Best Tour & Travel Guide for the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are the epitome of a holiday destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is, in reality, a collection of islands unlike any other on the planet, and you are essentially vacationing in an open zoo with some of the world’s most endangered and intriguing creatures.
Facts about the Galapagos Islands
This page will provide a general summary of Galapagos Island travel and tour options and costs.
While visiting the Galapagos Island is typically a problem, and the tour options are overwhelming, how do you plan to spend your fantasy vacation there? Read on to find out.
In addition, you’ll learn how to travel to the Galapagos Islands, what to expect, how to pick a tour, and other useful information that will help you get the most out of your trip to the Galapagos.
When Should You Visit the Galapagos Islands?
Traveling to Galapagos Island is best done as soon as you have made the decision to do so. Because the islands’ location on the equator results in a mild climate with plenty of sunlight and high temperatures throughout the year, there isn’t a bad time to visit.
During the months of January to June, the weather is pleasant and cozy(er) and the ground is moist(ish), with the highest number of visitors in December and January.
From July through December, the “chilly” (by which I mean temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny) and the dry season are in effect. The water temperature is the most significant difference between the two seasons, with the colder ocean temperatures occurring during the dry season.
In spite of the fact that you will still have the opportunity to snorkel, swim, and dive, it is recommended that you bring or rent a wet swimsuit if you are traveling during these months and intend to be in the water for extended periods of time.
Choosing the Best Galapagos Tour
When it is theoretically possible to go to the Galapagos Islands without joining a tour group, I like to suggest that you do it via a tour operator.
In order to visit any national park or other protected area, you must be accompanied by a piece of naturalist information that has been licensed by the Galapagos National Park Division.
Information is often included on all Galapagos Island trips; however, be certain that your tour option indicates that it is included before you book your trip.
When choosing a tour, take into consideration the company’s environmental policies. This is especially important while traveling to the Galapagos Islands, where the ecosystems and populations are in vulnerable condition.
National park regulations limit the number of passengers on a cruise ship to 100 (though most boats carry less than 20 people) and the number of people on on-land excursions to 16 per group, so be sure your trip complies with these regulations.
The majority of tour companies provide marine-based excursions since the majority of the islands are deserted and need snorkeling and offshore trips in order to be visited.
Alternatively, you might go on an island-hopping trip, during which you’ll stay at a resort or guest house on land and spend more time hiking and participating in guided land excursions and activities.
Each tour option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Cruises allow you to go to more islands in a shorter amount of time; yet, by remaining on land, you are able to contribute more money to the local economy and people. A marine trip is an excellent option if you want to spend more time in and on the water than you normally would.
If, on the other hand, you want to do more mountain climbing, animal viewing, and learning about Ecuadorian culture, an island-hopping vacation is the perfect option for you.
There’s a lot to consider when narrowing down your options for both the tour company and the type of tour—G Adventures alone offers more than 40 different excursions that visit the archipelago—but it’s well worth the time and effort to find the one that most closely matches your travel preferences and expectations.
Getting to the Galapagos Islands is not difficult.
The Galapagos Islands are located around 600 miles from the Ecuadorian mainland on each side of the equator. You may fly into Baltra or San Cristobal Island from Guayaquil or Quito, depending on your destination.
Guayaquil is around 1.5 hours away, while Quito is approximately two hours away. For the time being, unless you plan on visiting Quito, it is most convenient to fly directly into Guayaquil. There are direct international flights from both New York and Miami to destinations all around the globe.
If you arrive by plane in Baltra, you will board a public bus that will take you to the ferry station, where you will embark on a short ride over a channel to the island of Santa Cruz.
In this location, you may board either a bus or a private bus, as well as an automobile, and go to the principal city of Puerto Ayora, which is around 45 minutes away.
What to Expect When Traveling to the Galapagos Islands Entry Requirements for the Galapagos Islands
In order to visit the Galapagos, you must first purchase a transit pass, which can be obtained at either the Quito or Guayaquil airports.
This is a $20 USD pricing. When you get on the islands, you’ll also need $100 in cash to cover the cost of entering the national park.
The Ecuadorian government and the national park’s security get a portion of the proceeds from this sale. As a citizen of the United States, you are not need to get any special visas in order to go to Ecuador or the islands.
The Galapagos Islands are home to a lot of money.
The Galapagos Islands are expensive when compared to Ecuador’s mainland, so you’ll need to plan ahead of time.
However, because ATMs are only found on three of the islands, you’ll need to make sure you have enough money on hand for snacks and souvenirs. Many excursions include meals, but because ATMs are only found on three of the islands, you’ll need to make sure you have enough money on hand for snacks and souvenirs.
If your tour does not cover all of your meals, budget $15 to $20 each meal, plus an additional $5 to $10 per drink if you choose to indulge in an alcoholic beverage.
Breakfast is provided at the majority of lodges and visiting houses, although there are certain markets and grocery stores that offer meals for far less money than the average. The majority of souvenirs range in price from $15 to $30.
Policy for Environmental Protection in the Galapagos Islands
In recognition of the fact that the Galapagos Islands are both a World Heritage Site and a National Park, you should follow environmental rules and “leave no trace” while visiting.
As part of this, you should use biodegradable toiletries, avoid flushing toilet paper down the toilet, reduce waste by carrying a water bottle, and refrain from collecting any form of natural resource (i.e. sand, coral, or rocks) from any of the islands.
Bags are inspected at arrival and leave from each island, and larger items are zip-tied closed to alert park rangers that they have been inspected. More information about the National Park Service’s rules and regulations may be found here.
It is highly advised that you do not drink the water from the faucets on the islands; however, filtered water tanks can be found in most resorts and eating establishments on the inhabited islands, as well as onboard your cruise.
Because freshwater resources on the islands are limited, it is expected that you would save your water use.
Best Tour & Travel Guide for the Galapagos Islands
Santa Cruz is a small city.
The smaller islands are only accessible via cruise excursions or as a day trip from one of the numerous inhabited islands since only four of the thirteen larger islands have full-time inhabitants.
Here’s a quick rundown of nine of the most popular islands in the Caribbean.
Approximately 12,000 people live on Santa Cruz, which is the largest island in the archipelago and has the highest population.
It boasts a large number of ATMs, huge marketplaces, hundreds of dining establishments, and a shopping space all in the main city of Puerto Ayora.
When tourists arrive at Baltra International Airport, they are taken to Puerto Ayora. People may choose to stay for a single day and explore the island, or they can board a cruise ship that is moored nearby.
On the island of Santa Cruz, you can find the Charles Darwin Research Station, as well as beautiful nature scenes such as the natural swimming hole Las Grietas, which is tucked between two lava rock formations, and Tortuga Bay, which has beautiful white sand beaches.
In addition, visit the lava tunnels, Bachas Seashore for snorkeling and swimming, Black Turtle Cove for marine life sightings, Cerro Dragon for bird viewing, and Los Gemelos, the island’s twin volcano craters, among other places of interest.
Approximately 12,000 people live on Santa Cruz, which is the largest island in the archipelago and has the highest population.
It boasts a large number of ATMs, huge marketplaces, hundreds of dining establishments, and a shopping space all in the main city of Puerto Ayora.
When tourists arrive at Baltra International Airport, they are taken to Puerto Ayora. People may choose to stay for a single day and explore the island, or they can board a cruise ship that is moored nearby.
On the island of Santa Cruz, you can find the Charles Darwin Research Station, as well as beautiful nature scenes such as the natural swimming hole Las Grietas, which is tucked between two lava rock formations, and Tortuga Bay, which has beautiful white sand beaches.
In addition, visit the lava tunnels, Bachas Seashore for snorkeling and swimming, Black Turtle Cove for marine life sightings, Cerro Dragon for bird viewing, and Los Gemelos, the island’s twin volcano craters, among other places of interest.
Floreana Floreana is a small town on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, with about 150 residents and a few guest accommodations and dining establishments.
If you want to spend a single day on the island, you’ll need to go with G Adventures or Tropic Ecuador, since they’re the one-two teams that work in conjunction with the island’s group tourist program.
The island’s stunning scenery, fauna, snorkeling and swimming areas, as well as its mystery history and pirate caves in the mountains, await you on Floreana.
Guests may leave a submit card addressed to themselves or another person in Floreana’s “Put up Workplace,” a barrel located at the main port where they can leave a submit card addressed to themselves or someone else.
A client who is traveling to or living in close proximity to the designated individual person may hand deliver your post card to them, according to the notion.
If you’re on a cruise ship, you won’t be able to visit the island’s capital, but you will be able to dive at Devil’s Crown and Champion Islet, as well as explore Cormorant Level’s two beaches, one of which is made of green sand and the other of which is made of coral.
Isabela
Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands, yet it does not have nearly as many residents as Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, despite the fact that it is the most significant of the islands. The island’s population, which is close to 2,000 people, is continuing to expand.
Isabela has a unique atmosphere from Santa Cruz due to the fact that a large portion of the major city is still in the process of being built out.
With a long length of shoreline just off the main city, it has a very beachy feel…. Also worth seeing is Isabela’s lava tunnel theme (Tintoreras), which offers fantastic snorkeling opportunities. You can often combine both of these activities into an one trip.
It is possible to trek up to the crater of Sierra Negra, one of the world’s most active volcanoes (it last erupted in 2005), which is located on Isabela. Visit Tagus Cove, an anchoring point from where you may stroll to see views of Darwin Lake, the bay, and the Darwin and Wolf volcanoes, as well as the surrounding landscape.
As well as the Big Tortoise Breeding Center and the flamingo feeding lagoon, you should visit for some amazing animals. If you’re interested in the island’s historical history, the Wall of Tears was built by the convicts who were held there from 1944 to 1959 when it was a penal colony.
There are a good number of dining establishments, a market, a few shops, and a few ATMs in this area, making it a convenient location to restock on essential supplies.
The following are some other highlights:
It is the primary city of San Cristobal, Puerto Baquerizo, that serves as the island chain’s capital as well as the location of government offices and a university. You will find restaurants, ATMs, shops, and marketplaces since it is the second-largest island in the world in terms of population size.
Enjoy sea lion sightings along the coast at Cerro Brujo, a visit to the freshwater lagoon nearby for flamingo sightings, and a stop to a tortoise breeding area in the highlands to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
El Junco, located in the mountains of San Cristobal, is the only known source of everlasting fresh water in the Galapagos Islands. It is the only source of everlasting fresh water found in the Galapagos.
The Interpretation Center, which exhibits the natural and cultural history of the islands, is a must-see for anybody visiting the area.
Moreover, there are numerous other beaches and coves to visit, including Isla Lobos, Ochoa Beach, Punta Pitt, Kicker Rock, and Puerto Chino. Sapho Bay, on the other hand, is where you will find massive holes in the sand from people searching for the rumored treasure that is buried there, is also a must-see.
This island, which is located far south of San Cristobal, is said to be one of the archipelago’s first settlements. A white-sand beach is located in Backyard Bay, which serves as a haven for a variety of massive tropical fish species.
Tortuga Rock and Backyard Island, on the island’s southwestern point, are excellent snorkeling places where you may see white-tip reef sharks.
It is essential to pay a visit to the various fowl colonies at Punta Suarez, which is one of the archipelago’s richest animal landing spots.
Florentine is the youngest of the islands, having been discovered in 1821 off the west coast of Isabela. This area is also home to rare land iguanas, which are found nowhere else in the world.
It is possible that you will need to go to Urbina Bay, where you may see dried coral in a raised marine reef that was elevated from the ocean more than fifty years ago.
Along with that, pay a visit to Punta Espinoza, which, despite being one of the Galapagos’ least-visited regions, is home to several marine iguana colonies as well seabird colonies, as well as a stunning beach and volcanic flows.
This tiny, deserted island is located in the northernmost portion of the archipelago and is accessible only by boat or by plane. On the Value Phillip’s Steps customer web site, you’ll be able to see some of the most endangered Galapagos birds, such as Crimson-footed Boobies, Wedge-rumped Storm Petrels, and Brief-eared Owls.
Additionally, at Darwin Bay, a little white coral sand beach with a short trail leading to a tidal lagoon where breeding birds may be seen is accessible through a short hike.
As you go through this area, you’ll see Lava and Swallow-tailed Gulls, as well as Palo Santo trees, which are known for the mosquito-repelling perfume they emit when burnt. Make sure you get to snorkel at both of those locations, since a number of shark species, notably hammerheads, may be found in the vicinity.
Located to the east of Santiago and north of Santa Cruz and Baltra, uninhabited Bartolome is most likely one of the smaller islands.
You’ll be able to swim and snorkel alongside penguins, sea lions, and sea turtles at Pinnacle Rock, which is one of the most famous rock formations on the islands and one of the most photographed places on the island. Take the time to trek to the peak of the island for spectacular views.
A short distance from Santiago lies Playa Espumilla, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. Thick mangroves, as well as flamingo and sea turtle nesting places, may be found right on this property.
At James Bay, the deserted island is also home to a salt crater, darkish sand beach, snorkeling places, and tidal swimming holes, all of which are accessible by boat from the mainland.
Sullivan Bay, where you’ll see massive lava formations, is also a great area to go snorkeling and diving. In addition, be sure to stop in Buccaneer Cove to take in the towering cliff wall rock formations.
In addition, there are two little islands to the south of Santiago that are worth visiting: Chinese language Hat and Rabida.
Linguistics in China In addition to having a white-coral sand beach, Hat is known for its snorkeling, while Rabida is known for having a pink sand beach, a pelican nesting place, and a saltwater lagoon brimming with Palo Santo wood.