Whether you envision an expensive Galapagos cruise whose operator curates the highlights of those biodiverse jewels, or a ramshackle, rambling expedition at your individual tempo—and by yourself phrases—a visit to the Galapagos Islands may be no matter you need it to be. It’s solely disturbing for those who make it so.
When to Visit the Galapagos Islands
The excellent news? Each season within the Galapagos Islands occupies roughly half the yr, with one (cool and dry) lasting from June to November, and the nice and cozy, moist season lasting from December by May. The not-so-good information? Rain and warmth received’t essentially spoil your journey, which implies which you could’t determine upon one of the best time to go to Galapagos solely primarily based on climate.
Of course, the cool and dry season does are typically busier, which implies that costs on lodging (from Galapagos Islands resorts all the way in which right down to hostels) might be so much increased throughout this era. On the opposite hand, the climate in mainland Ecuador is normally very completely different from no matter is happening within the Galapagos, so for those who plan to journey elsewhere in Ecuador, this has the potential to have an effect on the timing of your journey.
Top Things to Do on Your Galapagos Trip
Take a Tortoise Tour
It’s no secret that big tortoises (embrace dearly-departed Lonesome George) are probably the most well-known Galapagos islands animals. However, they’re not the one sport on the town, not to mention on Santa Cruz island, the place a lot of them stay (at Darwin Turtle Station and El Chato Turtle Reserve, particularly). Here, you can even anticipate finding sea lions, iguanas and brilliant yellow Darwin’s finches, to call only a few members of the various neighborhood of fauna.
Visit Isla Santa Cruz’s Volcanoes
Nor are the Galapagos (or Isla Santa Cruz, particularly) solely about animal life. All kinds of vegetation that ranges from palms to cacti, and landscapes vary from the well-known Galapagos volcano Gemelos (which is definitely two volcanos) to Garrapatero Beach, whose black-lava sands contrasts with the sugar-colored ones you discover at Tortuga Bay Beach, the place you will get up-close and private with some stunning blue-footed boobies.
Immerse Yourself in Isla Isabela
Isla Isabela is a spot many individuals go to throughout their Galapagos journey, however in some methods it’s probably the most understated of the primary islands. Accessible by way of ferry from Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz, Isabela is house to a number of notable sights, together with the Wall of Tears (and the three-hour hike there), in addition to a Flamingo Lagoon close to Puerto Villamil city. If you’ve a couple of days to spend on Isabela, the biggest of the Galapagos Islands, you must also go to the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center.
Scuba Dive With (Safe) Sharks
When it involves Galapagos diving, there are few higher locations to go than Kicker Rock, which sits off the coast of Isla San Cristóbal. Around the bottom of this extinct volcanic cone, which is nearly as good for snorkeling as it’s for scuba, are reef sharks—don’t fear, they’re completely secure! You’ll additionally see stingrays, sea lions, sea turtles and dozens of species of reef fish, to say nothing of all the ocean birds that make their house on the monolith itself.
Savor Isla San Cristóbal
The final place you’ll wish to cease in your Galapagos itinerary might be on the dry-land portion of Isla San Cristóbal. Actually, there’s probability it received’t be the final cease, but it surely’s epic sufficient to satisfy this position. Whether you bike amid the ocean lion colonies of La Loberia seashore, or get pleasure from picturesque views out of your lodge within the harbor city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, visiting San Cristóbal makes it exhausting to say goodbye to the Galapagos.
Can You Visit the Galapagos Islands Without a Tour?
Whether you’ve began taking a look at boats or are merely shopping flights to Galapagos Islands from Guayaquil or Quito, you’ll in a short time understand that sure, it’s doable to journey independently within the Galapagos Islands. There are some caveats, nevertheless—and never simply the typically unpredictable schedules of boats that journey between the islands.
Namely, you’ll must submit your baggage for inspection each on the mainland and upon arrival within the Galapagos Islands, to ensure you aren’t bringing in any factor that would endanger the fragile ecosystem. You’ll additionally want to purchase a “Transit Control Card” at your departure airport in mainland Ecuador, plus an entrance price of $100 if you arrive (your Galapagos Islands cruise firm will doubtless maintain these particulars for you, for those who’re happening a tour).
Other Places to Visit in Ecuador
Planning the remainder of your Ecuador itinerary is way simpler by comparability than the Galapagos, whether or not you prioritize cities like coastal Guayaquil and the colonial-fabulous capital of Quito, spend time within the journey capital of Baños or enterprise into the jungles of the Amazon or underrated seashores on the mainland.
Irrespective of the issues to do in Ecuador you favor, sequencing is as necessary as the place you find yourself going. Personally, I’d suggest visiting the Galapagos after you’ve traveled elsewhere in Ecuador in order that your journey isn’t anticlimactic. If you’ve about two weeks in Ecuador, you possibly can make your manner from Quito right down to Guayaquil over the course of a few week, then fly from Guayaquil to Baltra and observe the plan I’ve set out right here.
Other FAQ About Visiting the Galapagos Islands
Is it value it to go to the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands are completely value a visit! Whether you come for wildlife like tortoises and blue-footed boobies, or for gorgeous geography like Kicker Rock, these notorious islands are certain to impress you and to exceed your best expectations.
How lengthy do you have to go to Galapagos?
Most vacationers go to the Galapagos islands for between 5-7 days, which permits them to go to 2-3 completely different islands within the Galapagos. Depending upon how lengthy you intend to spend in Ecuador and in South America as a complete, chances are you’ll select to spend kind of time within the Galapagos Islands.
Do vacationers go to the Galapagos islands?
Approximately 150,000 vacationers visited the Galapagos islands in 2019. While that is far lower than many different common locations in South America, it’s spectacular contemplating how exhausting it’s to achieve the islands, and the way spartan the lodging is when you get there.
The Bottom Line
Are the Galapagos value visiting? I hope you’ve received extra readability about this query now than you probably did if you clicked on this publish. Book an organized cruise or tour and let one other group—and the cash you pay them—maintain the main points, or journey independently by the Galapagos Islands, whether or not you tough it backpacker-style, or select extra luxurious transport and lodging. Whether you prioritize time with tortoises, uncover native tradition and scuba dive round Kicker Rock, there’s actually nowhere on the earth just like the Galapagos Islands.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications akin to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric features of life as a traveler.