Galápagos Travel Guide

Planning

Plan your trip: fees, flights, packing, budgets.

Galápagos Travel Guide: Everything to Plan Your Trip (2026)Planning

How to Get to Galápagos: Flights, Airlines and Fares (2026)Planning

Galápagos Entry Fees and the TCT Card (2026)Planning

Galápagos National Park Rules Every Visitor Must FollowPlanning

How Many Days in Galápagos? (5 vs 7 Days)Planning

Galápagos Trip Cost: What a Trip Really Costs (2026)Planning

Galápagos Packing List (By Season, Checked by Locals)Planning

Baltra vs San Cristóbal Airport: Which to Fly IntoPlanning

Galápagos Ferries: Getting Between the Islands (2026)Planning

Galápagos FAQ: 22 Questions AnsweredPlanning

What to Eat in Galápagos: Brujo, Lobster and Local FishPlanning

Is Galápagos Safe? What You Actually Need to Worry AboutPlanning

Galápagos Seasickness Guide: Rough Months, Stable Boats, Calm CrossingsPlanning

Tipping in Galápagos and Ecuador: Who, When and How MuchPlanning

Money, ATMs and Cards in Galápagos: How Cash Actually WorksPlanning

Internet and WiFi in Galápagos: What Connectivity Really Looks LikePlanning

Travel Insurance for Galápagos: What Your Policy Actually NeedsPlanning

Galápagos with Kids: What Works at Every AgePlanning

Galápagos for Seniors: Pacing, Access and ComfortPlanning

Galápagos Honeymoon Guide: Islands First, cloud forest AfterPlanning

10 First-Timer Mistakes in Galápagos (and How to Avoid Them)Planning

Responsible Tourism in Galápagos: Rules and How to Travel LighterPlanning

Galápagos Visa and Entry Requirements: Passport, TCT and Park FeePlanning

Islands

Island-by-island visitor guides.

Getting Your Bearings in Galápagos: Islands and DistancesIslands

Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos: The Hub of GalápagosIslands

San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos: The Capital, and the Best SnorkelIslands

Isabela Island, Galápagos: Volcanoes, Penguins, and the Wild WestIslands

Floreana Island, Galápagos: Pirates, Postcards, and Post Office BayIslands

Española Island, Galápagos: Albatross, Gardner Bay, and the OldestIslands

Fernandina Island, Galápagos: The Youngest, Wildest IslandIslands

Santiago Island, Galápagos: Fur Seals, Lava Fields, and a CenturyIslands

Bartolomé Island, Galápagos: The Most Photographed View in GalápagosIslands

Genovesa Island, Galápagos: The Bird IslandIslands

Santa Fe Island, Galápagos: The Oldest Island, and Its Own IguanaIslands

North Seymour Island, Galápagos: The Wildlife-per-Step IslandIslands

South Plaza Island, Galápagos: The Red Carpet, the Hybrid IguanasIslands

Rabida Island, Galápagos: Red Sand, Salt Lagoons and One Crowded SnorkelIslands

Chinese Hat Island, Galápagos: A Perfect Cone and a Protected ChannelIslands

Daphne Major, Galápagos: The Island Science Made FamousIslands

Mosquera Islet, Galápagos: A Sandbar with a Sea Lion ProblemIslands

Darwin and Wolf Islands, Galápagos: The Dive-Only Islands at the TopIslands

Marchena, Pinta and the Islands Tourism Never ReachesIslands

Los Gemelos and the Lava Tunnels: The Other Santa CruzIslands

Las Grietas and Playa de los Perros: Puerto Ayora's Swim DayIslands

Month by Month

Weather, wildlife and crowds every month.

Best Time to Visit Galápagos (Seasons, Wildlife, Prices)Month by Month

Galápagos Crowds by Month: When the Islands Feel FullMonth by Month

Galápagos in January: Warm Seas, Turtle Nesting, Calm SnorkelMonth by Month

Galápagos in February: Warm Peak, Rain, Green TurtlesMonth by Month

Galápagos in March: Warming Up, Marine Iguanas NestingMonth by Month

Galápagos in April: Last Warm Month, Albatross ArriveMonth by Month

Galápagos in May: Blue-Footed Booby Mating, Transition SeasonMonth by Month

Galápagos in June: Garúa Season Starts, Cooler and DrierMonth by Month

Galápagos in July: Cold, Dry, and Full of WhalesMonth by Month

Galápagos in August: Coolest Month, Sea Lion PupsMonth by Month

Galápagos in September: Quietest Month, Albatross MatingMonth by Month

Galápagos in October: Garúa Lifts, Diving ImprovesMonth by Month

Galápagos in November: Warm Returns, Sea Lion Pups SwimMonth by Month

Galápagos in December: Warm Season Returns, Christmas CrowdsMonth by Month

Wildlife

Every animal, where and when to see it.

Galápagos Giant Tortoise: Where to See Them in the WildWildlife

Galápagos Marine Iguana: The Only Sea-Going Lizard on EarthWildlife

Galápagos Land Iguana: Where to See Them (and the Pink Cousin)Wildlife

Pink Land Iguana: The Rarest Iguana in the World (Wolf Volcano Only)Wildlife

Galápagos Lava Lizard: The Little Reptile on Every TrailWildlife

Galápagos Penguin: The Only Penguin North of the EquatorWildlife

Flightless Cormorant: The Bird That Traded Wings for WaterWildlife

Darwin's Finches: 13 Species That Changed ScienceWildlife

Galápagos Hawk: The Top Predator on the IslandsWildlife

Galápagos Mockingbird: The Endemic Songbird of the Arid ZoneWildlife

Galápagos Dove: The Endemic Ground BirdWildlife

Galápagos Racer Snake: The Island's Only Snake (and It's Harmless)Wildlife

Galápagos Fur Seal: The Smallest Fur Seal on EarthWildlife

Blue-footed Booby: The Iconic Bird of GalápagosWildlife

Red-footed Booby: The Tree-Nesting Booby of GenovesaWildlife

Nazca Booby: The Masked Booby of the CliffsWildlife

Waved Albatross: The Galápagos Giant of the SkyWildlife

Frigatebirds: The Pirates of the Galápagos SkyWildlife

Galápagos Sea Lion: The Playful Locals of Every BeachWildlife

Green Sea Turtle: The Nesting Giant of Galápagos BeachesWildlife

Hammerhead Shark: The Scalloped Icon of Galápagos DivingWildlife

Whale Shark: The Largest Fish in the Ocean (Darwin and Wolf)Wildlife

Galápagos Sharks: Whitetip, Blacktip, Galápagos and Tiger (Guide)Wildlife

Rays of Galápagos (Manta, Eagle, Mobula)Wildlife

Dolphins and Whales of Galápagos: Where and When to See ThemWildlife

Galápagos Birds: The Complete Guide (Land, Sea and Coastal)Wildlife

Galápagos Wildlife Calendar: What to See Month by MonthWildlife

Activities

Snorkeling, diving, hiking and more.

Snorkeling in Galápagos: Best Sites, Seasons and PricesActivities

Diving in Galápagos: Day Trips vs Liveaboards, Wolf and DarwinActivities

Kayaking and Paddleboarding in Galápagos: Where and HowActivities

Surfing in Galápagos: Breaks, Boards and RulesActivities

Hiking in Galápagos: Trails, Volcanoes and Park RulesActivities

Galápagos Photography Guide: Gear, Settings and EthicsActivities

Birdwatching in Galápagos: A 7-Day ItineraryActivities

Galápagos by Bike: Routes on the Three Inhabited IslandsActivities

Sites & Towns

Iconic visitor sites and the three towns.

Puerto Ayora Guide: Base Camp of the GalápagosSites & Towns

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Guide: San Cristóbal's Capital TownSites & Towns

Puerto Villamil Guide: Sand Streets on IsabelaSites & Towns

Tortuga Bay: The Best Free Half-Day in Puerto AyoraSites & Towns

Los Túneles, Isabela: The Lava AquariumSites & Towns

Kicker Rock: The Sleeping Lion of San CristóbalSites & Towns

El Chato Tortoise Reserve: Wild Giants in the HighlandsSites & Towns

Post Office Bay, Floreana: Mail That Travels by TravellerSites & Towns

Garrapatero Beach: Santa Cruz's Quiet Stretch of SandSites & Towns

Las Bachas Beach: Turtle Nesting on Santa Cruz's North ShoreSites & Towns

Concha de Perla: The Free Swim That Surprises PeopleSites & Towns

Charles Darwin Research Station: What You Actually See (and Why)Sites & Towns

Cruises & Tours

Choosing boats, routes and land tours.

Galápagos Cruise vs Land-Based: Which Is Right for You?Cruises & Tours

Catamarans vs Monohulls in Galápagos: Which Hull to BookCruises & Tours

Small Ship vs Large Ship in Galápagos: What the Park Rules MeanCruises & Tours

Complimentary Nights in Mindo with Your Galápagos CruiseCruises & Tours

How to Choose a Galápagos Cruise: Boat Class, Itinerary, LengthCruises & Tours

Galápagos Last-Minute Cruises: How the Discounts Really WorkCruises & Tours

Galápagos Cruise Costs Explained: What You Pay For, Line by LineCruises & Tours

Luxury Galápagos Cruises: What the Money Actually BuysCruises & Tours

Budget Galápagos Cruises: The Honest OptionsCruises & Tours

Land-Based Galápagos Tours: Island Hopping Day by DayCruises & Tours

Galápagos Cruise Itineraries Explained: Routes, Regions and the 8-Day RuleCruises & Tours

Itineraries

Day-by-day plans, including Galápagos + Mindo.

7-Day Galápagos Itinerary: Two Islands, Land-Based or With a Cruise LegItineraries

10 Days in Ecuador: Quito, Mindo cloud forest and GalápagosItineraries

5 Days in Galápagos Without a Cruise: Land-Based ItineraryItineraries

Galápagos vs the Ecuadorian Amazon: Which One Deserves the Trip?Itineraries

Family Itinerary for Galápagos: 8 Days Built Around KidsItineraries

Honeymoon Itinerary for Ecuador: Islands First, cloud forest LastItineraries

Galápagos on a Budget: The Day-by-Day Cheap ItineraryItineraries

Mindo Cloud Forest Extension After Your Galápagos CruiseItineraries

Quito & Mindo Before Your Galápagos CruiseItineraries

Mindo All-Inclusive Programs: Prices and What's IncludedItineraries

Combining Galápagos and Mindo: 10, 12 and 14-Day ItinerariesItineraries

Best of Ecuador: Galápagos, Quito and the Cloud ForestItineraries