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 might be no matter you need it to be. It’s solely worrying 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 12 months, with one (cool and dry) lasting from June to November, and the nice and cozy, moist season lasting from December via Might. The not-so-good information? Rain and warmth gained’t essentially spoil your journey, which implies which you could’t resolve upon the most effective time to go to Galapagos solely primarily based on climate.
In fact, 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) can be loads increased throughout this era. However, the climate in mainland Ecuador is normally very completely different from no matter is occurring 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.
Prime Issues to Do on Your Galapagos Journey
Take a Tortoise Tour
It’s no secret that big tortoises (embrace dearly-departed Lonesome George) are essentially the most well-known Galapagos islands animals. Nevertheless, they’re not the one sport on the town, not to mention on Santa Cruz island, the place lots of them stay (at Darwin Turtle Station and El Chato Turtle Reserve, particularly). Right here, you may also anticipate finding sea lions, iguanas and vivid yellow Darwin’s finches, to call only a few members of the various 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 will get up-close and private with some stunning 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 essentially the most understated of the primary islands. Accessible through ferry from Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz, Isabela is dwelling 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. When you’ve got a couple of days to spend on Isabela, the most important of the Galapagos Islands, you must also go to the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Heart.
Scuba Dive With (Protected) Sharks
In relation to 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 protected! 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 dwelling on the monolith itself.
Savor Isla San Cristóbal
The final place you’ll wish to cease in your Galapagos itinerary can be on the dry-land portion of Isla San Cristóbal. Really, there’s likelihood it gained’t be the final cease, however it’s epic sufficient to satisfy this position. 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 out a Tour?
Whether or not you’ve began boats or are merely shopping flights to Galapagos Islands from Guayaquil or Quito, you’ll in a short time notice that sure, it’s potential to journey independently within the Galapagos Islands. There are some caveats, nonetheless—and never simply the generally 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 once you arrive (your Galapagos Islands cruise firm will seemingly handle 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 far 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 necessary as the place you find yourself going. Personally, I’d advocate visiting the Galapagos after you’ve traveled elsewhere in Ecuador in order that your journey isn’t anticlimactic. When you’ve got about two weeks in Ecuador, you might make your approach from Quito right 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 value it to go to the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands are completely value a visit! Whether or not you come for wildlife like tortoises and blue-footed boobies, or for beautiful 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. Relying upon how lengthy you intend to spend in Ecuador and in South America as a complete, it’s possible you’ll 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 well-liked locations in South America, it’s spectacular contemplating how arduous it’s to achieve the islands, and the way spartan the lodging is when you get there.
The Backside Line
Are the Galapagos value visiting? I hope you’ve acquired extra readability about this query now than you probably did once you clicked on this publish. Guide an organized cruise or tour and let one other group—and the cash you pay them—handle the small print, or journey independently via 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 planet 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 equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Go away Your Every day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.