I decided to ask myself seven Questions about my Galapagos experience in a backpackers eye – I hope it will be interesting for other travelers planning their trip to San Cristobal in Galapagos.

Visiting Galapagos is for Amazing Animal Life

The animal life in Galapagos, we all know it’s unique, and we are all very excited to experience the islands of Galapagos. To be in Galapagos and walk among the animals is so rare and beautiful.

Sea lions are taking over the bench and the beaches, just enjoying life as only sea lions can. They are just amazing. On the island, you can see a lot of animal life for free. Sea lions are free to watch; the same goes for the pelicans, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, sea turtles, frigate birds, and fishes.

If you can go on some day-tours either diving, snorkeling and hiking you can also see more animals like Hammerhead sharks, Galapagos Shark, Blacktip reef sharks, Whitetip reef sharks and many sea turtles from my dive tour at Kicker Rock, 180 US. Then one day tour to Punta Pitt you can see the red-footed booby (100 US super deal). Then there are places you can walk on the island of San Cristobal to watch animal life for free as well. There are options for the budget.

 

7 Awesome Questions about Galapagos

1. Galapagos Expensive?

To get to the island is the expansive part. When you are on the islands of Galapagos, you can do a lot of things for free. It doesn’t cost you anything to walk around and watch sea-lions, turtles, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, marine iguanas, and frigate birds. Maybe you have to pay 2 US dollars for renting snorkeling gear if you didn’t bring your own. Don’t need to go on a cruise to explore the wonders of Galapagos.

BEACHES ARE FREE

The beaches and the bay on the islands are free to use. When it comes to accommodation, I did have a nice room for 15 US a night with AC, hot water and TV, breakfast not included it cost me 3 US a day. Lunch went for around 3-5 US a day and dinner for about 10-20 US. The activity that was most costly for me was the diving, which was around 150-180 US for a two tank dive, depending on the dive I was taking. That was my biggest expanse on this trip, but it was so worth the money. That was where I wanted to use my money on this trip. I also made a day trip to Punta Pitt for 100 US.

COST FOR 12 DAYS IN GALAPAGPS

In 12 days in Galapagos, ended up spending around 1 150 US, which includes the entering park fee, six dives, one day tour to Punta Pitt, accommodation and food included in the price. Not crazy expansive, but of course I could compare it and have a month for the same money in Thailand, this was an awesome experience and worth the extra money. I did what I wanted to do: I went to Galapagos and had a great adventure!

I didn’t have anything booked when I arrived there, I just walked around and checked prices and deals when I was on the Island, that worked out great for me, since it was with the locals and not with big companies. The only thing I knew before going: was that I wanted to dive, snorkel and do a day trip or two.

WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?

Have a small plan on what you want to do in Galapagos and, what you want to see of the islands and the animal life. Galapagos is more expansive than a regular place, but it’s still possible to explore Galapagos. You need to plan a bit before going, so you have time to enjoy the island not worrying about the money. Then go and enjoy the beautiful islands of Galapagos!

IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, DON’T GO.

Make Sure You Have Saved Enough Money

For the Fun & Exciting Activities That You Want to Do!

 

2. What Was My Biggest Surprise? 

The sea lions, I didn’t know that the sea lions were that relaxed about the life on the island. They don’t care that you are a human and want to be close (2 meters) and lock at them or take pictures. They are everywhere on the island of San Cristobal, and they have even taken over one of the beaches for their pleasure. I didn’t know that they were a big fan of group spooning as well as super excellent in doing underwater yoga; their flexibility is impressive – on another level.

3. What is the Best Beach in San Cristobal Island in Galapagos?

I think this one is tough. Las Tijeretas, Punta Carola, Playa Mann, and La loberia are all really good places in their different ways. I would absolutely go to them all. Then revisited your favorite. Personally, I loved Las Tijeretas because I had an amazing experience playing with the sea-lion in the water there. I also like Play Mann because it´s so easy to go there, no need for a long hike or anything, it is just there on the road, so you can easily go there to just relax or just have a quick swim.

Playa Mann – Free and great place to relax

Las Tijeretas with Great Snorkeling

4. The Most Amazing Thing in San Cristobal?

It has to be diving at Kicker Rock with a big load of sharks and sea turtles. My last dive, there was maybe my best dive so far in life. The visibility was good, and I was good as well, totally relaxed and ready to enjoy the experience. In my dive, I ended up seeing hammerhead sharks, Galápagos shark, Blacktips reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, sea turtles and sea lions, an experience for a lifetime. WATCH the VIDEO  

I used a lot of money on diving – 450 US dollars / 3 tours & 6 dives in total. It was well-spent money if you ask me. It was also very amazing playing with the sea-lion at Las Tijeretas in the water for 15 minutes, that was completely free.

5. Best Food in San Cristobal?

The best food for me was at San José Parilla, behind the main road and up to the left. Just ask a local for direction. At San José, the seafood or what you would like is heaven on a plate. It is natural food that is maid delicious. Couldn’t ask for more. I went for the prawns with a perfect cilantro and garlic mix dressing, of course, you get served with rice and beans with it, in true Galapagos style. It only cost 15 US dollars. Food as it should be. I was starving so there is no picture of the fantastic food, as usual.

6. Scariest Thing I did?

It is a bit funny, but it was terrifying to go to the local Discoteca and to realize that I can’t dance a shit of what they were doing. Seriously, my hips don’t move like that. To dance like that, would typically be in another room. Surprisingly, I was suddenly a bit shy on the Discoteca, well there is the first thing for everything, ding-dong! I love the music do, so sad that my hips can´t move to it, yeah maybe in five years there will be hope.

7. What is the Most Spectacular in Galapagos?

The most spectacular was watching all the fearless wildlife, sea lions sleeping on the bench on the street, on the stairs. Marina Iguana is just chilling on the beach, and Blue Footed boobies are having a break on the Malecon. An average day in animal paradise, the best day experience for an animal lover that is fascinated by the Galapagos and it’s animal paradise.

San Cristóbal the best island in Galápagos

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