.
- $100 - Galapagos Park fee. Paid in cash.
- $30 - Wetsuit rental for the week. I paid in cash on the first day on the boat.
- $3 - Souvenir stone-carved sea turtle.
- $21 - Drinks and ice cream in a few towns we visited.
- $9 - Yacht bar tab (I was so tired from activities that I didn't drink much alcohol).
- $110 - Tips for guide and yacht staff, paid in cash.
My Total Cost = $2,261.60
This was the most I've ever paid for a single tour; however, it was a unique experience. I enjoyed learning about the Islands' history, geology, and wildlife.
I hope this information proves helpful when planning your last-minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands.
Erik Smith says
This is an amazingly practical post, Dave, Thanks. This should be the first resource anyone contemplating at trip to the Galapagos should read.
Dave says
Thanks Erick, I'm going to try write more of these practical posts going forward.
Jess Jones says
Brilliant! Thanks Dave! I am working on a few money saving tips for Galapagos right now. I'll be sure to share afterwards. This was DEFINITELY useful!
Dave says
Thanks Jess. I don't think I mentioned it, but a friend also said you can book your flights online as an Ecuadorian and save a few hundred dollars. That is unless they question you at the airport, at which point you need to pay the difference.
Apparently a couple on his cruise did this successfully. :)
Lenore Greiner says
You make me want to hop a plane immediately for Ecuador and book my own last minute Galapagos journey. I feel like I have everything I'd need to know in order to go. I like the 'book your flights online as an Ecuadorian' tip - it's so true! We Yanks gotta get more savvy about saving on airfares using this method, if you're in country, of course.
Dave says
Thanks Lenore. My flights were booked through the tour company I used, so I don't know if the online booking tip would've worked for me too :)
travel the world says
Excellent posting on traveling. It will help everybody to make their journey more delightful. Go ahead sweet dear.
Lenia Evangelinou says
Hi Dave,
I am Lenia and I am new to your blog. This is the first post I read and I find it very useful. You give valuable and precise information. I like the detailed cost presentation. It gives me a clear idea of the budget I need!
Dave says
Thanks for reading Lenia!
kenyatalii says
Hi Dave,
This a great post, that makes one want to take the trips immediately. I am a vivid reader of your various post on backpacking for the past few months and have always found the articles to be very informative on the various places you've visited. Seeing that I am also a blogger on backpacking in Kenya, makes me want to learn more from your many years of experience. Thanks.
Sue says
Dave, I've always wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands and your post was very helpful! I've always loved the water, but am susceptable to motion sickness. What's your advice to someone who gets motion sick, would I be miserable on this trip?
Dave says
Excellent, glad you found it helpful. My advice if you're worried about motion sickness is to pay more for the catamaran style yachts -- they're more stable, and the cabins are usually all above the main deck, unlike the 1st class yachts where most rooms are down in the hull so you've got no window or ability to get fresh air easily.
Also, take motion sickness pills after dinner each night -- they should knock you right out. Don't let motion sickness alone be a reason not to go if you've always wanted to. You won't be alone ;)
Maria of the Culture-ist says
I've been researching a trip to the Galapagos, but have had difficulty trying to figure out how to best coordinate a land stay with cruises in the amount of time I have. This post has been very helpful in helping me get a sense of how to organize the trip. Thanks!
Dave says
Thanks Maria. Several people on my cruise had plans to stay in the islands for 3-5 days on their own after our tour ended. That gives you the chance to benefit from the boat's ability to reach faraway islands, as well as take some time on your own to explore (or go diving) at a more relaxed pace. Or you could book a boat tour from the islands, and while you wait for the departure, do some exploring.
Nomadic Samuel says
These are great tips Dave. I've found in general that booking tours closer to the proximity of where they originate equals some savings so I'm not at all surprised Quito isn't the best bet. Anyhow, visiting the Galapagos Islands is a high priority and definitely on my bucket list. I had a chance to go in 2010 but passed on it - something I highly regret now :)
Cam says
Very comprehensive guide Dave!
We booked our trip from Quito and ended up on the Estrella Del Mar (the 16 passenger motor yacht in the first picture!).
After our cruise we spent 5 days on San Christobal, which was very nice. Chilled out atmosphere, cheap (but tasty) food and lots of day trips for snorkeling and diving. Ah, I miss the Galapagos!
Dave says
Thanks guys, glad you had a great trip!
Rahul says
A must read (Reference guide) for those who are planning a trip to Galapagos Islands...thanks for elucidating article....it will save significant bucks....
Dave says
Thanks Rahul, much appreciated!
Angela Brown says
Beautifull pics with a mind blowing guidance. Thanks Dave for sharing. I must say every one should read this post.
chris says
I envy you! I majored in Biology in College so the galapagos is really one of my dream destinations.thanks for this post.
Web Cottages says
You would never expect to be able to book a tour of the Galapagos Islands 'on the fly'! A great article with lots of interesting information. I don't think you've missed out on any details. Thanks for the tips! ---Amanda
John says
Amazing that you can get it so much cheaper. I've heard similar things about Antarctica tours.
How To Travel The World says
Wow… Hey Dave I found your blogs man….. I am the biggest fan of your blogs & these are great tips Dave. I’ve found in general that booking tours closer to the proximity of where they originate equals some savings so I’m not at all surprised Quito isn’t the best bet. Anyhow, visiting the Galapagos Islands is a high priority and definitely on my bucket list. I would also recommend all to follow the link here so that you can get the best benefits of the traveler’s tips and the outstanding featured places.
Taye says
Any recommendations for the 3 boats that go diving at Darwin & Wolf? They run about $5000/ week.
Dave says
Hi Taye, I'm not familiar with those boats or the diving options around the Galapagos.
Arianwen says
Hi Dave, thanks for this post. It's really helpful. I'm heading to S America in August for seven months and Angie Away suggested I check out your blog. I'll be back for more info before I set off, I'm sure!
Dave says
Sure thing. I've got a lot of posts on Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. I'm just about to get started with Argentina too :)
Jan's Travel and Tours says
Thanks for sharing some ideas. A trip to Galapagos is one of my dreams.
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
Thanks for breaking down the considerations for a Galapagos trip. Very helpful!
Kroviniu gabenimas says
Beautifull pics with a mind blowing guidance. Thanks Dave for sharing. I must say every one should read this post.
Steve says
I booked a last minute tour through Sangay Tours about 3 weeks in advance. http://www.sangay.com/last_minute_offers/ and got about the same great offer on a really good boat. Plus I could find one that hit an itinerary that I wanted to do. I did see an offer bulletin board at the hostel/hotel I stayed at in Guayaquil that had a tourist class boat for an unbelievably low price that left the next day. Yes, Espanola island was the highlight.
In Ushuaia, Argentina I did see last minute Antarctica cruises for 1/3 the price or less!
Floss says
Hi Dave, I am so happy to have read your blog. My husband and are I flying to Ecuador in December to meet our son and his girlfriend who are cycling through South America. We really want to visit the Galapagos, but the cost for 4 of us is astronomical. But now we are thinking of waiting till we get to Ecuador to book, sounds like people do manage to get on a cruise. Thanks for your help.
Dave says
Yes, absolutely wait until you arrive in Quit to check pricing. Even in the high season, you can book last minute tickets. The more time and flexibility you have, the better your odds of getting on a cruise you want.
Katie says
Hi Dave. Great info, thanks for the advice. Im currently deliberating over whether or not to pre-book a Galapagos cruise for July next year or wait until Im in Ecuador to try shopping around - lots to think about! Quick query for you - do you know how easy it is to book flights from Quito to Galapagos in July?? Just hoping that flight availability isn't a problem if I do decide to wait until Im there!
Dave says
Hi Katie, yes, there is a lot to think about, especially given the costs of Galapagos cruises.
If you won't be pressed for time, then I'd wait until you get to Ecuador. If you're taking a two-week vacation, it might make more sense to lock in a trip ahead of time.
It's easy to book flights, but July falls during the North American and European summer, so there are probably more people visiting the Galapagos that month then other times of year.
Frank says
I came across your post by googling Galapagos island cruise tipping advice. Thanks for an excellent and detailed post.
I will be in the Galapagos this September on a 10 day cruise through G adventure, (formally Gap adventures) I am going with friends and we are looking forward to it. Yes, it is a once in a lifetime trip. It is expensive for us. So we thought that everything is included. (our cruise price is double then what you paid).
From what you say about tipping the crew, this is an extra amount we overlooked and should be prepared to have money set aside for. (I will have to go back to G adventures and see what they have to say.)
We will also have about 4 days in Quito after the cruise. We will be staying in the old town. Any extra advice for what to see, and any extra things to watch out for or be prepared for?
Thanks for any response:-)
Dave says
Hey Frank, you're going to have a great time with G Adventures! I know it costs more than doing it on your own, but they'll take good care of you. I went on my first trip with them in March to Patagonia :)
In Quito, be very careful, a lot of tourists get robbed there, especially on the buses. I'd take taxis within the city, they're very cheap.
As for things to do, check out my Quito travel guide for some ideas. I recommend visiting the Equator the first day and mountain biking down Cotopaxi on your last (so you can acclimatize a little).
Robert says
Hi Robert,
Thanks you so much for your post!, it has been very helpful!. I am new in this page and I am in a dilemma right now, I am planning to go to the galapagos islands in October, but I am not quite sure which yacht could be better, Queen of Galapagos or Seaman II. I have found excellent deals from this page http://www.galapagoscruises.com Which yacht would you recommend me??. Or I should book for a cheaper yacht?. I am taking 8 days in the Queen or 6 days in the Seaman
Thanks you so much for your help
Dave says
I'd go with the 8-day cruise. The longer you're out there, the more wildlife you'll see. Certain wildlife is easier to spot in certain locations. So you may have only one morning where you're able to snorkel with sea turtles, or sea lions, for example.
megan says
Great tips, thanks for sharing. I've always wanted to vist the Galapagos Islands.
Nina says
Hi Dave,
I only just stumbled across your blog with covers so many of the questions that I'm currently asking! I'm arriving in Quito on 2nd October and will be starting with the Galapagos, over to Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and ending my trip in Rio.
At the moment I'm really confused on whether I should book an 8 day cruise trip from here, from Quito or from Santa Cruz. Will it be busy in October? I would really like to be in a nice, comfortable and clean boat. I'm also travelling alone so not sure if I would end up having to share a cabin. How busy will it be? Would you recommend I arrive in Quito, book my own flight direct to Baltra and get a last minute cruise from there? Timing wise, I've allowed 3 days latest for which I would need to start a cruise in order to be on schedule with my itinerary and cover the places I would like to see. Your advice would be much appreciated! Feel free to email me if that's easier?
Many thanks,
Nina
Dave says
I think you'd be fine to book a last minute cruise from either Quito, or the islands, in October. That's well after the North American/European Summer season finishes, so there should be fewer tourists....at least from those regions.
Alex says
Dave, it sounds like you went by yourself. Is the trip rate per room, or per person? If my girlfriend and I went, would we pay ~$1600 for the two of us, or each? Thanks!
Dave says
Yes, I did go on my own. On my boat, there were a few of us solo travelers, and we were paired up with each other as bunkmates.
The $1,550 cost of the trip is per person, so yes, if you and your girlfriend went, it'd be $3,100, plus the airfare, park fees, etc.
Take says
Hi Dave,
This is a a super advice, thanks a lot!
We (me and wife) are planning to get on Quito on Dec 18 or so, which sounds like a
reasonably high season. Do you still believe that we can hunt some good (not aiming
best at all) boat? Should we book at Quito or at the island??
One more question; should we book the air ticket btw Quito and the island well advance
i.e. now? or the last minutes i.e. after we arrived to Quito is fine enough in the season?
Thanks a lot!
Dave says
Take, where you book (Quito or the islands) depends on a few factors:
1) Your degree of patience. I was too anxious to wait until I already got to the islands--I wanted to go there knowing I'd be picked up at the airport and whisked to the yacht.
2) Flexibility. You might get to the islands and find there are no boats with your preferred itinerary for a week. Do you have the time to wait there? Booking upon arrival in Quito allows you to do some sightseeing there, and make better use of your waiting time, then if you're on the islands (at least in my opinion).
I think you'd be fine to book the airfare to the Galapagos once you arrive in Quito. They have 3-4 daily flights that leave every morning to the islands. Again, if you're on a tight schedule, you may want to book that in advance. Either way, the rates are the same, so you won't pay more if you wait until the last minute (as often happens with regular airfares).
Roberta says
Dave, these are fantastic words of advice and wisdom This is by far the most confusing and
complicated trip I've taken - so many options and so many questions. I am hoping
to go to the Islands mid-December (nothing like last minute planning) and I have up to 3 weeks to be there> i've been to Quito before and didn't enjoy it so don't want to spend much time there at all. Do you think your advice will still apply during the holiday season. I'm thinking of going to San Cristobal to stay at a small inexpensive hotel I found on Trip advisor and then find either a cruise from there (I have time to wait until I find one) or just do day trips to the islands. Is this too risky to do during the holidays? Do I fly directly from Quito to San Cristobal or what?
thanks so much for taking the time to help your fellow travelers! I look forward to reading your reply.
Nina says
I've just done a last minute cruise in the Galapagos. A few points Roberta you might want to consider:
- there are more agencies on Santa Cruz so you might want to stay in puerto ayora. There is one agency called Joybe travels which I booked from who were v good. An agency called academy bay at the front of the island gave excellent advice in English but all their prices were v expensive.
- before you go I would get in touch with these agencies find out during the time period you are going which boats have trips planned, to which area, ie north or south islands, what their itineraries are and where you would like to go. When I went I did have some days of flexibility but all the info I found out there I could have known from home. It is then simply the last minute prices you need to know.
- I went on a boat called samba which I would thoroughly recommend. Their itinerary was one of the best as they went right to the birth where no other boats go and there were only 13 of us so it was a very intimate family atmosphere. Service was excellent and being a clean freak I was also impressed with their quality standards. Food was amazing on the boat and they even catered for me being a vegetarian. I paid 1300usd for 8days 7 nights. Joge at Joybe travels will remember me as we are still in touch!
- if you need basic good accommodation on Santa Cruz stay at Galapagos Home stay. The owner Kevin is American and very helpful and good to get on with. Clean, powerful shower, comfy bed, aircon and even kitchen. I paid 25usd for a room. He will remember me so you can give my name as nina the girl from England.
If you need any names and tel numbers let me know.
Have fun! This was the highlight of my 8 week trip to south America!
Dave says
Thanks Roberta, glad you found the info helpful. I don't know if the December holiday season would have an effect on the number of tourists visiting the Galapagos. As an American, I think that's more of a Summer vacation then around Christmas.
The domestic flight from Quito shouldn't be an issue. As Nina mentions, the prices are basically set for those flights, and only change about $40 between high and low season, but not daily like other flights do.
Also as Nina mentioned, Santa Cruz is the bigger hub for travel agencies (and it's not even that big to be honest), so if you want to wait until you're in the islands, you may have more choices by going there. I'd aim for the cruise, it's part of the experience to live aboard the boat.
Roberta says
So Dave.....it's me again....do you think i should book this cruise that just
came up from here? or fly to Santa Cruz and find one there. the promotional
fee they are offering me is 2,090 for a "8 day" trip.
I know the former is safer and less hassle but would i find a cruse in Santa Cruz
at a lower price?
thanks
Roberta
Nina says
Ps you can book your flights now or later if you want. I think there is a slight price difference but not much at all and they are standard flights. Book them direct with the airline. However MAKE sure they are changeable at no cost!! This is v important as you won't really know your return date until you sort the cruise from there. I bought return flights from Quito to guayaquil with LAN and paid 472gbp. They have an office on the island to change them.
Roberta says
Dave thanks so much for your quick reply and good advice. I have heard that
San Cristobal is a much nicer island to stay for a while than Santa Cruz.....true?
I found a 6 room hotel ($40 including breakfast) on TripAdvisor and the owner helps you find daily tours - the island hopping route. I can see how the cruise would be part of the experience but I hate sharing a cabin - I get claustrophobic enough - and the single supplement makes the price un-doable. (altho if I get the cruise down there maybe it would be okay) I'm so confused. I thought I had it all sorted out!! But these comments are so helpful. I thank you and Nina very much.
Roberta
Nina says
Roberta I too was worried about all this but trust me a boat cruise really is the best way to see it all. Santa cruz is absolutely fine to stay on, it's not bad at all. The place I suggested really is decent and reasonable compared to other places there. The main thing is finding the right boat cruise for you. I wasn't keen on sharing a cabin but I was with a young female traveller, a lovely french Swiss girl and we are now good friends. The cabin we were in was stunning, clean, very good quality with a good shower too. You actually spend very little time in the cabin, only to change and sleep because you are having so much fun in the lounge area with everyone else, or on the front deck spotting whales and dolphins! I really wouldn't consider island hopping unless you really have to. You won't get the same experience.
Roberta says
Dave - well I just did a giant sigh of relief - my mind is now made up! I have found
an opening on a cruise ship (sharing a cabin- I really need my "alone time" but that will work out and for 8 days i can deal) for 8 days and I'm going to book it.
I really want to be gone longer but I have seen the rest of ecuador and have been to Peru
as well. My understanding is that if I want to go back to San Cristobal or Santa Cruz, I have
to pay the flight back (around another $500. yes?)
A very expensive trip for such a short time.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Roberta
Roberta says
Nina also wanted to thank you for your insights and comments. Do you live in the states?
Could we possibly talk on the phone?
if so please email me at [email protected]
Thank you1
Kath says
Brilliantly concise....and helpful
Ralph says
In general, what day(s) of the week do the cruises tend to leave on? Can you find a 7/8 day cruise leaving any day of he week?
Dave says
Ralph, I don't recall a specific day of the week being more popular than any other. I think people focus on choosing their cruise based on the itinerary and cost first, and organize their vacation around it that way. I do remember all the flights arrive on the islands in the mornings.
Mary says
Great post, Dave!
I am a single woman and wondering how easy it is to get a cabin to share with a stranger. Is this commonly arranged by the tour company?
I may meet someone in Quito or Santa Cruz (not sure where to buy the cruise yet, just beginning planning) to bunk with, but maybe not.
Dave says
Hi Mary, I'm not sure whether it's the tour company or someone from the boat that decides on who shares rooms together.
I'm sure they always try to pair guys with guys and girls with girls, as long as there is an even mix. I was one of three solo travelers on my boat, that I can recall. Chances are you won't be the only one, and in that case, you might get a room to yourself.
Richard says
Great information!!! We're planning our trip for March/April.
My question...Are their ATM's in Punta Ayora?
-Richard
Dave says
Dave, I just discovered your website. Thanks so much for your extremely useful information. I won three roundtrip flights to the Galapagos Islands and I'm planning to take my two college aged kids at the end of May. Based on your advice and what I read in one of my tour books, we will probably wait until we get to Ecuador or the islands to book our cruise. Do you think booking last minute will be a problem at that time? I noticed that most cruises booked in the U.S. (and probably Quito) include airfare from the mainland to the islands. Do you know of any cruise operators that book cruises that don't include airfare (since we don't need it) in case we decide to book early? Do you know if any cruises offer accommodations for three people? I read in earlier comments that some singles are paired with other singles. Do they have to pay a single supplement or does the supplement apply only if someone has a room for themselves? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Dave says
No, I don't think May should be a problem for booking a last minute cruise. That's still falling before the northern hemisphere's summer, which for Americans at least, is when a lot of vacations are taken.
I'm sure you can just pay for the cruise, and not the airfare. The costs, when I did it, were separate. I could've booked the airfare on my own, separately, but it's a standard rate, so it's not like I was going to save any money doing it myself.
I don't know if any cruises offer accommodation for three people. The motor yacht, which is the one I booked has 2-people per cabin (on bunk beds). You'd probably have to pay for a bigger boat, or perhaps a single supplement if you wanted to ensure a private room.
While policies may vary by company, in my case, the single people on my cruise did not want private rooms, and thus nobody was charged a single supplement. We were just paired up with others of the same sex, which happened to work out. Or, I think, maybe the single girl got her own room, but it was at no extra cost.
Dave says
Thanks for the info, Dave. It turns out that one of my kids can't make it, so my wife will be joining my son and me. We decided that we're going to fly into Guayaquil, stay for a day, and book our cruise there before heading to the islands. Hopefully, we'll find a good and reasonably priced tour. If not, we'll do that when we get to the islands. Happy travels!
Danielle says
Dave,
What a fantastic blog! I've done a bit of travelling through South America before (I'm from Australia) but was always dissappointed I missed out on Galapagos.
My partner and I are heading over in September and we would love to do a liveaboard Galapagos Diving Cruise (8 day).
Are there certain Agencies who specialise in the diving cruises or should we just head to
the Mariscal neighborhood in Quito and do some price matching?
Thanks in advance :)
Danielle
Dave says
Hi Danielle,
I think your average tour company will be selling tours on a variety of boats, including some dive boats. I'd just show up and shop around once you get to Quito :)
Steven says
I also did a last minute cruise last year in Feb... super last minute. I booked the ticket and got straight on a taxi to the harbour where I caught the boat!
I deliberately bought a one-way ticket from Guayaquil to leave everything completely open when I got there.
I had a few problems arriving as despite my getting to the airport very early, the ridiculous queues the for the special baggage check and service fee for the Galapagos meant I ran out of time to get to a cash machine and therefore didn't have any cash to pay the $100 park fee at the airport. This was no big deal in the end, as they confiscated my passport and I went later after the cruise to pick it up and pay the fee at the office in Puerto Ayora.
I arrived on a Sun, took the bus to Puerto Ayora from the airport and checked into a cheap hotel. At about 18:00, I went to check out a few travel agents to see if there was a cruise going in the next days. One guy offered me a 4/5 day cruise on a first-class boat for $640, which is a good price, but I had to leave that day. I decided to think about it, walked round the corner and another dude offered me the same deal for $550!
I think this is the absolute cheapest deal you can find on the Galapagos.
It was an adventure getting to the boat though. The agent made me sign a contract. It stated that I had to pay cash up front and if I didn't show up on time, I would lose everything. I wasn't very happy about this, but he convinced me there was plenty of time and they were waiting for me at the harbour. But as soon as I handed over the readies, he told me I had 40 mins to get there or they would leave without me! Little did I know, that it took 45 mins with a taxi to get there. I caught a taxi, raced to the hotel to pay and get my stuff and we drove at 180 kph in the darkness to get there. When we arrived, there was no-one there but a few fisherman. Luckily eventually a dingy turned up calling out my name and took me 45 mins out to sea to catch the boat in time for dinner!
I found out later the normal (internet) price for the cruise was $1750. I got lucky as 12 of the 16 passengers were on a private tour and had their own guide, meaning the rest of us had a guide to ourselves, who was excellent. The first and last days were pretty much a write-off, so I didn't miss anything turning up late on the first day.
Most people do only a 4/5 day cruise but I did hear reports that an 8 day cruise is not worth it. I guess it depends on the time of year and what unique wildlife you can see on each island, but I heard that you see pretty much the same stuff, one full day is completely wasted dropping off and picking up passengers only doing 4/5 days and the guide then repeats the same stuff to the new passengers...
I found the shorter cruise to be sufficient - I saw everything I wanted to see - swam with penguins, sharks, rays, sea lions, turtles and dolphins. I am also a light sleeper and had problems at night when the boat travelled to the next island. Another reason to pay a bit more and get a more stable boat.
Afterwards I did a day's diving and spent a few days relaxing on the very chilled-out Isabella island. I didn't go to San Cristobal, but a friend went just for surfing and had a great time.
Dani says
Cuidado!!!! JOYBE TOURS. SANTA CRUZ. PUERTO AYORA. GALÁPAGOS.
Esta agencia recomendada en lonely planet nos quiso estafar dinero. Tuvimos que recurrir a la policia para que los responsables (Jorge y Betty) compareciera y pagaran los tours contratados. Su tour a la isla Santa Fe dejó mucho que desear. La embarcación con capacidad de 12 pasajeros, iban 18. Sin guia experimentado, a pesar de ser bote para realizar snorkeling no había escalera para subirse (imagínense la gente de edad abanzada). Los pasajeros para subir al bote lo hicimos por el motor, éste se estropeó. En el tour iban incluidos 2 snorkelings y sólo se hizo uno. El supuesto guia ecologista nos decía: -vean un león marino. Miren una iguana... Gran conocimiento biólogo!!Eso lo sabe hasta mi sobrino de 5 años.no me fastidien, pues pagamos 80$ por el tour cada uno.
El problema más grave es que el tour de dos días que ya lo teniamos contratado y pagado en la isla Isabella resultó que la agencia JOYBE no había hecho su pago a los servicios que teniamos contratados por ellos. Se necesitó la presencia de la policia para que pagaran.
De regreso a Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) fuimos a la agencia para recibir una explicación. Estaba cerrada, llamamos a Jorge y Betty y al percatarse de que éramos nosotros nos colgaron el teléfono. Nuevamente recurrimos a la policia de Puerto Ayora para que comparecieran. No lo hicieron. (Obvio). Con nosotros había una pareja de alemanes, también estafados, mientras esperábamos frente a la oficina apareció otra familia estafada.
La policia dijo que abrirían un parte en el ministerio de turismo. Esperemos que sea cierto y que ningún turista más sea estafado!!!!!!
Simi says
Hey,
do you recommend booking the trip in Quito or in Punta Ayora?
How many days should one plan to search and find a tour?
Dave says
I booked in Quito as I felt that was last minute enough for me. I wanted the tour to start the minute I flew out there.
Because I was confident using the same company friends had used to book the tour, it was just a matter of choosing the itinerary and length.
Even if you're not sure on a company, it doesn't take more than a few hours to visit various companies and decide on something.
Kelly says
Hi --- I have a question. My husband and I are leaving next week straight for the Galapagos. We are planning on booking a boat tour once there. I have read that the boat operators want or require you to pay for the bulk of the trip in cash, and may not accept credit cards or may only accept credit cards for a small portion of the payment. Is this so? I just cannot imagine having to take $3,000 plus down there or try to get that kind of cash out of an ATM over a couple of days to pay for our boat trip! Can someone shed some light on this?
Dave says
Yes, this was my experience in 2011. My tour cost $1500 and I had to use the ATM three consecutive days to get the cash.
Of course you can pay by credit card, but they may charge a high fee, up to 10%, which can be a lot given these sums.
Fiona Bell says
Hi Dave,
I have found the information you have provided very useful. I'm travelling to Ecuador with my husband and two teenage children and will be arriving on Saturday 9th January 2016 and want to book an 8 day tour of the Galapagos. As cost is an issue (paying for 4 passengers) we would like to book a last minute cruise from Quito when we arrive but only have a window of 13 days to go.
Will the tour agencies be open on the Saturday when we arrive in Quito at about 3-4pm as booking a cruise will be our priority on arrival and we don't want to have to wait until Monday to book.
Please let me know - I'm hopeful this won't be too busy a time of year and we will be able to get something at a reasonable price.
Cheers,
Fi
Susan says
Was wondering how your trip went and if you did 5 or 8 day cruise as I'm thinking of 3/2016 with my son.
Fiona Bell says
Hi, We are currently on the second to last day of the 8 day cruise, on the Tourist Superior class yacht 'Golondrina. It has been great, we have a great guide (Milton Ulloa)....I think the guide is probably even more important than the boat, as they set the tone and can really make it.
The boat itself is fine, it is reasonably basic, but the food is good, we've seen everything as planned and can't complain at all. It's not luxury, but we are not paying luxury prices either ($1800US) per person for the 4 of us.
We arrived in Quito and booked a last minute cruise through Sangay Tour Agents.
We had the option of a 'sister ship', the Fragata, which is a 'first class' boat, but the cost was a bit over $1000.00US each, which multiplied by 4, adds up.
That said, as they are owned by the same company, they have shadowed us for the past 7 days, having the exact same schedule. We haven't been on the boat, but I can't really see the justification for us spending the 4,000 extra ($5,500 AUS), so are happy with the decision.
The itinerary we got, but chance, was 'itinerary C', which is by far the most extensive and recommended by most tour guides, so we were lucky there, as we ended up with it by pure chance, it was the only one available for the dates we had.
Hope this helps, it's a great trip to a fantastic part of the world. Would recommend spending 2-3 days in Puerto Ayora prior to any trip, it's a nice place.
Yuliya Pyankova says
@Fiona, I didn't quite catch, how much did you pay? Was it 1800 USD for 4 people or per person?
Carmen Everywhere says
Galapagos Island- now that is the place to be. I just hope they have not ruined the pristine beauty of that place. The photos seems it has become quite commercial now. Certainly not what Darwin would have encountered, eh? I will happily be proved wrong though.
Yuliya Pyankova says
thank you for your review! I am planning to go to Galapagos very soon, in February, and your report gives a lot of useful info!
I just have one question: do you think that you can get a better last minute deal in Quito or in Santa Cruz? I saw opinions that if you go directly to the office of the boat company, you will get a lower price. But I don't really want to spend time in Quito or Guayaqill, and would prefer the isles
Dave says
I don't blame you for wanting to limit time in Quito or Guayaquil. I don't know. I doubt it will make a significant difference. What matters most is you're in Ecuador and have some flexibility with your time.
Bernarda says
Hi Dave! I think your article is very useful and thanks for the tips. How important is the size of the ship? I heard that if you choose small ships (16-20 guests) you cannot have different activities to choose. What if I cannot do snorkeling and want to do glass bottom boat? or if I want to stay at the beach while my husband goes kayaking... what do you recommend? I would like an option that offers different type of activities to choose.
Thanks!
Dave says
Hi Bernarda,
That may be the case, yes. I did not research larger cruise ship type services so I can't speak to the options you would have with them.
I can say from my experience on the smaller motor yacht that our group stuck together for most of the excursions -- whether snorkeling in the water or walking on land. I did skip one snorkel out of the four or so times it was offered. But the boat is so small and you already spend so much time on it, I think most folks appreciate the chances to get off it to see the wildlife more closely.
nina says
Personally I don't think it makes a difference. I was on the boat called Samba which was known to be smallish but most activities are on land or are snorkeling etc anyway so it makes no difference ad to how big the boat is. I don't see how a glass bottom boat add much to it really. Much better to be on land or in the water with the wildlife. I'm sure I remember kayaking being possible to do on the samba. I would thoroughly recommend it the service was excellent being an intimate small group
Bernarda says
Thanks Nina. I'm not sure if I would like to do snorkeling, that is why it is important for me to have the option of glass bottom boat. Also, I would like to be able to choose from different activities. Did you have to stick with the same group all the time?
Bernarda says
Thanks Dave, I don't want a small yacht if you have to spend too much time on it, After doing some research I found out that smaller boats often have less of an intimate experience than expected. This is because smaller boats usually share visitor sites with a large fleet of other small vessels. A large ship, however, tends to be the only ship at each visitor site. Choosing a large ship also has the added benefit of having multiple guides, meaning there's a greater variety of activities to choose from. That's what I am looking for!
The downside of choosing a small ship is that there will be numerous other small ships at each visitor site (to fill up the maximum number of visitors permitted at each site). But if you're looking for a much more exclusive experience at each visitor site, then booking a large ship is the way to go!
Joey says
Hi Dave,
Does it matter if we land in Baltra or San Cristobal while waiting to find a cruise?