Galapagos with Kids: How to Plan It & Why It’s Great for All Ages

Last Updated on Dec 12, 2024

A family trip to the Galapagos is a fantastic idea. Let’s be real: it’s basically like an open-air ZOO, but without animals being caged. Kids can see sea lions, iguanas, penguins, and dolphins next to them, along with many different types of birds and fish. Not to mention the funny-looking blue-footed boobies.

My son swam with sea lions and black-tip sharks and it’s now his forever cool story. Both kids learned a lot about the animals and its unique ecosystem.

Galapagos with Kids: What Age is Best?

Before taking my kids to the Galapagos, ages 3.5 and 5.5 years old, I kept reading everywhere to wait until the kids are older. In fact, I was going to take them a year before but got slightly spooked by everyone telling me that Galapagos with toddlers is a horrible idea.

I waited until both kids were strong swimmers so they could enjoy snorkeling and swimming around, but with both kids being the youngest on the swim team I had no doubts they could handle it.

Most people online claimed that the kids would be bored until they were 7 or 8 years old. I’m glad I didn’t listen because these people had absolutely no clue what they were talking about! Any age is great for the Galapagos and my kids had a blast and it’s such an easy destination with toddlers as well.

While there’s some walking, swimming, and snorkeling involved it’s not crazy challenging unless you make it challenging. Think about it, the Galapagos also receives a lot of retirees with mobility issues, so there’s always a choice of a boat taxi, a slower pace, or in the case of kids simply carriers. It’s not all that remote. In fact, on our day excursion, my kids were the best hikers of all the adults on the boat and I’ll be honest: my kids are pretty bad at hiking.

It wasn’t just us traveling with kids to the Galapagos though. We saw multiple families with children of all ages everywhere, including babies. There are numerous playgrounds on every island where we met other families and everyone was saying the same thing – even the toddlers had fun… because why wouldn’t they?

The age restrictions you might be seeing online are only for cruises (although Celebrity and Lindbad allow little kids), but you DO NOT have to take a cruise. Not to mention that organizing the Galapagos on your own will also save you thousands of dollars.

Are there any age restrictions on day excursions?

Nope. Every boat offered lifejackets for the kids. When my younger son was hesitant about snorkeling, one of the guides said we could still come on the zodiac boat and he took us to see boobies while the rest of the group was in the water. My son was already happy, but the guide in the water also proposed that my son could use a buoy if it made him more comfortable and actually convinced him to go in.

If your child knows how to swim (or at least float because you could bring a float) and is comfortable in the water there are no restrictions on snorkeling. It can be scary to snorkel among some big waves, but there are plenty of lagoons with a ton of fish, sea lions, sharks, and other creatures. Not to mention the incredible opportunity to swim or snorkel with sea lions and iguanas right from the beach.

Cost of Family Trip to Galapagos

Most people are afraid of two things: the price and whether the kids are too young. Neither is actually an issue because there are no age restrictions and a trip to the Galapagos with kids doesn’t have to be expensive! It can cost a tiny fraction of cruises around the Galapagos that you see online if you go by land.

There are numerous promotions on flights to Galapagos. I see $600-700 deals from the US or even Europe straight into the islands. Otherwise, you can fly to Quito and get separate flights from there and see mainland Ecuador – which is one of my favorite countries in South America!

The big cost of a trip to the Galapagos is an entry fee to Galapagos National Park. This is a one-time fee and is valid for all the islands. Everyone including kids starting from 2 years old has to pay it. You might read that it’s $100 per person, but in August 2024 the price was raised to $200.

Every adult has to pay $200 and kids have to pay $100. This put us at $600 just to enter Galapagos, which undeniably is expensive.

On the bright side, the cost of your stay depends on what accommodation you choose, where you eat and how many day excursions are you planning on doing. Various things in Galapagos are free or require only a small fee usually $10.

For a family of four, you can easily find a comfortable hotel or guesthouse for $80-120 a night. Food will cost you about $9-12 for a meal at a local restaurant and about $15-25 in a fancier bigger place (with the most expensive meal being a lobster).

Day excursions range from $80-230 per person depending on the trip and who you book with. There are no discounts on day excursions for children over the age of 2 years old, as they still occupy space and eat so they need to pay full price.

The day excursions can add up, so you might think that a multi-day cruise might be cheaper. The thing is, if you’re willing to be slightly flexible with your plans you can wait until you arrive to book a cruise and do a land and cruise stay. These cruises are always available, heavily discounted (as it’s last-minute), and advertised in various agencies in Puerto Ayora. A family we befriended did it and I was debating it too once we arrived, but eventually opted for spending more time in San Cristobal.

ATM and cash in Galapagos

You need to have a few hundred dollars in cash when you arrive to get out of the airport. First, you need to buy a Galapagos card before flying to the islands. It costs $20 and has to be paid in US dollars.

Upon arrival, you are to pay the entry fee to the Galapagos. Then, if arriving at Baltra (GPS airport) the airport bus will cost you $5 and then you need to pay another $1 per person to cross to Santa Cruz island on a little zodiac boat. All this has to be paid in cash. Then your taxi will cost you $25 per car to Puerto Ayora or there’s a bus or $5 per person.

(HOT TIP: Don’t pre-book your transport from the airport, it’s a scam. I saw various operators try to charge $75 per person when it’s literally $25 for a taxi (per car) and you still need to pay for the bus and zodiac boat to cross, but it’s $6 per person.

Before coming to Galapagos I kept reading to bring lots of cash, saying that the ATMs aren’t reliable and most places won’t take cards. This is NOT true at all and wasn’t even true 10 years ago.

Once you’re in Puerto Ayora there are numerous ATMs. There are 4 of them right in front of the big supermarket and an additional 3 not too far from the dock where to fish markets take place. My husband’s card didn’t work at one of them, but then another took it while all my cards worked at every ATM.

You will need cash to pay for little boats, water taxis, or tips, but most restaurants take cards.

I was hesitant about ATM availability in San Cristobal, but there were both ATMs and card payment options. In fact, restaurants gave us strange looks when we tried paying in cash, as they were always ready to bring the card readers.

Land or Cruise to Galapagos with Kids

Whether to stay on land or do an island-hopping cruise is a very personal decision. I feel like younger kids, might feel more comfortable on land without being stuck on a boat. For example, after a day excursion but before dinner we would let the kids run around numerous playgrounds – something it’s not really an option on a boat.

Galapagos cruises are very different from big cruise ships. They’re more like Antarctic ships and even smaller, so there’s no kids club or specific activities apart from occasional cookie-making workshops or animal lectures. Hence why most cruises won’t take kids under 7 or 8 on board and frankly, I don’t think my kids would have had as much fun as they did staying on land.

Lindbad cruises allow kids of all ages as well as celebrity cruises, but again it doesn’t mean that smaller boats won’t allow it if you book it upon arrival in Puerto Ayora.

If you’re worried about getting seasick on a multi-day cruise tour, I will tell you that it’s not as bad as you think, as these boats move slowly between the islands. On the contrary, water taxis and inter-island ferries are extremely bumpy, as they’re speedboats, and more people get seasick on them than on a cruise.

Most people wonder whether you will see more on the cruise vs if you’re staying on land. As it’s most likely a trip of a lifetime you want to maximize your time. I think it truly depends on your expectations and also luck. You can easily see the same amount of wildlife and places on a cruise vs staying on islands because day trips are available. However…

One thing we noticed in San Cristobal was that it was obvious to us when people from cruises were having excursions. We were enjoying quiet time with the sea lions and then suddenly 20 people rolled in with selfie sticks and yelling and the beach suddenly became less pleasant for a while, at least until the group left. If we were on that cruise we would be stuck in every place we visited, without the freedom to stay longer and leave earlier.

When we visited Puerto Chino Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, we had the beach to ourselves for a while before a birder with a guide arrived. We had a great time because we went whenever we wanted and stayed as long as we wanted with a taxi driver. The next day my husband wanted to re-film blue-footed boobies and went back to the same spot again… this time he ran into another cruise excursion and for half an hour some woman was yelling to come up and down and then someone else sat by the boobies and loudly crunched the chips for the entire time until the guide called them to continue their tour. Again, if we were with this group we would have recorded nothing because it was absolutely impossible to record any sound of the birds and sea lions when these people were on the beach.

Where to Stay in Galapagos with Kids

When talking about the cost let’s face it: the difference in pricing can be enormous. You can pay $25 per person or you can pay $500 per person for your accommodation. While I enjoy occasionally splurging on fancy hotels and we took the kids to some of the most wonderful hotels around the world, I’ll be real and tell you that it makes zero difference in the Galapagos. In fact, the fancier the hotel the more complicated the trip might be – I’ll explain.

For example, on Santa Cruz island the main town is called Puerto Ayora. This is where the restaurants are, this is where you can wander and book excursions, shop, observe animals resting by the port, and find a local playground.

The most luxurious hotel on the island is Finch Bay and it’s the only beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz and they take kids. Sounds ideal, right? Not quite. The rooms are smaller and surrounded by paths which gives little privacy, so not ideal for families. The worst part is that you cannot just walk to town from it, you need to walk down an obscure path and take a 10-minute boat to town, which can get annoying with the kids. You can however go for dinner at Finch Bay, just remember to pre-book it!

Another luxury property, Galapagos Safari Camp even offers a kids club, so you can go diving or simply enjoy kids-free time. Might sound appealing until you see the location: in the middle of nowhere. It’s about a 25-minute drive to Puerto Ayora, which makes you even more isolated.

This is why I can honestly recommend mid-range properties that provide comfort, privacy and easy access to town, playgrounds, dining options, or simply even taking a stroll around town to see the animals.

Where to Stay in Puerto Ayora with Kids:

I ended up picking Hotel Flamingo, which was a fantastic hotel with family suites on the side of the building ensuring privacy and space. They had a jacuzzi on the rooftop and we also had one in our bathroom.

Most importantly, it was just a 5-minute walk from docks, dining, and groceries which made things easy. I can also recommend the agency right next to the hotel to book your day excursions. They were helpful, honest, and safe to say that other agencies in town were quoting me much more for the same tours.

Where to Stay in San Cristobal with Kids:

San Cristobal is smaller and more relaxed than Puerto Ayora and their luxury hotel Golden Bay is indeed beautiful and centrally located. We opted for staying at a guesthouse Casa de Nelly and it was a perfect choice.

Just a 5-minute walk to restaurants and on the way to Playa Mann. Plus, it was right across from a small playground, so we could chill in hammocks at the guesthouse courtyard while the kids played across the street.

Planning Day Tours in Galapagos

One thing worth mentioning is that while you don’t need to pre-book your day tours to uninhabited islands in advance as it’s easy to do it upon arrival, you need to research by looking at which excursions take place on which day. Some operate daily, while others might only go once a week.

From Santa Cruz your options are:

• Batholome Island – Volcanic island with a hike to the top for the view of pinnacles but not much wildlife, followed by snorkeling.
• North Seymour – Perfect spot to see lots of boobies (blue and red-footed). Heads out on Mondays.
• Pinzon – Snorkeling-based excursion with 2 spots where you’ll see giant manta rays, sea turtles, and sharks and relax at a secluded beach in the end. Operates twice a week, I’m sure about Wednesdays.
• Plazas Sur Island – My personal favorite, because the island is super unique-looking and it’s a perfect trip with kids. An hour-long walk around the island followed by snorkeling in the lagoon with no waves. Operates only on Sundays.
• Santa Fe Island – Snorkeling-based excursion with a bit of a walk. Focuses mostly on sea lions, so personally, I think if you’re going to San Cristobal you might skip it.
• Floreana Island – Includes Punta Cormorant to see stunning flamingos.
• Isabela Day Tour – Day trip to Isabela island, which is an intense day trip and if you have time it’s preferred to stay overnight on Isabela.
• Half-Day Water Taxi Tour to Las Grietas and Tortuga Bay – this can also be done by walking on your own, or buying tickets for the water taxi.
• El Chayo Turtle Reserve Half Day – This simple taxi ride and can be done anytime, or if you feel up for it on the way from the airport as a stop.

From San Cristobal your options are:

• 360 tour – Very heavy on snorkeling at two different spots and finishes at a beach (depending on the day there might be a different beach). Slightly scary for kids, because there are waves and water is cold.
• Kicker Rock – Mostly a snorkeling tour and can be a hit or miss depending on the wind and waves. You can swim with hammerhead sharks and see lots of birds.
• Punta Pitt – Only on Sundays. Tour to lots of different boobies.
• Espanola Island – Long boat ride (2h one way), but a unique opportunity to see lots of boobies, albatrosses, and other birds doing mating dances.
• Half-Day Island Tour to see Turtle Reserve Galapaguera, hike El Junco, and visit Puerto Chino.

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Galapagos with Toddlers or Baby & What to Pack

We saw many families traveling to Galapagos with toddlers. As our youngest was still only 3, some might say he’s still considered a bigger toddler.

Everything you might need for a baby or toddler is available in Galapagos. Supermarkets sell baby food, formula, diapers, wipes. Something more specialized like for example a goat milk formula might not be available, but there’s a galore of products to choose from. Pharmacies are well stocked as well.

In terms of strollers, you can easily bring a stroller to walk around towns. Multiple families on every island were using the strollers, including travel strollers with small wheels, without any issues. We also spotted families with hiking carriers and baby carriers for beach hikes and other walking excursions.

Car seats are not required and the only car seats I saw was for infants and mostly used as something to just put the baby down on boats. Generally speaking, people drive carefully and seatbelts aren’t that common and lots of vehicle don’t even have them.

Definitely bring UV-protective swim shirts. Sun in the Galapagos is no joke because it’s so close to the equator and the only place in the world where I got awful burns. Hats are also desirable for the kids.

Personally, we brought and were super happy with this decision, kids wetsuits I got from Amazon and snorkeling masks. On snorkeling excursions, every boat offers rental ones, but they were too big for our 3-year-old. We had our own and the kids used them when playing in the water for a while and during snorkeling, so they wouldn’t get that cold. Snorkeling with our own equipment was easy at any beach we went to without the need of having to find a rental.

Safety in Galapagos with Toddlers and Older Kids

Galapagos is incredibly safe for kids. It’s not uncommon to see the local kids walking around by themselves after dark, because it’s perfectly safe.

Eating in Galapagos with Kids AKA Picky Eaters

Restaurants in the Galapagos might seem small, but they also cater to kids. Every place, including hole-in-the-wall local eatery, offered kids menu and was willing to cook something different for the kids.

Allergies are taken very seriously, so don’t worry. We met and ate with another family whose child was allergic to gluten, eggs, nuts, sesame, and lactose, and the restaurant cooked everything in a different oil and made accommodations without any issues. We were told they had a fantastic experience everywhere they ate, so don’t worry.

When to Plan a Family Trip to galapagos

The good news is that Galapagos doesn’t really have a bad season. As it’s so close to the equator it’s generally warm all year around. In the past people used to say that the best season was from January to May, but in reality these days water warms out earlier so from mid-November to May is great.

The summer months tend to be colder, especially the water, but it’s nothing a good wet suit can’t fix.

I first traveled at the end of January and it was pretty hot, while my second trip was at the end of November and it was still summer dress weather and kids were swimming in the water a lot.

Recommended Itinerary for Galapagos Family Trip

Our 10-day Galapagos itinerary:

• Day 1: Fly to Santa Cruz from Quito & Arrange Everything
• Day 2: Day trip to Isla Plazas
• Day 3: See Tortuga Bay + Giant Turtle Sanctuary
• Day 3: Another Day Trip
• Day 4: Take the Ferry to San Cristobal
• Day 5: Explore the Loberia, Puerto Chino, and the Giant Tortoise Reserve
• Day 6: Do a Kicker Rock Tour
• Day 7: Enjoy the Loberia, Playa Mann, and town
• Day 8: Fly to Quito from San Cristobal

Flying to Galapagos

The 2 airports on the Galapagos Islands:

• Baltra Airport (GPS): Baltra for Santa Cruz island and town of Puero Ayora.
• San Cristobal Airport (SCY): About a 5-minute drive from the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It costs only $2-$4 per taxi (not per person).

In the past you had to fly to the Galapagos via Guayaquil, but that’s not the case anymore. If you’re flying to the main airport in the Galapagos, also known as GPS or Baltra, then there are direct flights from Quito (the plane does not make a stop in Guayaquil!)

If you’re flying to San Cristobal then, the plan makes a 45-minute stop in Guayaquil for refueling. This part is pretty boring because they make you turn off every device and wait so bring a book to keep everyone entertained.

There’s a possibility that you won’t be able to score a return flight on the same airline (either LATAM or Avianca), but don’t worry – there’s no need to book separately as then you would overpay. We actually had this situation and ended up using Expedia to fly to Baltra on LATAM and return from San Cristobal on Avianca.