FAQs about Galapagos: Are drinks included on a private charter?

It depends on how many people are in your group. To compare, divide the total charter price by the number of guests and see how that matches up with the per-person cabin price for the same boat and dates. The more people you have, the less each person pays.

No, you cannot charter a boat without a crew in the Galápagos. All visits to the national park’s protected areas must be led by a naturalist guide authorized by the park [3]. Every charter includes a licensed captain, a professional crew, and at least one certified guide.

Charters begin and end in either Baltra or San Cristobal, the two islands with airports. You will fly in from Quito or Guayaquil, and your crew and guide will meet you when you arrive.

It depends on your group size. The more people you have, the lower the cost per person. A charter lets you choose your cabins, set the pace, and decide on meals. Couples and small families usually find better value by booking cabins on a scheduled cruise.

Most charter yachts and catamarans can hold up to 16 guests, and some can take as many as 20. For bigger groups, expedition ships can carry up to 98 guests and include 7 naturalist guides. These larger ships are great for big reunions or company trips.

No, the Galápagos yacht charter price includes the boat, crew, meals, and guiding. Each guest pays the Galápagos National Park entrance fee separately when they arrive: $200 for adults, $100 for children under 12, and free for children under 2 [1].