Galapagos Island notes

For those who want to know....

   I would say that most backpackers skip the Galapagos because they say it is too expensive. I probably spent about 6 weeks of my normal travel budget in the 10days I was there. But I am really glad I did it, and in all reality it is cheaper for me to do it now than to fly back to Ecuador in the future to do it. I also could have done it a lot cheaper if I did short trips from the Islands of Santa Cruz, Isabella and San Cristobel, but I took a cruise in a reasonable boat.

Flight: Guayaquil - Balta, Balta - Quitom with student discount $440.
Island taxes $110.
Accomodation in Puerto Ayora $10 per night. First place I paid this, shared with Paul (fellow Aussie I met as we got off the plane), private room, in nameless place. Then after the tour we paid this for beds in dorm at Hotel España.
Meals: (Typically) Breakfast $3, Set Lunch (Soup, Main, Drink) $3-4, Dinner $5.
Cruise: Paul and I cut back a 8 day cruise to a 6 day/6 night, it was priced at $140 a day (last minute) and so by cutting off day 1 and day 8 we saved $280 on the tour price. Day 1 would have been a trip to the highlands, and Paul and I hired a taxi to take us for this for $17 between the 2 of us. Day 8 would have been a trip to the Darwin Research center. Paul and I walked out to this and listened to other groups guides (including the National Geographic guides!). Entry was free.
6 day 6 night cruise on Aida Maria $840, all included, unless you wanted alcohol.

On choosing a boat.... I was lucky because I our boat had this and I didn´t think about it before hand, but I really think you want your boat to have outdoor shade for sitting in, so keep that in mind if you ever think about doing this trip.

please feel free to ask questions.