Category: Galapagos Travel Articles

Galapagos on a budget The Galapagos Islands are a bucket-list destination for adventurous travelers of all ages—there’s so much to do and see, not even a month is long enough. And since few have that kind of time for travel anyway. It’s smart to get your itinerary right so you don’t miss any must-see sights and experiences when visiting Galapagos on a budget. You can do the Galapagos in two ways, a land-based, island hopping tour or a cruise. Cruise itineraries are controlled by the government and arranged into two categories—both to control the flow of tourists to the delicate island ecosystems and to ensure passenger safety with ships navigating tight spaces. You don’t have a lot of options to design your own itinerary if you travel by boat. Island hopping tours offers more flexibility to create the type of experience you crave in the Galapagos Islands. A good tour operator will give you several options for arranging your days and activities for a personalized vacation. Additionaly, thay are more flexible on burget too, as thay allow you to choose form various hotel categories.  Keep in mind that any Galapagos itinerary requires a full day of travel on either end. You’ll fly to mainland Ecuador and then a shorter hop to the islands themselves. So if you choose a 7-day itinerary, you’ll need to block out at least nine days for your trip. Here’s our suggestion for an adventure-packed itinerary for 30+ explorers.   Day 1: Arrive in San Cristobal and set your sights on the frigate birds.   You’ll definitely want to hit the Interpretation Center as soon as you arrive to help you orient yourself to the Galapagos Islands and the amazing wildlife. Don’t forget to take the trail to to Frigate Bird Hill to see your first

Planning your honeymoon? Or maybe a special anniversary celebration? A couples’ cruise to the Galapagos Islands or a Galapagos Honeymoon Cruise is an unforgettable experience for you and your partner to share. It’s got everything a couples’ trip needs: Adventure, gorgeous sea and landscapes, interesting activities, exotic locations, and plenty of opportunity for romance. If you’ve never been to the Galapagos Islands (or if you’ve never planned a cruise before), you may feel a bit overwhelmed with the planning process, so we’ve put together a few tips to help you make the right decisions for your trip. Read on to see how easy it can be to plan the perfect couples’ cruise to the Galapagos.   1. Start with the length of time you can be away from home.     Most Galapagos Islands cruises are between 4 and 8 days, so that means that even if you only have a week to travel, you can still plan a cruise. That said, it’s best if you have 10 days or more, because you’ll need a full day of travel coming and going from continental Ecuador to the Islands and back. Generally speaking, longer cruises are better financially than shorter ones because your “fixed” costs are spread out over more days. Your airfare, for example, is more economical if you spread it out over 12 days instead of 7. And your per-night costs on an 8-day cruise are lower than the costs for a 4-day one. Of course, if you’ve never been on a cruise before, a short itinerary gives you a chance to test the waters, so to speak, without a huge commitment. On the other hand, a short cruise often means fewer choices in terms of boat class and amenities—and you won’t get to visit as many islands, which may

Say “Galapagos Islands” and people immediately think Darwin—and if Darwin’s your passion, you can get your fill at the Charles Darwin Foundation on Santa Cruz. But if adventure is your jam, the Galapagos Islands are definitely the place to be. Fabulous diving, amazing animals, and some of the most diverse and exciting geography on the planet—that’s what’s makes this one of the most unique destinations you’ll ever visit. Check out our list of top adventures awaiting you in the Galapagos Islands.   1. Where else can you snorkel with sea lions?   Galapagos sea lions are a common sight in the Galapagos, flopped on the beach catching some sun or rolling in the sea next to your boat. In fact, these animals breed almost exclusively in the seas near Santa Cruz, Isabela and Espanola—and with a breeding season that lasts over half the year, you’re virtually guaranteed to see plenty of playful pups. So why not take a swim with them? You can at La Loberia in San Cristobal, where the sea lions frolic with abandon and actually seem to enjoy swimming with their human friends.   2. Kayak and swim with the white-tip sharks (and the sea turtles) at Turtle Bay.   Turtle Bay has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but if it’s adventure you’re after, you won’t be disappointed. Rent a kayak and paddle in the crystal waters surrounded by white-tip sharks and the famous green sea turtles. If you’re really feeling adventurous, grab your snorkel gear and swim with them. It’s an unforgettable experience.   3. Get up close and personal with a super-ugly but super-sweet Santa Fe iguana.   The land iguanas are fierce-looking and huge (some reach 30 pounds and 3 feet in length!), but they’re actually gentle herbivores who love