Without mincing, the Galapagos Islands are common destinations on the bucket list of lots of travel enthusiasts. The islands are the perfect place for anyone that wants to enjoy the true beauty of nature. Unluckily, exploring the Galapagos doesn’t come cheap. In fact, you will likely spend thousands of dollars if you are going through the common routes that everyone follows.
However, there are some tricks you can use to explore the islands without spending too much money. Therefore, this article will provide you with a detailed guide to exploring the Galapagos Islands in the most affordable way.
Visit during the off-peak season
From June to October, the temperatures in the Galapagos are usually cooler and more suitable for wildlife. Resultantly, visiting during these months will allow you to see various rare birds, fish, and lots more. Unfortunately, these periods are the peak of tourism on the islands as lots of tourists will be visiting the area.
So, if you visit the archipelago from June to October, you should be ready to spend lots of money. But to experience the Galapagos without costing you an arm and a leg, visit the islands during the off-peak time (usually from December to May).
Look out for a cheap flight
Another way to explore the islands in the most affordable way is flying cheap. Generally, you can fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands via Baltra airport. If you are flying directly from Quito, you will have to pay around $300 to $500. However, you can save money by booking for some weeks or months before your trip.
Otherwise, you can avoid traveling via Quito and just fly directly from Guayaquil. Although Guayaquil doesn’t have the physical appeal, architecture, and amenities of Quito, the city’s airport is efficient. So, if exploring the Galapagos Islands in the most affordable way is your major concern, you have to fly to the islands from Guayaquil.
Besides, before selecting any particular flight, try to check out various airlines and see what they are offering. Skyscanner and other flight comparison websites can make it easy for you to find the cheapest flights to the Galapagos.
Be wise about your duration of stay
Your duration of stay is an essential factor that will determine whether exploring the Galapagos will be affordable for you or not. The longer your stay in Galapagos, the more you will spend. However, your stay shouldn’t be too short as this may affect your experience of the islands.
You should plan to stay on the islands for about 6 to 8 days. This recommended duration will be long enough to help you enjoy the Galapagos without spending too much.
Consider DIY accommodation
There are tons of agencies that can help you plan your whole trip to the Galapagos. They will help you handle your itinerary including the accommodation, transports on the islands, cruises, etc. However, you will spend much more when using their services than doing it yourself. Therefore, you should go for do-it-yourself accommodations by choosing your preferred hotel or hostel on your own.
Accommodations come in various sizes and budgets in the Galapagos. Luxury hotels can cost you thousands of dollars in just a few days whereas you can save money by staying in a hostel. Otherwise, you can book budget-friendly hotels that provide free Wi-Fi and other features at affordable costs.
Eat cheap but healthy meals
Most tourists rely on restaurants for food on the Galapagos Islands. Like the accommodations, restaurants are also available for different budgets. If you want to travel to the archipelago in the most affordable way, mid-range restaurant meals are good options. They are often prepared well and don’t cost lots of money.
Additionally, your choice of food can affect how much you can save on feeding. Taking Ecuadorian cuisines can be more cost-saving than international meals, but some people may have issues with eating new meals. So, consider the sensitivity of your stomach to new meals before taking any Ecuadorian culinary delights.
Alcohols are expensive on the islands. So, avoiding alcohol can assist you to explore the Galapagos in the most affordable manner.
Do free or super cheap activities
On the islands, you have to pay to access some places or do some activities. But if you want to spend less on your journey, you should only go for free or super cheap activities. There are lots of cheap or budget-friendly places to visit on Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Floreana Island, and San Cristobal Island.
Book a last-minute Galapagos cruise
Galapagos cruises are quite popular, so most tourists often longing to join them. However, the cruises are usually expensive. Don’t get worked up over this as you can book a last-minute Galapagos cruise to get a massive discount on the boat tour.
A last-minute cruise is a boat ride that is booked only a few days or weeks before the tour. In most cases, the boat owners offer last-minute cruises to fill up vacant spaces on their yachts. But if you cannot find a last-minute boat tour, a land-based tour can be a good alternative.
For an unforgettable experience of the islands without spending your life-saving, get in touch with Voyagers Travel Company for the best itinerary.