• More wildlife sightings 
• Convenient interisland travel (visit many islands)
• Low physical activity required
• More food (quantity)
• Less variety of food 
• Limited number of activities available each day (2-3)
• Limited time on each island with no ability to extend it (fixed itinerary)
• Travel in big groups (12-100 people)
• Risk of motion sickness
• Little interaction with the locals
• Bigger carbon footprint (fuel consumption and waste management)

• Less expensive itinerary
• For highly active people
• Flexible itineraries (move at your own pace)
• Private tours available for any group size
• Full-day activities
• Experience the islands during the day and night
• More interaction with the locals and opportunities to support the local economy
• Additional personal expenses 
• Pack and unpack on each island
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Traveling to other islands is possible by speedboat or plane

You must first travel to mainland Ecuador, where you can take a domestic flight from Quito (UIO) or from Guayaquil (GYE) to the Galápagos Islands. Flights to go to one of two airports in the Galápagos Islands, located in the islands Baltra (GPS) and San Crist´óbal (SCY).

Please make sure to arrive in Quito or Guayaquil at least 24 hours before your trip to the archipelago.

Flights from Guayaquil are direct and have an approximate duration of 2 hours. Some flights from Quito require a short layover in Guayaquil before departing to the Galapagos.

Upon arrival in the Galápagos Islands, all tourists must pay a National Park entrance fee (cash only) in order to visit the archipelago.

How to travel between islands in Galápagos 

Boat rides: Speedboats transport tourists to and from Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, the three biggest and most touristic islands. They typically depart twice a day from each of these islands, one in the early morning and another in the early afternoon. This is the cheapest way to travel among these islands, and the ride takes about 2.5 – 3 hours.

Interisland flights: A local airline offers flights between Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. This is the fastest way to get from one island to another, as the flight time is about 30 minutes.

During your visit to the Galapagos National Park, keep in mind the following guidelines to protect the environment of the islands. 

• Travel only with tour operators and boats authorized to work in the protected areas of the Galapagos Islands.
• For your safety and protection of the area, please stay within the marked trails.
• A licensed naturalist guide must be with you during all excursions.
• Please keep a distance of about 2 meters (6 feet) from wildlife. Touching the animals is not allowed.
• Do not feed the animals. They can find their own food, and by feeding them you could disrupt the balance of nature. 
• Do not use a camera flash during excursions. Professional photographers and filmmakers must present a written authorization from the Galapagos National Park to take pictures and record footage in the archipelago. 
• There are a few camping sites on the Galapagos Islands. Ask for a written authorization 48 hours in advance to use them. South Expeditions is the only tour operator that offers a program that includes camping in San Cristobal Island. 
• Introducing foreign plants, animals and food is prohibited, as it is a threat to the Galapagos Islands’ ecosystem. 

Please cooperate with the environmental inspection and quarantine services located at airports and docks in the islands.  

• All garbage should be kept on your person until it can be deposited in the correct recycling containers upon your return to the populated areas.  
• Smoking and campfires are forbidden within the Galapagos National Park.
• All fishing activities are prohibited aboard tour boats.
• Motorized aquatic sports, mini subs, and aerial tourism are not allowed in the Galapagos National Park.