Our experience: We took our 2 and 4 year old on an 8-day Galapagos adventure. It wasn't easy, but watching a sea lion nurse her pup while my daughter whispered "baby!" made every hard moment worth it.
The Big Question: Cruise or Land-Based?
This is THE most important decision for families with young kids.
🚢 Cruise
Best for: Kids 6+, good sailors
🏝️ Land-Based (Our Pick)
Best for: Toddlers, nappers, flexible families
Our 8-Day Toddler-Friendly Itinerary
Santa Cruz: Highlands & Charles Darwin Station
✨ Giant tortoises! Slow-moving, fascinating, and very toddler-paced.
Santa Cruz: Tortuga Bay
✨ White sand beach with marine iguanas. Perfect beach day.
Isabela Island
✨ Sea lions at the dock, flamingos at the lagoon, turtles at the bay. Wildlife overload!
Isabela: Las Tintoreras
✨ Short boat ride to see sharks in the shallows. Kids can see them from the boat!
Santa Cruz: Seymour Norte Day Trip
✨ Blue-footed boobies! The star attraction. Short day trip from Santa Cruz.
Fly Home
✨ Morning at the fish market watching sea lions beg. Perfect goodbye.
Toddler-Specific Tips
Schedule around nap time
Book morning excursions. Return to hotel by 1pm. Afternoon beach time after nap.
Sun protection is critical
Equatorial sun is brutal. Full-coverage swim suits, SPF 50+ every hour, sun hats with straps.
Bring electrolyte packets
Pedialyte or similar. Toddlers dehydrate fast in the heat.
Embrace the pace
Toddlers move at wildlife speed. They'll squat and watch a crab for 20 minutes. That's the point.
Download offline guides
WiFi is spotty. Download animal ID apps and entertainment before you go.
Life jacket from home
Boats have them but sized for older kids. Bring your own toddler PFD.
Budget for Family of 4
| Flights (US → Galápagos RT × 4) | $4,800 |
| Hotel (7 nights × $200) | $1,400 |
| Day tours & guides | $1,500 |
| Park fees + transit tax | $600 |
| Food & extras | $1,000 |
| Total | ~$9,300 |
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