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Representative view of Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Island
🇪🇨 Ecuador · South America

Galápagos Islands

Volcanic archipelago 1,000km offshore with famously unbothered wildlife.

Budget level
Expensive
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Ideal stay
5–8 days
Best for
Nature, Adventure, Luxury

Overview

A national park and UNESCO World Heritage site visited either on a live-aboard cruise or by island hopping between Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. Visitor sites are regulated and most require a licensed naturalist guide.

Plan & book

Compare flights, stays, activities and transport for your trip to Galápagos Islands.

Flights

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Tours & activitieswith KKday

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Why go to Galápagos Islands

  • Giant tortoises, marine iguanas and sea lions at close range
  • Snorkelling with rays, sharks and penguins
  • Cruise or island-hopping formats
  • Strictly managed, low-impact visitor sites

Budget

Galápagos Islands is expensive by Ecuador standards. Across Ecuador, mid-range travellers typically spend about $65–$110 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Ecuador budget breakdown.

Practical information

  • Park entry fee and transit control card are required and paid separately
  • Warm season is best for snorkelling; cool season for seabird activity

When to go to Galápagos Islands

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Plan 5–8 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Getting around

  • Long-distance buses are cheap, frequent and reach almost everywhere on the mainland
  • Domestic flights link Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and the Galápagos

Suggested itineraries

  • Mainland and Galápagos

    14 days

    A short Andean loop then a week in the islands.

    Route: Quito → Baños de Agua Santa → Galápagos Islands

Ecuador guides