Galapagos

Step into a world of natural wonders and discovery: The Galápagos Islands

 

There are few places in the world that can compare in singularity to the unspoiled islands of the Galápagos! Known as the ‘living museum and showcase of evolution,’ the Galápagos archipelago is a double World Heritage site, meaning that both land and sea are protected. It’s because of this that an array of rare plant and animals life have been allowed to thrive, uninterrupted by humankind. 

This archipelago of volcanic islands is part of the Republic of Ecuador and is distributed on both sides of the equator. It consists of 13 main islands, several minor islands, and hundreds of rocks and insets.

Made famous by Charles Darwin, whose research in this pristine archipelago led to the discovery of many new species of animals, as well as his famous Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, the Galápagos islands are still a destination of discovery even today.

The islands are home to more than 200 different recorded species of animal, and many of them are endemic- meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world! The famous Giant Tortoises, as well as exotic lizards, birds, mammals, and fish can all be found co-existing in abundance throughout the islands and in the surrounding waters.

 
When to travel:
 The best time for you to visit depends on what in particular you are looking to see or do. If you are looking to see a specific species of animal you will want to check to see if they are native to the islands or if they can only be seen passing through during migration. The busiest time of year is June, July, and August.

December - May is typically warmer (in the high 70s and low 80s), and is when the ocean is the calmest.
June - November tends to be cooler (low 70s) and wetter, but brings some of the most amazing wildlife.

It is best to book your tour 3-9 months in advance using a professional travel agent who specializes in Galápagos travel to help find the right tours for you.

What to bring:

• Waterproof camera or dry bag for electronics
• Binoculars for viewing animals in the distance
• Swimsuit and water gear
• Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• A long-sleeved shirt, sweater, or jacket
• Quick-dry, breathable clothing
• Rain gear. Waterproof shoes, jacket, and backpack
• Comfortable walking shoes. Consider waterproof hiking boots or rugged sandals
• Refillable water bottle to reduce plastic waste
• All of your necessary travel documents
• Cash- The official currency is USD, and must be used to purchase certain items, such as entrance to the National Park

 

What to do:
The number one travel experience that people want in the Galapagos is sightseeing. With so many rare and elusive animals roaming around, it’s easy to understand the excitement! But how you view natures wonders is up to you and the private tour you choose.
Some excursions you may be interested in are hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. The Galapagos is also a fantastic place for photography, bird watching, whale watching, and surfing!

 

Travel Requirements:
As most of the Galapagos is protected area, the list of requirements and restrictions is rather long, but with good intent.

• Roundtrip airline tickets (no one-way tickets are allowed).
• Hotel or cruise reservation or invitation letter to stay as a guest.
• Passport with at 6 months validity remaining from the day of return to origin.
• Travel & Health Insurance. (Absolutely required).
• Negative Covid test within 4 days of arrival regardless of completed Vaccine
• Full and complete vaccination for Covid 19
  (More details and up-to-date information regarding Covid 19 and traveling to the Galapagos can be found here:
  https://ec.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-ecu-2/ )

 

Other Things You Should Know:
-There are no direct international flights to the Galapagos islands. You must first fly into Ecuador.
- You will be required to present a domestic round-trip air ticket and a hotel or cruise reservation, or an invitation letter from a Galapagos resident.
- Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months AFTER your trip in order for you to get through customs.
-Don’t expect to have any cell or internet service during your trip.