Eating at the Galapagos as a tourist

Top 10 tips for eating at the Galapagos as a tourist on a budget

Visiting the Galapagos is certainly above-average price compared to other Ecuadorian and even international destinations. Most of those who aim at coming to this Archipielago are aware of this and willing to pay the price of first-hand knowing one the most fantastic places in the world.

Eating could potentially be one of your biggest expenses at the Archipielago, due to the general higher cost of living in any island. Still, it is actually possible visiting the Enchanted Islands on a budget; with the proper search and planning, you could save some serious money at your eating expense.

So, without further ado, here is a list of 10 tips for eating at the Galapagos, which will make your experience more budget-friendly:

1. Go to the food markets or food-dedicated streets. In Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela, there are streets and central markets with plenty of small restaurants where you will find affordable options. In these three Islands, there are complete menu options starting from USD 6 per menu (up to date), which include: 1 starter, 1 main course, and a non-alcoholic drink.

2. Aim at busy restaurants/kioscos. Due to the high turnover, they tend to offer the freshest food and are often cheaper comparted to other options.

3. Cash is useful. High-end and mid-range restaurants usually accept credit cards (some will charge a small fee if you pay this way), but most of the kioscos or market restaurants will only accept cash or transferences from local banks. And even if you decided to go to restaurants that accept credit card, paying by cash could avoid you paying extra charges.

4. Buy food at the local supermarkets. You can save even more money if you buy some food at the local supermarkets and prepare it at the place where you are staying (if there is a kitchen available for you). For instance, you could prepare your breakfast in your lodge and then have lunch or dinner at a restaurant.

5. Plan ahead for eating at Floreana. If you will be staying at Floreana, make sure to book with at least a couple of hours in advance the dish you would like to have. Since Floreana is the Island with the least population of the Galapagos, there are not many restaurants to choose from, and the few available require you to book in advance your food. Another option you have, if you are spending at least one night at a lodge and have a kitchen at your place, is buying food at the local supermarket and prepare it yourself. The latter is actually the option I opted for, following the recommendations given by my local host.

6. Treat yourself with a fancy meal at least once. Even if you are traveling on a budget, try to have a meal at a fancy restaurant at least once during your trip. There are worthy high-end restaurants and bars at the Galapagos with live music, ocean-view, and fusion food, from where you can enjoy a nice sunset and a night out.

7. Choose wisely what you drink. Not all water sources from the island are safe to drink, so take with you a reusable water bottle and fill it every time you can at your lodge; most of the hosts and hotels have water dispenser jugs available for free for the guests. By doing this, you will avoid getting sick, spending money in disposable water bottles and you will also reduce your waste.

8. Opt for local food. Unless you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Some popular options include the fish and shrimp  ceviches, encocado, bolon, seafood rice, lobsters, and, in general, any type of dish that include seafood as an ingredient. Eating local not only does it guarantee fresher food, but it also boosts the local economy.

9. Wander a little and make your search. Do not pick up the first restaurant you see in your way. Galapagos populated areas are easy and relatively fast to cover through walking, hence giver yourself time to wander and look for eating options. Generally, restaurants at the boardwalks tend to have higher prices, compared to those at inside streets or a few blocks away.

10. Bring some snacks. Taking snacks from the continent could help you save serious money on the Island. Just make sure you search before if the snacks you are planning on bringing are allowed withing the island, and to take proper care of your waste, so the ecological impact on the island is reduced.