Everything you need to know before visiting the enchanted islands -- from island tips and entrance fees to how to get the best prices.
Each island has its own character, fees, and best-use timeframe. Plan your days wisely.
Recommended stay: 2--4 days
Santa Cruz is the main hub of the Galapagos. It has the most tour options, the best ferry and flight connections, and the widest variety of restaurants and shops. The Charles Darwin Research Station is here, along with popular sites like Tortuga Bay and Los Gemelos. Most travelers use Santa Cruz as their base.
No island entrance fee (the $100 Galapagos National Park fee is paid on arrival at the airport).
Recommended stay: 2--3 days max
Isabela is the largest island but has the fewest inhabitants and a limited number of tours. You can visit Los Tuneles, the Wall of Tears, and the Sierra Negra volcano, but beyond that options are limited. Don't overcommit your time here -- 2 to 3 days is the sweet spot.
Entrance fee: $5 for Ecuadorians, $10 for foreigners (cash only, paid on arrival at the dock).
Recommended stay: 2--3 days
San Cristobal is the provincial capital and a great island for diving, snorkeling with sea lions, and visiting Kicker Rock (León Dormido). It has a more relaxed vibe than Santa Cruz and is the second most connected island.
No additional island entrance fee.
Recommended stay: 1--2 days
Floreana is the most remote and least visited of the four inhabited islands. It has a fascinating pirate history, the famous Post Office Bay, and excellent snorkeling. Very few services are available, so plan accordingly.
No additional island entrance fee.
How transportation works in the Galápagos — from inter-island ferries to local taxis.
There are no rental cars, public buses (outside a few short routes), or rideshares in the Galápagos. Getting around is part of the adventure — here's how it works.
Speedboat ferries are the main way to travel between Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal. These are small, fast fiberglass boats (lanchas) that carry around 20–30 passengers. Rides take roughly 2 hours and cost approximately $30–$40 per person. Ferries typically depart in the morning (around 6:00–7:00 AM) and in the afternoon (around 2:00–3:00 PM). There are no direct ferries between San Cristóbal and Isabela — all routes go through Santa Cruz.
Book ferries at least 3 days in advance during high season. Seats fill up quickly, especially for Isabela. Bring motion sickness medication — the channel crossing can be rough.
Water taxis are small dinghies that shuttle you between the pier and larger boats anchored offshore, or from the dock to nearby beaches. You'll need one to board your inter-island ferry and to reach some tour boats. The cost is $1 per person per trip. Just walk to the dock and a water taxi will pick you up — no reservation needed.
Taxis are the primary way to get around on each island. They're typically white pickup trucks (camionetas) with bench seats in the back. Fares are fixed by route — for example, from the pier to town, or from town to the highlands. Always confirm the fare with the driver before getting in. Short rides within town cost $1–$2, and longer trips to the highlands of Santa Cruz cost around $8–$15. Taxis don't use meters, but prices are generally standardized and fair.
On Santa Cruz, CarapachoGo is the official taxi app — it works with all local taxi cooperatives and is approved by the government. You can book rides instantly, track your driver in real time, and pay digitally. Available on iOS and Android. Note: CarapachoGo is currently only available on Santa Cruz, so on San Cristóbal and Isabela you'll flag down taxis the traditional way.
The main towns (Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Villamil) are compact and very walkable. Most restaurants, shops, and tour agencies are within a 10–15 minute walk. On Isabela, renting a bicycle is a popular and practical way to explore — the terrain is flat and distances are short. Bike rentals are available near the main pier for around $10–$15 per day.
What to expect when you land — airports, fees, and getting to your hotel.
All visitors fly from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to one of two airports: Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY). Here's what happens when you arrive.
Baltra is the main gateway to Santa Cruz Island. Upon exiting the airport, take the "Lobito" bus to the Itabaca Channel — the ticket costs $5 and includes luggage handling. At the channel, take a small ferry to cross ($1 per person). On the other side, you can take a public bus to Puerto Ayora or a taxi (van) directly to your hotel.
San Cristóbal's airport is closer to town. From the airport, you can take a taxi directly to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. There's also the option of shared transportation or a local bus, although taxis are the fastest and most convenient option.
To enter the Galápagos, you need a round-trip ticket (stays cannot exceed 60 days) and a Transit Control Card (TCT), which costs $20 and must be obtained online before your flight. Upon arrival at the airport, all persons over 12 years of age must pay the Galápagos National Park entrance fee.
Transit Control Card (TCT)
Learn more about the TCT
Keep your park fee receipt — you may need to show it when visiting certain sites.
The Transit Control Card (TCT) is mandatory for all travelers.
Before flying to the Galapagos, every traveler (including children) must fill out the TCT form on the official government website. The card tracks visitors entering and leaving the islands. You will be asked to present it at the airport on departure and arrival. Make sure to fill it out for everyone in your group.
Complete the TCT at least 24 hours before your flight to avoid issues at the airport.
The Galápagos National Park has strict visitor regulations to protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Violations can result in fines or expulsion.
Visit only authorized protected areas and always be accompanied by an authorized naturalist guide.
Travel only with tour operators and boats authorized to work in Galápagos protected areas.
Stay on marked trails and respect all park signage.
Maintain at least 2 meters (6 feet) distance from wildlife so their natural behavior is not disturbed.
Do not touch or feed the animals.
Do not remove natural elements (shells, rocks, sand, bones, etc.) from the ecosystem.
No flash photography when taking pictures of animals. Professional shoots require authorization.
Smoking and campfires are strictly prohibited within protected areas.
Camping is allowed only in designated, authorized areas.
Do not introduce any non-native species, food, plants, or seeds.
Follow "leave no trace" principles: pack out all trash and dispose of it in designated areas.
Fishing is only allowed on authorized recreational boats.
Motorized watercraft, mini-subs, and aerial tourism are prohibited inside the park and marine reserve.
Understanding the agency model helps you save money and avoid headaches.
Agencies in the Galapagos earn a commission on each booking -- this is included in the price, not added on top. What matters is how you book:
Lower total cost because the agency can bundle services. If something changes (weather, cancellation, schedule shift), one agency can rearrange everything you booked with them. It's faster, cheaper, and far less stressful.
You end up paying more because each agency charges its own margin. If anything goes wrong, no single agency can help you with bookings made elsewhere. Coordination becomes your problem.
We work with every operator across all four islands and offer every tour available. You get the full selection, great connections, and a single reliable point of contact.
Why our prices beat fixed-price booking sites.
Most travel websites set a fixed price year-round. They charge more because they don't know the actual pricing for the specific season you're visiting.
On our platform, you request a quote and communicate directly with us. We know the real seasonal rates -- low, mid, and high season -- and pass those savings to you. That's why we consistently offer better prices than static booking sites.
The most popular tours and ferries fill up weeks ahead.
Galapagos is a high-demand destination. The best tours, dive trips, and ferry schedules book out well in advance -- especially during high season (June--September and December--January). If you wait until you arrive, there's a real chance your preferred tours will be sold out.
We recommend booking at least 2--4 weeks before your trip. For high season, 1--2 months is ideal.
How tour operators charge for children based on age.
Children under 2 years old at the date of the tour travel for free. The Coast Guard does not consider them an individual passenger.
Any child older than 2 years — even by a day — counts as a passenger. Operators charge the same price as for an adult.
Always use the child's age on the actual tour date, not the booking date.
Small details that make a big difference for your trip.
Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity. This document has greater international recognition and provides better support if any issue arises during your stay on the islands.
The Galápagos runs primarily on cash (US dollars). Carry plenty of small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20) — many vendors, water taxis, and smaller shops don't accept large bills or cards. ATMs exist in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno but can run out of cash, and Isabela has very limited ATM access.
The equatorial sun is intense, even on cloudy days. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), a hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and a rash guard for snorkeling. Reapply sunscreen frequently.
Bring a reusable water bottle and fill up at your hotel or filtered water stations around town. Tap water in the Galápagos is not safe to drink.
Quick-dry clothing, sturdy water shoes or sandals for wet landings, a light rain jacket, and a dry bag for electronics are essential. Leave heavy luggage at your hotel — day tours require only a small daypack.
When booking tours, ferries, and hotels, you'll typically need: full names of all travelers, passport or ID numbers, nationalities, ages, and any food or medical restrictions, allergies, or special needs. Having an additional emergency contact is also recommended.
