Galapagos apartments in Puerto Ayora

An end-of-year trip to the Galápagos is within reach for a Sierra school, as long as planning starts eight or nine months out. Here’s our guide for principals, teachers and parents’ committees: which trip format suits a school group, what it costs line by line, how to keep students safe, and what to demand from an operator.

How many days on Isabela? Three nights is our minimum, and four or five is where the island really opens up. Compare plans from one day to a full week, with tour times, costs and a slow-travel approach.

You’ve chosen the area; now it’s time to decide what type of accommodation best suits your trip. Below, we compare the main accommodation options available in Puerto Ayora, including their approximate nightly prices.

The Galapagos is one of the great places on earth to be eight years old — but a week here goes very differently depending on what's outside your front door. Here's what we've learned from hosting families: which zone to book, why one apartment beats two hotel rooms, and which water is calm enough for a four-year-old.