Many people wonder what the best way to visit the Galapagos Islands. It may seem easy to take a plane and just once in the islands, find the boat tours that offer ... but this is not recommended, unless you have a lot of time. Also, many trips, especially in superior and deluxe categories, may be depleted. Reservations for high quality cruises typically performed with many months in advance.
Getting to the Galapagos is not easy, and this may be your only chance. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take the time to think about what islands you want to visit and what animals want to see. The information you provide below may be of help to decide the best cruise or tour for you.
Cruising the Galapagos requires the following:
a) A 2-hour flight from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra or San Cristobal)
b) The payment of $ 100 per person in cash for income tax national park, on arrival at the airport.
C) Take a trip on a yacht cruise, or stay at a hotel and take day trips each day.
Galapagos cruises Tus decisions should be taken according to the following:
A. Ground-based tour or cruise yacht
B. Type of trip
C. Time of the tour
D. Season in which you can (or want) to travel
E. Take a charter cruise or travel with other
A: Ground-based tour or boat cruise?
1) Hotel and daily boat trips
If you do not want to spend all day in a boat, and you prefer to make daily excursions, this will be your best call option. Note that some islands are too far away to go on this type of vessel (eg Spanish or Genoese), and always will have to make a sailing voyage. These tours are best for those who do not like yachts or boats, or who can not afford the cost of a cruise, but I really want to see the islands or do some dives before or after the Cruise Some boats make daily trips but sleeping in diferentees islands. This is a very good call option to see more and still sleeping in a hotel bed.
2) Boat cruise
This is the best way to maximize a tour of the Galapagos Islands. You can sleep on the cruise while you transport it from island to island overnight, and this will allow you to visit many more. The only downside is if you suffer from dizziness, but there are some good ways to remedy it.
Cruises GalapagosB: Type of tour
1) Small boats and large cruise ships
There are three categories of boat: large (80-100 passengers), medium (40-50 passengers) and small (up to 20 passengers). To travel from island to island can only take authorized by the Galapagos boats.
Larger cruises usually have more capacity and more comfortable facilities to reach more distant Santa Cruz Islands (as the western part of Isabela and Fernandina). Now carrying more passengers, with more activities and operate more disciplined manner. On the other hand, the small ships are more intimate and offer a lot more flexibility in, for example, the time that passengers want to spend diving or exploring the islands. Small boats naturally have less space and are more susceptible to sea conditions. Scan photos and descriptions of boats carefully before making decisions.
2) Quality and price
There are some categories of cruise: Luxury, First Class, Tourist Superior Tourist and Economic. The price of your trip will depend on the type of cruise you choose. The most economical boats are usually smaller, less experienced guides lead and not so good facilities; but offer more intimate tours that facilitate relationships with colleagues and with the crew. The most expensive trips involve better ships with more power and more experienced guides. Be sure to research thoroughly before making any decisions.
The price of a Galapagos cruise varies widely, from $ 120.00 per night per person, up to $ 1,000.00 per night per person! Certainly the price is related to quality; but a good experience on the islands also depends a lot on your guide, crew and fellow passengers.
Galapagos diving
3) Specific Interests
Most Galapagos tours are designed to cover the general interests of the majority of people; However, if you have particular interests (as diving, bird watching, etc.), you can also rent a private boat.
4) Family
Some boats are suitable for children, particularly the larger ones, as they have more activities and are more stable in the water. Another alternative for the family is renting a yacht. Usually children under 7 are not allowed on field trips, as the restrictive nature of the islands is not suitable for them; Additional medical facilities Islands are only appropriate for first aid. In case of an emergency, you should go back to Guayaquil or Quito.
C: Time by cruise ¿3 nights, 4 nights, 7 nights or more?
Galapagos tours The standard time for a trip to the Galapagos Islands is 3 or 7 nights. If your budget is limited or you have little time, a trip of 3 nights is a good option to take a good taste of the islands. However, the idea is to travel for a week or more. People may think "one more island, an island less ... all seem right?" NO WAY! Each island has an ecosystem, landscape, flora and unique fauna. For a naturalist, birder or photographer diver, a week would be the minimum.
Many tours have itineraries and other 3/4 nights 7 nights only. This means that according to the tour you take half of the tour you will have to gather Baltra for new passengers.
Galapagos boatsD: WHEN? High or low season, rainy season or drought
Check the "When to go" on this website to help you decide the season for you.
E: WITH MY GROUP OR WITH OTHERS? Individual reservation or rent a boat group.
Do not let the price of a boat rental dazzle you. It may seem more expensive, but in the end it may be cheaper if you share the price with a big group of people. In fact, traveling on a chartered boat is cheaper if you manage to fill 80% of its capacity. The best home buying are: have the boat to yourselves, the ability to design your own itinerary and adjust (advance warning), and choose their guide. The authorities need to know in advance any changes in schedules and itineraries.
