Self-Launched Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions

Arrive in Quito at any time. Check into a hostel in the Mariscal or La Floresta neighbourhood — both are well-connected and popular with backpackers. Spend the evening exploring the lively Foch Plaza area, grab a cheap set menu dinner (almuerzo-style), and sort out any last-minute logistics for your Galápagos flights. Note: Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) has scheduled maintenance closures in 2026 — double-check your flight dates aren't affected.

🚌Arrange your own flights to Quito (not included). Airport transfer by Ecovia bus or taxi (~£3-8)

🛏Hostel in Mariscal/La Floresta, Quito — e.g. Community Hostel or El Cafecito (~£12-18/night)

• →Explore Quito's Mariscal neighbourhood on foot
• →Optional: book a Quito city tour and Equator Line visit via GetYourGuide (~£40-50)
• →Brief yourself on Galápagos entry requirements: you'll need a Transit Control Card (~$20 USD) and Galápagos National Park entrance fee ($200 USD) — pay at the airport

Take an early morning flight from Quito to Baltra Airport (the main Galápagos gateway). Book independently with LATAM or Avianca — flights typically cost £200-300 return from Quito. On arrival, pay your $20 Transit Control Card fee and $200 Galápagos National Park entrance fee at the airport. Take the free shuttle bus to the canal, cross by ferry (~$1), then take a public bus or shared taxi to Puerto Ayora (~£1.50). Check into your hostel and spend the afternoon visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station on foot — it's free and walkable from town. Watch giant tortoises up close in the breeding centre.

🚌Flight Quito–Baltra + free shuttle + $1 canal ferry + public bus to Puerto Ayora

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz — e.g. Casa del Lago or Hostal Gardner (~£18-25/night)

• →Fly Quito to Baltra (LATAM or Avianca, book independently ~£200-300 return)
• →Pay Galápagos National Park entrance fee ($200 USD) and Transit Control Card ($20 USD) at airport
• →Free shuttle + canal ferry + public bus to Puerto Ayora (~£2 total)
• →Self-guided visit to Charles Darwin Research Station (free entry)
• →Stroll the waterfront malecón and watch sea lions lounging on benches

Take the morning public speedboat from Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island (~2 hrs, ~£25-30). Speedboats depart at 7am and 2pm daily — book your ticket the day before from one of the dock agencies. Check into your guesthouse in Puerto Villamil, then join an afternoon guided Sierra Negra Volcano hike — this is a National Park activity and must be done with a licensed guide, but you can book directly with local operators on the island for far less than a pre-packaged tour. The hike takes you to the rim of Sierra Negra's 10km wide basaltic caldera — the largest in the Galápagos — across lunar lava fields with views toward Fernandina Island.

🚌Public speedboat Santa Cruz to Isabela (~£25-30 each way)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Puerto Villamil, Isabela — e.g. Hostal Isabela or La Jungla (~£18-25/night)

• →Morning public speedboat Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil (~£25-30, book dock-side)
• →Self-guided exploration of Puerto Villamil's flamingo lagoons and tortoise reserve (free)
• →Afternoon Sierra Negra Volcano guided hike (~£30-40 booked locally with island operators)

Today is your big snorkelling day on Isabela. Choose between two incredible options — or if budget allows, try both on separate half-days. Las Tintoreras is a short boat ride south of Puerto Villamil and offers excellent snorkelling with white-tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas, and penguins (~£25-35 booked locally). Los Tuneles is a 40-minute boat ride away and features a stunning network of lava arches and tunnels underwater — sea horses, turtles, and eagle rays are commonly spotted (~£60-80 locally). Both can be booked directly with waterfront tour agencies in Puerto Villamil. Spend the evening relaxing on the beautiful Puerto Villamil beach.

🚌Short local boat transfers included in snorkelling tours

🛏Budget guesthouse in Puerto Villamil, Isabela (~£18-25/night)

• →Snorkelling at Las Tintoreras — book locally in Puerto Villamil (~£25-35)
• →Optional: Los Tuneles snorkelling excursion (~£60-80 locally, includes transport)
• →Free beach time at Playa de Puerto Villamil
• →Explore the Wall of Tears (Las Grietas) on foot or by bike rental (~£5)

Take the public speedboat from Puerto Villamil to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal (~2-2.5 hrs, ~£25-30). Boats typically depart at 6am and 2pm — confirm locally the day before. San Cristóbal is the provincial capital of the Galápagos and home to the famous Lobería beach where sea lions congregate en masse. Spend the afternoon exploring on foot: visit Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) for snorkelling with sea lions directly from the beach — this is free and one of the best wildlife encounters in the Galápagos. Grab dinner at one of the local comedores (set-menu restaurants) on the main square.

🚌Public speedboat Isabela to San Cristóbal (~£25-30)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal — e.g. Casa Blanca or Hostal San Francisco (~£18-25/night)

• →Morning speedboat Isabela to San Cristóbal (~£25-30)
• →Visit Lobería beach to see wild sea lion colonies (free, short taxi ride ~£3)
• →Hike up Cerro Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill) for panoramic views (free)
• →Snorkel directly off Playa Mann beach with sea lions (free — bring your own gear or hire locally ~£8)

San Cristóbal's star attraction is Kicker Rock (León Dormido) — a dramatic twin-spire volcanic formation rising from the sea, offering world-class snorkelling with hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Book a day tour directly with a local operator on the waterfront (~£70-90 including snorkelling gear and lunch). In the afternoon, visit the free Interpretation Centre for an excellent overview of Galápagos geology and ecology. Don't miss El Junco Lagoon in the highlands — reachable by shared taxi (~£8-10 return) — a rare freshwater lake where frigate birds bathe.

🚌Local tours and shared taxis

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (~£18-25/night)

• →Kicker Rock (León Dormido) full-day snorkelling tour — book locally (~£70-90 including gear and lunch)
• →Visit free Interpretation Centre in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
• →Shared taxi to El Junco freshwater lagoon in the highlands (~£8-10 return)
• →Evening: explore the main plaza and watch sea lions on the benches (free)

Isla Lobos is a small islet just a short boat ride from San Cristóbal, famed for its playful sea lion pups that approach snorkellers with curiosity. You'll also spot blue-footed boobies and nesting frigatebirds on shore. Book a half-day snorkelling trip to Isla Lobos directly with a waterfront agency (~£30-40). Bring your camera for spectacular wildlife photography. Spend the afternoon at leisure — San Cristóbal's beaches are excellent for a final relaxed swim before heading back to the main island the following day. Pack your bags in the evening and enjoy a farewell dinner on the waterfront.

🚌Short local boat transfer included in Isla Lobos tour

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (~£18-25/night)

• →Half-day snorkelling trip to Isla Lobos — book locally (~£30-40 including gear)
• →Spot blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds nesting on shore
• →Afternoon beach time at Playa Mann or Playa Lobería
• →Farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (~£8-12)

Take your return flight from San Cristóbal Airport (SCY) back to Quito — book this in advance with LATAM or Avianca as part of your return Galápagos ticket (note: some inter-island routes go via Baltra/Santa Cruz). Flights typically depart mid-morning. Arrive in Quito by early afternoon. If you have a late flight home or a free evening, Quito's historic Old Town (Centro Histórico) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent final stop — ride the Teleférico cable car up Pichincha volcano for sunset views over the city (~£8).

🚌Return flight San Cristóbal to Quito (pre-booked as part of Galápagos return ticket)

🛏Hostel in Quito Mariscal area (~£12-18/night) or airport hotel if flying early next day

• →Morning flight San Cristóbal to Quito (LATAM/Avianca, included in return ticket)
• →Optional: explore Quito's UNESCO Old Town and colonial churches (free/low cost)
• →Optional: Teleférico cable car ride up Pichincha volcano (~£8)
• →Dinner in La Ronda street in the Old Town (~£6-10)

Depart from Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO) at any time. If you have a morning to spare, grab a final breakfast at one of the local cafés near your hostel — try a traditional Ecuadorian breakfast of pan de yuca, humitas, or eggs with patacones. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport (at least 2-3 hours for international flights) — a taxi from Mariscal to the airport costs around £8-12, or use the Ecovía bus connection for around £1.50. Safe travels!

🚌Taxi or bus to Mariscal Sucre Airport (~£2-12)

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Final Ecuadorian breakfast at a local café (~£3-5)
• →Check out of hostel and arrange airport transfer (taxi ~£8-12 or Ecovía bus ~£1.50)
• →Depart from UIO — check airline website for any maintenance closure updates on your travel date