The Galapagos Island is a total bucket list destination. Put on the map by the famous Charles Darwin, these UNESCO World Heritage Site islands are a haven for some of the world’s most endangered species and are a dream to explore if you’re a nature and outdoors’ lover.
This amazing archipelago more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador is a bucket list travel destination. You can spend weeks hiking the trails on the 18 main islands, exploring the pristine dive sites, and learning about the fascinating ecological heritage. It’s the perfect destination for adventurous travelers that want to explore a part of the world that few people get to see in their lifetime. Here’s what to consider when planning your own adventure there.
The Galapagos At A Glance
Language: Spanish is the official language of the Galápagos Islands, but English is spoken nearly everywhere.
Currency: The Galápagos Islands and Ecuador use the US Dollar.
Getting Around: The beauty of the Galápagos Islands is that they are miles and miles away from the rest of the world. Far from the noise and chaos of city life, this is the perfect place to getaway. The problem with getting to the Galápagos Islands is that they are in the middle of nowhere. 600 miles off of the coast of Ecuador, these islands are truly remote.
Credit Cards and ATMs: There are a limited number of ATMs on the islands. Santa Cruz or San Cristobal Island are the best place to withdraw cash for your trip. Only big hotels and certain shops will accept credit cards, so it’s a good idea to have cash on you for any purchases.
Plugs: The plugs in the Galápagos are types A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V. They use the same plugs as us in the US.
Safety: The Galápagos Islands are a safe destination, especially for solo travelers. It’s the kind of place where most of the locals leave their doors unlocked. However, petty crime is always a threat, just be aware of your belongings.
How To Get To The Galapagos Islands
Let me tell you it is quite the journey to get to the Galapagos. Your best bet is to take a flight to Baltra Island. Baltra is located just north of Santa Cruz. Baltra and Santa Cruz are accessible by ferries, so it’s easy to get back and forth.
You’ll often hear the Baltra airport being referred to as the Santa Cruz airport, so keep that in mind if you see the two island names being used interchangeably.
Since you won’t find international flights to the islands, you’ll typically connect through Quito or Guayaquil. We took a flight from Quito and it was about 2 hours. Both of these cities that are worth exploring, so plan on a little extra time to see the sights before you head away from the mainland. Check out my Ecuador guide here!
You will take a bus from the airport to a dock to a short ferry to Santa Cruz, then hail a taxi. You will most likely travel to Puerto Ayora, the tourist hub to the south of the island. Expect to pay between $400 and $600 for a roundtrip flight from Ecuador to the Galapagos.
The Best Time To Visit The Galapagos
There isn’t really a wrong time of year to visit, but be advised, summer is high tourism season in the Galapagos; mid-December through mid-January is also quite crowded. If you plan to travel at that time, make arrangements well in advance. We went for Christmas break, and it wasn’t as crowded as I thought it was going to be.
Being so close to the equator, the temperature remains fairly constant. There is an increased rain risk from December to May, but it is normally just a quick shower and then back to sun. Expect temps in the 70s and 80s with direct sun year round.
Where To Stay
You’ll need to decide if you want to cruise or opt for exploring by land. There are a variety of cruise options, lengths, and luxury levels. All will include room and board, plus you’ll have the added benefit of a built-in itinerary. Travel between islands takes place at night, allowing you to maximize your stay at each spot. Most yachts also provide snorkel gear. Cruising can be a great option if you’re looking for an all-inclusive experience.
We are not a fan of cruises (at all) so we opted for the land exploring.
Santa Cruz, Isabella, San Cristobal and Floreana are the 4 inhabited islands. We stayed on Santa Cruz in around Puerto Ayora, at Hotel Solymar. We then took day trips either via ferry or private hire to the surrounding islands for scuba, snorkel, or hiking trips. One note, it is about a 45 minute ride from Puerto Ayora to the ferry/boat dock, so keep that in mind when scheduling tours.
What To Do In The Galapagos
Let out your wild side
Wherever you stay, you can spy amazing wildlife without much effort. On land, look out for giant tortoises, marine iguana, and sea lions. Look to the skies to spot Darwin’s famous finches, or the adorable blue-footed boobie. What is so amazing is that the animals really don’t react to humans. The sea lions will just be napping on benches or warming up on the sidewalks. You do need to keep 6 feet away from them at all times, and do not touch them. That is the beauty of the islands, that animals and humans can live in harmony. Our guide told us that the Galapagos are the animal’s homes, and we are just visitors. The animals truly rule the islands.
Dive in
Gear up and head out for a snorkel or scuba adventure. The underwater worlds surrounding the Galapagos are truly a sight to behold. It was truly the best snorkeling I have done in my life! You can hire day tours in advance, and book your destination according to the animals you’d most like to see. Galapagos sharks, massive sea turtles and curious sea lions will often join you for a swim. You might catch glimpses of Galapagos penguins, and hundreds of colorful fish. Hammerhead sharks can often be spied if you are lucky!
We unfortunately did not see any hammerheads, but we were able to swim with a few sea lions – which was the one thing I was hoping to do! We saw plenty of sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of fish!
Learn about Darwin himself
The Galapagos remain one of the planet’s premiere research sites. Check out the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora to see how scientists are still learning from observations made here. This non-profit center is dedicated to studying, preserving, and protecting biodiversity, and works with institutions from around the world on various research projects. Visitors are welcome and entry is free of charge.
You can learn about Darwin’s history, and see the infamous Lonely George!
Get out of your shell
If you want to get up close and personal with the famed Galapagos tortoises, check out any one of a number of reserves scattered across the islands. El Chato and Rancho Primicias are favorites on Santa Cruz. Each reserve features wide open fields with plenty of cool, shady spots where these gentle giants can roam in peace. Entrance fees are $3 to $5. Do not forget your camera!
Head to the beach
Tortuga Beach (named for the sea turtles who lay their eggs there) on Santa Cruz is perhaps the most famous in the islands. It’s a stunning beach with white sand. Swim or rent kayaks and explore the mangroves. There is a baby shark nursery where we were surrounded by 40 baby sharks. We also took our kayaks out in the middle and were playing with the giant sea turtles who kept bobbing their heads out of the water to say hello.
Opting for kayaks instead of swimming was a smart choice because we were overhearing snorkelers and it was hard to see the sharks because it was so shallow and the sea turtles wouldn’t get as close. There are also tons of marine iguanas that might choose to join you for a swim as well or sun bathe next to you.
Hit the trails
Each Galapagos island has its own unique terrain. Take 374 steps (in the hot direct sun) to the top of Bartolome Island for a bird’s eye view of the famous Pinnacle Rock. On Santa Fe, wander through a cactus forest. On North Seymour, keep a close eye out for the frigate birds, who have the showiest mating display around with a big red balloon on their chest. You might be lucky and see a blue-footed boobie doing their dance too!
What To Eat
Being surrounded by water, fresh fish–grilled or served ceviche–is always on the menu, as are plantains and other tropical fruits. Restaurants are scattered across the islands range from fine dining to pub style and feature varying price points. A favorite place in Puerto Ayora is Charles Binford Street. At night, this small street is blocked off and food stands open up. You can choose a just-caught fish and have it grilled as you watch. Rice and plantains are often served on the side. The lobsters were beautiful and were very reasonable.
What To Pack For The Galapagos
My number one tip: The sun here is no joke! It will fry any part of you that’s not covered or blocked. Bring high SPF sunscreen and clothing with SPF protection. A hat and sunglasses should also be on your list.
A lot of activities involve both land and water. Whether you are hiking to a swimming spot, or on a boat all day, so wearing layers and bringing a dry bag to keep all of your valuables dry is important.
Hiking gear, including waterproof shoes (we got Teva Sandals and they worked perfectly) and a water bottle, is a must. (Note: Remember to only drink filtered water).
No one dresses up at night, so no need to bring fancy outfits (which kills me if you follow along!). I would wear jeans and a tank top most nights to dinner and that was perfect.
The Galapagos is a total bucket list destination and a once in a lifetime experience Hopefully this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip!
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