Experience the Galapagos Singles Vacation Itinerary
Experience the incredible wildlife, volcanic landscapes, beautiful beaches, and unique islands of the Galapagos. Explore Santa Cruz and Isabela, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, encounter giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, and more on this unforgettable singles adventure.
Arrive in Guayaquil, where you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Guayaquil sits on the western bank of the Río Guayas and is Ecuador's largest city and an important commercial and Pacific port center.
Spend time discovering the city's riverfront, including Malecón 2000, which combines landscaped green spaces, shopping, and views along the waterfront.
You can also explore the picturesque Las Peñas district and discover Guayaquil's growing art scene.
Begin your Guayaquil city tour at Simon Bolívar Park and visit the city's Gothic-style Cathedral, rebuilt following the devastating fires of 1896.
Continue to Las Peñas, Guayaquil's oldest and one of its most picturesque neighborhoods. See historic colonial houses, many of which have been transformed into galleries and workshops, and enjoy the area's outdoor art displays.
Walk along Malecón 2000 beside the Guayas River and enjoy views of the river and city.
Finish the tour at the Historical Park on the banks of the Guayas River. The park presents the history and culture of old Guayaquil through recreated architecture, traditions, urban and rural life, gardens, and wildlife areas.
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's most extraordinary wildlife destinations.
The Galapagos Islands are famous for their unique endemic species and their importance to our understanding of evolution. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, seabirds, and an incredible variety of marine life inhabit the archipelago.
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, meet your guide and travel by bus and ferry to Santa Cruz Island.
Journey through the Santa Cruz highlands and watch the vegetation change from dry landscapes filled with cacti to lush green highlands. Stop to see the twin craters, formed when volcanic roofs collapsed through geological activity and erosion.
Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve, one of the best places on Santa Cruz to observe giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural environment as they move between the coast and highlands.
Enjoy lunch at a typical hacienda before continuing to Puerto Ayora.
From Puerto Ayora, take a leisurely walk to Tortuga Bay, home to one of the longest white-sand beaches in the Galapagos archipelago.
Watch for marine iguanas, sea turtles, and migratory birds along the shoreline. At the western end of the beach, a rocky point creates a protected cove with calmer water.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Bring your swimsuit and snorkeling equipment, or rent gear locally, and spend time in the water at Tortuga Bay, or return to town for shopping and exploring.
Set out on a full-day boat excursion to one of the Galapagos islands: North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew, or Santa Fe. Each island offers its own distinctive scenery and wildlife.
Lunch aboard the boat and a snorkeling activity are included.
North Seymour is particularly well known for Blue-Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. The island provides excellent opportunities to observe nesting seabirds and their fascinating behavior.
South Plazas is known for its large sea lion colony, colorful vegetation, land iguanas, cactus forests, and birdlife that can include lava gulls, yellow warblers, and red-billed tropicbirds.
Enjoy another full day on the water with a boat excursion to one of the islands such as North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew, or Santa Fe.
Bartholomew is a small volcanic island famous for Pinnacle Rock and one of the most recognizable panoramic views in the Galapagos.
The climb toward the island's approximately 114-meter-high summit passes volcanic formations including lava flows, lava tubes, spatter cones, and tuff cones.
From the summit, enjoy spectacular views across the surrounding islands and coastline. Penguins are also commonly seen around the bay area.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center in Puerto Ayora, where scientists and volunteers work on conservation and research projects involving the Galapagos Islands and their famous giant tortoises.
Walk through the giant prickly-pear cactus forest and learn about the different stages of a tortoise's life, from incubation and hatching to growth and eventual release.
Later, head to the port and travel by speedboat from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island.
Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos and accounts for roughly 60 percent of the archipelago's land area. The island was formed by six volcanoes and remains one of the most volcanically active parts of the Galapagos.
Discover Isabela's dramatic lava fields, beautiful beaches, volcanic scenery, and relaxed island atmosphere.
From Puerto Villamil, take a short boat ride to Las Tintoreras, a small rocky islet and one of Isabela Island's beautiful wildlife sites.
Look for white-tipped reef sharks resting in the lava channels and observe marine iguanas and playful sea lions along the shore.
Put on your mask and snorkel to discover the underwater world, where you may encounter colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine life.
Later, explore the Wetlands Route, a roughly five-kilometer network of trails that can be traveled on foot or by bike. The route connects lagoons, beaches, viewpoints, mangroves, and other natural areas.
Enjoy your final morning on Isabela Island at leisure. Spend some time in the water, relax, or shop for last-minute souvenirs.
In the afternoon, transfer to the port and take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island.
This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and celebrate the friendships, adventures, and memories created during your Galapagos vacation.
In the morning, begin your return journey for the flight back to Baltra and onward to Guayaquil.
International connecting flights depart from Guayaquil. Airport assistance for the international connection is not included.
Please make sure your international flight from Guayaquil is booked after 7:30 PM.
Galapagos Hotels
Comfortable accommodations selected throughout your Galapagos adventure, from Guayaquil to Santa Cruz Island and beautiful Isabela Island.
What’s Included in Your Galapagos Singles Vacation
Your Galapagos vacation package includes accommodations, transportation between the islands, guided experiences, meals, domestic air, and essential trip services throughout your adventure.
Covered in Your Vacation Package
- 9 Nights Accommodations
- Breakfast Daily - 3 Lunches - Farewell Dinner
- English Speaking Travel Leader
- Guided Tours and Activities per itinerary
- Guayaquil to Baltra round-trip air flight
- Santa Cruz to Isabela round-trip via speedboat
- Airport/Hotel Transfers
- All Taxes and Surcharges
Additional Travel Expenses
- Pre-Night Hotel with Airport Transfer - $210
- Post Night Hotel with Airport Transfer - $210
- Airfare - Best Single Travel will help arrange your air
- Galapagos National Park - $200 Entrance Fee
- Migratory Control Card - $20
- Isabela Dock Fee - $10.00
- Extra luggage pound will have a surcharge of $2 each
*The price per person is for a double room. Free roommate matching is available on all our vacations, so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement". If you wish to room alone it is an additional $650.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Galapagos Singles Vacation
Find answers to common questions about visiting the Galapagos Islands, island transportation, wildlife experiences, accommodations, roommate matching, additional fees, and preparing for your adventure.
Yes. This Galapagos vacation is designed for singles and solo travelers who want to experience Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands as part of an organized group. You do not need to bring a travel companion.
The group format gives you opportunities to meet other travelers while exploring the islands, discovering incredible wildlife, enjoying guided activities, sharing meals, and experiencing the Galapagos together.
The vacation begins in Guayaquil, Ecuador before continuing by air to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. The itinerary includes time on Santa Cruz Island and Isabela Island, giving travelers the opportunity to experience different landscapes, wildlife, beaches, and communities throughout the archipelago.
Transportation between Santa Cruz and Isabela is included via round-trip speedboat, making it possible to experience more than one of the Galapagos Islands during the vacation.
The vacation package includes 9 nights of accommodations, breakfast daily, 3 lunches, a farewell dinner, an English-speaking travel leader, guided tours and activities according to the itinerary, and airport/hotel transfers.
The package also includes the Guayaquil to Baltra round-trip air flight, Santa Cruz to Isabela round-trip transportation via speedboat, and applicable taxes and surcharges.
The Galapagos Islands are famous for their extraordinary wildlife and are one of the world's most remarkable destinations for observing animals in their natural environment.
Depending on the locations visited and natural conditions during the trip, travelers may have opportunities to see giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, colorful birds, and a variety of marine life. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed because the animals are wild and move naturally throughout the islands.
No. You can join the Galapagos vacation completely on your own. Free roommate matching is available, so you do not need to already know another traveler in order to book the double-occupancy rate.
The published trip price is based on a double room. If you prefer to room alone, a private room is available for an additional $650.
Yes. Some required local fees are not included in the vacation package. The Galapagos National Park entrance fee is $200 and the Migratory Control Card is $20.
There is also a $10 Isabela dock fee. Travelers should budget for these additional expenses separately from the published vacation price.
Transportation between Santa Cruz and Isabela is by speedboat. Unlike a large cruise ship, these smaller boats travel across open water, so conditions can vary depending on the weather and the sea.
Travelers who are sensitive to motion may want to prepare for the crossing in advance. Lightweight luggage that is easy to manage is also helpful when transferring between islands, boats, docks, and hotels.
Travelers should pack carefully for the Galapagos portion of the vacation because additional luggage weight may result in extra charges.
According to the trip information, each extra pound of luggage is subject to a $2 surcharge. Packing light also makes island transfers and speedboat transportation much easier to manage.
This is an active adventure vacation. Travelers should be comfortable walking, getting on and off boats and other transportation, and participating in guided activities in natural environments.
Some locations may include uneven terrain, beaches, docks, trails, wet surfaces, or other conditions different from traditional city sightseeing. Comfortable walking shoes and appropriate footwear for water and island activities are recommended.
Pack lightweight and comfortable clothing, supportive walking shoes, swimwear, and suitable footwear for beaches and water activities. A lightweight rain jacket can also be useful for changing island conditions.
Sun protection is especially important. Consider bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. A small daypack or dry bag can be useful for excursions and boat trips.
Because the vacation includes flights, speedboat transfers, hotels, and travel between islands, packing compactly will make your luggage easier to manage throughout the trip.
Yes. Travelers who would like additional time before or after the scheduled vacation can add a pre-night or post-night hotel stay with airport transfer.
The listed price is $210 for the pre-night hotel with airport transfer and $210 for the post-night hotel with airport transfer. These additional nights are not included in the standard vacation package.
Visiting the Galapagos involves coordinating flights, island transfers, speedboats, hotels, guided activities, and local transportation. Traveling with an organized group simplifies these logistics while still allowing you to experience the remarkable landscapes and wildlife that make the islands unique.
For solo travelers, the group experience also means sharing these memorable adventures with other singles while still enjoying the excitement of discovering one of the world's most extraordinary destinations.