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Below is an overview of the main expenses for your travel and stay in the Galapagos Islands. Prices are in US Dollars and are subject to change.
Please consult our fundraising page for some ideas on how to raise funds for your journey, stay and project.
Program Fee and Housing Fee
A program fee is charged to every volunteer to fund projects and cover overhead costs (such as office rent) and administrative costs. We also offer home-stays for all of our volunteers, with the option of including meals. Volunteers are free to arrange their own accommodation if they wish. In this case the housing fee does not apply, though volunteers are responsible to pay the program fee. However, we encourage using our Homestay program, because we find it helps volunteers connect with the local community as well as giving something back to the local economy. On top of that we can provide support in communication with your host family in case problems should arise.
As we understand that international travel can be quite expensive for families, family discounts are available. Contact Emily Pozo in the Galapagos Office (at volunteer@galapagosice.org) for details.
|
Program Fee* |
Housing fee** |
||
|
Without meals |
With meals |
||
| Up to two weeks |
$250 |
$100 |
$200 |
| Up to 4 weeks |
$300 |
$200 |
$400 |
| For each additional 2 weeks |
$100 |
$100 |
$200 |
For example if you are volunteering for 6 weeks and have housing with meals included will pay $700 for the first month and $300 for the last two weeks.
* The program fee does not include international airfare or flights to the Islands. Please note that these are 2011 prices, pricing may be subject to change without advance notice.
** The housing fee is per person. Due to our contracts with our host families, we cannot pro-rate for occupancy less than the specified time periods. The boarding option includes three meals a day, seven days a week. Housing fees are paid in advance (the first payment in cash, directly to the Galapagos ICE office in Puerto Ayora during orientation), and then on the first Friday of every month thereafter.
Air Transportation
There are several airports in the Galapagos Islands, but you should book a flight to Baltra airport, from where you can easily reach Puerto Ayora. The airlines that provide service between the mainland (either Guayaquil or Quito) and the Islands are Aerogal, TAME, and LAN. You can find some general price indications on the Lonely Planet website.
Galapagos Entrance Fees
A Galapagos transient card fee of $10 by the Galapagos Government Council is payable at the Guayaquil/Quito airports, and is payable in cash only.
The Galapagos National Park Fee of $100 will be waived once we submit your paperwork to the Consejo del Gobierno (INGALA). In order to ensure this is arranged on time for your arrival you must complete and submit your paperwork to us no later than six weeks before your arrival. Once your paperwork is complete and processed, we will send you a waiver for your $100 Galapagos Park Entrance Fee. You must present this waiver at the Consejo del Gobierno (INGALA) booth at the Quito/Guayaquil airport, and to the Galapagos National Park official at the Baltra Airport (on the Islands). Please read the Getting Here section of the Volunteer handbook for more information.
Ecuadorian Exit Fees
The following Airport Departure Taxes are levied on your return home, depending upon the airport from which your international flight departs.
- From the Guayaquil airport – $28 (cash or credit)
- From the Quito airport – $41 (cash).
