Whether or not 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 could be no matter you need it to be. It’s solely traumatic when you make it so.
When to Go to the Galapagos Islands
The excellent news? Every 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 Might. The not-so-good information? Rain and warmth received’t essentially spoil your journey, which implies that you may’t resolve upon the most effective time to go to Galapagos solely primarily based on climate.
After all, the cool and dry season does are typically busier, which implies that costs on lodging (from Galapagos Islands resorts all the best way all the way down to hostels) can be quite a bit greater throughout this era. Then again, the climate in mainland Ecuador is often very totally different from no matter is happening within the Galapagos, so when you plan to journey elsewhere in Ecuador, this has the potential to have an effect on the timing of your journey.
High Issues to Do on Your Galapagos Journey
Take a Tortoise Tour
It’s no secret that big tortoises (embody dearly-departed Lonesome George) are probably the most well-known Galapagos islands animals. Nonetheless, they’re not the one recreation on the town, not to mention on Santa Cruz island, the place a lot of them reside (at Darwin Turtle Station and El Chato Turtle Reserve, particularly). Right here, you can too anticipate finding sea lions, iguanas and vivid yellow Darwin’s finches, to call only a few members of the varied neighborhood of fauna.
Go to 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 Seaside, whose black-lava sands contrasts with the sugar-colored ones you discover at Tortuga Bay Seaside, the place you may get up-close and private with some lovely blue-footed boobies.
Immerse Your self 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 through 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 in case you have just a few days to spend on Isabela, the biggest of the Galapagos Islands, you must also go to the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Heart.
Scuba Dive With (Protected) Sharks
On the subject of Galapagos diving, there are few higher locations to go than Kicker Rock, which sits off the coast of Isla San Cristóbal. Across the base of this extinct volcanic cone, which is pretty much 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 need to cease in your Galapagos itinerary can be on the dry-land portion of Isla San Cristóbal. Really, there’s a very good probability it received’t be the final cease, nevertheless it’s epic sufficient to satisfy this function. Whether or not you bike amid the ocean lion colonies of La Loberia seaside, or get pleasure from picturesque views out of your resort within the harbor city of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, visiting San Cristóbal makes it arduous to say goodbye to the Galapagos.
Can You Go to the Galapagos Islands With no Tour?
Whether or not you’ve began taking a look at boats or are merely looking flights to Galapagos Islands from Guayaquil or Quito, you’ll in a short time understand that sure, it’s attainable to journey independently within the Galapagos Islands. There are some caveats, nonetheless—and never simply the typically unpredictable schedules of boats that journey between the islands.
Particularly, you’ll have to submit your baggage for inspection each on the mainland and upon arrival within the Galapagos Islands, to be sure to aren’t bringing in any factor that would endanger the fragile ecosystem. You’ll additionally want to purchase a “Transit Management Card” at your departure airport in mainland Ecuador, plus an entrance charge of $100 whenever you arrive (your Galapagos Islands cruise firm will seemingly care for these particulars for you, when you’re occurring a tour).
Different Locations to Go to 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.
Regardless of the issues to do in Ecuador you favor, sequencing is as essential 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 in case you have about two weeks in Ecuador, you possibly can make your manner from Quito all the way down to Guayaquil over the course of a few week, then fly from Guayaquil to Baltra and comply with the plan I’ve set out right here.
Different FAQ About Visiting the Galapagos Islands
Is it price it to go to the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands are completely price a visit! Whether or not 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 biggest 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 totally different islands within the Galapagos. Relying upon how lengthy you propose to spend in Ecuador and in South America as a complete, you might select to spend roughly time within the Galapagos Islands.
Do vacationers go to the Galapagos islands?
Roughly 150,000 vacationers visited the Galapagos islands in 2019. Whereas that is far lower than many different in style locations in South America, it’s spectacular contemplating how arduous it’s to succeed in the islands, and the way spartan the lodging is when you get there.
The Backside Line
Are the Galapagos price visiting? I hope you’ve obtained extra readability about this query now than you probably did whenever you clicked on this publish. E book an organized cruise or tour and let one other group—and the cash you pay them—care for the small print, or journey independently by the Galapagos Islands, whether or not you tough it backpacker-style, or select extra luxurious transport and lodging. Whether or not 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 resembling “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Every day Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.
