Last Updated on April 19, 2023 by Nellie Huang
Traveling the Galapagos Islands with kids is an epic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here’s my guide to planning the perfect Galapagos family trip!
At 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are some of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Because the islands are so remote and far from one another, the animals that live here evolved and adapted to conditions unique to their island. That’s why wildlife here are so special and cannot be found elsewhere on Earth.
When we first visited the Galapagos 15 years ago, we fell in love with the islands and knew we wanted to return someday! This year, we brought Kaleya there for her 8th birthday and she had a blast swimming with sealions and marine iguanas, hiking on volcanoes and spotting blue-footed boobies and manta rays.
The Galapagos Islands are a fantastic place for kids to connect with nature and learn about our planet in a fun and engaging way. With its abundant wildlife and unique ecosystem, the Galapagos Islands provide amazing educational opportunities for families who love adventure and nature!
Traveling the Galapagos with Kids
The Galapagos Islands are some of the most unspoiled places on Earth thanks to protection laws and conservations efforts. Over 97% of the Galapagos Islands is national park, and Ecuador limits how many tourists visit per year.
Because of how well it has been protected, the Galapagos is a fantastic natural playground for kids. They can see sealions and marine iguanas up close, spot unique blue-footed boobies and red-throated fregate birds flying overhead, and even swim with penguins, dolphins, and whales.
The islands’ unique ecosystem, which has been largely untouched by human interference, offers a valuable lesson in conservation. On our Galapagos trip, my daughter learned so much about animals and how important it was for us to protect their natural habitat. The lesson truly came alive when our boat spotted a turtle stuck in a large fishing net at sea and we all helped to release it!
Galapagos with Kids: What Age is Best?
On our recent Galapagos family trip, we traveled with our 8-year-old daughter as well as my sister and her 10-year-old son. The kids were at the perfect age to explore the Galapagos as any younger would have been more challenging. We live in Mexico, so my daughter is used to outdoor activities; she gets nervous snorkeling sometimes but she did real well on this trip.
Any trip to the Galapagos involves lots of outdoor activities, so you need to make sure your kids are comfortable at sea and can hike for a distance. Even if you’re just doing land-based exploring, there’s a lot of walking, swimming and snorkeling involved.
The best age for kids to enjoy the Galapagos would be 8-16 years old. Younger kids might not be able to tolerate the heat, walk long distances or snorkel in the sea.
- 0-12 months — Small babies will be easy to carry around on slings and they’ll do fine on boat rides, but the scorching sun and lack of shade can be challenging for babies.
- 1-3 years old — Tiny toddlers can still be carried around on hiking backpacks but the sea conditions might not be suitable for the lil ones. They also won’t be able to snorkel and see marine animals.
- 4-7 years old — Pre-schoolers that can walk might find it fun to swim in the sea and hike short distances.
- 8-12 years old – The best age to travel the Galapagos as they’ll be able to participate in most activities and learn valuable lessons.
Cost of Travel in the Galapagos with Kids
Let’s face it: the Galapagos is an expensive destination. The only way to get there is by plane from Quito and there’s the tourist tariff that everyone needs to pay. Expect to spend around US$300 for your flights and US$100 for the entry tariff. Day tours are around US$200-300 each, and a week-long cruise can set you back at $2500.
Galapagos Islands travel is expensive as the archipelago is so remote, almost everything needs to be imported. 97% of the archipelago is a highly protected national park and funds from the entry tax finance the conservation of biodiversity of flora and fauna, and benefit the local community.
Accommodation on the islands are more expensive than on mainland Ecuador but you can still find decent guesthouses at $80/night for a double room and midrange hotels for $200/night. Food is quite affordable especially at the local eateries. Expect to spend around US$8-10 on a local meal, and $20-30 in a hotel restaurant. There are also grocery stores in towns and you can cook on your own to save money.
When to Travel the Galapagos with Kids
One of the perks of the islands’ location along the equator is that the weather is going to warm and sunny all year round. Regardless of when you visit the Galapagos Islands, prepare for high temperatures. We have visited the Galapagos in April and June and it was really hot and sunny on both trips.
There are two main seasons in the Galapagos: January to May is the hot season, giving calmer seas and warmer ocean temperatures. July to December is the dry season which sees cooler temperatures, making it great for hiking inland.
In general, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is from January to May for the best conditions to go snorkeling or scuba diving and cruising around the islands. The Galapagos Islands offer some of the best scuba diving in the world.
How Long to Travel the Galapagos with Kids
On our first trip there as backpackers, we spent 5 days in the Galapagos Islands and based ourselves on Santa Cruz the entire time. This time round, we had 1 week in the Galapagos and stayed on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, but we still wished we had more time. Ideally, I would recommend spending 10 days in the Galapagos Islands so you can enough time to base yourselves on the three main inhabited islands.
You’ll probably want to combine another week or so on mainland Ecuador to make the most of your trip. On this recent trip, we spent two weeks in Ecuador, combining time in the historic center of Quito with hikes in Otavalo and Cotopaxi National Park.
Our 1-week Galapagos itinerary:
- Day 1: Fly to Santa Cruz
- Day 2: See Tortuga Bay + Visit Charles Darwin Center
- Day 3: Do a day trip to Bartolome Island
- Day 4: Take the ferry to San Cristobal
- Day 5: Explore the Loberia, Puerto Chino, and the Giant Tortoise Reserve
- Day 6: Do a 360 day trip around the island + Kicker Rock
- Day 7: Fly to Quito from San Cristobal
Recommended 10-day Galapagos itinerary:
- Days 1-3: Santa Cruz Island
- Days 4-6: Isabela
- Days 7-10: San Cristobal
How to Get to the Galapagos
The only way to get to the Galapagos Islands is by air from Quito and Guayaquil (on mainland Ecuador). LATAM and Avianca are the main airlines that serve the Galapagos Islands — Baltra or San Cristobal. It’s important to note that flights to the Galapagos are tightly regulated, and the government limits the number of visitors to the islands each year to protect its fragile ecosystem.
Flights from Quito/Guayaquil to Galapagos Islands cost around US$300 to $400 roundtrip. All flights are with either LATAM or Avianca, which are both reliable South American airlines. Foreigners are only allowed to book flights on premium class (and sadly they are very strict about it).
The 2 airports on the Galapagos Islands are:
- Baltra Airport (GPS): Baltra is the airport closest to Santa Cruz Island. To get to Santa Cruz island, take a bus for $5, a barge for $1 and another $5 bus (or $25 taxi) to Puerto Ayora, the biggest town in the Galapagos. Or book a fuss-free airport transfer here.
- San Cristobal Airport (SCY): This airport is less than 5 minutes drive from the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. It costs only $2-$4 per taxi (not per person). Most flights to San Cristobal will make a stopover on Baltra.
*TIP: I recommend flying into Baltra and out of San Cristobal like we did on our recent trip. It’s the same price as flying return to either island.
Book Your Flights to Galapagos Islands
Getting around the Galapagos with Kids
There are three possible ways to explore the Galapagos Islands:
1. By Expedition Cruise
The most popular way to explore the Galapagos Islands is going on an expedition cruise, which brings you to several islands within a short time. Not all cruises are suitable for kids though, as most involve an intense schedule, a lot of time at sea, and limited space for kids to run free.
A 4-day Galapagos cruise can set you back around US$2,500 for budget standards or $5,500 for luxury cruises. They typically include all accommodation and meals, visits to the islands with a certified naturalist, and access to snorkeling gear and kayaks. You can save some money by showing up on the Galapagos Islands and shopping around for last-minute deals, but still expect to pay at least $1,800 per person.
Also, it can get choppy on the waters of the Pacific Ocean; many people get seasick while cruising the Galapagos. My friend was seasick the entire time he was on a Galapagos cruise. If your kids aren’t comfortable at sea yet, I wouldn’t recommend going on a cruise.
2. On Day Tours
On both our trips to the Galapagos Islands, we chose to do land-based travel as it was much more affordable. We based ourselves on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, and did day tours to other islands.
Most Galapagos Islands day tours cost around $150-250. [They were $70-100 when we first visited 15 years ago.] They are usually boat tours with snorkeling and food included; some also include short hikes.
You’ll get cheaper deals booking the day tours when you arrive, but they have a fixed schedule and you’ll only be able to visit the islands that they’re scheduled to go to. On our recent trip, we visited during Easter (high season) and many tours were fully booked — we were lucky to get a last-minute cancellation for our Bartolome day tour!
There are three main islands that you can stay on:
- Santa Cruz: This island has the biggest tourist town and has most sights
- San Cristobal: It has the second biggest sealion colony in the Galapagos, but a smaller town
- Isla Isabela: Largest island with smallest town but great for wildlife
Here are the day tours we did and highly recommend:
Kicker Rock day tour from San Cristobal island
North Seymour day trip from Santa Cruz island
Bartolome day trip from Santa Cruz island
Floreana day tour from Santa Cruz island
3. By Ferry
There are also several speedboat companies that offer inter-island shuttling service. You need to plan in advance as there are limited departures each day and they get fully booked. We booked these ferries to go from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal and managed to get tickets a few days beforehand.
The public ferries cost between US$35 per person each way. They usually leave early in the morning and each boat takes up to 30 people. Most tour operators sell tickets. To ensure availability, you can also book these ferry transfers that include hotel pickups!
Inter-island ferries run these routes (back and forth):
- Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) – Isabela (Puerto Villamil): 3 hours
- Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) – San Cristobal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno): 2 hours
Is It Safe to Travel the Galapagos with Kids?
Traveling to the Galapagos Islands with kids is generally very safe, the islands are very quiet, calm and peaceful. The towns have little crime and traffic.
The only potential risks come from the sun and sea. The Galapagos Islands are located near the equator, which means that the sun can be very strong. It’s important to take precautions against sunburn and heatstroke, such as wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and staying hydrated.
Water safety is another important consideration for families traveling to the Galapagos Islands. The islands offer many opportunities for water activities, such as snorkeling and swimming. It’s important to supervise children at all times and make sure that they are wearing life jackets when appropriate.
Heath Risks in the Galapagos with Kids
You don’t need specific vaccinations to travel the Galapagos with kids. The airlines that operate between Ecuador’s mainland and the islands do an outstanding job of keeping at bay many invasive species and threats to Galapagos.
Galapagos’ terrain is so isolated that it sees few mosquitoes. There have been no reported cases of Zika or Malaria in recent years. Dengue fever is an emerging infectious disease in the Galápagos Islands, with the first cases reported in 2002 and periodic outbreaks since then.
It’s not safe to drink the tap water in the Galapagos Islands, always buy bottled water. Food hygiene is generally very good.
While there are medical facilities on the islands, they may not be equipped to handle all types of medical emergencies. It’s important to carry a first-aid kit and any necessary medications, and to purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.
How to Get Travel Insurance for Kids
I highly recommend getting travel insurance as well as it covers personal loss, theft, and medical as well as COVID risks.
Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan, which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.
Many travel insurance providers offer free travel insurance to cover kids who are traveling with their parents, or even grandparents. There is usually a one-to-one ratio, that is you usually have to have at least one insured adult per traveling child to earn the free coverage.
Do You Need to Speak Spanish to Travel the Galapagos with Kids?
Like most parts of South America, Ecuador uses Spanish as its official language. In the Galapagos, you’ll find lots of locals who speak English. Guides are also fluent in English. We speak Spanish, so this is not a problem for us.
Try to learn some basic words before you go. Take the opportunity to expose your kids to a new language and teach them some words like “hola!” (hello), “gracias” (thank you) and “por favor” (please).
Where to Stay in the Galapagos with Kids
There are three main inhabited islands that you can stay on and each island has a town. Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island is the biggest town in the Galapagos. As compared to 15 years ago, the town now has proper tourism infrastructure with a range of restaurants, hotels, tour operators and shops. It gets pretty lively in the evening.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the town on San Cristobal island, is smaller but its accommodation and food options are more affordable. I liked this town more than Puerto Ayora as it’s quieter and there are lots of beaches to swim with the sealions! San Cristobal has the second largest sealion colony in the Galapagos and there are thousands of sealions hanging by the pier everyday. Puerto Villamil on Isabela island is the smallest but accommodations are cheapest.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Luxury: Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel — Undoubtedly the best hotel on Santa Cruz, this stylish hotel is slick and unpretentious. It’s got a beautiful swimming pool and beachfront location, with even its own pier and private yacht. Excellent place if money isn’t an issue! Check the rates.
Midrange: Casa Paloverde — We booked this Airbnb for our whole family and it was fantastic! Lots of space, great location and great amenities. The house has 4 bedrooms, a big kitchen and comfortable living room. There are even bunkbeds for kids and a play area.
Midrange: El Descanso del Guia — This new midrange hotel offers panoramic views over the coast from its rooftop. It also has a nice swimming pool, and clean and spacious rooms. Check the rates.
Budget: Hostal Gardner Galapagos — On our first trip, we stayed at this place located in the heart of town and minutes from the pier. Rooms are cheap and spacious, and relatively well maintained. Great value! Check the rates.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
Luxury: Hotel Indigo — The best hotel on the island is an ultra modern, slick hotel right on the Playa del Oro beach. It’s just a short walk from town and has an infinity pool and upscale restaurant. Check the rates.
Midrange: Galapagos Sunset Hotel — We stayed at this newish hotel right by the pier and enjoyed the central location and spacious, sparkling clean rooms. Check the rates.
Midrange: La Zayapa — Located right on the dock, La Zayapa is the heart of the town, offering room with views of the pier. We absolutely loved staying here. Good prices for such excellent location. Check the rates.
Budget: Hotel Cactus & Cactus — With a minimalistic design, this artistic hostel features clean lines and very simple but beautiful decor. Rooms are well-priced for what it is, highly recommend it! Check the rates.
Puerto Villamil, Isabela
Luxury: Flip Flop House — With capacity for four people, this beautiful, modern house has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a hot tub. The property was built in 2016, and makes a comfortable home away from home. I highly recommend this if you are traveling with family or friends. Check the rates.
Midrange: Drake Inn — Located right on the beach, this simple but comfortable guesthouse offers well-priced rooms just three minutes from town. Its rooftop has excellent ocean views and makes a great spot to chill in the evenings. Check the rates.
Budget: Hotel La Jungla — This budget place offers great value for money, and a rustic jungle setting despite being just a few feet from the sea. All of its rooms have wide windows that look out to the ocean. Check the rates.
What to Eat in the Galapagos with Kids
You’ll be surprised to find that there’s actually quite a good range of food options in town. Food choices in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz run the gamut from simple local eateries to upmarket seafront restaurants. There are even pizzerias, burger joints, craft beer brewery and modern Asian fusion bars. Kids who are fussy with food are spoiled for choice.
Most eateries offer an almuerzo (set lunch) for $5-10 that usually include a soup, fish/chicken with rice and beans, and a drink. These are great value for money and the food usually comes fast!
In general, seafood is a staple in the Galapagos Islands. The headliner on most restaurants’ menu is the brujo (Pacific spotted scorpionfish) and the albacora (yellowfin tuna). Those usually cost around US$25-35 for dinner.
Where to Eat in the Galapagos with Kids
Los Kioskos — Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Los Kioskos is basically a street lined with small, local stalls selling freshly caught seafood. You’ll hear sizzling from the charcoal parillas and smell smoky, grilled fish long before you stumble across this little alley. Food here is reasonably priced and oh so bueno!
Galapagos Deli — Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
This deli is famous for its brick-oven pizza ranging in price from $6.50 to $9.75 and high-quality deli sandwiches from $4.70 to $8.75. Of course, it wouldn’t be a seaport deli without fish and chips, as well as piping hot espresso and delicious frozen gelato. Read reviews here.
Booby Trap — Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island
Booby Trap is the best place to grab a slice of pizza, but it’s their fish tacos that I loved. The lobster also comes highly recommended at a very reasonable rate. The restaurant is owned by a greagarious retired American man and his Ecuadorian wife. Read reviews here.
Wok by the Sea — Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
This joint serves pretty good Asian noodle dishes as well as sandwiches, ribs, wings and ceviche. They also have a great beer promo on their craft beer: 3x $10. Read reviews here.
Post Office — Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
Perched right on the beach, you can sit by the sealion colony and sip on freshly brewed craft beer and enjoy crunchy fish and chips with at sunset here. The restaurant is stylish and upmarket, and food fantastic.
Muyu Galapagos — Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
If you’re looking to splurge, definitely book a table at Muyu Galapagos, one of the best restaurants in the whole archipelago. They serve up modern fusion food, focusing on fresh seafood with a contemporary twist. Read reviews here.
Things to Do in the Galapagos with Kids
1. Santa Cruz Island
See Lizards and Sea Lions at Tortuga Bay
A 45 minute hike from town leads you to Santa Cruz’s most beautiful beach and bay. There are plenty of marine iguanas and sea lions lounging on the beach when we were there. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling with white tip reef sharks, and occasionally tiger sharks. It was the first spot we visited and we were blown away!
How to: Visit independently by walking or taking a taxi from Puerto Ayora.
Snorkel in Las Grietas
Las Grietas is a beautiful naturally formed freshwater pool formed in a crack between two volcanic cliff faces. During midday when the sun is high, the pool is a bright, clear blue. There isn’t a lot of wildlife here, but the crystal clear waters make it just a fun swimming spot. Plus it’s free to visit the site! No guide or tour needed. We absolutely loved it here and could have spent a day here if not for our fomo!
How to: Visit independently by walking or taking a taxi from Puerto Ayora.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center
The Charles Darwin Research Center is a breeding centre and rehabilitation facility for animals from local islands. The research facility may seem a bit basic at first glance, but keep in mind that it’s an education centre and not a zoo. It’s a great spot to visit if you are traveling with kids. The Galapagos entry tariff actually covers entrance to this place, so it’s basically free.
How to: Visit independently by walking or taking a taxi from Puerto Ayora.
2. San Cristobal Island
Swim with Sea Lions at La Loberia
San Cristobal is the best island to go for sea lions. Here at La Loberia, not only can you snorkel with tons of sea lions, but you will also see marine iguanas, lava lizards, frigate birds, and more. We had SO much fun swimming with the sea lions! Those animals can be really cheeky. It’s free to enter, just rent snorkeling equipment beforehand.
How to: Visit independently by walking 30 minutes or taking a taxi ($3 ride) from Puerto Baquerizo.
Snorkel or Scuba Dive at Kicker Rock
Around 3 miles north of San Cristobal island is this volcanic cone that rises from the sea. Kicker Rock, known locally as León Dormmido, is home to a smattering of blue-footed boobies and fregate birds, but it is really its below-water inhabitants that has visitors in awe.
The natural erosion of the cone has created a channel between the rocks that serves as the ideal place to view sharks and rays. If you come at the right time, you can see hundreds of Galapagos sharks (and come into touching distance of them if you choose to snorkel through the canyon). You might have the chance to see schools of spotted eagle rays, turtles, jellyfish, and sea lions.
How to: Book a day tour to Kicker Rock from Puerto Baquerizo.
Hike around Punta Pitt
Punta Pitt is one of the best places to see a huge variety of wildlife on the Galapagos. Both the blue-footed and red-footed boobies, and various species of frigates live in the area. They have chosen this site because its rugged geography prevents species that would be a threat to these birds from accessing here. Another species commonly found here are the iguanas, also due to its complex geography.
How to: Book a day tour from Puerto Baquerizo.
See the Views at Mirador Cerro Tijeretas
The Cerro Tijeretas lookout point offers a panoramic view of Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock. It’s definitely a spectacular spot and well worth the two-mile hike there from the visitor center. You’ll be hiking through a dry forest area full of cacti, acacia trees and lava lizards. The trail also leads to a calm, protected inlet along the shore which is a great spot for snorkeling.
How to: Visit independently by taking a taxi to the visitor center or walking from Puerto Baquerizo.
3. Isabela Island
Hike and Snorkel around Los Tuneles
Los Tuneles or lava tunnels is a hugely popular site to visit. We hired a guide and came here on a day tour. A boat first takes you along the coast to a landscape characterized by bizarre lava formations and tunnels that provide shelter for an abundance of sea life. You’ll then need to hike for a bit before getting the chance to snorkel with sea lions, turtles, sharks, rays, sea horses among innumerable fish species.
How to: Book a day tour from Puerto Villamil.
Snorkel at Las Tintoreras
Las Tintoreras is an islet just off the main dock of Isabela Island. It’s often called mini Galapagos since almost all the Galapagos marine wildlife are found here. There is actually more wildlife here than on the main island.
It’s one of the few places to see the Galapagos penguins, the second smallest penguins in the world. It was incredibly getting to swim with them and see them in the water! You can snorkel in the area without a guide.
How to: Book a half-day tour from Puerto Villamill.
See Flamingos at the Wall of Tears
The Wall of Tears, or El Muro de Las Lagrimas, is one of the most famous hikes on the Galapagos Islands. It’s the only place to see the Galapagos Flamingos and you can do it without a guide. The name comes from the wall at the end of the hike. The Wall of Tears was built in the 1950’s by 300 prisoners, toiling away under the hot sun to cut and haul heavy black volcanic rock in order to build their own prison.
How to: Visit independently by walking from Puerto Villamil.
4. North Seymour Island
Our favorite spot, North Seymour, is a small uninhabited island that is hugely popular with all kinds of birds that live in the Galapagos. It’s a fascinating place with open nesting grounds of blue-footed boobies and the archipelago’s largest colonies of fregate birds. If you’re lucky, you might even see blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas.
How to: The only way to get there is on a cruise or a day tour from Santa Cruz island.
5. Bartolome Island
Bartolome Island is the most scenic island in terms of landscapes. Be sure to climb up to the top of the viewpoint for a 360 degree panorama. There are black volcanic formations, which contrast sharply with the red, orange and green of the rest of the island. Also don’t miss the Pinnacle Rock, home to a colony of Galapagos penguins.
How to: The only way to visit is on a cruise or a day tour from Santa Cruz island.
