Category: Galapagos Travel Articles

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

Galapagos Islands tour While the Galapagos Islands are definitely an exotic destination and you mght feel like just grabbing your bag and jup on the plane, it might be very useful to consider a thing or two when planning your trip. The majority of things that have to be accounted for are rather universal, and they include things such as budgeting, determining different inland destinations and many more of the kind. So, here's a short guide on how to How to choose a tour to Galapagos Islands.   Different Kinds of Trips You might want to determine whether you are going to go on a cruise, book a hotel or you would just go for a daily trip. In any case, all of the options are convenient, and they would strongly depend on your personal preferences. Cruise or island-hopping—what’s best? That’s the question that gets endlessly debated by first-time visitors and experienced Galapagos-goers alike. Because both options have their share of pros and cons—and you can have an amazing experience with either one.  So...how do you choose? There really is no “best” option, it depends entirely on the type of experience you want and your own goals for your vacation.  Let’s start with a cruise: Pros— Cruises are great for a “big picture” view of the Galapagos Islands.  You’ll be able to visit remote areas on uninhabited islands like Fernandina where you’ll have more opportunities to see wildlife.  Most ships move at night so none of your daylight adventure time is wasted in transit.  Cruises are convenient—your itinerary is set, meals are served at regular times, you have service 24/7 in most cases, and you only have to pack and unpack once.  Cons— You’re confined to a boat a good amount of time; you may have cabin fever or seasickness. Kids,