Locally founded and operated
The first land-based Galapagos tour company founded and run by local naturalist guides who know the islands best.
We are local naturalist guides, permanent residents, parents, explorers, and conservation-minded travelers ourselves. These islands are not simply the destination where we work. They are our home.
- Galapagos National Park certified guides
- Founder guiding for 20+ years
- Private, tailor-made journeys
- Locally owned in Puerto Ayora
Experiences
Travel like a guest, not a tourist.
Every itinerary we craft is personal, built around your passions, pace, and travel style. Whether it’s birding with an expert eye, snorkeling alongside sea lions, hiking volcanic landscapes, or sharing family adventures that bring you closer together, we make sure your journey feels uniquely yours.
At Galapagos by Local Guides, you won’t just see the islands, you’ll experience them through the knowledge, stories, and traditions of those who grew up here. Authentic, sustainable, and deeply personal, our tours let you discover the Galapagos the way locals live and love them.
Santa Cruz
Hiking & Nature Walking Tours
Explore the landscapes and wildlife of Galapagos on guided walks selected as part of your personalized travel package.
Isabela
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Discover the remarkable underwater world of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, one of the largest and most significant protected marine areas on the planet.
Santa Cruz
Experiential & Sport Fishing
Experience a more authentic side of the Galapagos with a day on the water alongside experienced local fishermen.
Santa Cruz
Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Explore the quieter side of the Galapagos from the water: sheltered bays, volcanic formations, and opportunities to observe wildlife.
Santa Cruz
Agricultural Tourism
Discover a different side of the Galapagos through its farms, local producers, and traditional flavors.
Santa Cruz
Biking Tours
Discover Galapagos on two wheels, with cycling routes selected to suit your interests, riding experience, and preferred level of activity.
Why travel with us?
Local knowledge. Personal attention. Exceptional experience.
We are permanent island residents and certified Galapagos National Park naturalist guides. Galapagos is our home, and we bring our local knowledge, professional experience, and personal attention to every journey we organize.
With us, you get the best of both worlds: the warmth and insight of locals who know the hidden corners, traditions, and stories that most visitors never see, and the professionalism of guides trained to deliver safe, seamless, and unforgettable experiences.
At Galapagos by Local Guides, we don’t just show you the islands. We help you feel them, the way only locals can.
Destinations
Discover the islands we include in our personalized Galapagos travel packages, combining stays on inhabited islands with day trips to explore other destinations. Our local naturalist guides help you choose the islands and experiences that best suit your interests and available time.
Filmed by our guides
What a day with us actually looks like
Our guides shot these on a phone, on real outings. No filters, no stock footage and no sound: just the islands as they were that day.
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Galapagos penguins Swimming all around us -
Dolphins Leaping beside the boat -
Galapagos sea lion Playing among the snorkelers -
Spiny lobster Walking over the rocks -
Spotted eagle rays Gliding in formation -
Yellowtail surgeonfish A school working the rock
Every day in the Galapagos brings different wildlife encounters, shaped by the tides, natural conditions, and the animals themselves. No two experiences are ever quite the same.
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Local economy & sustainable development
Travel with purpose. Leave a legacy.
By traveling with us, you support local guides, operators, and businesses in Galapagos. We bring you closer to the people who call these islands home, while encouraging respect for wildlife and a deeper understanding of the natural environment.
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Local People
By working with local guides, operators, and tourism businesses, we help keep the benefits of tourism within the Galapagos community and support a stronger, more sustainable local economy.
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Agricultural Tourism
By visiting local farms, breweries, and family-run businesses, travelers gain a deeper understanding of how these products are made while supporting the people who keep local traditions and small-scale production alive.
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Local expertise, firsthand knowledge
Our naturalist guides are certified by Galapagos National Park and are permanent residents of the islands. That local connection gives us a deeper understanding of the wildlife, landscapes, communities, and experiences that make Galapagos unique.
Transforming travel into life-changing experiences. Inspiring better people for a better natural world.
Verified reviews
Travelers tell it better than we do.
Every review is published from the account of the traveler who wrote it. We do not write them and we do not edit them: you are reading them exactly as they were left.
2024 · 2025 · 2026
Proudly recognized with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for three consecutive years.
See us on Tripadvisor
Plan your journey
Discover more about your Galapagos adventure.
We’ll send you details to help turn your dream into reality.
Every itinerary we craft is personal, built around your passions, pace, and travel style.
We offer complete, personalized Galapagos travel packages. Each journey is designed around your group, travel dates, and interests, so we prepare an individual proposal with clear pricing and details of all included services.
- Tell us what you’d like to experience.
- We design the itinerary around you.
- You receive a personalized proposal.
Get in touch
Tell us about your travel plans, who is joining you, and the experiences that interest you most. If your dates or preferences are still flexible, share what you know so far, and we will help you explore suitable options for your Galapagos journey.
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