Hi there,
I am reading a lot about expensive Galapagos cruises, and tours. But does anyone have a recommendation for more off-the-beaten-track, budget tours and accommodation? Or doesn't that exist?
Many thanks,
Rick
You can arrange a DIY land-based tour, which can be done for a lot less than a cruise, but a Galapagos trip will never be cheap. Aside from the costs of getting there and getting in, life on the islands is expensive, and that impacts the cost of everything else, plus day trips are heavily restricted to protect the environment, so places are naturally limited.
Snaek's comprehensive thread about land-based tours is very helpful.
Welcome
Note...no mention of budget was stated or range .
There is a search feature on TA if you want to use.
But poster mrc282? Did a write up on last minute cruises.
Its up to you if you want to read. Not saying you can afford either, but i dont discount things until i see hard numbers.
Also, you really need to define what you want to see/experience in the Galapagos.
If you wsnt..this webdite was in my travel books for
Heather is also a good resource...but give het time for help.
Once you figure out what, then you can look for the how.
A comment about cruises. This is what i did. Note that some of the islands are uninhabited and that what we were told by our guide, only so many ships/tours can visit per day.
Also, if you do as "day trip" consider they type of boat that maybe used and maybe lack of facilities.
We did a few day trips on the inhabited islands too.
But again, figure out what you wsnt...not the generalized "galapagos". You can do that ftom the air on apporoach or take off and or on one of the islands where you can stay.
Good luck
5,177 posts
23 helpful votes Dear BF -
you can probably get by in Galapagos on a buget of $50/day if you really try hard and eat little else but rice and beans, find a very basic bed, hang out in town, go to the local beach etc.... But it will cost you maybe close to $2000 just to get there (flight from NL, then likely a night on the mainland, then $500+ flight to Galapaogs, and $200 park fee, $20 transit control card and other travel incidentals).
At one point, you have to ask yourself: If my budget is so tight, maybe it's not worth it at this point in my life to use it up going to such a far away place only to get a glimpse of what the place has to offer. To experience what Galapagos is world famous for, you have to get out and about among the islands, spend as much time as possible out there. I think a small ship expedition cruise is the best way (you are out among the islands 24 hours / day), but you can do day trips - though be prepared to spend $150 - $250+ / day trip (maybe 4-5 hours / day among the islands). That's where you'll come upon a pod of 1,000 dolphins, or a feeding frenzy of blue footed boobies, or you'll snorkel with sea lions, penguins, sea turtles and maybe with dolphins and who knows, (very rare), even orcas, or hike on fresh lava fields, or to amazing view points etc...
Most of my guests are in their 60's +/-, and they've been dreaming about going to Galapagos for a long time, even decades. They've finally mustered up the time and resources to go, and they realize that to fulfli that dream, they have to spend as much time out there, among the islands, on and below the sea, as possible.
Something to consider.
Warmest regards,
Heather Blenkiron
If you are still reading
If you have access to a spreadsheet and know how to use, it can make short work of budgets.
Im sure you dont have any hard budget/number in mind all you want is cheap/affordable/reasonable...ect as with anyone window shopping.
If you want do some prelimary research on easy and fast numbers.
My #1 costs on my 1 month trips have been ALL TRASNSPORT . International , domestic flights, anything > 50 usd. That 50 usd threshold is my number i chose.
#2 cost is lodging. I shoot for < 100 usd/nt anywhere i go.
#3 is attractions. Like museums..ect.
But if you were to just look at flights to/from where you live and see if that number is doable, thrn go from there. Keep on adding flight/transport until you get there on paper.
If you still have money left, then add lodging.
Any money left, then add tours or attractions AND logistics.
You csn also add hyperlinks too. That way you dont have to figure out whete you got any number/info
Food? Who need it? If you want set aside x usd per day. Any left over from 1 day, you can add to the next.
Can you live off bread and water? What about PB&J? or?
Keep in mind this is travel. Its strictly optional in life. Its not a right, but it shoild be required at least once in a persons life. And its not an exercise on how to starve either.
Last comment. I see travel as a "do over".
Even if you do make it there and you then realize what you missed snd will have to go back. Nothing wrong with that in my books. Life AND travel can teach you somethings, if you let it.
Also, you csn look at money from the flip side. Instead of trying not to spend money while there, what about working more hours or overyime? What about a part time job?
A single mom i work with does overtime OT to pay for yearly cruises. A single female i met in venice that lives and wirks in malta has a part time job just for travel.
I see them as smart. Why? Because working is more or less GUARANTEED income. Work X many more hours and you get Y more money.
Trying NOT to spend money is little guarantee.
I went for an 8 day cruise, but realize i could go back and will go back for more.
Good luck