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Galapagos on the cheap

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Is it possible?
16 years ago, December 28th 2007 No: 1 Msg: #24776  
B Posts: 10
Want to fit a Galapagos trip into our itinerary but prices seem prohibitive - what's the most cost effective way of seein the Galapagos Islands??? Reply to this

16 years ago, January 12th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #25402  
I'm having this problem as well-read today in my lovely guide book that Isla de la plata is supposed to be a good and MUCH cheaper alternative, but I'm not sure if this is truth or sad fiction. Does anyone have any advice on this?! Reply to this

16 years ago, January 13th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #25428  
B Posts: 140
If you really can't afford Galapagos, Isla de la Plata is ok to see a few things you would see in Galapagos but not really a match for the real thing although it is a lot cheaper. As for Galapagos, it's never going to be really cheap - depends what you can afford. Flights are generally around $300 from Quito or Guayaquil although apparently it's sometimes possible to get a ride on a military flight which is cheaper. If you just fly out there you can either hope for a cheap, last-minute deal once you arrive (although these are generally the much cheaper boats) or just start at Puerto Ayora and take day trips out to the other islands. This way you only see what you really want to but the cost could escalate quite easily. You can find quite good deals for cruises especially if you're travelling alone as tours sometimes drop prices to fill up the last couple of places on boats. Otherwise, just try the multitude of tour agencies in Quito - you can get 8 day tours including food and flights for $1000 though obviously not going to be the nicest of boats! You just need to shop around. Beware of the extras though - it's a $100 park entrance fee, you would need to buy your own bottled water on cheaper boats and a generous tip for the crew and guide is expected. Personally I would say it was definitely worth the money but at the end of the day I don't think there are that many ways to cut costs. If either of you are in Ecuador on voluntary/work visas you can get money off however. 'Temporary' Ecuadorian Nationals can get half price flights and the park fee reduced to $25 although you really have to argue for that. Good luck!

TB: Galapagos!!!!! Reply to this

16 years ago, January 20th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #25732  
hi!

for living here a while I can say the best way to book Galapagos "cheap" (well the cheapest possible) is to book directly with local galapagos agencies such as manuel yepez' Sharksky, now they have a web check google don't remember Reply to this

16 years ago, January 21st 2008 No: 5 Msg: #25756  
Hi - thanks for posting this question - I have the same one! I'm also wondering if I should give in to my American tendency to want to schedule everything in advance (from here at home in MN) or if I should wait until I'm in Quito to book everything. Does anyone have advice? I'm going to be in Ecuador the first 3 weeks in March. I really really want to visit the Galapagos! Thanks in advance! Reply to this

16 years ago, March 2nd 2008 No: 6 Msg: #29023  
Hi Folks, I'm not sure there is a real way to do the Galapagos on the "cheap" but what I can say is that the Galapagos is worth every cent you spend. I traveled there last April and had the time of my life. It was so amazing that my girlfriend and I have decided to go back and bring a small group. Here is the link to the trip if you are interested in checking it out. http://www.cruise-tour.com/Galapagos/Galapagos.htm We set this trip up directly through our friend Bolivar Sanchez who has been a naturalist in the Galapagos for the last 16 year. He is outstanding. Because of this we were able to keep the cost of the trip lower than your average trip to the Galapagos.

Just a little background about Maria and I... we are teachers and have the summer off. My parents run a small travel business and have given us the opportunity to run a few trips during the summer.

Hope you find this helpful! The Galapagos is magical!

Thanks, Charlie Reply to this

15 years ago, August 19th 2008 No: 7 Msg: #46005  
it is definitelly possible to do the galapagos for cheap!!!

we didn't want to book anything in advance because cost is alot higher, so we waited until getting to quito. it's definitelly the best way to go, if you are flexible with your time that is. we had only given ourselves maybe 15 days in ecuador and thought we'd be on a cruise right away, but we had to wait quite a few days, and even then, the 7 day "deals" weren't really to be found.

our opinion is that 7 days is too much anyways, unless you're a galapagos guru and neeeed to ooo and aaa over every endemic plant/creature the islands have to offer. we went for a 3 day/4 night cruise, and that, combined with an additional two day tour on isabella island and the return flight from quito cost us just under $1200 each. that's pretty good!!! and not all the lower cost cruises are bottom of the barrell ... ours was a small boat, 16 people, two persons to a room and delicious, well prepared food! we snorkelled 2 or 3 times a day and saw what we came to see ... sea lions, tortoises, sea life and iguanas! truthfully, by the end of the cruise, we were a bit tired of doing the same thing everyday. for the galapagos buffs, a 4 day cruise probablly wouldn't be enough, but for us it was more than enough because it really does get repetitive!! we also changed our flight back and stayed a few extra days on the main island to do some exploring and snorkelling, and the cost to stay extra was cheap cheap! on the flight back we bumped into a family of 4 who had just done a week long cruise that cost upwards of $3500 each! craziness!!!

i'd say in total, we spent maybe $2700 or $2800 for the 8 nights we were there. Reply to this

15 years ago, December 2nd 2008 No: 8 Msg: #56316  
Thanks for all the helpful hints. Two Canadians Eh, your tour sounds ideal for me and my wife. PM sent. Reply to this

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