I’ve been to the Galapagos twice, three years apart, in two completely different ways — and I’d struggle to say which one I loved more. The first time was a G Adventures small-group land-based tour with my family, including my son, who was nine at the time. The second time was solo, aboard La Pinta, a 50-guest expedition yacht, traveling alongside a group of fellow travel advisors. Clients ask me all the time which style is “better,” and my answer is: neither. They’re built for different travelers, and once you see what each one looks like day to day, it can help you narrow your focus. This is the kind of decision I walk clients through before they book — this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most people, so we want to be sure we get it right!
The Land-Based Family Trip: G Adventures
We met up as a group in Quito, then flew out to San Cristóbal, where we spent the next several days island-hopping by boat and staying in simple, comfortable hotels — three stars on both islands, each with a pool and breakfast included. That pool was key for the kids in our group, who were all between the ages of seven and twelve. In the unstructured time, it was a great place for the kids to connect and play, which also gave the adults a little respite as well.
The days themselves were full. We went snorkeling on our first afternoon. The next day brought a wildlife walk where we watched blue-footed boobies at every age and stage, followed by a snorkel alongside sea lions. On day three, we took a speedboat over to Santa Cruz to see the giant land tortoises up close. The day after that split the group — some went out for a surfing lesson while others waded through tide pools shared with marine iguanas — before everyone came back together for a short kayak tour through a mangrove. On our last full day, we snorkeled again, this time swimming with a shark, and visited a nature research center before wrapping up the trip.
Breakfast was included every day; lunch and dinner were “on our own,” though we usually ended up eating with at least a few people from the group anyway. No Galapagos trip is truly a budget trip, but this style is an affordable way to see the islands’ wildlife, and it comes with built-in travel companions, which can be a game changer with kids along. The days had real structure, but there was downtime too — enough for a swim in the hotel pool, a wander through town, or an ice cream before dinner. For a nine-year-old, that mix of structure and freedom was close to perfect.
A note on variations: our trip was a small-group tour built around families, but land-based Galapagos travel isn’t only for families — there are itineraries designed specifically for adults, too. And a small group isn’t the only land-based format; some land-based trips run as a series of day tours, where you’re not with the same group the whole time. Lodging varies as well — three-star hotels like ours are the most common option on the islands, but there are also four-star properties for travelers who want the flexibility of a land-based trip with a bit more polish.
The Ship-Based Expedition: La Pinta
The second trip started in a similar way — a day in Quito before flying out to the islands, which is common on Galapagos cruises; most itineraries let you add a day or two in Quito on either end to explore the city. From there, the experience was entirely different.
La Pinta carries about 50 guests, and the days ran on a set rhythm: a buffet breakfast in the dining room, a morning activity around 8 a.m., a short 30-to-60-minute break with snacks, a second activity around 10 or 10:30, then a long break for lunch and rest before a late-afternoon activity, usually around 4 p.m. Most time slots offered a choice of two activities, and each one was split into smaller groups of about 12 guests per naturalist — there were four naturalists on board, and each was remarkably knowledgeable about the islands’ wildlife and geology, sharing what they knew throughout each excursion rather than narrating from the front.
Over the five days, we did many activities: zodiac rides along the shoreline scouting for wildlife, snorkeling with penguins and sharks, wildlife walks, kayaking, and hiking along the remnants of volcanic lava flows. In the evenings, the group gathered in the on-deck hot tub for happy hour before a briefing in the lounge on the next day’s plans, including what to expect and how demanding each activity would be. Dinner and downtime followed.
What stayed with me most was the range of different landscapes, different hikes, different wildlife on nearly every stop, and mornings on deck in the middle of the islands with no other boats in sight — talk about peaceful!
A note on variations: La Pinta is one of many ships offering Galapagos exploration. Most ships carry somewhere between 15 and 50 guests, though a handful go up to about 100. The day-to-day format tends to stay fairly consistent across operators — a similar daily rhythm of activities and naturalist-led excursions — but the level of luxury and what’s included can vary widely from one ship to the next. There are even a few ship-based options built specifically with families in mind.
Which Type of Galapagos Trip Is Best for You?
Land-based might be the better fit if:
- You’re traveling with kids or across multiple generations
- You want some self-directed time — to pick your own restaurants, wander a town, or relax by a pool between activities
- A relatively more budget-conscious way to see the islands matters to you
- Built-in travel companions and a lighter, more flexible daily structure sound appealing
Ship-based might be the better fit if:
- You’re traveling as a couple, solo, or with other adults
- You want to reach more remote islands with a wider range of landscapes and wildlife
- Top-tier snorkeling and expert-led, small-group excursions are a priority
- A quieter, more immersive pace appeals to you — waking up already at your next destination
Even after doing both styles of trip, I still don’t think one is better than the other — I think they’re better for different people, at different points, for different reasons. If you’re trying to figure out which one is right for your family, your trip, or your travel style, that’s a conversation I’d love to have. Reach out, and let’s figure out which Galapagos is yours.
Travels With Kristin 