You are wondering “How to get to Galapagos from Ecuador?”? Then stop looking and start reading! At the end of this article, you will know everything you need to plan your trip to these beautiful islands!
Maybe you didn’t know that, I personally didn’t before meeting my Ecuadorian boyfriend, but the Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador. They are one of the four region of the country. So really there is nothing easier than getting there from the continent…
But what’s the best Island to get to? How to travel in between islands? What to do there? You must have a ton of questions needing answers to plan the best trip possible!
Lucky you, by the end of this blog post, you will know everything you need to know about the beautiful Ecuadorian archipelago. And honestly, I can’t wait for you to explore this unique place… So keep reading and start planning the trip of your dreams!
This article answers your question, “How to get to Galapagos from Ecuador?”, and much more!
HOW TO GET TO GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS?
You are visiting Ecuador, and want to visit the Galápagos Islands? I get you, this Ecuadorian archipelago is probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. From wildlife to spectacular sceneries, you will fall in love as soon as you get there.
You might wonder how to get to the Galápagos Islands from Ecuador, though. By boat? By plane? Which city should you choose as your departure point? Let me clarify all that for you!
First and foremost, you can only reach the Galápagos Islands by plane. If you want to go on a cruise there, you totally can, but you will have to fly to the archipelago first.
Departure airport for the Galápagos Islands
There is no international flight to the Galápagos Islands. Therefore, you will have to fly from Ecuador. So, if you are not in the country yet, I suggest you get there at least one night before your flight to Galápagos to avoid any stress.
You can either fly from Guayaquil or Quito. Prices and flights duration will be more or less the same (use Google Flights to compare everything easily), so pick the one that is more convenient for you. Be careful, though, if you book a flight from Quito, some will have a layover in Guayaquil, adding time to your journey.
Now that you know where to go from, let’s talk about where to land to!
Arrival airport for the Galápagos Islands
There are two different airports in the Galápagos archipelago. Baltra (Santa Cruz Island) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal). They are both a good option. It solely depends on which Island you are planning on visiting. If your plan is to visit different Islands, you can arrive at one and return from the other.
Here are some information regarding the two airports.
- Baltra Airport next to Santa Cruz Island: If you land in Baltra airport, you’ll have to go on an hour-long journey to reach Puerto Ayora, the main city on Santa Cruz Island. Buses will wait outside the airport at every flight arrival to take you to the Canal de Itabaca. There, you will take a ferry ($0.7) to cross the narrow channel separating Baltra from Santa Cruz. On the other side of the channel, another bus will be waiting to take you to Puerto Ayora ($1.5) in less than an hour.
- Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island: The airport in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is within walking distance from the city. So that might be the easiest option for you if you want to quickly go to your hotel after landing. To make it easier, ask your hotel reception to arrange a transfer. Some of them will have a pick-up service.
TRAVELING IN BETWEEN ISLANDS OF THE GALÁPAGOS ARCHIPELAGO
If you are staying on the Galápagos archipelago for more than a few days, you might want to travel between islands. I suggest you do. Each island has its particularity and by visiting more than one of them you will see everything the Galápagos has to offer.
You will find on each main islands several agencies that can take you from one island to the other by boat (approximately $15 per person and per boat ride). Be careful, though, if you get sea-sick, the rides aren’t always smooth. I got sea-sick for the first time on one of this boat ride.
MAIN ISLANDS IN THE GALÁPAGOS
There are three main islands in the Galápagos. Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. I’ve visited all three of them, and they all have their particularity. If you have time, try to see them all, you will be blown away!
Here are THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS to know about these Islands
SANTA CRUZ
World widely known for its beach, Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz is one of the main island of the Galápagos archipelago. Puerto Ayora, its main city, will provide you with everything you might need. Restaurants, bars, hotels, small shops, pharmacies… You name it! Apart from Tortuga Bay, the main touristic attractions there are Charles Darwin Research Station, the Giant Tortoise Reserve and Las Grietas. Make sure to check them all out while you are there!
SAN CRISTÓBAL
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island is the capital city of the Galápagos archipelago. This Island is famous for the amount of sea lions there (and their particular odor…). If you are into hiking and want to get an astonishing view, go hiking on Cerro Tijeretas. You can then go snorkeling or just lay on the beach and see dozens of marine turtles!
ISABELA
Largest Island of the Galápagos archipelago, Isabela is also the wildest. You will still find everything you require there, but be aware that it is less developed and slightly more expensive than the other two islands. But it might become your favorite! While you are there, don’t forget to check out the Flamingo pool and the Wall of Tears!
From all three Islands, you can also book day tours and go on incredible excursions! They are expensive, though, and can quickly add up. But some of them are worth it, so you might want to take a look and choose one or two that can fit in your budget!
One that blew my mind was Los Tuneles, and I highly recommend you to go there while you are visiting the Galápagos Islands.
The Galápagos Islands are expensive but, in my opinion, worth every penny and a once in a lifetime adventure. If your budget is too tight and can’t travel there, DON’T WORRY, though! You can still enjoy the Ecuadorian beaches and their wildlife on the continent, in the coastal region.