Category: Galapagos Travel Articles

How to Choose your Galapagos Cruise | Galapagos Cruise Comparison Guide Yeah, that’s right… once you write down how to choose your Galapagos Cruise on Google for your trip research it all gets a bit confusing. Galapagos offers a wide variety of boats and vessels for cruising the islands. You will find different boat classifications based on pricing and comfort (i.e Luxury Cruises, First Class Cruises, etc), and you will also find deferent types of boat designs such as catamarans, big vessel ships, small sailboats, etc. So, how to choose with so many options? Well, this article will provide a short Galapagos Cruise Comparison Guide. It will give you all the info on you need about cruise classes, the types of cruise designs and what are their pros and cons. We sincerely hope it will help you choose the right Galapagos Cruise for your trip.   First of all, what are the Galapagos Cruises Classifications? Let’s start with the basic cruise distinction in Galapagos. Most tour operators and agencies will divide cruises in the following way. Let's take a look at each of those: Luxury Class Galapagos Cruises First Class Galapagos Cruises Mid-Range Class Galapagos cruises (aka. Tourist and Tourist Superior Class Cruises) Budget Class Galapagos Cruises (aka. Economy Cruises)     LUXURY CLASS GALAPAGOS CRUISES   As implied by the name, Luxury boats are high end embarkations. You will get spacious cabins with larger king or queen beds and a very comfortable design. These hold ample sundecks and some cabins will even have private balconies. You will also find other extra amenities such as Jacuzzis, spas, masseuses.  Gourmet meals are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometime include some types of alcoholic beverages. You will usually get the VIP lounges at the airport, and some include airport transfers

Galapagos with children: The Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many people from all walks of life. The Galapagos have welcomed backpackers, professional photographers, scientists, and tourists from all over the world. It’s understandable that you will want to visit with your family and friends and share this incredible journey together. Young children will particularly love seeing all the interesting creatures that can be found in the Galapagos. Due to the absence of natural predators, the wildlife is playful and so used to visitors that anyone can get up close to admire them. However, before making the trip to the Galapagos, here are some travel tips on how to get there and the climate to prepare yourself, particularly if you are planning to travel to Galapagos with children (very young ones).   The weather The Galapagos Islands are beautiful throughout the entire year, and they have their location right on the Equator to thank for that. However, there are certain times in the year when the weather may not be ideal for those who are traveling with young children depending on the climate that the kids are most comfortable with. The dry season: From June to December, the water is cooler as the Southern tradewinds bring in the colder Humboldt Current. Expect blue skies and mid-day showers during this season. Your children will be happy to see many sea mammals and land birds during these months as they are most active. However, if you are traveling with small children, do note that this is the busiest tourist months. Some families prefer to visit during these months so that they can meet other families with kids. But if you were looking for quiet time with your little ones, best you plan your trip during less busy months. Prices are

Snorkeling and Diving Day Trip One of the most sought after sites in Galapagos, Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido, is the remains of a volcanic cone, eroded by the sea across hundredths of years. It is the eroded cone of an extinct volcano in the shape of a sleeping lion which earned it the name, Leon Dormido. Above the water, the monolithic rock formation towers over 500 feet above the Pacific Ocean and is home to various Blue-Footed Boobies, Frigatebirds, California Sea Lions, Red-billed Tropicbirds.  Ever wondered why this site is one of the most seeked after snorkeling hot spots in the Galapagos? Well, its locations and unique ecosystem makes it an underwater paradise.   If visting San Cristobal, here's a short account on what to expect on a Kicker Rock Galapagos Snorkeling or Diving Day Trip.  Where is Kicker Rock located? Kicker Rock is located approximately 2 hours northwest from San Cristobal and northeast from Puerto Baquerizo. The site can only be visited by boat, and visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times. One you arrive the location, you will find in front of tow walls of compacted volcanic ash, that towers up almost 500ft from the ocean floor. This spot is home to many birds, and you can often spot Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and tropicbirds. But the true magic and beauty occurs below the surface. The natural erosion of this ancient cone has formed a channel between the rocks that produces the perfect habitat for Galapagos Sharks, Whitetip Sharks, Large Rays, Pelagic and Reef Fish, Sea Turtles, Sea Lions. You can only wonder what a great snorkeling site such ecosystem makes.   Kicker Rock is mostly known for the white-tipped reef sharks that inhabit the area and swim across the small channel in between