How To Take A Budget Paddling Trip To The Galapagos
How To Take A Budget Paddling Trip To The Galapagos
The Galapagos archipelago is the ultimate destination for naturalists, divers, and aquatic adventurers. These islands are best known for their wildlife viewing above and below the surface of the water, and kayaking these islands is a fantastic way to spot all kinds of unique creatures found nowhere else on Earth.
This Ecuadorian island chain is also known for being expensive. The Galapagos aren’t cheap, especially compared to other South American travel destinations. For some, the high price tag of a trip to the Galapagos Islands is enough to put off visiting this natural jewel of the Pacific. There are, however, several ways you can take a paddling trip to the Galapagos on a modest budget.
To take a budget-friendly paddling trip to the Galapagos you must book airfare in advance for the cheapest rates. Look for cheap guesthouses with kitchens rather than pricey hotels. Wait until you arrive on the islands before you book tours, and try to communicate in Spanish. Try to avoid visiting the Galapagos during peak travel season, and only seek out islands with great paddling and free activities.
If you have always wanted to paddle the Galapagos, but don’t think you can afford it - then this article is for you. The Galapagos is not a cheap destination, but with proper planning and knowing a few expert tips, you can make a visit to these islands affordable. After all, with the constant increase in entrance fees and tours, a trip to this archipelago certainly isn’t getting any cheaper.
12 Tips To Making A Paddling Trip To The Galapagos Affordable
1. Book Your Airfare In Advance
One of the most expensive aspects of a Galapagos Islands vacation is airfare. Unless you live in Ecuador, there are no direct flights to this natural paradise. Flights for foreigners from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos cost around $300 for a one-way trip, and more if you have lots of luggage.
If, however, you book your airfare months in advance (start checking six to eight months before your trip if possible) you can pay as low as $100 to $200 per flight, depending on how much luggage you have and where you want to land. Therefore, booking airfare in advance can easily save you upwards of $400 per person on a round trip flight.
2. Visit The Islands In The Off-Season
Just like every popular outdoor tourist destination, the Galapagos has a high season and a low season. High season might have more to do, and tons of ferries and activities, but it is also more expensive.
Consider visiting the Galapagos during one of their low seasons if possible. October and November are two of the cheapest months to visit these islands, and these months also offer great paddling weather.
If you need to visit during a more typical vacation period, consider June, when the summer rush hasn’t come, and the cold currents are just arriving. The ushering in of the cold water allows for great marine wildlife viewing opportunities at a more affordable price.
3. Focus Your Time On Paddling-Friendly Islands
The Galapagos has four inhabitable islands, 19 large islands, and more than 100 islands in total. It can be a daunting task to choose which islands to visit, especially if your time is limited. To keep your paddling trip budget-friendly but also packed with adventure, opt for inhabited islands that are known for paddling.
All four inhabitable islands: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabella, and Floreana all have paddling tours and/or paddling rental options. Santa Cruz tends to be more costly, as there are fewer free activities. Still, it is the hub for air and ferry travel, and there are a few great kayaking options on this island, so it’s worth still spending a few nights on this island.
Isabella, San Christobal, and especially Floreana all offer the natural beauty the Galapagos paddlers are seeking, with far fewer crowds and hidden costs. Try focusing your time on some or all of these three islands.
4. Bring Your Paddling And Snorkel Gear
Rental fees can add up, especially if your Galapagos trip is two weeks or longer. If you plan to do lots of paddling and snorkeling in the Galapagos, then pack all your paddling essentials. A mask, snorkel, fins, wet suit, and even an inflatable SUP board with kayak seat attachment are all worth packing on longer Galapagos trips.
Several Galapagos Islands, including San Christobal, Isabella, and Floreana have top-notch snorkeling and paddling opportunities you can enjoy without a tour, directly from shore. Bringing your gear may cost you more in luggage fees, but can save you hundreds of dollars on rental and tour fees.
5. Stay In Guest Houses Rather Than Resorts
One of the easiest ways to save a lot of money on your Galapagos vacation is to stay in inexpensive, utilitarian accommodations instead of luxury hotels. Hotels on the islands can cost hundreds of dollars per night. Guest houses and smaller accommodations are between $20 and $40 per night.
Furthermore, guest houses and smaller accommodations run by locals almost always have shared kitchens. These kitchens allow you to prepare meals and store food in the fridge.
Cheaper accommodations and having a kitchen can save you $100 per day, or more if you travel as a group. The locals who run them also tend to know insider tips on how to save money on tours and transportation.
6. Skip The Cruise
Some people think the only way to visit the Galapagos Islands is by taking a guided tour, or an expensive all-inclusive cruise. While these are certainly comprehensive ways to visit the islands, they are also astronomically expensive. Instead of booking a pricey all-inclusive cruise, you can plan an adventure on your own for a fraction of the cost.
By choosing budget-friendly accommodations, seeking out cheaper meals, and taking public ferries, you can have a personalized adventure at less than half the price. Planning your trip also allows you to enjoy the islands at your own pace and on your schedule. This is helpful when you visit the islands when the weather is unpredictable.
7. Practice Your Spanish Or Download A Translator
One way to save a bit on tours and navigate ferries, water taxis, and other cheaper public transport options is to have a basic grasp of Spanish. If you aren’t able to pick up Spanish basics, then ensure you have a reliable language translator app.
Ensure your translator works when you are offline as well, as the Galapagos is notorious for unreliable cell reception and spotty wifi.
8. Wait Until You Arrive To Book Tours
While booking airfare and accommodations well in advance is crucial to saving money on a Galapagos vacation, you may want to wait until you arrive to book Galapagos tours. In almost all cases it is cheaper to book directly with tour operators in person than to book in advance online.
Furthermore, many popular tours, like kayaking to penguin colonies on Isabella, or the 360 tour in San Cristobal, are offered by many tour agencies. This means it is wise to shop around and find the cheapest last-minute price, which is something you can often negotiate if you visit the archipelago in the off-season.
9. Look For Last Minute Deals
If you aren’t someone who plans months in advance, then you won’t have the benefit of cheap airline tickets and discounted accommodations, but there is still one great way to save. From mainland Ecuador in hubs like Quito and Guayaquil, there are often last-minute Galapagos packages that bundle airfare, accommodation, and even cruises for upwards of 40% off.
These deals are much more likely to appear in the off-season and keep in mind they also may be geared towards certain languages. Luckily, English is the second most common spoken language for tours in Galapagos after Spanish.
10. Choose Islands With Lots Of Free Activities
There is no escaping paying for some kayaking adventures in the Galapagos. You can only access some of the best and most preserved areas with an official guide on a certified tour. While you can’t avoid these costs, there are ways to cut down on other activity expenses.
Choose islands that have tons of free things to do. Isabella has great free snorkeling, pristine beaches, hiking, and biking opportunities. San Cristobal also has great hikes and snorkeling and is the best island for spotting and swimming with sea lions. Floreana only has 150 inhabitants and is the perfect place to enjoy a serene and unspoiled island.
11. Find Cheap Local Markets And Bring A Water Filter
Food and beverage costs can add up quickly in the Galapagos. Not only is there some tourist price inflation, but groceries on remote and highly protected islands cost double what they do on the mainland due to logistical challenges.
Ways to save on food include locating local markets, which almost every island has. You can find delicious and inexpensive produce, as well as affordable baked goods and even great paddling snacks.
Bring a water bottle with a filter, as a bottle of water will cost one or two dollars a pop. Alternatively, ensure you choose an accommodation that offers free drinking water, which is a common (but not guaranteed) amenity at many guest houses.
12. Seek Out Accommodations With Kayak Rentals
Lastly, if kayaking is your top priority when visiting the Galapagos, then you may want to seek out accommodations where you can easily rent kayaks and gear. You can find such oceanfront accommodation on nearly every island.
If you are looking for affordable beachfront accommodations with kayaks, focus your energy on Floreana and San Christobal.
Summing Up Taking A Paddling Trip To Galapagos On A Budget
The Galapagos is known as one of the most expensive destinations in South America, but don’t let this deter you from visiting. It also happens to be one of the most unique and incredible paddling destinations on Earth and should be high on everyone’s paddling bucket list.
While flights and entrance fees are never cheap, you can save lots of money by booking cheap guest houses and securing flights months in advance.
Wait until you arrive to book tours, and bring as much of your gear as possible. Find islands that have lots of free activities to offset the cost of tours, so you can have an action-packed vacation at a fraction of the cost of organized tours.