How to Find Cheap Hotels in Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands, about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are home to some amazingly unique species of wildlife, including giant tortoises and Galapagos Penguins. The region is made up of 19 islands in total, many of which are available for you to explore.

Things You'll Need

• Proof that you will be leaving Ecuador after your visit is over, such as a round trip ticket or travel voucher showing that you'll be traveling on from Ecuador
• A computer with secure Internet access and navigation software
• Current photo identification
• A valid U.S. passport

Instructions

Know Your Destination

1. Bring U.S. dollars to spend. U.S. currency is used in both Ecuador and in the Galapagos Islands so you won't have to worry about converting your money.

2. Be prepared to deal with health risks that are endemic of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands such as malaria, yellow fever, intestinal parasites and altitude sickness.

Organize Your Transportation in the Galapagos Islands

1. Choose an airport to fly into. The two main Ecuadorian airports that handle international flights are the Quito International Airport and the Guayaquil International Airport. Both of these airports offer direct flights from Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York.

2. Take a boat to the Galapagos Islands. To get to the Galapagos Islands you will need to take a guided tour, or get special permission to visit the islands unescorted.

Lodging in Galapagos Islands

1. Find your sea legs. Many cheap accommodation options are actually not on the Galapagos Islands at all, but on 4-to-8-day tour boats. The cruises range from budget to extremely luxurious. On the cheap side, expect to pay just under $200 per day. To book accommodations, contact the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

2. Wake up early. Boat tour accommodations typically have wildlife-viewing schedules for you to follow. Often, the most action is seen in the morning or early evening.

3. Experience island life and stay on Santa Cruz Island. This is one of the few Galapagos Islands that offers cheap accommodations.

4. Save money by staying in a hotel that is located away from the water. Hotels located in the center of Puerto Ayora are less expensive than the waterfront hotels on this island.

5. Ride a giant tortoise at the Charles Darwin Research Center breeding ground if you choose to stay on Santa Cruz Island. The Center is located about 1 mile west of Puerto Ayora, the Island's only option for visitor accommodations.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• Make sure that you keep your identification and passport with you at all times.

• Select tour groups that are lead by reputable organizations.

• Bring a wildlife guidebook to help you identify unusual species.

• While in Ecuador, it's a good idea to stay away from political demonstrations. They can quickly turn violent.

• Be prepared to respond to natural disasters like flooding, hurricanes and tropical storms.

• Kidnapping of American citizens is a problem in Ecuador.

• Pay attention to the rules and regulations when visiting the Galapagos Islands. In most cases you are not allowed to interact with the animals on these islands and you are not allowed to touch the animals.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish