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The Ultimate Galápagos Islands Travel Guide

Discover the islands that inspired Charles Darwin.

The Galápagos Islands, located roughly 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, remained a closely guarded natural secret for millions of years. Over that time, the archipelago evolved into a home for an all-star cast of plants and animals. Sometime in the 1800s, some swashbuckling pirates and intrepid explorers started arriving in the Galápagos Islands. The most famous early visitor was Charles Darwin, a young naturalist who spent 19 days studying the islands' flora and fauna in 1835. In 1859, Darwin published On the Origin of Species , which introduced his theory of evolution — and the Galápagos Islands — to the world.

Since then, word of these islands and their magnificent beauty has steadily grown. In 1959, the Galápagos became Ecuador's first national park, and in 1978, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site . Today, more than 275,000 people visit the Galápagos every year to see those incredible animals and landscapes for themselves.

As amazing as you think the Galápagos Islands will be, they routinely exceed expectations. It's a place where lizards swim, birds walk, and humans — for once — don't take center stage.

Reasons to Visit

Biodiversity brings over 100,000 visitors each year to these remote islands that were totally unknown to the world until 1535. Without the influence of a human presence, the island's flora and fauna, and the surrounding marine life, thrived for thousands of years by evolving into unique species you won't find anywhere else in the world, such as the charismatic giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Beyond seeing the main stars of the island, many visitors also enjoy the beautiful beaches and choose the Galápagos Islands as their honeymoon destination .

This is also one of the world's top scuba diving destinations, so spending time on or in the water is a must, whether that means you're ready to jump in with your snorkel for a sea lion swim or are happy to enjoy the views from the deck of your adventure cruise . Brimming with natural beauty, the Galápagos is for many a once-in-a-lifetime destination where the marvels of the natural world are waiting to astound you.

Best Time to Visit

There's no bad time to visit the Galápagos Islands. No matter what time of year you go, the adventure is sure to be unique and wonderful. June through December are the cooler and drier months. Even though this is the dry season, a garúa (or light, misty rain) is still possible, particularly in December, and skies can be cloudy and gray.

January through May are the warmer and wetter months, but the rain creates brilliantly clear blue skies between showers — great for photography. March and April tend to be the hottest and wettest months, while August tends to be the coolest time.

Water temperatures vary throughout the year because of the powerful ocean currents in the archipelago. Between June and December, the colder currents dominate and the water temperature dips low. A wet suit (likely provided by your boat or hotel) may be required while snorkeling during these months. However, the upside is that the cold current brings in huge quantities of plankton, which attract hungry marine life.

If you're set on seeing a particular species in the Galápagos, talk to the tour operator and pick the month and itinerary that will give you the best chance for a sighting. Some species are seasonal, and many exist only on specific islands. For example, the waved albatross, also called the Galápagos albatross, is not a full-time resident. These birds just show up for mating in the spring and summer.

How to Get There

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Flights to the Galápagos Islands depart multiple times each day from Quito or Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador. Flights from the U.S. are plentiful to both cities. Hotel options are better in Quito and, in general, this city is more compelling with a stunning colonial center, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. It's also home to ample museums, shopping, and restaurants to easily fill a few days. However, Quito is over 9,000 feet above sea level, so altitude can be a problem for travelers arriving from lower elevations. Steamy Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, is at sea level, so altitude is not an issue. However, the hotel and restaurant selection is much more limited in Guayaquil.

If you're booking your own flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galápagos Islands, remember that there are two airports on two different islands in the archipelago. San Cristóbal Airport is on the island of the same name. Seymour Airport, which runs entirely on sun and wind power, can be found on tiny Baltra Island, which is separated from Santa Cruz Island by a narrow channel. Be sure to book your flights to the same island you'll be based on, or where your boat departs and returns.

By Land or By Sea

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The first decision you have to make when visiting the Galápagos Islands is also the most difficult. Do you want to stay in a hotel on one of the three inhabited islands, exploring other islands and areas via day-trip boat rides? Or do you want to be based on a live-aboard boat, which provides accommodations and transportation from island to island? There are three main factors to consider when choosing between land and sea: cost, time management, and access.

A trip to the Galápagos Islands can be pricey. However, it's easier to craft a less expensive experience if you choose to be land based. These days, there are hotels and restaurants at many price points on San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, and, to a much lesser extent, Isabela and Floreana Islands. Live-aboard boats come in a range of price points, too. However, all but the most bare-bones boats still add up to more than a land-based vacation.

If you choose a land-based vacation, expect to spend a lot of time getting from your hotel onto a boat, out to the day's destination, then back to your property. On the other hand, live-aboard boats do most of their navigating during the night when travelers are asleep in cabins on board. This means passengers wake up in a new destination ready for a full day of exploration. Because land-based explorations are limited to the five islands that can be reached in one day, travelers won't be able to visit the more distant islands that boat-based itineraries include.

Unless you're terrified of sailing, suffer from seasickness , or hate the idea of being on a boat for a week, book a cruise. You'll waste less time running back and forth, plus you'll see as many distinct areas of the Galápagos Islands as possible.

Most live-aboard boats offer five- to eight-day itineraries, with set departure dates and routes. Routes are dictated by Galápagos National Park officials to mitigate crowding and environmental stress. Your boat will provide a northern or southern itinerary (sometimes called eastern and western itineraries), alternating weekly. Both include wonderful land excursions, plenty of time in the water, and ample opportunities to see the famous flora and fauna of the Galápagos.

Boats in the Galápagos Islands are limited to a maximum of 100 passengers, but most carry fewer than that. The benefit of traveling on a smaller-capacity vessel is a more intimate onboard experience and faster transfer times between your main vessel and the rubber dinghies. Smaller boats also tend to have more character and history. And if you're traveling with a big group, don't worry, as larger-capacity boats tend to have more onboard services, like guest lectures and medical facilities.

Ecoventura , which has several vessels that allow for up to 20 passengers at a time, is another excellent operator. In addition, two naturalists take guests onshore and explain every animal and plant in great detail.

Scuba divers who want to focus on underwater adventures have a few options in the Galápagos Islands as well. The Galapagos Sky , Galapagos Aggressor III , and Galapagos Master are live-aboard boats that were designed specifically for scuba divers. They ply the waters all the way to the little-visited northernmost islands in the archipelago, where deep, cold, current-filled diving yields time with manta rays, whale sharks, sunfish, and hammerhead sharks. Note that these are for experienced divers only.

Best Hotels and Resorts

A wide range of hotels can be found on Santa Cruz Island and San Cristóbal Island, and several boats operate out of harbors on those islands as well. Be sure to book a hotel that's located near the harbor (not in the highlands), so you can be close to the boat's boarding spot for day trips.

For example, the 19-room Golden Bay Galapagos is situated right on the harbor of San Cristóbal Island. You can watch sea lions cavort on a small beach directly in front of the property, and day-trip boats leave from a dock that's no more than a three-minute stroll away. Book the corner suite, which features a living-room bathtub and glass walls that slide open to eliminate all barriers between you and the nature outside. Meanwhile, the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is right on Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. The hotel's newest room has been cleverly fashioned inside a beached wooden boat.

Or, book a hotel that owns and operates its own boats to ensure a seamless standard of service and the most practical and convenient itineraries. For example, the unparalleled Pikaia Lodge , located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, has its own boat that is used exclusively for guests on packages that include land and sea adventures.

The Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel , set in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, also has its own yacht, dubbed the Sea Lion . This vessel can hold up to 20 passengers plus two guides (many other day-trip boats carry 16 passengers and have just one guide). Sea Lion itineraries also encompass all five islands that day-trip boats are allowed to visit.

Last-minute deals are sometimes available for travelers who can afford to spend a few days searching for sales after arriving. However, the Galápagos Islands are a major tourist destination, so it's advisable to book well in advance. Dive boats, in particular, tend to fill up fast because there are so few of them.

If you are spending the night in Quito or Guayaquil, there are a few nice hotels that we also recommend checking out. In Quito, Casa Gangotena , on Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the capital's colonial center, is the best hotel in Ecuador, combining history, style, and service. Another top option is Illa Experience Hotel , a 10-room boutique hotel in the city's central San Marcos neighborhood. The property sits in a renovated mansion, and each floor presents different decor, including colonial, republic, and contemporary styles. In Guayaquil, Hotel del Parque , located in the city's leafy Parque Histórico, is a sophisticated boutique property with 44 rooms. The restored building dates back to 1891, and houses a spa where you can book a massage in a repurposed church bell tower.

Best Restaurants

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As you can imagine, the seafood in the Galápagos Islands is extremely fresh and the islands have many fine dining establishments to cater to hungry visitors. You'll find a range of dining options across all the islands' main hubs, many of which are associated with hotels, such as the Finch Bay Restaurant in Santa Cruz, which blends local Ecuadorian cuisine with international style. Another popular restaurant is the FraFre GastroBar , where the fish is served with a regional flair that's popular among locals and tourists. You'll also find more casual eateries like the humorously named Booby Trap that serves up fish tacos and pizza on Isabela Island alongside wonderful oceanfront views.

If you are looking for a memorable meal in Quito, Zazu is the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in Ecuador. For a more casual experience, head to sibling restaurant Zfood , where a Hamptons-style fish-shack vibe is replicated perfectly and seafood reigns supreme. At Urko , chef/owner Daniel Maldonado stays focused on showcasing Ecuadorian ingredients and flavors. Go for the tasting menu to get a full sense of what he calls cocina local .

Things to Do

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Aside from observing the fabulous animals above and below the water, you can incorporate many other striking landscapes into your adventures. If you want to island-hop, you can coordinate visits to these sites yourself, but if you're on a cruise you may have to follow the pre-planned itinerary.

Throughout the islands you can enjoy the white sands of beaches like Tortuga Bay and Puerto Villamil, or take the adventurous route for a hike to the top of the Sierra Negra Volcano, an active shield volcano that last erupted in 2018, providing a dazzling show for offshore boaters. For something more tame, you can pay your respects at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, which has been used as a scientific base since 1964. Visitors can access the exhibition hall, gardens, and public library.

Best Islands to Visit

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There are 127 islands that make up this tropical archipelago, but only about 20 are frequently visited by tourists, and only four have major populations. Isabela Island is the largest of these, but despite its size, it has fewer people than Santa Cruz, which is the most populated island with approximately 12,000 inhabitants between the towns of Puerto Ayora and Santa Rosa. When you fly into the Galápagos, you will most likely arrive through Baltra Island, which is separated from Santa Cruz by a short ferry ride. Meanwhile, the province's capital is located on San Cristobal Island.

Booking a live-aboard boat trip will give you more opportunities to see the many different islands that make up these enchanted isles. However, if a particular attraction or animal captures your attention, you may want to seek out specific sites like Bartolomé Island, known for its volcanic rock formations like Pinnacle Rock, and Española Island, where you'll find the nesting sites of the waved albatross at Punta Suarez. If you're interested in the history of human discovery, Floreana Island was the first to be visited by people. Here, you can hear the stories of the many seamen who rolled into these waters and learn about the fascinating postal system they set up using a simple wooden barrel. Bird-watchers are especially fond of Genovesa Island, where frigatebirds and red-footed boobies are frequently spotted. For Galápagos penguins and flightless cormorants, the sparsely vegetated Fernandina Island is another popular spot.

Packing Tips

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A trip to the Galápagos is a big adventure, so you should come prepared with the right clothes and tools to face the elements. It may be tough to find what you need once you arrive on the islands — especially if you are spending most of your time at sea — so we've broken it down into essential categories and created a packing list to get you started.

Basic supplies are available at small shops on both San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz islands, but prices are high and the selection is limited. It's best to have the essentials with you. These include sturdy closed-toe walking shoes with durable soles. Although land excursions are generally short and trails tame, you may be walking over jagged volcanic rock and other obstacles from time to time. However, you will also want sandals or flip-flops to wear in towns and on boats. Leave the heels at home, especially if you've booked a boat-based itinerary. Even the most luxurious boats have narrow, steep stairways that are nearly impossible to navigate safely (or gracefully) in heels.

You'll also be glad to have rain gear and good weather protection for your camera. You will be traveling on boats and in dinghies, and rain showers can occur at any time. If you're exploring an island when wet weather rolls in, there will be no place to shelter out of the rain.

Health and Comfort

Stock up on lots of insect repellant and water-resistant, high-SPF sunscreen. As you might have guessed Ecuador is on the equator, which magnifies the strength of the rays, and most Galápagos excursions are completely exposed to the sun. We also recommend purchasing reef-safe sunscreen to help protect the coral, animals, and waters around the islands. A hat with a brim for sun protection during land excursions is also recommended. If you're planning to participate in kayaking and snorkeling excursions, a rash guard is also useful for sun protection. When water temperatures are colder, a wet suit will be provided. If you have fins, a mask, and a snorkel that you love, bring them with you. Snorkeling gear is provided, but the quality and cleanliness vary.

Seas are generally calm, and boat captains take great care in choosing protected anchoring spots. However, if you're prone to motion sickness, bring some Dramamine with you. Prescription preventions like scopolamine patches work well, too. Note that scopolamine is generally not available for sale in Latin America. Bring a reusable water bottle , so you can fill it up for day-long excursions and reduce your plastic waste.

There are ATMs on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal islands, but they can run out of cash, so bring some with you to cover tips. Credit cards are also often accepted at shops and restaurants. The official currency of Ecuador is the U.S. dollar.

What Not to Bring

The introduction of non-native plant species is considered a top environmental threat to the Galápagos Islands, so do not bring any fruits, vegetables, or plants of any kind with you. Anything that might have seeds or spores clinging to it, such as the soles of your shoes and any outdoor gear or camping equipment, should be washed and inspected thoroughly before being brought to the islands. The threat of invasive plant species is so great that visitors arriving in the Galápagos have to sign an affidavit swearing that they're not bringing in any food, animals, seeds, or dirty camping gear.

In 2012, Ecuador's then-president Rafael Correa abolished fees at national parks and reserves in the country. However, Galápagos National Park was not part of that exemption and still requires a $100 entrance fee per person, which is payable only in cash upon arrival at either airport in the Galápagos Islands. In addition, each visitor must buy a $20 transit card, which is also payable only in cash at the airport. The transit card is a measure of immigration control, so all visitors must purchase one at the airport when they arrive and return it when they leave. If you are booked on a tour, your tour operator might take care of this for you, but it's better to ask ahead of time.

Before Visiting the Galápagos Islands

With the anticipation building for your trip, you may be looking for books and movies to get into the spirit of an adventuring naturalist. Here are some of our recommendations of what to read and watch to prepare for your trip.

• My Father's Island by Johanna Angermeyer: Published in 1998, this book provides an account of the author's German ancestors, who were among the first to settle on Santa Cruz Island. Their challenges and triumphs are humbling, offering valuable perspectives on the Galápagos. Members of the Angermeyer family still live on Santa Cruz Island, where they run the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn.
• The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden: Released in 2013, this documentary cleverly splices video footage, letters, and other archival material to recount a real-life murder mystery involving a self-proclaimed baroness, her lovers, and other settlers on Floreana Island in the 1930s. Cate Blanchett narrates one of the main characters.
• On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: This classic and its author will be referenced repeatedly during your time in the Galápagos. Read up on Darwin's seminal theory of evolution, which was inspired, in part, by observations he made in the archipelago.

Galapagos Islands Tours & Vacations

Step into an isolated world. See giant tortoises roaming and unforgettable landscapes unfurl before your very eyes. 

Inquisitive sea lions and spiky marine iguanas breach and bask between island and shore. Friendly hammerhead sharks patrol the depths and blue-footed boobies cut through the sky. Come with us on our Galapagos Islands tours & holidays and observe the local wildlife in the same, untouched way Charles Darwin did hundreds of years ago. Nowadays, these Ecuadorian islands host a steady stream of modern-day explorers from animal-seekers who long for face-to-face encounters to sun-chasers itching to relax on a pristine beach or two. Embark on your own adventure as you wander from isla to isla, soak in crystal-clear waters, traverse volcanic landscapes, and spot animals you've only ever seen pictures of . To be honest, there's simply no place on Earth quite like the Galapagos.  

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Transport in the galapagos islands.

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.Depending on which trip you're on while in the Galapagos Islands, you may find yourself on:

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Galapagos Islands at a glance

Capital city.

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

US dollar (USD)

(GMT-06:00) Galapagos

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin), Type B (American 3-pin)

Learn more about Galapagos Islands

Best time to visit.

Simply put, there’s no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands. Good weather is mostly found year round, as are the animals. This being said, November through to June is the preferred time to visit, with clearer skies, calmer seas and decreased winds. Of these, March and April have less rain, while November and December are the warmest. July to November is the best time for divers as whale sharks can often be spotted at Wolf and Darwin islands.

Learn more about the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands

Culture and customs

Ever since Charles Darwin brought attention to the giant tortoises, sea lions, hammerhead sharks and other spectacular wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, people have been fascinated by this archipelago of volcanic islands. Originally a pirate hideout, people started migrating to the islands from Ecuador after it became part of the country in 1832. Of the 13 major islands and scores of smaller islands and islets that make up the Galapagos, only five of them are inhabited – about 26,000 residents spread over the islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Baltra and San Cristobal. The wildlife rules the rest of the islands, which are carefully managed to help protect the precious environment.

Geography and environment

Located in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago of 13 major islands, six smaller islands and more than 100 islets. Some are sparsely vegetated with largely mountainous interiors, whereas others are comparatively lush with white-sand beaches. Many of the islands are in a state of flux, as continual volcanic eruptions cause them to erode and expand.

The largest island, Isabela, makes up half the land area of the Galapagos and is characterized by three active volcanos, a blue lagoon, clear lakes filled with flamingos and beaches where iguanas and sea lions roam. Santa Cruz is the second largest island with giant tortoises, marine iguanas and Galapagos crabs residing in Tortuga Bay. The oldest and most remote island, Espanola (also called Hood), boasts boobies, albatrosses and many species of birds and lizards not found anywhere else in the world. 

Top wildlife to spot

1. Sea Lions

Whether you're loafing about on the beach or snorkeling offshore, you’ll be hard-pressed not to come face-to-face with these frolicsome critters at some stage. Playful, plentiful, and pretty much fearless, you’re supposed to keep a 2-meter distance from these guys at all times - though their insatiable curiosity can make this hard.

2. Marine Iguanas

The only lizards in the world that can live and forage in the ocean, the marine iguana is found solely in the Galapagos. Fierce and ferocious though these Godzilla-like reptiles may appear (Darwin called them ‘Imps of Darkness’), it’s all bluff – they only feed on algae. And with lung capacities permitting up to half an hour of underwater foraging, you’re just as likely find them gorging on the islands’ surrounding seabeds as scampering about the craggy rocks they inhabit.

3. Hammerhead Sharks

Boasting one of the animal kingdom’s most puzzling physiologies, hammerhead sharks are found in abundance off Wolf, Bartolome, Santa Cruz and Darwin islands. Unlike most sharks, they will often merge into schools of over 100 during the day - making for some incredible and surreal photo opportunities. And with no known human fatalities and a wealth of choice natural prey on offer, diving amongst them isn’t as scary or dangerous as one might think.

Darwin finches gave rise to one of the most game-changing theories of all time. By studying the differences between finches from different islands, Darwin hypothesized that the birds’ adaptations to their habitats resulted in their mutation into different species: his Theory of Evolution.

5. Giant Tortoises

No trip to the islands is complete without a visit to its most famous residents. Weighing up to 882 pounds, regularly living for more than 100 years, and able to go for up to 1 year without food, these gentle and slow-moving monsters are an intriguing and humbling spectacle to observe.

6. Sea Turtles

Snorkeling alongside these majestic creatures of the deep (or more accurately, the shallows) is one of those rare, life-affirming moments that makes a trip to the Galapagos immediately worthwhile. Keep your eyes peeled on the beaches for turtle nests too - the Galapagos is a hotbed of activity for these critters. 

7. Blue-Footed Boobies

Despite essentially looking like handsome seagulls with painted toenails, blue-footed boobies, when caught hunting, serve up one of the Galapagos' most thrilling spectacles. Diving from heights of up to 100ft, groups of boobies hit the water at speeds up around 60km per hour. They usually let out a shrill whistle before letting rip, which means you'll usually have warning enough to get your camera out too. How considerate.

8. Flightless Cormorants

Granted, a flightless cormorant spotted on land isn't one of the most invigorating sights you'll see during your time here. But wait until you don your snorkel gear and spot one weaving elegantly through the water - the flightless cormorant will likely become one of your favorite discoveries in the Galapagos Islands for this reason alone.

9. Frigatebird

With its striking wingspan and deeply-forked tail, the magnificent frigate bird is easily one of the most impressive birds in the skies of the Galapagos archipelago. But they don't have such a swell reputation amongst other birds. Whilst they hunt fish on the oceans surface, they also force their winged brethren to regurgitate their food, which then they eat - a process known as kleptoparasitism. Still, they look gorgeous – particularly the males, with their bright-red chin sac.

Healthy and safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travelers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to:  http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

From New Zealand?

Go to:  http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

From Canada?

Go to:  https://travel.gc.ca/

Go to:  http://travel.state.gov/

Go to:  http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/

The World Health Organisation

also provides useful health information:  Go to:  http://www.who.int/en/

Further reading

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Galapagos Islands travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to Galapagos Islands?

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality.

Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.

Is tipping customary in the Galapagos Islands?

While tipping isn’t mandatory, tips are very much appreciated by service workers and guides.

Leaving a 10% tip is customary in restaurants.

Some automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, in which case an extra tip isn’t required.

What is the weather like in the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands enjoy almost perfect weather all year with two distinct seasons offering warmer, rainier months and cooler, drier months.

Temperatures rarely dip below 70°F or reach higher than 90°F. You can travel to the islands anytime throughout the year and experience fantastic weather.

Light rainfall is expected from January to May (along with high humidity levels), but it never lasts for long and doesn't often turn into heavier downpours.

What is the internet access like in the Galapagos Islands?

There are reliable internet cafes in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) and Puerto Baquerizo (San Cristobal Island).

Some hotels and restaurants on other islands will have a Wi-Fi connection, but it is best not to rely on it.

Can I use my cell phone in the Galapagos Islands?

There's good cell phone reception on the larger islands, but don’t expect it when at sea. The best local telephone companies are Porta and Movistar.

Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your cell phone.

What are the toilets like in the Galapagos Islands?

Most towns have Western-style flushable toilets, though you will likely encounter squat toilets as well. Regardless, it’s a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser, as they are not always provided.

What will it cost for a...?

• Juice = USD 1
• Street food snack = USD 1.50
• Simple lunch at a local restaurant = USD 3-5 
• Sit-down dinner at a cafe or restaurant = USD 10–20

Can I drink the water in the Galapagos Islands?

Tap water isn’t considered safe to drink in the Galapagos Islands.

Avoid drinks with ice and make sure to peel fruit before eating it.

Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Your leader or hotel can tell you where to find filtered water.

Are credit cards accepted widely in the Galapagos Islands?

No, credit cards are not widely accepted.

There are a handful of shops on Santa Cruz that may accept major credit cards, but it’s preferable to pay in cash.

How many islands make up the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are made up of 13 larger islands and more than 60 smaller islands and islets. 5 islands are habitable to just over 30,000 people.

These 5 islands are Isla Baltra, Isla Floreana, Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, and Isla San Cristobal.

What is ATM access like in Galapagos Island?

The banks in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo have ATMs.

The Banco del Pacifico in both towns is open from 8 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 12.30 pm on Saturdays.

It's best to withdraw your money on the mainland in case these are out of order.

Check each bank's website for up-to-date opening hours.

What public holidays are celebrated in the Galapagos Islands?

• 1 Jan: New Year's Day
• 6 Jan: Epiphany
• 1 May: Labour Day
• 24 May: Battle of Pichincha
• 10 Aug: Independence Day
• 9 Oct: Guayaquil Independence Day
• 2 Nov: All Soul's Day
• 3 Nov: Cuenca Independence Day
• 25 Dec: Christmas
• 31 Dec: New Year's Eve

Please note, Galapagos Islands public holidays may vary.

Are the Galapagos Islands a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

The Galapagos Islands are a relatively hassle-free destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in Ecuador in 2008. The country hosts several fiestas where it’s acceptable for men to cross-dress as women.

However, homophobic attitudes do exist among the older generations. It is best to avoid public displays of affection where possible.

For more detailed advice, we recommend visiting   Equaldex   or   ILGA   before you travel.

What to drink in the Galapagos Islands

Quench your thirst after a glorious day spent exploring the Galapagos  by sipping on a glass of canelazo, horchata tea, or freshly made fruit juice.

During your cruise around the islands, it makes sense to try as many traditional Ecuadorian drinks as you can, especially since there are heaps to choose from.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

THE 10 BEST Galapagos Islands Tours & Excursions

Galapagos islands tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Private Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Photography Tours
• Walking Tours
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos

2. Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing

3. Day tour to Pinzón Island and La Fé/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing

4. Full Day Tour Pinzon Island + La Fe/Las Palmas - Snorkeling & Fishing

5. Snorkeling in Cabo Rosa Tunnels Isabela Island

6. Transfer Airport-hotel in Galapagos Santa Cruz with visit to Giant Tortoises

7. Day Tour to Floreana Island with Snorkeling and Fishing

8. Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano

9. Full day Snorkeling Tour Santa Fe Island and Playa Escondida

10. Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling

11. Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist

12. Los Tuneles Day Tour: Snorkeling, Exploring and Swimming With Wildlife

13. Galapagos TURTLE bike route + reserve the CHATO

14. Day Trip to Bartolome Island from Puerto Ayora

15. Day Trip to Isabela Island and Tintoreras in Galápagos

16. 4D Magic of Santa Cruz

17. Full Day Tour 360 San Cristobal - Best of the Island

18. Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels

19. Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island

20. Snorkeling and Fauna Observation at Las Tintoreras Islet

21. Full-Day Tour to Floreana Island, Cave of Pirates and Punta Cormorant

22. Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands

23. 8 Day Galapagos Island Hopping

24. Half Day Tintoreras Tour from Isabela Island

25. 12-Day Galapagos Superior Adventure (Tourist Class)

26. Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos

27. Galapagos Intensive 5 days, land base (3Islands) Excludes galapagos flight

28. Full-day Adventure Tour at Kicker Rock (León Dormido)

29. Full Day Galapagos 360 Tour from San Cristobal (naturalist guide)

30. Santa Cruz Highlands Private Tour with a Licensed Guide

What travelers are saying.

• Alex S 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent, I would highly recommend the tour. The tour was fantastic, was able to see some beautiful sights and had lots of fun. The Tour guide Ronnie was brilliant and got some of the best photos of me and the tortoises. I would highly recommend this tour as a fun way to see some of the island and if you enjoy getting on a bike! Read more Review of: Galapagos Tortoise Bike Route. Written April 17, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos
• Snorkeling in Cabo Rosa Tunnels Isabela Island
• Day tour to Pinzón Island and La Fé/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing
• Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels
• Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano
• Yacht Steffi
• Smart Galapagos
• Galapagos Blue Sky
• Eco-Challenger Galapagos Tour Agency
• Shark Bay Dive Center
• Galapagos Alternative
• AQUAVENTURES DIVE CENTER
• Planet Ocean Dive Center
• Rebecca Adventure Travel
• Pahoehoe Galapagos Tours
• Guiding Galapagos Expeditions
• Los Tuneles

APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands

Explore a wide diversity of fully guided tours through Galapagos Islands. We have 231 adventures that vary from 1 days to 30 days. With the greatest number of departures in June, this is also the most popular time of the year.

Filters applied

231 fully guided galapagos islands tours with 568 positive reviews.

• Ocean Cruise
• Christmas & New Year

Galápagos Multisport

Our Galapagos Multisport trip with G Adventures was amazing! Our guide Lienke was incredible! Detail oriented, and knowledgeable about everything from the history of the area to the language, as well as the plants and wildlife. She was awesome about giving us a heads up on what to expect from terrain, to good footwear and clothing to wear, and how long to expect each part of the day to last. G Adventures is lucky to have her! G Adventures was great about having us stay in local hostels and home stays, and brought us to several restaurants that were owned & operated by people in the community. We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the Galapagos Islands.

• In-depth Cultural

Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions

The tour was very well organised. there was plenty of time to do all the additional activities and the guide made sure we did what we wanted.

Best of Galapagos

Highly recommended! We had a fantastic group leader Katty, she was keeping us informed about all the activities and extra things to do all the times as well as had a great enthusiasm with regards to animals and uniqueness of Galapagos islands. Program was great and time was just right! All meals were also really good.

Galapagos Discovery

Great experience, I would recommend this tour.

10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela

Great tour and nice guides the coordinator Daniel is the best, he checked us out before the tour and update us the COVID pcr test requests and prepared us with the tour documents and pickups. I would highly recommend responsible tour company! Thank you!

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

• Hiking & Trekking

Affordable Galapagos 8 Days Tour

My wife and I are seasoned travelers so trust me when I say that this is the BEST vacation we've ever had! Thank you Guidecuador Travel and specifically, Esteban, for putting this all together and exceeding our very high expectations! He did an outstanding job of listening to our wishes, promptly responding to our many, many questions, and offering outstanding suggestions that fit our time and budget constraints. Esteban knows Galapagos very well and you can trust his expertise. He did this all with a charming attitude eager to make this the vacation of our dreams for sure We will contact him next year.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

5 Days San Cristobal Island Wonders

Galapagos Multisport

I wish they had asked us beforehand what wildlife we wanted to see. I had chosen this time of year specifically to see the boobies and frigates mating and chicks hatching. We realized at the end of the tour that we could have seen them on the islands that we were visiting as others we met had pictures and videos from few days prior but no one had told us. We also could have booked an excursion to Seymor Norte on our free day from Santa Cruz to guarantee sightings of all of those but by the time we got to the island and asked around all the bookings were full. We should have been offered to book it back in January when the itinerary had already been set and we were told we had a free day. I was very disappointed that the one thing I wanted to see specifically, I could not.

Highlights Of Quito and Galapagos Islands

The experience was great. Nearly everyone who assisted us was very helpful. The one exception was Cecelia on Isabella Island. At the beginning of the second day, no one showed up to take us to the designated locations. Our hotel manager called the local tour company and reported that we had been forgotten. The name of the company was something like Georeisen. The representative told me she would get someone to pick us up. Guess who showed up? Cecelia! She made no reference to our being forgotten, and she didn’t apologize. Her English is poor. Actually, my high school Spanish is what allowed us to communicate. She should not be a tour guide.

Petrel Luxury Galapagos Catamaran 8 Days

Galapagos Essentials

An excellent trip with a very knowledgeable guide who spoke clearly and engagingly about the geography, history and the fauna if this beautiful landscape

Monserrat Galapagos Cruise - South East Islands in 4 Days

Everything was excellent. The guides were excellent, the cruise was excellent. I only wish I booked a longer cruise. Couple concerns with the website for the actual booking. First, it said the flight to Galapagos was included, and then added $500 for the flight. Secondly, there was no mention about Insurance being required until the very end, and it was very complicated to actually get the insurance set up. Because of these two things, the actual price for the tour wound up being over $1000 more than initially advertised.

7 Day Galapagos Island Hopping Budget

The Galapagos are incredible and overall the Rebecca Budget Tour was satisfactory. The hotels were clean and most of the provided meals were good. However, some of the day trips were changed at the last minute with little notice. We also received little information in advance about various fees, including a $100 park fee for the Galapagos that had to be paid in cash. Some guides were excellent with a lot of knowledge about the Galapagos. We also appreciated getting underwater video of snorkeling trips from some guides. Overall, I would recommend this tour but better information should be provided.

Galapagos Harmony (7 Days)

It was fantastic Everybody was so helpful and so nice We loved it and would recommend it

• Island Hopping

5 Day Galapagos Island Hopping Budget

Action-packed tour that covers a a lot of must-see spots in the Galapagos in a short time! Two nights on Isabela, two nights on Santa Cruz and three snorkeling adventures offered a great overview of the islands and the diverse nature and wildlife. A few details needed some work (was placed in a different hotel than what was on my itinerary, and then moved)-- but overall a good value for all the services provided and always in good hands with guides available at every step.

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in Galapagos Islands

This tour is intended for people who are physically fit,able to walk 6 kilometers a day, love to kayak/snorkel/swim/bike, and still have plenty of energy to enjoy the wildlife. I cannot cope up with the group, but luckily our CEO offered me options like museum visit, tour to Tntoreras. I still was able yo see all the wildlife I need to see exvept the cormorant. I did not expect to stay in a 5 star hotel. I find the accommodation suitable enough for my needs: comfortable bed, air condition, water, electricity, wifi. Special thanks to Sandra, CEO. She is one of the best tour guides I met in my years of travel. She is a great listener and teacher. She was born in Santa Cruz. She knows Galapagos like the palm of her hand.

This was a great tour, the galápagos is amazing! G-adventure has a well organized tour. There are some early morning days but they don't matter because you are in the Galápagos! The rooms are basic but have air conditioning which is good since it is very hot there. José was a fantastic guide and had so much knowledge about the islands. Definitely choose the add-on snorkeling trips they are worth it. I think the Galápagos needs to be on everyone's list.

Amazing experience, and our guide was so knowledgeable and resourceful.

Travel Styles

• Fully Guided

Other Regions in Ecuador

• Ecuador Andean Highlands (142)
• Avenue of the Volcanoes (124)
• Amazonian Region Ecuador (41)
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• Cayambe Coca National Park (15)
• Chile Coastal Lowlands (13)
• Yasuni National Park (12)

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• Hiking & Trekking (12)

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Home » South America » Ecuador » Galapagos

Galapagos Tours: Guide for a Galapagos Adventure (2024)

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most impressive and untouched archipelagos found anywhere on the planet.

The islands’ remoteness, abundant biodiversity, and historical importance all come together to make one hell of an adventure travel destination. Charles Darwin was onto something good when he first stepped foot on the islands more than 180 years ago.

Now, the Galapagos Islands are NOT a budget travel destination.

Whilst it is possible to visit the Galapagos on a budget, there is simply no ultra-cheap way to experience the islands, which is exactly why I bring you this in-depth guide on the  best Galapagos tour companies .

Short of sailing on your own boat, the best way to get the most out of your Galapagos travel experience is to book some sort of a Galapagos tour.

Now, I am the first person to raise my eyebrows when I hear the word  organized  tour, but some of the world’s most remote regions require tapping into outside forces.

I review the best Galapagos tours, including budget tours, liveaboard trips, luxury tours, and more, so you can find the right trip suited for your budget and style.

Quick Answer: Best Galapagos Tour Companies

• Best Galapagos Scuba Diving Tour – Liveaboard Galapagos
• Best Budget Galapagos Scuba Diving Tour: Terra Diversa 
• Top Budget Galapagos Tour: Intrepid  
• Best Galapagos Camping/ Adventure Tour: G Tours

Best Galapagos Luxury Tour: Adventure Life

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How to Choose the Best Galapagos Tour

Best galapagos tours: company breakdowns, what to pack for the galapagos and ecuador, being a responsible backpacker in the galapagos islands.

Every Galapagos tour company is different. This includes the activities they offer and the accommodation quality. Prices fluctuate like the ocean tides and each Galapagos tour company carries its own distinct vibe/style.

Below I cover the best Galapagos diving liveaboard trips, budget Galapagos tours, Galapagos camping tours, Galapagos luxury tours, boat cruise tours, and more.

The goal of this guide is to shine a light on the Best Galapagos tours so that you can spend less time researching and more time getting stoked for your backpacking Galapagos trip .

For most travelers, we predict the most important factor to consider when choosing the best Galapagos tour comes down to price. Galapagos tour prices range from $600-700 at the low end to an appalling $10,000-12,000+ (for just two weeks!) on the luxury end.

The next factors to consider are the activities/focus/itinerary of the tour. Some tours are very “cruise” heavy, meaning you spend lots of time sailing on the ocean around the islands. Other Galapagos tours are very scuba diving focused. A majority of Galapagos tours are mixed adventure trips. This means they offer activities like day hikes, camping, diving, and cruising, as well as historical and cultural components.

After you dial in your Galapagos tour budget, you can then start to sort through the various itineraries/companies to find your perfect match. And if you want to explore by yourself, there are amazing hostels in Galapagos as well that won’t kill your bank account.

The Galapagos tour game all comes down to what you like to do and how much you willing to pay for it.

Below I highlight my top picks for the best Galapagos tour companies.

Each company I highlight has something special to offer. Remember there are LOTS of Galapagos tour companies out there. I DO NOT  cover shit tours, ecologically unethical tours, or companies with poor reputations for customer service.

A visit to the Galapagos Islands is bound to be a highlight of your life and I want to make sure the tour company you choose meets your expectations in order to help make your Galapagos dream a reality.

Best Galapagos Scuba Diving Tour:  Liveaboard Galapagos

• Price: $2000-6000+
• # of Days: 4-8
• Main Activities: Scuba Diving

For scuba diving fanatics, few experiences can compare to a Liveaboard trip in the Galapagos. The waters around the Galapagos islands a protected marine reserve.

Protections have been in place for decades and the results are obvious. Ecosystems are intact. Abundant wildlife is thriving. The scuba diving is EPIC.

Liveaboard trips are great for fully immersing yourself in the world of scuba diving for a week or more. The boat you stay on goes to places that day trip scuba diving operators cannot. Basically, staying on a Liveaboard boat is the equivalent to staying at a luxury hotel. The food is amazing, the accommodation is top tier (for a boat), and you can expect multiple scuba dives every day of the trip. It’s a beautiful thing.

There are cheaper liveabaord-style Galapagos tours out there, but none with the same track record of excellence as the Liveaboard company.

(If you’re interested in liveaboard trips in other parts of the globe, we’ve covered that too.)

What is the Best Galapagos Tour Offered by Liveaboard?

Many of the Galapagos Liveaboard tours are much the same in terms of the itinerary (though they do have different itineraries). The main differences in price reflect the size of the boat, how many occupants the boat can serve, and the duration of the tour.

The cheaper Liveaboard tours are often 4 days or so, and can accommodate up to 50+ people. A crucial thing to note is that the cheap Liveaboard trips do NOT include any scuba diving. They are for pleasure cruising and snorkeling only. Scuba diving Liveaboard trips are more in the $4000-6000 range.

One of the best Galapagos Liveaboard tours for scuba diving is the Central Archipelago tour  aboard the Humboldt Ship ($5400, 8 days/7 nights).

The Humboldt takes divers to the best dive sites of the Galapagos to discover Galapagos sharks, hammerheads, turtles, schools of tuna, manta rays, whale sharks and white tip sharks.

The boat offers 8 air-conditioned, double cabins with an ocean view, TV/DVD, private bathrooms and showers. The 7 member crew goes out of their way to ensure guests are comfortable. Guests can relax in the air-conditioned salon, the covered back deck, and a sundeck with Jacuzzi. All in all, this is a pretty high-end tour we’re talking about.

For people who are serious about experiencing some truly once-in-a-lifetime scuba diving whilst living the high life, Liveaboard Galapagos is where it’s at.

Best Budget Scuba Diving Tour: Terra Diversa 

• Price: $1250+
• # of Days: 6

Good, you are still with me! If the prices of the above Liveaboard Galapagos tours nearly lead you to stop reading this article, I have. a tour company that will be music to your ears.

Terra Diversa is one of the best Galapagos tour companies for budget scuba diving trips. They cost significantly less than Liveaboard trips. That said, the overall style of the Terra Diversa tours are much different indeed.

First of all, you will not be based on a boat. This company runs its tours from a base on one of the islands. You still get to do loads of diving, just without all of the #shiplife luxury and moving around.

Every day of the tour you visit a different dive site and then return to “base camp” in the afternoon. Terra Diversa is an excellent option for backpackers lwho want to go scuba diving in the Galapagos without spending $5000 each.

What is the Best Galapagos Tour Offered by Terra Diversa?

The Terra Diversa budget Galapagos diving package is perhaps the best budget diving tour you will find anywhere.

It’s a six-day land-based tour with its base camp on Santa Cruz Island. You’ll enjoy six dive immersions at dive sites throughout the surrounding area. Divers can expect to pack in lots of quality dive time at the most important sites near Santa Cruz Island.

Because this is essentially a bare-bones tour, there are additional costs involved. Whilst your accommodation, breakfast, light lunch, diving costs, and transport around the Galapagos are covered, several important components are not.

Your flight from mainland Ecuador is not included. Entrance to the Galapagos National park is not included ($100). Dinner and booze are not included. When you start adding up the costs, you are easily looking at another $1000, if not more.

Bearing all of this in mind, Terra Diversa tours offer great all-around value for backpackers interested in a Galapagos scuba diving trip.

Best Galapagos Budget Tour for Under 30 Backpackers: Intrepid Travel

• Price: $1460- $2000
• # of Days: 9
• Main Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, beach chilling

Are you a backpacker between the age of 18 – 29 keen to discover the magic of the Galapagos? I have found the perfect tour for you.

Intrepid Travel offers affordable budget tours for younger backpackers. They have an age cut off to ensure the vibe stays youthful, highly energized, and open to debauchery without the possibility of offending older paying guests (my speculation).

The Intrepid Galapagos tour really keeps you on the move. The tour begins and ends in Quito (in the Andes), so in total you have six days to explore the islands.

The main activities for this Galapagos tour are hiking, chilling the F out on the beach, island hopping, and snorkeling (sometimes with sharks).

A cool aspect of this tour is the fact that you are traveling with like-minded backpackers your own age. As a kid, I use to go on trips with my parents and once I was stuck on a tour bus full of people over 70 years old for two weeks. You don’t want that.

What is the Best Galapagos Tour Offered by Intrepid?

Be sure that Intrepid offers many other tours besides the Essential Galapagos budget tour for younger backpackers.

I am covering their budget tour here because 1) It is one of the cheapest around and 2) Intrepid tours are a whole lot of fun.

Like the Terra Diversa tour listed above, you need to be aware of what’s included and what’s not.

The Intrepid Essential Galapagos tour covers your transportation (including flights), 5 breakfasts, hostel accommodation, and activities like hiking and snorkeling.

What’s not included: All meals except for 5 breakfasts, entrance fee to National Park ($100) and port fee ($10), and activity add-ons.

I am not a fan of all the meals guests need to pay for, but the tour does include your flights which is a huge saving. Plus you get a few days in the fantastic Andean city of  Quito . Exploring the Andes and the Galapagos on one trip? Hell yes.

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We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Best Galapagos Camping/ Adventure Tour: G Adventure Tours 

• Price: $1500+
• Main Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, camping

Another company doing badass Galapagos tours with younger backpackers in mind is G Adventures . Like Intrepid, G Adventures offers up various Galapagos tour options for reasonable prices.

Several G Adventure Galapagos tours offer up a good mix of activities, including camping and hiking. Outdoorsy types will love all of the nature-based activities.

I like G Adventures as a company for several reasons. They offer the maximum enjoyment level at some of the lowest prices around. Perhaps even more importantly, they take pride in their solid environmental track record. Far too many companies that operate in South America couldn’t care less about environmental ethics.

What is the Best Galapagos Tour Offered by G Adventures?

Again, G Adventures runs multiple tour itineraries. What equals the best tour for one person may not be the best for another. The Galapagos Adventure Tour  is my favorite both in terms of price and activities offered. Few other tour companies offer camping experiences at this price point.

The campsites are located in the remote highlands of the Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands. During free time and included activities there are opportunities to explore the towns and coastal areas on these islands, but in an effort to create a wilderness experience, the camping is not located in the towns, which is awesome.

So, what’s included and what’s not? All internal flights, multiple meals, transportation, camping, and some hikes are included. Certain meals, national park fees, optional activities like snorkeling and some hikes are not included.

G Adventures estimates you’ll need around $200 USD+ to cover the additional meal costs.

For an off the beaten track Galapagos camping tour experience, look no further than G Adventures.

• Price: $4000 – 8000
• # of Days: 4-9
• Main Activities: Kayaking, wildlife watching, wining and dining

For those of you with a little more cash in your bank account than us, the broke backpackers, Adventure Life is a fine company running Galapagos luxury tours.

Most Adventure Life tours offer a touch of the finer things in life. Luxury accommodation, dining, and adventure sport activities are all on the menu.

The main two types of tours offered by Adventure Life are hotel based or ship based. This is exactly what it sounds like. For certain tours, you sleep in hotels and do activities by day. For ship-based tours, you are sleeping on the boat and making day trips from the vessel.

Like some of the above-mentioned tour companies, Adventure Life runs tours all over the world. They have an excellent reputation for providing outstanding customer service and activity opportunities.

Adventure Life Galapagos tours are not for everyone (and certainly not for everyone’s budget), but if what they do interests you, there is no better company to enjoy a luxury Galapagos adventure.

What is the Best Galapagos Tour Offered by Adventure Life?

For a traveler who enjoys outdoor physical activities paired with a very comfortable accommodation, the Galapagos Multisport tour is the perfect Galapagos itinerary.

The Galapagos Multisport tour provides a good mix of kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, and snorkeling. Sea lions, marine iguanas, dolphins, turtles, and bountiful birdlife swoop around you while you paddle and play. Not bad, right?

This Galapagos Multisport Adventure is the ultimate combination of adventure, comfort, and wildlife interaction, and a perfect trip for active families and athletic groups of four or more.

Whilst your accommodation, most activities, and many meals are included in the tour price, some crucial bits are not included.

Internal flights are not included (which is crazy if you pay $5,000 for a tour!). Add on the entrance fees and estimated $200/person for meals and you are looking at an additional $1000 minimum.

The Adventure Life is such a great tour, c’mon guys! How hard would it be for you to include the damn flights within Ecuador? Regardless, if you are looking for an awesome, comfortable adventure, Adventure Life is ready to make that dream come true.

Best Galapagos Luxury Tour #2: National Geographic Expeditions

• Price: $7,190 – 7,550
• Main Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, wildlife

Another Galapagos luxury tour company that should be on your radar is National Geographic Expeditions . Yes, that is National Geographic. You too can join the prestige of a luxury National Geographic “expedition!”

Whilst the term expedition isn’t really accurate for this Galapagos tour, experiencing the Galapagos with a team of National Geographic naturalists from the comforts of a luxury ship is every bit as awesome as it sounds.

This tour very much focuses on learning about/experiencing the Galapagos Islands’ diverse wildlife species . In addition to getting up close and personal with the islands’ unique animals, there are plenty of outdoor activities on offer.

Kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling are all included in the tour. Certain National Geographic Expeditions tours offer scuba diving as well (at extra cost).

What is the Best Galapagos Tour Offered by National Geographic Expeditions?

The National Geographic Expedition Cruise to the Galapagos is an ultra-comfortable, luxury cruise tour with the associated price tag. As one of the most expensive tours on my list, this Nat Geo tour is also the most high-end in terms of luxury. This is not your typical backpacker adventure.

This tour offers accommodation on a luxury ship for 7 days (two nights on the mainland of Ecuador). Certainly, one of the highlights of the trip is getting to meet the endangered Galapagos giant tortoises at a National Geographic-supported captive breeding program.

What sets this tour apart from the rest of the pack is its unparalleled access to unique wildlife experiences with Nat Geo naturalists… that and the fact that you are cruising around in one of the most luxurious fleets in the Galapagos.

If you are interested in high-end luxury and learning about the unique biodiversity, history, and conservation efforts in the Galapagos, then the National Geographic Expedition Cruise will meet all of your needs and then some.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Top Tips for Choosing A Galapagos Tour

Below, I have listed some tips/things to consider when selecting your own epic Galapagos tour adventure…

• Keep in mind internal flights within Ecuador can be expensive. If a tour doesn’t include flights to the islands, research how much flights cost for when you want to go and weigh the pros and cons.
• Factor in any extra meals you will need to buy. Every Galapagos tour on my list includes at least some meals. Budget tours tend to seriously skimp in regard to meals. Restaurants on the Galapagos Islands are among the most expensive in the whole country, so be sure to budget for any extra meal costs.
• The Galapagos National Park entrance fee is $100 per adult. Pretty much every tour will require you to pay this fee upon arrival.
• Be wary of “side trips” or “optional extras.” Again, both budget and luxury tours offer side trips or extra paid activities. Make sure you read the itinerary carefully and have a realistic idea of what is included and what is extra.
• Budget for tips. As a tour guide myself (in Pakistan) I know how sweet it is to receive tips after a job well-done. Sometimes, people can forget about tipping guides altogether and simply don’t think to budget for it. Tour guides work very hard to ensure you have an awesome time. If your guide does an amazing job, show him or her some love in the form of a decent tip. If the guide is shit, well, then don’t give them anything.
• Don’t go with a company that has a poor record of unethical environmental practices. Touching any marine life of any kind is unacceptable. Feeding wildlife simply to attract fish is even worse. Like I said before, there are plenty of tour companies out there that will happily take your money. Do your homework, especially if you are considering a budget operator not featured on this list! Not only can these budget companies be unethical, but diving with them can also be very dangerous. Do your due diligence and you should be just fine.

Whether you are just going to Ecuador for your Galapagos adventure or you are staying on to explore more of the country afterward, here are five things I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full backpacking packing list.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Books to Read on the Galapagos Islands

Here are some of my favorite book set in the Galapagos…

• Galapagos: A Novel : In this inimitable novel, America’s master satirist looks at our world and shows us all that it is sadly, madly awry. Kurt Vonnegut is always a good time.
• The Beach of a Finch : On a desert island in the heart of the Galapagos archipelago, where Darwin received his first inklings of the theory of evolution, two scientists, Peter and Rosemary Grant, have spent twenty years proving that Darwin did not know the strength of his own theory.
• My Father’s Island : A true story that incorporates biography, adventure, and the elements of armchair travel. Angermeyer, who grew up in Nebraska, embarks on a search to discover what happened to her father, a refugee from Hitler, on the Galapagos Islands where he and her mother had lived before his death.
• Lonesome George : The legendary story of a legendary tortoise: Lonesome George is a 5 foot long, 200-pound tortoise, between 60 and 200 years old. In 1971 he was discovered on the remote Galapagos island of Pinta, from which tortoises had supposedly been extinct for years.
• The Origins of Species : Darwin’s classic masterpiece where he lays out his argument for the “survival of the fittest” theory and the bases of evolution as we know it. A must read!
• Lonely Planet: Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands : Practical information for backpacking around Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Get Insured before Visiting the Galapagos Islands

Even if you are only traveling to the Galapagos for a short period, you should consider travel insurance. Ecuador is pretty safe , but you can never be careful enough. Have fun on your backpacking adventure but please do buy insurance – take it from someone who has racked up tens of thousands of dollars on an insurance claim before, you ma y need it.

On a Galapagos adventure, odds are you’ll be just fine, but given all of the outdoor activities you’ll be getting into, it is very important to buy insurance.

I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

For even more inspiration (let’s be honest, sometimes we need some inspiration to deal with travel insurance!), check out my new article on finding the best travel insurance for your adventures.

The Galapagos Islands are truly one of the earth’s last remaining refuges of mindblowing ecological biodiversity. There are countless species of wildlife found here that do not exist anywhere else on earth. As a visitor to these beautiful islands, you have a certain responsibility.

Whilst scuba diving, hiking, and camping in the Galapagos be respectful of the natural environment. Do not collect, touch, or disrupt any living creature or natural fixture. The entire Galapagos ecosystem is fragile and should be treated with the utmost care.

Have the time of your life experiencing the magic of the Galapagos. Just be thoughtful about how you do it. Almost unbelievably, there can be issues with rubbish on the islands (that’s humanity for you). Always pack away your trash and avoid dropping little bits of plastic or cigarette butts!

Reduce your plastic footprint:  Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in a landfill or in the ocean.

Check out this post for more inspiration regarding  how to be a responsible backpacker .

Have a wonderful time on your Galapagos Islands tour! See you down the road.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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Be careful who you are dealing with in the Galapagos.

DO NOT trust Carlos Palacios or the ministry of tourism on Santa Cruz island, Galapagos

Carlos is a fraud. He pretends to be a tour agent by sitting at random agency desks to steal money from unsuspecting tourists. We booked a cruise with Carlos for 2000$USD cash(which is often the case for last minute cruises). The thing is, he never sent the money to the boat company. He then brought us to the ministry of tourism’s office to sign a « contract » saying he would refund us the money on the next monday, which he never did. The tourism agent AND the director kept lying to us just so they could make us wait long enough to the point where we couldn’t do anything anymore since we would be back in our country and the only real way of getting something done is by going to the police and making an official complaint. This being stated, the contract they made us sign is complete useless. The whole of this system is corrupted and you can’t know who to trust. At the end of the trip, we were left with no cruise, no money and so many hours waisted on this situation. We also talked with other tourists who had the same exact experience in the Galapagos. This practice is common on the islands and if you plan on going to the Galapagos you should be extremely careful with who you are dealing with.

For a stress free trip, I recommend going at Galapagos Blue Sky agency and ask for Josué if you want the best service on the island.

A trip to the Galapagos Islands is unlike any adventure you’ll ever have and that’s because this magnificent place is unlike any other you’ll ever visit.

I always wanted to go to Galapagos but till now not got a chance…. Bookmarking this guide for my future reference. Thanks for a lovely read.

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• Destinations

Wild Junket

How to Visit Galapagos Islands: Travel Guide 2024

Last Updated on March 15, 2024

The Galapagos Islands are some of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Here’s a detailed guide on how to visit Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful and unique places I’ve ever been. Having been isolated from the world for thousands of years, they are home to unique animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and marine lizards roam freely on this archipelago.

A Galapagos Islands trip might come with a hefty price tag, thanks to the $100 entry tariff and pricey island cruises. But don’t let that stop you. It’s one of the best wildlife destinations in the world for good reason. We have been twice and it  remains our favorite place on Earth! For those are planning to visit Galapagos Islands, here’s my Galapagos Islands travel blog and comprehensive guide.

Table of Contents

How to Visit ​Galapagos Islands

What make the galapagos islands special, a brief history of the ​galapagos islands, when to visit ​galapagos islands, how to visit the galapagos islands, the 2 airports on the galapagos islands are:, 1. go on a galapagos cruise, 2. do day tours on the galapagos islands, 3. take the inter-island shuttles, puerto ayora, santa cruz, puerto baquerizo moreno, san cristobal, puerto villamil, isabela, what to eat on the ​galapagos islands, 1. santa cruz island, 2. san cristobal island, 3. isabela island, 4. north seymour island, 5. bartolome island, 6. floreana island, 7. española island, 8. genovesa island, 9. fernandina island, 10. santiago island, how much time to visit ​galapagos islands, how to stay connected on the galapagos islands, cost of travel on the galapagos islands, rules of the ​galapagos islands national park, packing list for galapagos islands, final tips for galapagos islands travel, travel resources, galapagos islands travel guide.

The ​Galapagos Island​ archipelago is a collection of 13 major islands, seven smaller islands and about 125 islets and rocks. They lie about 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean and are some of the world’s most secluded islands .

Historically the Galapagos Islands were uninhabited and only served as bases for everything from scientific research to English pirates raiding Spanish treasure ships. They remained relatively undeveloped until Ecuador claimed them not long after gaining independence from Spain.​

The plants and animals that live on the Galapagos Islands today are descended from animals that arrived by sea or air. Because the islands are so remote and far from one another, the animals evolved and adapted to conditions unique to their new homes. That’s why wildlife here are so special and cannot be found elsewhere on Earth.

Because of a lack of predators, most Galapagos animals never developed a fear of humans. Don’t be surprised to find sea lions lying by the streets and giant lizards swimming around your boat in the Galapagos. They are not the least bit afraid of us. The Galapagos is such a great destination for kids as they can get up close to wildlife and learn all about the planet here. Read my guide to traveling the Galapagos with kids.

Today, over 97 % of the land is national park , and Ecuador limits who may live there and how many tourists may visit. The Galapagos Islands are some of the most unspoiled places on Earth thanks to protection laws and conservations efforts.

During Charles Darwin’s nearly five-year circumnavigation of the globe aboard HMS Beagle, he spent only five weeks on the Galapagos Islands. His discoveries on the islands were paramount to the development of his Theory of Evolution. His book “The Origin of the Species: also put the Galapagos Islands on the world map.

Santa Cruz Island is now home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, which serves as the front line for long-term preservation programs protecting the unique Galapagos animals and plants for future generations.

One of the perks of the islands’ location along the equator is that the weather is going to warm and sunny all year round. Regardless of when you visit the Galapagos Islands, prepare for high temperatures.

There are two main seasons in the Galapagos: January to May is the hot season, giving calmer seas and warmer ocean temperatures. July to December is the dry season which sees cooler temperatures, making it great for hiking inland.

In general, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is from January to May for the best conditions to go snorkeling or scuba diving and cruising around the islands. The Galapagos Islands offer some of the best scuba diving in the world .

It’s easy to add the Galapagos into any Ecuador itinerary . You just need to plan (and save!) in advance to make the most of your time in the Galapagos.

Most foreign tourists over the age of 12 pay $100 , while children pay $50. Visitors from the Andean Community and Mercosur nations over the age of 12 pay $50, and children pay $25.

This entry tax may seem a bit high, but it is important to keep in mind that these fees are helping to protect the fragile environment here. Funds from the entry tax are said to finance the conservation of biodiversity of flora and fauna, and benefit the local community.

How to Get to the ​Galapagos Islands

The only way to get to the Galapagos Islands is to fly from Ecuador. Flights to the Galapagos Islands depart from only two cities in Ecuador: Quito and Guayaquil.  Guayaquil is the main gateway city to the Galapagos, check out this list of things to do in Guayaquil .

You can fly direct to Quito from Miami, and return flights cost around US$400. Check for flights from USA to Ecuador . From Europe, most flights go from Amsterdam or Madrid to Quito for around US$700 return.

Flights from Quito/Guayaquil to Galapagos Islands cost around US$300 to $400 return. All flights are with either LATAM or Avianca , which are both reliable South American airlines. Foreigners are only allowed to book flights on premium class (and sadly they are very strict about it).

• Baltra Airport (GPS): Baltra is the airport closest to Santa Cruz Island. To get to Santa Cruz island, take a ferry for $5 and another $5 bus to Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz. Or book a fuss-free airport transfer here .
• San Cristobal Airport (SCY): This airport is less than 5 minutes drive from the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It costs only $2-$4 per taxi (not per person). Most flights to San Cristobal will make a stopover on Baltra.

*TIP: I recommend flying into Baltra and out of San Cristobal like we did on our recent trip. It’s the same price as flying return to either island. 

Book Your Flights to Galapagos Islands

Getting Around the ​Galapagos Islands

Traveling to the Galapagos Islands requires some planning (and saving!) as it isn’t the cheapest or easiest place to get around. It’s easy enough to do it yourself so you don’t have to book a Galapagos tour. There are three possible ways to explore the Galapagos Islands and hop from one island to the next:

The most popular way is going on a luxury Galapagos cruise, which brings you to several islands within a short time. You sail at night and arrive to a different island every morning. Cruise packages typically include all accommodation and meals, visits to the islands with a certified naturalist, and access to snorkeling gear and kayaks.

A 1-week Galapagos cruise can set you back around US$2,500 for budget standards or $3500 for luxury cruises. This includes all expenses, food and snorkeling equipment. You can save some money by showing up on the Galapagos Islands and shopping around for last-minute deals.

Those traveling the Galapagos Islands with kids might find that cruises aren’t particularly suitable for kids due to the intense schedule and limited space. Also, it can get choppy on the waters of the Pacific Ocean; many people get seasick while cruising the Galapagos. My friend was seasick the entire time he was on a Galapagos cruise. If your kids aren’t comfortable at sea yet, I wouldn’t recommend going on a cruise.

Budget travelers can opt to go island-hopping round Galapagos Islands independently, which was what we did on our first Galapagos Islands trip. We based ourselves on Santa Cruz and did day tours to other islands from there. There are plenty of local operators offering Galapagos tours online or at certain locations on the islands. Most Galapagos Islands day tours cost around $200-300 depending on where you’re visiting.

There are four islands that you can stay on without being on any tour:

• Santa Cruz: This island has the biggest tourist town and has most sights
• San Cristobal: It has a quieter town with iconic attractions
• Isla Isabela: Smallest town with few options but great for wildlife
• Isla Floreana: Only 1 hotel and no scheduled speedboats to other islands

Here are the most popular Galapagos Islands tours:

• Kicker Rock day tour from San Cristobal island (pictured)
• North Seymour day trip from Santa Cruz island
• Bartolome day trip from Santa Cruz island
• Floreana day tour from Santa Cruz island
• Snorkeling in lava tunnels on Isabela island

Besides day tours, there are also several speedboat companies that offer an inter-island shuttling service. You need to plan really well as there are limited departures each day and journeys can be long! For instance, the shuttle from Santa Cruz to Isabela takes around three hours.

The public ferries cost between  $25-35US per person each way . It’s best to check with a couple of ticket sellers in town before buying your tickets.  Or book these ferry transfers that include hotel pickups!

Public ferries only run these routes (back and forth):

• Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) – Isabela (Puerto Villamil)
• Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) – San Cristobal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno)

Where to Stay on the Galapagos Islands

I’ve listed my hotel recommendations for the three most popular towns to stay at. If you’re wondering where to stay on the Galapagos Islands, these are the biggest towns.

Puerto Ayora , the main town on Santa Cruz island, is a lively town with a good range of midrange hotels and affordable guesthouses. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno , the town on San Cristobal island, is smaller but its accommodation options are more affordable. Puerto Villamil on Isabela island is the smallest but accommodations are cheapest.

Luxury: Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel — Undoubtedly the best hotel on Santa Cruz, this stylish hotel is slick and unpretentious. It’s got a beautiful swimming pool and beachfront location, with even its own pier and private yacht. Excellent place if money isn’t an issue! Check the rates.

Midrange: Hotel La Isla — A beautiful boutique hotel with stylish designs that blend naturally with the surroundings, and its small scale provides an intimate atmosphere. It’s within walking distance from Tortuga Bay and the town centre of Puerto Ayora. Check the rates. 

Midrange: El Descanso del Guia — This new midrange hotel offers panoramic views over the coast from its rooftop. It also has a nice swimming pool, and clean and spacious rooms. Check the rates.

Budget: Hostal Gardner Galapagos — We stayed at this place located in the heart of town and minutes from the pier. Rooms are cheap and spacious, and relatively well maintained. Great value! Check the rates.

Midrange: Eco Hotel Katarma — The best hotel on the island is an eclectic and colorful eco lodge with an indoor swimming pool. Katarma is inspired entirely by art; it mixes different architectural, design, painting and sculptural influences to create a space where peace and life take the upmost importance. Check the rates.

Midrange: La Zayapa — Located right on the dock, La Zayapa is the heart of the town, offering room with views of the pier. We absolutely loved staying here. Good prices for such excellent location. Check the rates.

Budget: Hotel Cactus & Cactus — With a minimalistic design, this artistic hostel features clean lines and very simple but beautiful decor. Rooms are well-priced for what it is, highly recommend it! Check the rates.

Luxury: Flip Flop House — With capacity for four people, this beautiful, modern house has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a hot tub. The property was built in 2016, and makes a comfortable home away from home. I highly recommend this if you are traveling with family or friends. Check the rates.

Midrange: Drake Inn — Located right on the beach, this simple but comfortable guesthouse offers well-priced rooms just three minutes from town. Its rooftop has excellent ocean views and makes a great spot to chill in the evenings. Check the rates.

Budget: Hotel La Jungla — This budget place offers great value for money, and a rustic jungle setting despite being just a few feet from the sea. All of its rooms have wide windows that look out to the ocean. Check the rates.

Food, especially seafood, is a huge part of island culture here and the restaurants to ​not disappoint. There are full spreads fit for kings as well as authentic, local eateries that boast fresh and cheap grub.

Here are four places I highly recommend checking out:

Los Kioskos — Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

This row of street food was our favorite spot to eat at night! Los Kioskos is basically a street lined with small, local stalls selling freshly caught seafood. You’ll hear sizzling from the charcoal parillas  and smell smoky, grilled fish long before you stumble across this little alley. Food here is reasonably priced and oh so bueno!

Galapagos Deli — ​Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz This deli is famous for its brick-oven pizza ranging in price from $6.50 to $9.75 USD and high-quality deli sandwiches from $4.70 to $8.75. Of course, it wouldn’t be a seaport deli without fish and chips, as well as piping hot espresso and delicious frozen gelato. Read reviews here.

Booby Trap —​ Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island Booby Trap is the best place to grab a slice of pizza, but it’s their fish tacos that I loved. The lobster also comes highly recommended at a very reasonable rate. The restaurant is owned by a greagarious retired American man and his Ecuadorian wife.  Read reviews here.

Muyu Galapagos — Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal

If you’re looking to splurge, definitely book a table at Muyu Galapagos, one of the best restaurants in the whole archipelago. They serve up modern fusion food, focusing on fresh seafood with a contemporary twist. Read reviews here.

Things to Do on the Galapagos Islands

With over 21 islands spread out over a large area, the Galapagos Islands really do have a lot to offer for active travelers who like to get out and about. Here’s a round-up of the BEST things to do on the Galapagos Islands and the best Galapagos tours to book. I will indicate below how to visit each site below.

See Lizards and Sea Lions at Tortuga Bay

A 45 minute hike leads you to Santa Cruz’s most beautiful beach and bay. There are plenty of marine iguanas and sea lions lounging on the beach when we were there. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling with white tip reef sharks, and occasionally tiger sharks. It was the first spot we visited and we were blown away!

How to : Visit independently by walking or taking a taxi from Puerto Ayora.

Snorkel in Las Grietas

Las Grietas is a beautiful naturally formed freshwater pool formed in a crack between two volcanic cliff faces. During midday when the sun is high, the pool is a bright, clear blue. There isn’t a lot of wildlife here, but the crystal clear waters make it just a fun swimming spot. Plus it’s free to visit the site! No guide or tour needed. We absolutely loved it here and could have spent a day here if not for our fomo!

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center

The Charles Darwin Research Center is a breeding centre and rehabilitation facility for animals from local islands. First stop by the Ruta de las Tortugas for a guided tour ($10) — they run tours in both English and Spanish every hour. The guide brings you on a short walk and talks about the endemic wildlife and plant life on the Galapagos, before showing you the tortoise breeding area (which is fenced up). At the end of the tour, you’ll be led into a room where the famous Lonesome George (the last tortoise of its kind who passed away in 2012) stands immortalized.

After the tour, walk to the end of the centre to visit the museum and learn more about the wildlife of the Galapagos. There’s also a station beach where you can swim and see black-tip reef sharks. All in all, the research center is a great spot to visit for those traveling the Galapagos with kids .  

See Giant Tortoises at Reserva El Chato

Just a short drive from Puerto Ayora, Reserva El Chato is the best place in the Galapagos to see the rare Galapagos Giant Tortoises. You’ll see their ancient animals roaming around in their natural habitat, with no cages, fences, or walls to obstruct the view – and all for just $3. Book your entrance tickets here.

Swim with Sea Lions at La Loberia

San Cristobal is the best island to go for sea lions. Here at La Loberia, not only can you snorkel with tons of sea lions, but you will also see marine iguanas, lava lizards, frigate birds, and more. We had SO much fun swimming with the sea lions! Those animals can be really cheeky. It’s free to enter, just rent snorkeling equipment beforehand.

How to : Visit independently by walking 30 minutes or taking a taxi ($3 ride) from Puerto Baquerizo.

Snorkel or Scuba Dive at Kicker Rock

Around 3 miles north of San Cristobal island is this volcanic cone that rises from the sea. Kicker Rock, known locally as León Dormmido, is home to a smattering of blue-footed boobies and fregate birds, but it is really its below-water inhabitants that has visitors in awe.

The natural erosion of the cone has created a channel between the rocks that serves as the ideal place to view sharks and rays. If you come at the right time, you can see hundreds of Galapagos sharks (and come into touching distance of them if you choose to snorkel through the canyon). You might have the chance to see schools of spotted eagle rays, turtles, jellyfish, and sea lions.

How to : Only by cruise or on a day tour to Kicker Rock from Puerto Baquerizo.

Hike around Punta Pitt

Punta Pitt is one of the best places to see a huge variety of wildlife on the Galapagos. Both the blue-footed and red-footed boobies, and various species of frigates live in the area. They have chosen this site because its rugged geography prevents species that would be a threat to these birds from accessing here. Another species commonly found here are the iguanas, also due to its complex geography.

How to: Visit independently or a day tour from Puerto Baquerizo .

See the Views at Mirador Cerro Tijeretas

The Cerro Tijeretas lookout point offers a panoramic view of Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock. It’s definitely a spectacular spot and well worth the two-mile hike there from the visitor center. You’ll be hiking through a dry forest area full of cacti, acacia trees and lava lizards. The trail also leads to a calm, protected inlet along the shore which is a great spot for snorkeling.

How to: Visit independently by taking a taxi to the visitor center and walking from Puerto Baquerizo.

Hike and Snorkel around Los Tuneles

Los Tuneles or lava tunnels is a hugely popular site to visit. We hired a guide and came here on a day tour. A boat first takes you along the coast to a landscape characterized by bizarre lava formations and tunnels that provide shelter for an abundance of sea life.  You’ll then need to hike for a bit before getting the chance to snorkel with sea lions, turtles, sharks, rays, sea horses among innumerable fish species.

How to: The only way to get here is on a cruise or day tour from Puerto Villamil .

Snorkel at Las Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras is an islet just off the main dock of Isabela Island. It’s often called mini Galapagos since almost a ll the Galapagos marine wildlife are found here. There is actually more wildlife here than on the main island.

It’s one of the few places to see the Galapagos penguins, the second smallest penguins in the world. It was incredibly getting to swim with them and see them in the water! You can snorkel in the area without a guide.

How to: Take a half-day tour from Puerto Villamill.

See Flamingos at the Wall of Tears

The Wall of Tears, or El Muro de Las Lagrimas,   is one of the most famous hikes on the Galapagos Islands . It’s the only place to see the Galapagos Flamingos and you can do it without a guide. The name comes from the wall at the end of the hike. The Wall of Tears was built in the 1950’s by 300 prisoners, toiling away under the hot sun to cut and haul heavy black volcanic rock in order to build their own prison.

How to: Visit independently by walking from Puerto Villamil.

Our favorite spot, North Seymour, is a small uninhabited island that is hugely popular with all kinds of birds that live in the Galapagos. It’s a fascinating place with open nesting grounds of blue-footed boobies and the archipelago’s largest colonies of fregate birds. If you’re lucky, you might even see blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas.

How to: The only way to get there is on a cruise or a day tour from Santa Cruz island .

Bartolome Island is the most scenic island in terms of landscapes. Be sure to climb up to the top of the viewpoint for a 360 degree panorama. There are black volcanic formations, which contrast sharply with the red, orange and green of the rest of the island. Also don’t miss the Pinnacle Rock, home to a colony of Galapagos penguins.

How to: The only way to visit is on a cruise or a day tour from Santa Cruz island .

Another island I really enjoyed visiting was Floreana, where Charles Darwin visited and collected the Floreana Mockingbird. On the island, you can find beaches of different color and a fresh water lagoon where flamingos can be observed during the hot season.

Devil’s Crown is an old eroded, semi- submerged, volcanic cone where you can spot penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, dolphins and colorful fish. It’s one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands because of the coral reef in the middle which is a perfect attraction for marine life.

How to: Visit on a cruise, public ferry (no fix schedule) or day tour from Santa Cruz island .

One of the oldest islands of them all, Española Island is about 4.5 million years old and located on the southern east corner of the archipelago. This island is home of the Española Mockingbird, the only carnivorous one. Here there is also the only Marine Iguana population that remains red and green throughout the year. About 1500 tortoises live there today.

This is the only nesting site for the  Galapagos Waved Albatross, thanks to the cold waters from the Humboldt current. This endemic animal nests on the flat grounds of this island. They breed from the month of April to December.

How to: You can only visit by cruise or on a day tour from San Cristobal island .

Also known as the “Bird Island“, Genovesa Island most certainly lives up to its name in a spectacular way. It’s common to spot these birdlife on the island: puffball chicks, crowned and lava herons, red footed boobies, Nazca boobies and also the swallow–tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world that will be nesting at the cliff’s edge.

Be sure to visit Prince Philip’s Steps, an 81-foot stairway that leads to a narrow stretch of land which opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay on the north side of the island.

How to: The only way to visit this island is on a Galapagos cruise.

Fernandina Island is often referred to as a “land without time” as it is a volcanic island without any introduced species. The island is 300 thousand years old and it is still active.

There are an estimate of around 100,000 black and gray iguanas on Fernandina Island. As you look out the lava rocks they may look like they are moving – they are covered in these reptiles basking in the sunshine. Their dark coloration is an adaptation that allows them to hold onto heat so that they can stay under the water and search for food.

Despite being the fourth largest island, Santiago Island is an uninhabited island that can only be visited on a cruise. The   black lava pools at Puerto Egas are  home of a great variety of fauna, including marine iguana basking in the sun, hundreds of   red crabs ,   herons ,   fur seals   that will swim with you.

From there it’s a 2km walk to Sugarloag Volcano where you can get a spectacular view of lava lizards, Galapagos doves, and Darwin finches.

On our first trip there as backpackers, we spent 5 days in the Galapagos Islands and based ourselves on Santa Cruz the entire time. This time round, we had 1 week and stayed on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, but we still wished we had more time. Ideally, I would recommend spending 10 days in the Galapagos Islands so you can enough time to base yourselves on the three main inhabited islands.

You’ll probably want to combine another week or so on mainland Ecuador to make the most of your trip. On this recent trip, we spent two weeks in Ecuador , combining time in the historic center of Quito with hikes in Otavalo and Cotopaxi National Park.

Our 1-week Galapagos itinerary:

• Day 1: Fly to Santa Cruz
• Day 2: See Tortuga Bay + Visit Charles Darwin Center
• Day 3: Do a day trip to Bartolome Island
• Day 4: Take the ferry to San Cristobal
• Day 5: Explore the Loberia, Puerto Chino, and the Giant Tortoise Reserve
• Day 6: Do a 360 day trip around the island + Kicker Rock
• Day 7: Fly to Quito from San Cristobal

Recommended 10-day Galapagos itinerary:

• Days 1-3: Santa Cruz Island  
• Days 4-6: Isabela
• Days 7-10: San Cristobal

Internet connection is limited and slow on the Galapagos Islands. Even in our hotel and Airbnb, the download speeds were very slow. Get prepared to disconnect abit while you’re here.

I recommend getting an eSIM card with data plan as that works faster than the WiFI in hotels. I personally use eSIMs wherever I travel these days as they are SO much more convenient – you can buy them online, and don’t need to go to the shop or activate your eSIM through the store. Most phones are compatible with eSIMs, including all of the new iPhones, Samsung, Google and Huawei phones. For a comprehensive list of phones compatible with eSIMs you can check out this article .

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store and it has eSIMs from over 190 countries and regions around the worlds. I have bought eSIMs from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Ecuador and Peru from Airalo and never had any issues.

Check out  Airalo’s eSIMs  here. 

Let’s face it: the Galapagos is quite an expensive destination mainly due to the tourist tariff and the flight to get there. First you’ll be spending around US$500 for your flight and entry tariff . Day tours are around US$200-300 each, and a week-long cruise can set you back at $2500 .

Galapagos Islands travel is not cheap as the archipelago is so remote, almost everything needs to be imported. Accommodation on the islands are more expensive than on mainland Ecuador but you can still find decent guesthouses at $40/night for a double room and luxury hotels for $200/night.

Food is quite affordable especially at the local eateries. Expect to spend around US$8-10 on a local meal, and $20-30 in a hotel restaurant. There are also supermarkets in towns and you can cook on your own to save money.

All in all, you’ll have to budget for the kind of adventure you want. Just remember, the Galapagos Islands are a truly unique place in the world and they are definitely worth saving up for!

80% of the Galapagos Islands is actually protected as a national park and there are rules in place to protect the fragile ecosystem in the park.

• Some protected areas can only be visited with a licensed guide, so make sure you research before venturing out on your own.
• When you encounter wildlife, remember to stay back and not get too close as you might cause them stress. Don’t feed them or use flash photography.
• If you are traveling to the Galapagos Islands with kids , make sure they stay close to you and remind them not to go near or touch the animals as they’ll be interfering with the natural environment.
• Any professional photography or filming recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the GNPD.
• Camping is only allowed in a few authorized spots. To get permission, you need to request authorization from the Galapagos National Park’s offices at least 48 hours in advance.
• The Galapagos Islands take the practice of “leave-no-trace” very seriously. Since fire poses a serious risk to the flora and fauna, smoking of any kind, as well as campfires, are strictly prohibited.
• When shopping for souvenirs, do​ not​ take or buy any products made from banned substances like black coral, lava rock, native woods, and animal parts.

What to Pack for the Galapagos Islands

Any Galapagos Islands travel involve lots of time in the water and under the sun. Be sure to prepare yourself for the weather and pack sunscreen, sun-proof swimming gear and snorkeling gear . We didn’t bring our own snorkeling gear as we were traveling South America for a few months, but I highly recommend bringing your own to avoid having to rent one everywhere you go.

One item that I strongly recommend bringing is waterproof footwear. My favorite shoes from KEEN footwear have never failed me. They’re perfect for both land and water activities (like walking on corals or waterfalls). Also don’t forget a sun-proof swim shirt that can protect your skin even while snorkeling (bikini/shorts are not enough!).

• SPF 70 Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent with DEET
• Snorkel mask and fins
• UPF50+ rash guard swim shirt
• Dry bag for snorkeling/kayaking
• Quick-dry towels
• Sun hat that covers the neck
• KEEN covered sandals
• SteriPen to sterilize water
• Dramamine for motion sickness
• GoPro Hero 7 for waterproof photos/videos!
• Quick-dry t-shirts for the hot weather

• Bring cash in US dollars, which is the main currency on the Galapagos Islands.
• There are limited ATMs on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, and none on Isabela island. Most places won’t accept credit cards, or will charge a high fee to do so. So having some spare cash is definitely useful.
• Learn some Spanish! Knowing some basics like ‘gracias’ (thank you), ‘por favor’ (please), and ‘como estas?’ (How are you?) will go a long way.
• The water conditions between islands can be rough, remember to bring motion sickness medication ! Even if you don’t usually get seasick, it’s best to be prepared for the rough conditions. I didn’t get seasick at all, but my friend who went on a cruise got seasick many times during the whole voyage.
• Print your flight itineraries and bring them just in case, because sometimes smaller international airports want to see a printed copy before they let you inside.

Inspired? Pin it!

Over the years (and traveling to 140+ countries), I’ve learned a thing or two about travel planning. I’ve put together this list of travel resources that I personally use to find the best deals and book travel! For more details, check out my travel tips resource page .

• Booking Flights : Kayak is brilliant for finding the best dates to fly as it allows you to search for the lowest airfares within a 3-day period. Then I use Skyscanner as they’ve consistently given me the lowest airfares.
• Accommodations:  I always use  Booking.com   to book hotels, mainly because of the flexible cancellation policy and good customer service. You can also find short-term rental apartments there (I prefer not to use Airbnb due to the extra charges).
• Travel Insurance:  It’s important to have travel insurance, regardless of whether you’re traveling for a few days or months. Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan , which covers any healthcare expenses I may have worldwide. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.
• Health Advice:  I always refer to the travel guides on the   CDC website  for recommended medications and vaccines. You can get them at your travel doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours:  If you’re looking for all-encompassing tours, I recommend small-group adventure tour outfitter, G Adventures . I’ve traveled with them to Antarctica, Mongolia, Svalbard, and Nepal, and loved every single trip. For day tours, I always book with  Viator  and  GetYourGuide ; they have easy booking systems and free cancellations.
• Car Rental: I always book car rentals on Discover Cars , as they’ve consistently given us the best rates and customer service (with free cancellations). We’ve used them in Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Peru, and Mexico.
• Transportation : Whenever possible, I book local transportation online using  Bookaway and Busbud . They’re more reliable than many local transport websites and cover trains, buses, and car hire.
• Restaurants: TripAdvisor is my go-to resource for restaurant reviews and bookings. I also make restaurant reservations on OpenTable .
• Travel WiFi: I recommend getting an Ecuador eSIM before arriving here. Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store and it has eSIMs from over 190 countries and regions around the worlds. Check out  Airalo’s eSIMs . 

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 140 countries across 7 continents. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Read more about her here and get more life updates from her on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Awesome post! Thank you!

Great info…thank you! Would love more luxury cruise recommendations.

very informative and very helpful

Thanks Richard!

After being in Guayaquil for a week, I have only 2 days for the Galapagos Islands. Do you have a recommendation for a 48 hour tour?

I will be there in mid-November 2023.

Fitness Travel

Amazing post and awesome pictures.

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The Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands may just inspire you to think differently about the world. The creatures that call the islands home, many found nowhere else in the world, act as if humans are nothing more than slightly annoying paparazzi.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real The Galápagos Islands. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

León Dormido

Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)

About an hour’s boat ride northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is León Dormido (Kicker Rock), so named because of its resemblance to a sleeping lion. León…

El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Isla Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)

South of Santa Rosa is El Chato Tortoise Reserve, where you can observe giant tortoises in the wild. When these virtually catatonic, prehistoric-looking…

Puerto Ayora

The first of its kind in the world, this museum uses augmented reality to showcase a permanent exhibition of 55 pre-Columbian artifacts. The ancient…

Volcán Alcedo

The summit of this volcano (1097m) is famous for its 7km-wide caldera and steaming fumaroles. Hundreds of giant tortoises can be seen here, especially…

Charles Darwin Research Station

Just northeast of Puerto Ayora is this iconic national-park site, where over 200 scientists and volunteers are involved with research and conservation…

Puerto Egas

Puerto Egas is one of the most popular sites in the Galápagos – a long, flat, black lava shoreline where eroded shapes form lava pools, caves and inlets…

Darwin Lake

A dry landing deposits you at the beginning of a 2km-long trail that brings you past this postcard-perfect saltwater lagoon. It has twice the salinity of…

Cerro Brujo

Possibly one of the nicest beaches in the Galápagos, Cerro Brujo is a huge white expanse found on the west side of the island. The sand here feels like…

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The Galápagos Islands and beyond

Galapagos Islands   Travel Guide

Courtesy of prasit chansarekorn | Getty Images

Why Go To Galapagos Islands

With its untamed terrain and notoriously fearless creatures – from sea lions to seagoing lizards – the isolated isles of the Galápagos lure those looking for exhilarating encounters in the wild. After all, where else can you observe giant tortoises grazing on tall blades of grass, short-feathered penguins waddling along the equator or blue-footed boobies conducting their unique mating ritual, all unbothered by the presence of onlookers? More than 100 years after Charles Darwin visited during his legendary voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, adventurers continue to use his footsteps as a guide for their own extraordinary journeys.

The Galápagos archipelago sits approximately 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador and comprises 234 isolated islands, islets, and rocks, warranting plenty of exploration. But with so much to see and do across this remote string of islands, you'll have to be selective about which islands you choose to discover. To get acquainted with the Galápagos' famous dome-shaped tortoises, head to El Chato Tortoise Reserve or Rancho Primicias on Santa Cruz Island. If you're keen to delve into the history of giant tortoises, witness conservation initiatives, and grasp the captive breeding endeavors for endangered turtle species, consider visiting the Tortoise Trail in the Galápagos National Park in Santa Cruz. Additionally, don't miss the chance to see the iconic Lonesome George, whose preserved body is a poignant reminder of the importance of preventing species extinction. Afterward, trek east to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about Darwin's work. If you would prefer a rendezvous with sea lions, head to San Cristóbal Island, where the cheery mammals engage in barking conversations along chalky white sands . And for a more serious adrenaline rush, head to Isabela Island to hike the active and imposing Sierra Negra volcano. Wherever your Galápagos adventure takes you, don't forget to bring your camera.

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• # 3 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America in 2023
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Best of Galapagos Islands

Best hotels in galapagos islands.

• in Finch Bay Eco Hotel
• in Hotel Solymar

Best Things to Do in Galapagos Islands

• # 1 in La Ruta de la Tortuga (Santa Cruz Island)
• # 2 in Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz Island)
• # 3 in La Lobería (San Cristóbal Island)

Popular Tours

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Galapagos Islands Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to explore the Galápagos Islands is from December to May. While the islands are excellent year-round, these months offer temperatures ranging from the low 70s to mid-80s, making pleasant conditions for hiking and wildlife-spotting. And though this season experiences frequent (but short) showers, the sun shines brightly on most days. Between June and November, the Humboldt Current, a current that runs northwest along South America's west coast, ushers in cooler temperatures and nutrient-rich water that attracts rare fish and birds. Albatrosses are exclusively found on Española Island in the Galápagos, and they can be observed there only between April and December. In August, Galápagos Penguins begin their migration from Isabela and Fernandina islands to central islands such as Bartholomew. Additionally, during these months, the region experiences longer rain showers and stronger winds, resulting in rougher seas.

To minimize the ecological impact on this fragile ecosystem, strict regulations are in place, including guidelines for site visits, allowable activity lengths and maximum passenger limits. You'll need to book several months in advance to secure a spot, regardless of your preferred travel dates.

Weather in Galapagos Islands

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Dive into shoulder seasons The "warm phase" (December to May) offers sun-soaked days and inviting ocean temps, while the "dry phase" (June to November) brings vibrant wildlife interactions, from bustling sea mammals to seabird chicks. For nature lovers, the "dry phase" is unbeatable.

You need a TCT The Galápagos government requires all tourists to purchase a Transit Control Card, which helps monitor tourist time on the islands. You can fill out your information online in advance or do so at the airports in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. The fee is $20, payable in cash at the airport. Keep the card safe during your trip; you'll need to present it upon departure.

You have to pay to play In order to tour Galápagos National Park (which occupies nearly the entire archipelago), foreign tourists not residing in Ecuador must pay an entrance fee. Individuals 12 years and older pay $100, while those younger than 12 pay $50. This entrance fee bolsters sustainable human development and vital conservation efforts in the region.

Prepare for sun The sun scorches the Galápagos Islands, and shade is hard to come by. Protect yourself with sunglasses, a hat and lots of sunscreen. A sun shirt wouldn't hurt, either.

Respect the Galápagos Code The islands aren't just a breathtaking destination but a national park and a World Heritage Site. As a visitor, you're entrusted with their care. The Galápagos National Park Directorate has set forth 14 crucial rules to ensure we all help preserve this natural wonder. Before your adventure, familiarize yourself with the guidelines .

Embrace the digital detox With its pristine beauty, the Galápagos is also a testament to life off the beaten digital path. Be prepared for limited internet access and unstable cellphone coverage. Embrace this opportunity to disconnect and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature.

How to Save Money in Galapagos Islands

Visit in the offseason If you plan a trip in October, November or between February and May, you'll find significantly lower costs. You'll still want to book a few months in advance to ensure availability (this is true of no matter the time of year you book).

Plan daytrips Though cruises are a remarkable way to experience the Galápagos Islands, they often come attached to exorbitant price tags. You'll find a handful of affordable expedition options available in Puerto Ayora , Puerto Villamil and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Plus, you can pick and choose tours based on your interests.

Get your fill of free attractions Though an entry fee applies to visit Galápagos  National Park, many of San Cristóbal Island and Santa Cruz Island's top attractions, including the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centers overseen by the Galápagos National Park Directorate and the Charles Darwin Research Center do not charge an additional entrance fee.

Maximize your first moments There's a wealth of activities in San Cristóbal and Baltra, the two places where you're likely to fly into. Visit Los Gemelos (the Lava Tunnels) or ranches hosting giant tortoises prior to visiting another location.

Culture & Customs

Ever since Panamanian bishop Tomás de Berlanga accidentally stumbled upon this isolated archipelago in 1535, the Galápagos Islands have entertained a bevy of visitors, from pirates and whalers to scientists and tourists. But the most iconic Galápagos visitor of all was British scientist Charles Darwin, who developed his ground-breaking theory of evolution after his stay in 1835, three years after the islands were claimed by Ecuador.

In 1959, organized tourism spiked significantly with the establishment of Galápagos National Park. This designation covered nearly 97% of the total land, solidifying its status as one of the most protected and biodiverse natural reserves on the planet. Today, the Galápagos Islands welcome more than 200,000 visitors every year.

While this tourism boom benefits Ecuador's economy, the eclectic array of species found here – and nowhere else – continue to be threatened. In fact, the remote region became so popular among tourists that the park was declared a World Heritage Site in Danger in 2007. Widespread preservation efforts have reduced imposing threats to the archipelago. It is no longer considered to be "in danger," yet conservationists continue to monitor tourist activity to reduce the damage caused by an ever-expanding human footprint. Travelers can minimize their impact by abiding by park rules and walking along the marked trails. 

According to the last government census conducted in 2015, the Galápagos Islands were home to roughly 25,000 inhabitants. However, the population has likely grown since then, with estimates suggesting that more than 30,000 people now reside on the islands. Of this population, a significant majority, nearly 20,000 individuals, call Santa Cruz Island their home, making it the most densely populated of the Galápagos Islands. This increase in population presents unique challenges and opportunities for the region, particularly in terms of sustainable development and conservation efforts in this ecologically sensitive and globally significant archipelago.

The dress code in Galápagos is generally casual: T-shirts, shorts or light trousers are your best choices. Evening dress code is generally quite casual, but it's a good idea to bring along a change of clothes. Given the archipelago's unique equatorial location, it's important for visitors to be mindful of the weather. Packing light layers and wearing ample sunscreen is essential to protect yourself from the strong UV rays. Additionally, comfortable walking shoes are a must if you plan to explore hiking trails. If you're inclined toward underwater adventures like snorkeling or scuba diving, including a wet suit in your luggage is advisable, as are multiple swimsuits. Keep in mind that evenings and higher elevations in the Galápagos Islands can get cooler. Be sure to pack a light jacket or sweater to keep you warm during breezy nights or while exploring the captivating highlands.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the Galápagos. While the island vibe embraces cash for most of its dealings (from boutique hotels to local diners), some establishments welcome Visa and MasterCard. Just a heads up, though – American Express isn't a local favorite. Should your wallet run thin, Banco del Pacífico and Banco Pichincha have your back with ATMs, normally open 24 hours a day.

The region's most widely spoken language is Spanish, but a growing tourism market has brought English to major isles like Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristóbal. Additionally, hotels and local tour companies can connect you with English-speaking nature guides. But if you plan on visiting more remote regions, you may want to learn a few key Spanish words and phrases – such as "hola" (hello), "adios" (goodbye), "por favor" (please) and "gracias" (thank you) – to use during your vacation.

What to Eat

Dining takes on a unique and flavorful character on the islands. Galápagos cuisine echoes the simplicity and rich flavors of mainland Ecuador, featuring staples like potatoes, yucca, plantains and rice. These ingredients come together to create dishes that are light yet incredibly satisfying. Additionally, there's a strong emphasis on locally sourced, fresh seafood, particularly in the handful of restaurants situated in Puerto Ayora , Puerto Villamil and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno .

One can't-miss item is the Galápagos lobster, a delicacy best enjoyed between September and December when the fishing ban is temporarily lifted. Additionally, indulge in the canchalagua , a mollusk unique to the region, as well as albacore or yellowfin tuna, which grace the menus with their exquisite tastes . Fish enthusiasts can relish dishes featuring camotillo , also known as the white-spotted sand bass; pez brujo , the Pacific spotted scorpionfish; and bacalao rey , the Galápagos golden grouper. If seafood isn't your preference, you'll find dishes with chicken, beef and pork on offer.

As for breakfast, the day commonly starts with bolones (fried plantains stuffed with cheese and meat) and coffee or freshly squeezed juices like guanabana (or soursop, an acidic yet sweet fruit believed to help fight cancer), tree tomato (a tomato-like fruit known outside South America as tamarillo ) and passionfruit. During other mealtimes, expect to see ceviche and fish-based soups like biche (which has a creamy peanut base with a piece of white fish and chopped vegetables) and encebollado (made with tuna, yucca, cilantro, tomatoes and pickled onions) on restaurant menus.

It's also common for locals and tourists to enjoy typical local dishes on Sundays in the highlands of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, particularly in the Bellavista and El Progreso parishes. These dishes often feature hearty stews like secos and aguado , prepared with free-range chicken.

Many of the Galápagos' islands are home to wild animals, so you should take precautions when exploring the region. You must not touch or feed any animal you see. When snorkeling or diving near sea lions, stay a safe distance from bulls – the larger, more aggressive and very territorial males. Also, do not provoke sharks. When diving, remember to practice safe diving practices like equalizing your ears as you descend and knowing where your scuba buddy and guide are at all times.

The archipelago is spread across the equator, so you'll need to protect yourself from the sun while visiting. Wearing a hat and lathering on sunscreen (even on areas covered by clothing) is strongly recommended. 

Packing any essential medications and medical equipment is a must due to the region's limited medical services. While 911 services and local hospitals are available in the islands (and can handle first aid and common medical needs), it's important to note that the region may lack specialist doctors for certain medical conditions. Before your trip, speak with your doctor about any medications and vaccinations needed for diseases present in the area, such as malaria, Zika, dengue and yellow fever. Travelers should consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover potential medical emergencies or evacuations during their visit.

Galápagos is generally a safe destination, and thefts aboard tourist boats are extremely rare. The local community values and safeguards visitors, making the archipelago a secure place to explore. However, taking standard precautions to protect your belongings while traveling is always advisable.

If you will be flying into Quito, Guayaquil or Cuenca before continuing to the Galápagos, keep an eye on your belongings at all times at these airports and in these cities. If you choose to spend a day or two in these cities, it's advisable to stay vigilant (especially on hiking trails and public transportation), as robberies have occurred. Additionally, it's best to avoid hailing taxis on the street and traveling alone, as there have been reports of express kidnappings (sometimes involving taxis) and incidents of harassment, even in tourist areas.

Before visiting Ecuador, the U.S. State Department strongly advises all Americans sign up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , which ensures the nearest embassy or consulate is aware of your travels. Additional information about security concerns and how to stay safe in Ecuador is provided on the U.S. State Department's website .

Getting Around Galapagos Islands

The best way to get around the Galápagos Islands is by boat. The key islands for island-hopping are Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. You can stay overnight on any of these islands or all three, using them as your starting points for daily excursions. Island-hopping packages usually include both sea and land transportation. You'll want to arrange an organized multiday cruise or boat tour several months in advance; that said, sea journeys aboard luxury liners are often attached to a lofty price tag, especially during the high season (December to May). If you wish to steer clear of the water altogether, you can fly from Baltra (a small island north of Santa Cruz Island) to San Cristóbal Island or Isabela Island.

You can fly to the Galápagos from Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), located in mainland Ecuador. If you would prefer to fly to the Galápagos from Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), plan to stopover in Guayaquil and tack an additional hour onto your flight time. You can also fly from General Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC, located in Manta, Ecuador). Airlines EQUAIR, LATAM and Avianca offer flights to Seymour Airport (GPS) and San Cristóbal Airport (SCY). Most cruise operators will arrange to meet you at either airport and transport you to your ship. If you're planning on visiting the islands without a tour guide, it's easy to navigate your way from Baltra to Santa Cruz Island. To reach Puerto Ayora, take the bus or taxi.

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (on San Cristobal) and Puerto Villamil (on Isabela) are both within a short drive of San Cristóbal Airport (SCY) and General Villamil Airport (IBB), respectively. However, it's important to note that General Villamil Airport primarily serves small inter-island aircraft and does not have commercial flights.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Americans will need to present a valid passport before entering Ecuador. U.S. travelers can stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa, though the Ecuadorian government requires that you carry proof of identification and a photocopy of your passport at all times. Upon entry into the Galápagos, you'll also need to pay a fee. Adults and children 12 years and older are charged $100, while those younger than 12 pay $50. This fee grants access to Galápagos National Park (which comprises roughly 97% of the archipelago) for the duration of your stay. Sometimes, the cost of your tour or cruise will cover the fee; if that's not the case, you must be prepared to pay in cash upon arrival in the Galápagos. You'll also need to pick up a Transit Control Card, available from the Galápagos Government Council offices at Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca's airports. Some tour companies will take care of card registration for you, but if you are traveling independently, allot extra time for purchasing a card. Each card costs $20 and must be bought with cash. You'll need to present your passport and Transit Control Card again when you leave. To learn more, visit the U.S. State Department's  website .

Galapagos sea lions love lounging on San Cristóbal and Rábida islands' beaches.

Explore More of Galapagos Islands

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• Experience: Tour Galapagos offers our guests the option of multiple itineraries to choose from. Our bilingual naturalist guides will share their knowledge of our natural habitat and you can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and more as we navigate through the islands. Tour Galapagos offers 4, 5, and 8 day excursions.
• All-Inclusive: Discover all that the Galapagos Islands have to offer with exclusive shore excursions led by our experienced tour guides. Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, as well as hotel stay in Quito are included in all reservations.
• Our Boats: Sail through the Galapagos on our newly-renovated catamarans, boasting beautiful natural wood and fully air-conditioned cabins. Stay in comfort and style with a maximum of only 16 passengers on board.
• Wildlife: The Galapagos Islands are famed for the unique animal species found no where else on earth, including marine iguanas, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, a diverse variety of finches, and so much more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our excursions.

Ecuador is a safe country. While you travel, here are some tips: Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers' checks, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Please take care when wandering about the city on your own, as pick pockets and purse-snatchers are common, particularly in the Old Town. Be safe and leave your passport, credit cards, traveler’s checks and cash you don’t need in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Most Quiteños are honest and genuinely helpful and friendly, but be safe and enjoy the city!

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

No, you shouldn't drink tap water without first boiling it or, in remote areas, using an appropriate filter or treating it with iodine. In Ecuador, it is always better to drink bottled water when possible. Locals often drink tap water but they have built up a resistance the bacteria that make most travelers sick.

No, all flights to the Galapagos originate in Quito or Guayaquil. Therefore, all international visitors must first fly to one of these two cities before departing for the Galapagos.

All passengers that enter Ecuador must have their passport with validity of at least six months. For visa information, please check with your consulate whether or not you need visa to enter to Ecuador.

• Cotton pants
• A windbreaker or light sweater for the evenings
• Lots of sunscreen
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Tevas/sandals with security straps
• Sunglasses (with strap)
• An extra pair of prescription glasses (if needed)
• Small water bottle
• Small backpack (for your camera, film, etc)
• Plastic bag to keep your camera or photographic equipment dry
• Camera and/or video equipment and plenty of film
• Snorkeling gear (not essential)*
• Duffel bag with a lock
• Medications (anything you might be using while your cruise)
• Motion sickness medication (if you are prone to sea sickness)
• Books to read while on the yacht
• Insect repellent

There will opportunities to snorkel during the voyage. Masks, snorkels and fins are available on board (free of charge). We encourage you to bring your own to ensure the perfect fit and therefore the most enjoyable time snorkeling.

The water around the Galapagos is generally calm however it can get rough when the cold Humboldt Current arrives in July through September. If you are prone to seasickness we suggest you contact your physician prior to departure and ask whether medication, patches or wristbands would work best for you.

There is a basic first aid kit onboard for minor ailments however the boat is not equipped to handle serious medical conditions. Passengers are required to obtain medical insurance that covers medical emergency evacuation.

Purified drinking water is available on board and a refillable water bottle is provided.

There are 110V electrical outlets in the cabins using the North American style plugs, with two flat blade prongs. If you are planning on taking a video or digital camera we suggest you take an extra set of charged batteries.

The staff and crew appreciate gratuities. In fairness to all and to make your cruise more enjoyable tips are collected at the end of the voyage and distributed among the crewmembers and the guide. Although we leave the amount to your discretion, we suggest a rate of USD$8-$10 per passenger per day while on the boat.

Due to the cabin sizes on the yachts and the weight restrictions that airlines enforce 20 kgs per person, the amount of luggage you can bring on the boat is limited. You can leave unnecessary items in your joining hotel storage room in Quito.

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It’s quite humbling that thirteen scarred volcanic islands, scattered across 45,000 square kilometres of ocean, 960km adrift from the Ecuadorian mainland and defying permanent human colonization until the twentieth century, should have been so instrumental in changing humanity’s perception of itself. Yet it was the forbidding Galápagos Islands – once feared as a bewitched and waterless hell, then the haunt of pirates, and later still an inhospitable pit stop for whaling ships – that spurred Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection, catapulting science into the modern era and colouring the values and attitudes of the Western world ever since.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Ecuador, created by local experts

21 days  / from 11900 USD

Ecuador's Best in 3 Weeks

A journey to the heart of Ecuador: discover the Andean highlands, go on a deep dive in the Amazon jungle, explore the colonial cities on the Pacific Coast and end your trip with the incredibly diverse Galapagos Islands. This trip packs all into one, the adventure of a lifetime!

10 days  / from 5919 USD

Unique Lodges of Ecuador

Prepare yourself for the epitome of adventure and prestige with not one but two Unique Lodges in Ecuador into the lush and captivating nearby cloud forest to discover Mashpi Lodge. After that, prepare yourself for the wonders at your doorstep at the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel.

14 days  / from 6565 USD

Best of Peru & Galapagos Islands

Split your South America trip into two fascinating countries: Peru with Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, as well as ocean-facing capital Lima. Afterwards, proceed to the Galapagos Islands. You will stay on 3 different islands and explore many more.

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Best time to visit the Galápagos Islands

• About the islands

Conservation in the Galápagos

Geography and geology, a history of the islands, tips for visiting the galápagos islands.

Although the Galapagos are a year-round destination, it helps to be choosy about when you go. The weather is categorized into two seasons: the wet season (from January to May ) and the dry season (from December to June). Each month comes with its own advantages.

The winter months ( December and January ) are known for warmer temperatures and heavy rain. This is also when vegetation is at its peak, and wildlife activity is very high (with many species breeding and nesting).

Many come to the island to witness the Giant Tortoise mating season ( February , March , and April ). This is a fantastic opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat amidst warm weather and decreasing rainfall.

Those who wish to see the iconic Blue-footed Booby mating dance will want to visit in the early summer months ( June and July ). Meanwhile, those who hope to see the Galapagos Penguins will want to come later in the summer ( August and September ). 

The later end of the year ( October and November ) offers drier, cooler conditions, perfect for snorkeling adventures.

 About the islands

Three years before Darwin’s arrival in 1835, Ecuador claimed sovereignty over the islands, but attempts to colonize the islands were unsuccessful until the mid-twentieth century, and even then only in very small numbers. It was inevitable after Darwin’s discoveries and the global rise in recreational travel, that the Galápagos Islands’ matchless wildlife would start to pull in large numbers of tourists, money, and then migrants close behind.

Galapagos, Ecuador  ©  Shutterstock

A total of about 40,000 people live in just eight main settlements on four inhabited islands. In the centre of the archipelago lies Santa Cruz , site of Puerto Ayora , the islands’ most developed town, serviced by the airstrip on nearby Baltra island, where the majority of tourists begin a visit to the Galápagos. San Cristóbal , to the east, holds the provincial capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno , and the archipelago’s other major runway. Straddling the equator to the west of Santa Cruz is the largest and most volcanically active of the islands, Isabela , whose main settlement, tiny Puerto Villamil , has an inter-island airport. Southerly Floreana , with its population of around a hundred people, has very little by way of infrastructure but does have a bizarre history of settlement.

The settled sites represent a mere three percent of the total land area of the archipelago. In response to the damage caused to flora and fauna by centuries of human interference, the rest of the land – more than 7600 square kilometres – has since 1959 been protected as a national park , with tourists restricted to the colonized areas and over sixty designated visitor sites spread across the islands. 

Most of these sites are reached by cruise boats only, or far less comprehensively by day-trips from the colonized areas, and visitors must be accompanied by a licensed guide. Each site has been chosen to show off the full diversity of the islands, and in a typical tour you’ll encounter different species of flora and fauna every day, many of them found nowhere else on Earth. Some of the remoter sites take longer to travel to, but the extra effort is often well rewarded: Española , for example, is special for its waved albatrosses (present April–Dec), while the flightless cormorant is only found on the coasts of Isabela and Fernandina . Birdwatchers are also bound to want to see the large sea-bird colonies on far-flung Genovesa .

Bartolome Island, Galapagos, Ecuador © Seumas Christie-Johnston/Shutterstock

It was also in 1959, the centenary of the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species , that the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) was instituted, which six years later opened the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) in Puerto Ayora, whose vital work includes boosting the threatened populations of unique Galápagos species. 

In 1978 the archipelago was one of the first places to be made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which declared it a World Biosphere Reserve six years later. Its position was further strengthened in 1986 with the creation of the Reserva Marina de Galápagos , protecting 133,000 square kilometres of ocean within a 40-nautical-mile radius around the islands, one of the largest marine reserves in the world. 

It’s mainly thanks to the huge conservation effort that the tourists who flock to the islands each year are privy to such incomparable experiences as swimming with Galápagos penguins and turtles, and walking beside boobies and marine iguanas as unique species of finches hop onto their shoes. The animals that have carved out an existence on the dramatic volcanic landscape conjure up visions of life completely devoid of human presence, and their legendary fearlessness only intensifies the otherworldliness of these extraordinary islands.

Galapagos Iguana  ©  Shutterstock

No species has done more to upset the delicately balanced ecosystem of the Galápagos than humans . In one study of thousands of fossil bones, it was found that nearly every extinction of native species followed the arrival of Tomás de Berlanga, the first recorded visitor, in 1535. From that point onwards, the hunting of tortoises, fish, whales, fur seals and other animals has brought populations to the brink. Although our depredation of native species within the park has ceased, and fishing in the marine reserve is strictly controlled, a concerted conservation effort will always be needed to offset the impact of human colonization.

The introduction of foreign species

By far the worst human legacy on the islands has been the catastrophic introduction of alien species . When settlers arrived they brought with them plants, and domestic and farm animals that soon went wild, overrunning the islands and out-competing native species. Pigs trample vegetation, snaffle up land bird hatchlings and young tortoises and devour turtle eggs. 

Packs of feral dogs have attacked land iguanas, killing hundreds at a time on Santa Cruz and Isabela, and black rats , thought to be responsible for the extinction of endemic rice rats on four islands, killed every tortoise hatchling on Pinzón for most of the twentieth century. Wild goats are regarded as the biggest threat, denuding entire islands of vegetation, causing plant species to become extinct as well as depriving native species, particularly tortoises, of food, and encouraging soil erosion. 

Giant tortoise of the Galápagos  ©  Shutterstock

Among some 490 accidentally introduced insect species are about 55 highly invasive types; these include two species of wasp , which eat indigenous butterfly and moth larvae, and the fire ant , only 2mm long and easy to transport unwittingly to new islands, which is having a devastating effect on native insects as well as attacking hatchling and adult tortoises. 

Introduced plants are also a major threat, disrupting the food chain from the bottom up. About ninety percent were introduced through agriculture, including guava , blackberry , red quinine and elephant grass , which are out of control on several islands, squeezing out native plants such as tree ferns, scalesia, guayabillo, cat’s claw and others; sixty percent of native plants are thought to be under threat.

The Galápagos National Park Service (GNPS) and the CDF have been following a three-pronged approach to the problem of introduced species. Eradication programmes have done enough to allow some threatened native species to recover. Feral pigs, donkeys and goats have been eliminated from Santiago, and goats have been eliminated from six of the islands and islets. 

On Isabela, trained dogs kitted with leather boots to protect their paws from the lava surface are being used to track goats down; captured goats – the so-called “Judas goats” – are radio-collared and released, eventually leading hunters back to the herd. 

The second vital strand of the conservation effort are repopulation programmes , such as the one for giant tortoises, where eggs are gathered, incubated, hatched and raised until large enough to survive predatory attacks before being repatriated. Land iguanas and rice rats have undergone the same treatment, with positive results. A quarantine system in ports and airports has inspectors checking incoming cargoes for alien pests and seeds and the usual stowaway frogs, rats and insects.

Friends of Galápagos

The best thing you can do as a visitor to help the conservation effort is to join the Friends of Galápagos , a network of international conservation organizations. Membership entitles you to detailed news bulletins about the islands and ongoing conservation work, and information on events and appeals. The Friends provide vital funding for the CDRS and the GNPS, both at the heart of Galápagos conservation. 

Isabela Island, Galápagos ©  Shutterstock

The thirteen large islands (more than 10 square kilometres in area) and over forty small islands, islets and rocks (many of them unnamed) making up the Galápagos Archipelago cluster around the equator some 960km west of mainland Ecuador. The total land area of the archipelago is 7882 square kilometres; Isabela, the largest island, consisting of six separate volcanoes joined together by lava, takes up well over half of this. It also has the highest point on the archipelago, Volcán Wolf, at 1707m, bisected by the equator line.

The origins of the islands

The archipelago is purely volcanic in origin, and remains one of the most volatile such regions on the planet; the most recent eruption was La Cumbre on Fernandina in 2009. Unlike most of the world’s volcanic areas, the islands don’t lie on the borders of two tectonic plates, a fact that has puzzled scientists. 

The hot spot theory , in which a fixed area of extraordinary heat in the magma occasionally bubbles up to form a volcano, offers the most plausible explanation for this. The archipelago sits on the Nazca plate , which is moving eastwards and downwards to South America at a rate of 3.4cm a year: as the plate shifts, the volcano comes off the hot spot, becomes extinct and is eventually eroded by the elements and submerged beneath the sea. Meanwhile, new volcanoes appear over the hot spot. 

This would explain why the most easterly islands are the oldest and most weathered; San Cristóbal is thought to be between 2.3 and 6.3 million years old. In the west, Isabela and Fernandina are thought to have been created less than 700,000 years ago and are the most active and clearly volcanic islands. 

Two chains of extinct and eroded underwater mountains and volcanoes – the Cocos and Carnegie ridges, which extend for hundreds of kilometres northeast and east respectively of the Galápagos – are evidence the hot spot has been working for millions of years.

Seal in San Cristobal Island in Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador  ©  Shutterstock

Volcanic formations

The beautiful volcanic formations you’ll see on the islands are often quite different from those found on the mainland. This is due to basaltic lava which, rather than producing high cones such as Cotopaxi, makes shield-shaped volcanoes , such as the one at Fernandina. 

The broad tops of these can collapse into empty magma chambers below, leaving enormous calderas , huge depressions many times the size of the original vents, or craters , circular basins rimmed by lava walls at the volcano’s summit; Volcán Sierra Negra on Isabela has a crater 10km across, one of the largest in the world. Like steam vents on the volcanoes, sulphur-encrusted fumaroles send puffs of gas into the air, as at Volcán Chico on the north side of Sierra Negra.

Much of the Galápagos landmass consists of lava flows , and you’ll find two particularly interesting types on several islands. Pahoehoe lava , from the Hawaiian word meaning “ropey”, describes the rippled effect caused when molten lava in contact with the air begins to solidify, but is then ruffled up by molten lava passing beneath it into tongue or rope-like shapes; Sulivan Bay, at Santiago, has excellent examples of this. 

Aa lava , named after the Hawaiian for “hurt”, occurs when the surface of the lava flow buckles, breaks and then gets bulldozed by the continuing movement of the flow, resulting in layers of small, sharp rocks that can be very difficult to walk on. It can form a natural barrier to animals, as at the Perry Isthmus on Isabela, and castaways and buccaneers told of how this lava shredded their boots. If a lava flow hardens on the outside, and then the strength of the flow decreases, lava tubes are sometimes formed; there are several large enough to walk down on Santa Cruz.

Cones of various sizes and types frequently appear on the islands: hornitos (less than 1m high), resemble burst pimples solidified on a lava bed; the larger spatter cones give Bartolomé its spectacular lunar landscape; and the impressive tuff cones are often made up of stripy layers of rock-hard compacted ash. 

The uplift at Urbina Bay, on Isabela, is one of the more startling products of volcanic activity. In 1954, a five-kilometre stretch of reef was shunted 4m into the air by movements of magma beneath the crust, leaving its marine inhabitants drying in the sun. Islands including Plazas, Baltra and Seymour Norte are entirely the result of uplifts.

Blue Footed Booby, Galápagos  ©  Shutterstock

Until the middle of the twentieth century, the Galápagos Islands were thought to have been out of reach of the prehistoric coastal peoples of the continental mainland. In 1947, explorer and archeologist Thor Heyerdahl proved otherwise with his famous voyage from Peru to Polynesia on a balsa raft, the Kon-Tiki ; in 1953 his excavations on the islands revealed over 130 shards of pre-Columbian pottery from coastal Peru and Ecuador, but no signs of permanent settlements, leading him to theorize the islands were used as a seasonal fishing base.

Other early visitors could have included the great Inca Tupac Yupanqui , grandfather of Atahualpa; according to the early Spanish chronicler Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, Yupanqui may have journeyed to the islands in about 1485 following reports that they held gold, returning almost a year later with “some black men, much gold, a chair made of brass and the skin and jawbone of a horse”. 

This unlikely plunder casts doubts on the story’s veracity, handing the prize of first documented visitor to Tomás de Berlanga , Bishop of Panama, whose ship ended up here after being swept off course en route to Peru in 1535. He and his men spent a desperate week on the islands, having to chew cactus pads for their water, before the winds picked up so they could set sail again. 

He later wrote about how water from a well they had dug “came out saltier than that of the sea” and remarked the earth was “like dross, worthless” and the birds “so silly that they do not know how to flee”. He also noted the islands’ “many seals, turtles, iguanas, tortoises”, references picked up by a Flemish cartographer, Abraham Ortelius , who named the islands “Galápagos” (Spanish for “tortoises”) on his 1574 map, Orbis Terrarum . The islands’ other name at that time, Las Encantadas (“enchanted” or “bewitched”), came from the strong currents and swaths of deep mist that made landing here so difficult, as if the shore itself was being moved by unearthly powers.

Galápagos penguins  ©  Shutterstock

Darwin, the Galápagos and evolution

When Charles Darwin began his five-year voyage around the world in 1831, he was little more than an enthusiastic amateur naturalist set on a career in the clergy. His formative years had been directionless, and at Edinburgh University he found the lectures stultifying; even those in geology – a subject that became a passion in later life – he described as “incredibly dull”. 

At Cambridge, studying divinity, he only just scraped through without honours. Yet it was there where he met Professor of Botany John Henslow, who recognized in the 22-year-old a talented mind with a flair for science. Henslow immediately recommended Darwin to Captain FitzRoy, who was seeking a naturalist on an expedition to chart the coast of South America. They set sail on HMS Beagle in December 1831.

Darwin suffered from terrible seasickness; whenever he could, he stayed on land and in the five-year voyage spent only eighteen months at sea. On September 15, 1835, the Beagle arrived at the Galápagos. “Nothing could be less inviting,” he wrote, “the country is comparable to what one might imagine the cultivated parts of the Infernal regions to be.” In the five weeks spent in the archipelago, he feverishly set about collecting samples and was taken aback by the “tameness” of the islands’ creatures.

Darwin noticed countless things previous visitors hadn’t. Still, it’s clear his experiences on the islands only planted the seeds of ideas that were to blossom on his return to England. Indeed, already exhausted from four years of hard travel, Darwin’s normally fastidious sampling was somewhat slapdash in the Galápagos. 

He failed to label the source islands of his bird collections (“it never occurred to me that, the productions of islands only a few miles apart, and placed under the same physical conditions, would be dissimilar”), and even misidentified the now celebrated Darwin’s finches . It wasn’t until his return to London, after the taxonomist John Gould had examined Darwin’s samples and told him about the thirteen closely related species of finch, that the penny dropped. Despite giving acclaimed lectures about his geological discoveries and publishing the Voyage of the Beagle in 1839, he only hinted at the big ideas troubling him. For example, about the finches, he writes “there is not space in this work, to enter on this curious subject”.

Fernandina Island, Galápagos ©  Shutterstock

Instead, he set about working over his ideas in near secret in his famous Transmutation Notebooks , the first of which begins: “Had been greatly struck… on character of South American fossils and species on Galápagos Archipelago. These facts origin (especially latter) of all my views.” He saw the volcanic islands were relatively new and that life on the islands bore a resemblance to species in South America but were different in crucial ways. Darwin also realized life had come to the barren islands by air or sea and had adapted to the harsh environment through a process he termed “ natural selection ”. 

In this, he maintained that at a given time certain members of a species are more suited to their surroundings than others and are therefore more likely to survive in it, so passing on their advantageous characteristics to their offspring. Over the course of time an entire population would come to develop those special features, eventually to such a degree as to become a new species – what Darwin called “ descent with modification ”, rather than “evolution”, which implied progressive movement towards the highest point of development. In his groundbreaking model, change was without direction and could result in a number of new species coming from a single ancestor.

It pained Darwin to know his ideas would upset the public and the Church, and he sat on his theory for nearly twenty years, quietly amassing the information to back it up. It took a letter from Alfred Russel Wallace , who had arrived at a similar conclusion (though without Darwin’s intellectual rigour), to jerk him into action. 

In 1858 they offered a joint paper on their findings to the Linnaean Society in London and a year later Darwin published On the Origin of Species , which sold out in a day. It sent shockwaves throughout the Western world and opened up to science areas that had previously been the province of philosophers and theologians. Intense debate followed, but by the time of Darwin’s death in 1882, the notion of evolution was well established. 

The most important, original and far-seeing part of his theory – natural selection – was still highly controversial; it was only in the 1930s that it received the full recognition it deserved, forming the basis of modern biology and forever changing humanity’s view of itself.

The names of the Galápagos Islands

Over the years most of the Galápagos Islands – officially known as the Archipiélago de Colón – have come to own at least a couple of names, usually one given by English pirates, and another official Spanish name given in 1892, marking the fourth centenary of Columbus’s discovery of the New World. Many islands have also picked up a number of other names along the way, with some boasting as many as eight. The official names are listed first below, followed by any other commonly used names in brackets; the most frequently used name – which is what we’ve adopted throughout this chapter – is in bold. Islands that have only ever had one name, such as Enderby, Beagle and Cowley, are not listed.

• Baltra (South Seymour)
• Darwin (Culpepper)
• Española (Hood)
• Fernandina (Narborough)
• Genovesa (Tower)
• Isabela (Albemarle)
• Marchena (Bindloe)
• Pinta (Abingdon)
• Pinzón (Duncan)
• Rábida (Jervis)
• San Cristóbal (Chatham)
• San Salvador (Santiago, James)
• Santa Cruz (Indefatigable, Duke of Norfolk)
• Santa Fé (Barrington)
• Santa María (Floreana, Charles)
• Seymour Norte (North Seymour)
• Sin Nombre (Nameless)
• Tortuga (Brattle)
• Wolf (Wenman)

When making your visit, be sure to follow these basic but crucial tips. 

• Do not touch, feed, disturb or chase any animal.
• Do not move plants, rocks, shells or any natural objects.
• Do not take food onto the islands.
• Make sure you’re not carrying soil or seeds from one island to another on your clothes or shoes.
• Never throw litter overboard or on the islands.
• Do not buy souvenirs made of plant or animal products from the islands.
• Declare any organic products in your possession to the quarantine services on arrival.
• Plants, fresh flowers and live animals may not be brought to the islands.

The Galápagos Islands are one of the most magical places to visit with children . Swim with sea lions and turtles, walk with giant tortoises, and enjoy fun and relaxation on the islands' many idyllic beaches.

Discover more places in Ecuador

• Isla San Cristóbal and around
• Isla Santa Cruz and around
• Isla Santiago and around
• Northern islands: Isla Genovesa
• Southern islands: Floreana and Española
• Western islands: Isabela and Fernandina

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There are plenty of activities in the Galapagos for all interests. Visitors can practice adventure sports such as snorkeling and diving, or simply enjoy tranquil strolls through the islands. Read more about the adventure sports the archipelago has to offer.

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By Meena Thiruvengadam

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Galapagos cruises are the best way to experience the collection of remote, mostly uninhabited islands about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. But cruises in the Galapagos Islands aren’t like cruises anyplace else. The ships here are smaller, with some carrying as few as 16 passengers. There are no water slides, elaborate Broadway shows, casinos, or wild nightclubs. And don’t expect big bus tours in port either. 

Galapagos cruises are about experiencing nature and wildlife while limiting environmental impact as much as possible. Ships are built for sustainability and toting items like kayaks, paddleboards, and scuba gear. Itineraries may feature two active excursions a day, limiting downtime on board the ship. Instead of museums and historic sights, you’ll visit uninhabited islands to encounter marine iguanas, sea lions, unspoiled beaches, and the adventures of a lifetime. 

Trips to the Galapagos Islands are logistically complicated, making cruises an especially good way to experience the area. Travelers to the Galapagos Islands must first fly to Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador, for a night before flying to the Galapagos to board their ships. All travelers must also be accompanied by National Parks Guides who can help them navigate these largely undeveloped islands. 

Galapagos cruise itineraries are typically a week long and cover a portion of the islands, sometimes more. Here's everything to know about cruising in the Galapagos, from frequently asked questions to the best itineraries to book now.

• Best luxury Galapagos cruise
• Best Galapagos cruise for stargazing  
• Best Galapagos cruise for adventure seekers  
• Best Galapagos cruises for solo travelers  
• Best small ship Galapagos cruise  

Best Galapagos cruises for families

When is the best time to cruise the galapagos islands .

With pleasant temperatures all year long, the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands is whenever you’re ready to go. Several cruise lines sail to the Galapagos Islands all year long. While you can see wildlife all year, December is hatching season for the giant tortoises, and July is mating season for blue-footed boobies and short-eared owls. Sea turtles lay their eggs early in the year and fully formed marine iguanas typically hatch in April and May. 

Are Galapagos cruises expensive?  

The Galapagos Islands aren’t a bargain destination. Expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $12,000 per traveler depending on the ship, itinerary, and length of the voyage. 

One thing’s for sure: Whatever your preference, there’s a Galapagos Islands cruise for you. These are six of the best Galapagos cruises for every type of traveler.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

A suite on board Silver Origin comes with butler service.

Best luxury Galapagos cruise 

There’s no more luxurious way to sail the Galapagos Islands than on  Silversea's Silver Origin , a ship custom-built for cruising these islands. Silver Origin is Silversea’s first destination-specific ship and includes several features meant to minimize its environmental impact. The all-suite ship can carry up to 100 passengers, is all-inclusive down to the premium spirits in your stateroom's minibar, and includes the luxury cruise line’s signature butler service. There’s also a salon and fitness center on board, a rarity for ships sailing in this region. Most itineraries on the Silver Origin are seven nights, but longer cruises are typically scheduled around winter holidays. The Silver Origin sails the north, central, and western loops of the Galapagos Islands.

Best Galapagos cruise for stargazing 

This region may be better known for its landscapes and wildlife, but the Galapagos Islands are also an excellent place for stargazing. And there’s no better Galapagos cruise ship for stargazing than the  Celebrity Flora . The 100-passenger vessel feels more like a luxury yacht than an expedition ship. It has a stargazing platform on its top deck and provides binoculars to help guests spot constellations as the ship cruises along the equator. The modern expedition ship also offers a glamping experience that includes a naturalist-guided stargazing session and a luxurious night of glamping under the stars. Prefer to sleep in your bed on board? Have dinner under the stars at the ship’s restaurant before heading back to your suite. The Celebrity Flora ’s Galapagos itineraries range from seven to 16 nights. 

Best Galapagos cruise for adventure seekers 

Lindblad Expeditions has been cruising the Galapagos Islands for more than 50 years. It now sails to the Galapagos year-round in partnership with National Geographic, giving guests the chance to encounter giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, and more. A staff of expert guides is on board to help travelers spot wildlife and better understand the volcanic landscapes, mangrove thickets, and seagrasses they encounter. Activities include unforgettable snorkeling adventures, hikes through pristine wilderness, and walks along remote beaches. Lindblad’s newest Galapagos Islands cruise ship, the National Geographic Islander II , feels more like a boutique hotel than an expedition ship and carries just 48 passengers in 26 suites. Some itineraries offer advanced divers the chance to commune with a variety of marine life. And while rugged adventures may await travelers off the ship, each suite offers travelers plenty of comfort: They come equipped with flat-screen TVs, in-room espresso machines, and bathrooms with double sinks.

Best Galapagos cruises for solo travelers 

Galapagos cruises aren’t cheap, especially if you’re sailing solo. Hurtigruten makes cruising the Galapagos Islands more affordable by waiving the single supplement on several of its Galapagos cruises. Hurtigruten Galapagos cruises range from seven to 14 days in length and take place on the MS Santa Cruz II , a ship that comes equipped with panga boats, kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and a glass-bottom boat for viewing marine life. The ship carries a maximum of 90 passengers, and its operations are carbon-neutral. There’s a small gym and a hot tub on board. Regular prices start around $8,500 for a one-week cruise. Look for sales to bring your price down even further.

Best small ship Galapagos cruise 

Avalon Waterways may be better known for its European river cruises , but it also sails the Galapagos Islands. Avalon sails this region on two ships, the Treasure of the Galapagos and the Delfin III . The Delfin III , which also sails the Amazon in Peru, is its newest and most luxurious Galapagos cruise ship. The ship has just 22 suites, almost guaranteeing you’ll make new friends along the journey. The Treasure of the Galapagos is even smaller, carrying a maximum of 16 guests. And while there’s no long list of restaurants on board either ship, there are creative, locally inspired menus featuring seasonal ingredients and lots of vegetarian options. On board both ships, you’ll find daily natural history lectures, a team of multilingual naturalists, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and plunge pools.  

For an adventure your kids will never forget, hop on board an Adventures by Disney cruise of the Galapagos Islands. Just be sure to wait until your kids are at least seven years old. This is the minimum age for most Galapagos cruises, though Disney recommends this itinerary for children eight and older. This isn’t your typical Disney cruise. It’s a small ship expedition itinerary with a hint of Disney magic in a setting fit for a fairy tale. Adventures by Disney's Galapagos itineraries span nine days and visit about 15 sites. 

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Galapagos by Local Guides offers a broad range of experiences in order to meet your individual requirements. We have something for everyone who is eager to see the Galapagos in a new and special way.

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We are permanent residents and certified naturalist guides for the Galapagos National Park. We’ve had the privilege of growing up and working full time in the islands. We want our visitors to get the best from both approaches: as Locals and as Guides. As local people we know best about our local customs and traditions as well as some beautiful and hidden spots tourists have never heard of. As Guides, we know the best practices to deliver seamless experiences to our travelers.

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Exploring hidden corners of the world, is always amazing, but the one thing that truly brings it all to life is a great guide. One whose enthusiasm and passion, humor and compassion is like living in technicolor. In the Galapagos, that guide is Xavier Suarez. He brought everything to life. His brilliant smile and great energy (vibes) were contagious! Thank you Xavier, you are a gem and we were so fortunate to spend time with you!

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My trip to Galapagos was incredible thanks to Xavier. He is absolutely professional, charming and very detail-oriented. I recently visited the island with my sibling and we were very happy to have Xavier guiding us during a week full of wonderful animals, snorkeling, boat trips, beach walks and amazing sights. Xavier arranged everything for us and he made sure we were enjoying and taking the most of each experience. I cannot say enough about how great this experience was and I’ll definitely go back again to the Galápagos Islands with the best: Galapagos By Local Guides!

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Discover for yourself the almost mythological Galapagos Islands. Swim and snorkel among some of the richest marine life on Earth, and come face-to-face with the 150-year-old giant tortoises that symbolize this living laboratory of evolutionary change.Choose from among the best luxury-class and 1 st -class yachts and cruise ships, or consider a liveaboard diving cruise in what’s one of the top-10 diving spots in the world. Don’t want to spend so much time on a ship? …then take a land-based “island-hopping” tour , staying at some of the archipelago’s finest hotels.

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• Luxury Yachts

With its maiden voyage on March 20, 2018, the Horizon motor yacht is not only the newest 16-passenge...

Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Punta Pitt, Kicker Rock, Las Bachas Beach

Hermes Galapagos Luxury Cruises provide the perfect way to explore these enchanted islands in style ...

San Cristobal, Bahía Gardner, Punta Cormorant, Baltra

Aqua Mare offers a unique and unforgettable experience exploring the enchanting Galapagos Islands. S...

Genovesa Island, Santiago Island, Santa Cruz Island, Punta Suarez, Los Geme

Silver Origin

For those looking for a larger luxury-class cruise ship with an excellent range of facilities and pe...

Galapagos Islands, Genovesa, North Seymour, San Cristóbal (Pitt Point), Es

WildAid Passion

Originally built as a private luxury yacht, the WildAid Passion motor yacht (M/Y) has been completel...

Galapagos Islands, Genovesa, Bartolome (Pinnacle Rock), Española Islands &

One of the most up-to-date vessels for luxury cruising in the Galapagos Islands, La Pinta has an exc...

Galapagos Islands, South Plaza, Santa Fe, San Cristobal (Punta Pitt), Espa�

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Odyssey yacht.

The M/V Nortada is one of the latest additions to the liveaboard fleet in the Galapagos archipelago,...

Punta Carrion, Cousins Rock Island, Wolf, Darwin, Cape Douglas, Punta Vicen

Letty Yacht

Along with its sister ship (Eric), the Letty was custom-designed for cruising the Galapagos Islands....

Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal (Kicker Rock, Punta Pitt), Española, Bart

Tip Top IV Yacht

Constructed in Guayaquil Ecuador in 2006, this cruise yachtis larger than its Galapagos sister ships...

Highlights: Galapagos Islands, Española, San Cristobal (Kicker Rock) & Cha

Tip Top III Yacht

Owned by one of the Galapagos Islands’ oldest families, this first-class cruising vessel holds a r...

Galapagos islands, South Plaza (Land & Marine iguanas) & Charles Darwin Res

Tip Top II Catamaran

Built in 2008 and redesigned in 2015-2016, the sleek 90-foot steel-hulled Tip Top II catamaran offer...

Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz (Darwin Research Station), Santa Fe, South Pl

Beagle Sailboat

Named after the famed vessel that carried Charles Darwin to the Galapagos Islands in the 1830s, the ...

Galapagos Islands, Genovesa, Isabela (Tagus Cove & Tortoise Breeding Center

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Galapagos Nortada

Humboldt explorer.

While it’s true that the Humboldt Explorer is among the oldest Galapagos diving cruises, it was re...

Galapagos Islands, Lobos, Punta Carrion (2 dives), Wolf (7 dives), Darwin (

Galapagos Sky

Formerly the Sky Dancer motor vessel, the 16-passenger Galapagos Sky is a live-aboard diving ship th...

Galapagos Islands, Lobos, Bartolome, Cousin's Rock (2 dives), Wolf (5 dives

Galapagos Aggressor III Yacht

For the destination known as the “Mecca for divers,” you’ll want to make sure to choose the Ga...

Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz (Punta Carrion), Bartolome, Wolf (6 Dives), D

Galapagos Master Yacht

Having undergone a complete interior refit to the highest luxury standards, the 32-meter M/Y Galapag...

Galapagos Islands, Lobos (1 dive), Santa Cruz (Carrion Point-1 dive), Darwi

Tiburon Explorer

If you’re after a Galapagos Islands diving experience that weds spectacular...

Wolf Island, Darwin Island, Punta Vicente Roca, Cousin's Rock, Santa Cruz I

Land Based Tours

Galapagos + amazon + quito tour.

This tour allows you to explore three of the best and most diverse destinations in South America. Fr...

Quito, Middle of the World, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands, Amazon Exploratio

Machu Picchu + Galapagos Islands

What’s progressively becoming trendy is a vacation combo consisting of travel through the Galapago...

Quito city, Galapagos Islands, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu, Lima,

Finch Bay is among the few Galapagos hotels with a beachfront. In fact, this fact puts it in a class...

Galapagos Tours, Excursion, explore the archipelagos, Las Grietas

Island Hopping + Diving

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Galapagos Islands, Scuba diving, Tortuga Bay beach, snorkeling, eagle rays,

Galapagos habitat

Located in the Galapagos archipelago on Santa Cruz Island, the Galapagos Habitat Eco-Luxury Hotel ...

Charles Darwin Research Station & Tortoise Breeding Center, Yacht Cruise to

Island Hopping (6 Night)

On a Surtrek “island-hopping tour,” non-seagoing travelers can enjoy the highlights of the Galap...

Galapagos Islands, Tortuga Bay Beach, Sierra Negra Volcano, Tintoreras Isle

Faq’s About Galapagos

Before traveling to the Galapagos islands, you’ll need to consider which type of vacation works best for you – a cruise or a land-based vacation.Cruise-based tours of the Galapagos Islands allow greater wildlife coverage, as you’ll be able to explore different areas of the archipelago and reach the more remote islands. On a liveaboard cruise, you’ll enjoy guided activities, including snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and “panga” boat rides, which are included in the cruise packages. In addition, all meals are served on board and are also included. However, cruises lack flexibility in that they operate based on set departure dates and fixed itineraries. These types of tours are also usually more expensive.Land-based tours of the Galapagos archipelago are great for those who might feel too cooped up on a boat after several days, and for people who lack the “sea legs” (meaning those prone to seasickness) when on board a constantly rocking ship.Being more flexible, a land-based tour’s exploring activities and times for relaxing can be set as you see fit, and daytime “island-hopping” tours can be taken to selected islands by traveling for short times on speed boats. Nonetheless, land-based tours allow for visits to fewer islands and afford less exposure to the archipelago’s wildlife. Also, expedition activities are usually not included, nor are meals (except for breakfast).In either case, you and your tour operator can work together to address the issues that need to be dealt with to make your dream Galapagos vacation experience come true.

The Galapagos Islands is one of those rare destinations that offer sights, sounds, and activities that can be experienced in few if any other places on earth. But what makes any visit here truly exceptional are the many opportunities for close encounters with the extraordinary and exotic wildlife. These remote islands are home to uncounted endemic animal and plant species that exist nowhere else on the planet. From 500-pound Giant tortoises to the only species of penguin that lives north of the equator, not to mention sea lion pups who greet travelers’ toes when landing on whatever island.Avid birders and even curious bird watchers should note that the archipelago is home to 45 species of birds that you won’t see anywhere else …picture tiny Galapagos penguins and Darwin’s finches. Then too, intrepid hikers and casual walkers alike will find their jaws dropping when peering across a 6-mile wide volcanic crater, hiking over a lava field that blankets an entire island, or exploring subterranean lava tubes …flashlight in hand. Not to be ignored, aquatic enthusiasts of all types will revel in sharing the ocean’s waters with vibrantly colored tropical fish, miniature Godzilla-lie Marine iguanas, and ridiculously playful sea lions. Whether snorkeling or scuba diving, sea kayaking or “panga” (dingy) riding, you’ll discover for yourself a stunning underwater world like no other.Even for those travelers who are content with lounging on their yacht’s outdoor deck or spending quality time sunbathing on a beach next to a Land iguana, the activities in the Galapagos are never-ending (Oh, did we mention horseback riding along a desolate shore or mountain biking down the slope of some extinct volcano?). Whatever pursuits pique your interest, you’re sure to sate your cravings by exploring the Galapagos’ pristine landscapes and interacting with its magnificent creatures.

When traveling through the Galapagos islands, safety should not be a major area of concern, as the vast majority of trips occur with no problems whatsoever. In fact, most safety issues are those related to protection from sunburns, the need for common-sense precautions around animals (e.g. male sea lions), universal swimming and diving safeguards, and perhaps overdoing it at the ship’s bar.One should know that the cruise yachts and ships sailing the waters of the Galapagos are operated by trained and experienced professionals, teams of highly-skilled crew members and guides with first-aid and CPR training; and, as you’ll see, each cruise begins with a comprehensive safety briefing to familiarize you with all of the ship’s safety equipment and protocols.Concerning crime, the few towns and villages in the Galapagos are known to be safer than those on mainland Ecuador. Still, to prevent opportunistic wrongdoing, levelheaded measures should be taken, such as keeping an eye on your belongings, not flaunting valuables, etc. – just like anywhere else in the world.As for the big cities of mainland Ecuador, you’ll be accompanied by experienced local guides during any time spent here. In any case, travelers should avoid going out alone at night, take registered taxis, and walk in groups – just to be sure.All of this being said, Ecuador is a relatively safe country overall, especially the Galapagos Islands. Therefore, travelers shouldn’t let the negligible potential for crime keep them from all that this amazing county has to offer.

For most travelers, there really is no better or worse time to visit the islands. For a cruise, the archipelago is a great year-round destination, with no “off-season” stemming from weather conditions. Being situated right on the equator, the air temperatures vary little, ranging between 70°F and 85°F throughout the year, with a light but cooling mist ( garua ) experienced between January and April.Note, though, that water temperatures can, in fact, vary significantly, dropping as low as the 60s from May-November, which is why most yachts provide wetsuits.The island’s “high seasons” are during the Christmas-to-New Year’s holidays and the June-to-August summer vacation. If you can only travel during these sometimes crowded vacation periods, be sure to book your trip at least six months prior to your desired travel date, or earlier if at all possible to ensure a spot.As for the wildlife, don’t worry about missing out on them during any given month. Except for the Waved Albatross, almost no species in the islands migrate, meaning they’ll be there in this otherworldly destination, full of life and waiting to be explored.

When packing for a trip to the Galapagos Islands, keep in mind that you’ll be visiting not just those tropical and semi-arid islands, but also continental South America. With no direct flights to the archipelago, you’ll touch down first on the much cooler Ecuadorian mainland, where most travelers choose to spend at least a day or two in Quito so as to arrive in the Galapagos fresh and ready to hit the ground running. Dressing for the high-mountain Andean city of Quito means you’ll need to pack a few warm and water-resistant items (e.g. a jacket, long-sleeve fleece or sweater, and long pants, as well as bring along a travel umbrella).Later, when landing in the Galapagos Islands, you’ll have to dress for warmer weather and geographies that range from sandy palm-tree-backed beaches to cactus-dotted deserts and volcanic-rock fields. In any case, for your daily land expeditions, pack a wide-brimmed sun hat or a cap with a strap, short-sleeve breathable T-shirts, long-sleeve expedition-style shirts, convertible cargo pants, comfortable walking shoes and open-toe sports sandals with non-slippery soles (these are great for “wet landings,” where you’ll have to step directly out of from your dingy into angle-deep water and sand on the beach). Don’t forget shorts, swimwear, and some reef-friendly sunscreen for your ship’s sundeck and the shore.For the cool evenings on the water, some of the warmer clothes that you packed for the mainland will serve you well. Also, note that most yachts don’t have a formal dress code, so casual clothes are fine, even at dinner time.Since you’ll be traveling to uninhabited (i.e. store-less) islands at times, be sure to pack plenty of memory cards or film, recharging cords, batteries, and personal toiletries. Then too, though most ships provide wetsuits and snorkeling gear, you may want to bring along your own equipment if these are special-sized items or simply preferable.Worried about leaving anything out? Don’t fret – after you book your tour, you’ll receive a detailed packing list from Surtrek as a part of your information packet.

As there are no direct international flights to the Galapagos Islands (which is an Ecuadorian province), you’ll fly into mainland Ecuador*, choosing to land either in Quito (which is the county’s capital and located in the Andes) or in the coastal Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil.In either city, you’ll be welcomed at the airport by Surtrek representatives, who will assist you with your luggage and privately drive you to your upscale hotel.Be aware that from the moment you touch down, throughout your stay in Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands, and until it’s time to leave, you will be accompanied by experienced bilingual Surtrek staff and representatives who will accompany all along the way. In addition, you will be provided with ground transportation throughout your stay (and accompanied during the few instances that shared transport is required), assisted with your luggage and checking in at all domestic and international airports, welcomed upon your arrival at such airports, and finally, you’ll be seen off on your flight home or onward.So don’t worry – Surtrek’s soup-to-nuts service makes travel here a breeze.(*) Note: Direct non-stop flights fly to both Quito and Guayaquil from several US cities, including Houston, New York, and Miami. Likewise, such flights arrive from European cities such as Madrid.

Surtrek has over 25 years of experience helping travelers find the best cruise for their particular needs. Based here in Ecuador, we personally inspect the quality of each and every yacht, cruise ship, lodge and hotel, in addition to confirming these facilities meet our environmentally friendly Green Philosophy standards. We sleep in the beds, rate the coffee and cuisine, get to know the guides, and yes, even do the “dirty job” of testing the cocktails onboard before we give a boat or hotel the thumbs up.Contact one of our expert Galapagos trip planners for help planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Galapagos.

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Traveling to the Galápagos Islands offers wildlife lovers and natural history enthusiasts the remarkable opportunity to experience the world as it once was. Truly a priceless natural treasure, the Galápagos Islands have been called a ‘unique living museum and showcase of evolution’ and are home to an array of fascinating animal and plant species – many of which are found nowhere else on earth.

Visitors can experience the islands by traveling on Galápagos tours offered by a member of The International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA).

Because of their incredible natural beauty and unique wildlife, the Galápagos Islands have become a popular travel destination, but they are threatened by a variety of factors including climate change, illegal fishing, invasive species, urban development – and even tourism itself. However, IGTOA and its members are actively working to preserve and protect the area by promoting responsible, well-regulated, low impact Galápagos Islands travel and by supporting critical conservation initiatives and scientific research there.

The International Galápagos Tour Operators Association’s member companies represent the highest standards of quality and professionalism in the travel and tourism industry. When you embark upon a Galápagos Islands tour with an IGTOA member, you can rest assured that you will have a great experience and that you will be doing your part to support the lasting preservation of this priceless world treasure.

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THE 22 BEST GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TOURS LAND-BASED GUIDE

Home > Galapagos > 22 BEST GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TOURS – LAND-BASED GUIDE

• Last Updated: April 10, 2024

Here is a complete list of 22 Galapagos Islands tours , a selection of the best land-based tours from San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela islands .  I’ve tried almost all of the tours myself and written detailed articles about them, which I will link together. While based in any of the three main islands, there are 7 land-based tours starting from San Cristobal, 10 from Santa Cruz, and 5 from Isabela.

Snorkeling and scuba diving tours are not part of this list, if you are interested in those specific tours check my full dedicated articles on snorkeling here and on scuba diving here .

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(or alternatively, choose an activity from the drop-down menu underneath), choose your activity from the list (click on the arrow and scroll down), the best galapagos islands tours, general info.

All the Galapagos islands are part of the Galapagos National Park, and therefore there are a number of things you should know:

• Most of the activities have to be done on a tour with a Naturalist guide.
• All the agencies have the same prices (although you can barter if you book more than one tour).
• Most beaches have opening and closing times (turtle nesting reasons).
• You should book your tour at least one day in advance (or you might risk not having a place on the best ones).
• Bring Seasickness Medication for the tours on the water.
• Always use a strong sunscreen (Sun in the Equator line burns more).
• Have mosquito repellant with you, especially at sunset. There are horseflies in the Galápagos.
• You can’t fly a drone here unless you have a special permit from the National Park.
• You can’t rent a motorcycle or a car, everything has to be done by taxi, bus, boat, bicycle, or on foot.
• You can’t and shouldn’t touch the animals on the island.

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SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND

1. highlands tour - half day.

The Highlands Tour (or Tour Parte Alta in Spanish) is the best tour in San Cristobal if you want to explore its interior. You will literally cross the entire island and visit the Laguna El Junco, which is a volcanic crater lake, the Tortoise Reserve “La Galapaguera” and to conclude swim on the beautiful Puerto Chino beach.

View the full blog post here: HIGHLANDS TOUR IN SAN CRISTOBAL

2. 360 TOUR - FULL DAY

This is without a doubt the most famous tour on the island. If you are an adventurous soul and you like the water this is the tour for you. Here you will go on a boat ride around the entire island – hence the 360 name.

The highlights are Bahia Rosa Blanca beach (on the photo underneath), a huge and gorgeous white sandy beach with turquoise water, snorkeling in Kicker Rock, birdwatching at Punta Pitt, inland exploration, and many other stops. For a land-based experience, this is definitely on my top 5 Galapagos Islands tours list.

View the full blog post here: 360 TOUR IN SAN CRISTOBAL

Also, if you’re interested in beaches:   BEST 5 BEACHES IN SAN CRISTOBAL 

Book your tour:   Full Day Tour 360 San Cristobal – Best of the Island  (great reviews)

3. OPUNTIAS GARDEN TOUR - HALF DAY

This is a garden of giant cacti, deep in the highlands of San Cristobal island. On this tour, you can see many other types of fauna and flora endemic to the Galapagos and on the last stop you end up swimming at the beach.

I found this tour operator “Agencia Turística Huellas de Darwin” that comes here on a mountain bike tour, with a naturalist guide and it even includes a lunch box. This is one of the few tours I, unfortunately, didn’t have time to do but noted on my map.  If you do the tour with them I’d love to hear some feedback from you down in the comments, thanks!

To book this tour contact them at:

4. KAYAK TOUR - HALF DAY

If you like water sports and adventure you might like this tour. It’s a 5-6 hours tour on the water. This tour is provided by the same company that does the Opuntias Garden tour “Agencia Turística Huellas de Darwin”. If you do the tour with them I’d love to hear some feedback from you down in the comments, thanks!

5. COFFEE TOUR - HALF DAY

This is probably one of the coolest and tastier tours in San Cristobal. The name of the coffee farm is Hacienda El Cafetal. It’s not advertised anywhere and it’s a big surprise for many people.

Yes, there is coffee produced solely in San Cristobal, and it’s an amazing Arábica coffee. Once I drank my first coffee on this island, I was mind blown, and I usually love specialty and strong arabica coffee.

6. ESPAÑOLA ISLAND - FULL DAY

Española Island is home to many endemic species in the Galapagos. They only exist on this island. It’s a day tour and it’s the only big island (not counting Santa Cruz island) you can visit on a day trip from San Cristobal. This tour is on the list of tours in San Cristobal only because it is the easiest and most common way to visit the island when you are land-based in the Galapagos.

Here you can find a special marine iguana with green and red coloration, a waved albatross colony (it’s their only breeding site in the world), the Española mockingbird, the Española lava lizard, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and many other unique species. There is also a part of the tour where you snorkel or dive in Gardner Islet and find many underwater wonders.

To book this tour: Check the local company Wreck Bay’s website , or book it online on Viator with any of the tours underneath:

7. LOBOS ISLAND - HALF DAY

Isla Lobos island tour is a mixed tour, both on water and on land. You have a 1-hour stroll on the island where you can spot sea lions, frigate birds, and blue-footed boobies and also do some snorkeling and find rays and turtles. In the end, you will go to Playa Ochoa for some beach time.

I visited Isla Lobos island on the way to Kicker Rock for my first dive in San Cristóbal. Here is where you do the test dive to check your skills.

To book this tour: Check the local company Planet Ocean Galápagos website , or book it online on Viator here:   Tour Lobos Island from San Cristobal

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Santa cruz island, 8. highlands tour - half day.

The Highlands Tour (or Tour Parte Alta in Spanish) is one of the best tours in Santa Cruz for inland exploration. You will venture to the middle of the island and visit “Los Gemelos”, which are ancient lava-made crater pits, followed by a visit deep inside some impressive lava tunnels and end up at the tortoise reserve “Las Primícias”.

View the full blog post here: HIGHLANDS TOUR IN SANTA CRUZ

To book this tour:  Check the local company  Galapagos Dreams’s website , or book it online on Viator here: The Giant Tortoise Experience | Lava Tubes + Los Gemelos

9. BAY TOUR - HALF DAY

The Bay Tour or Tour de Bahía is another of the best land-based tours in Santa Cruz. It lets you see all the incredible water and lava-rock formations that exist on this island and a lot of its flora and fauna. All of this in just a half-day tour. You will snorkel with lots of tropical fish and hopefully, turtles and baby sharks, visit and swim at Las Grietas canyon, and watch the beautiful Love Channel, between other places.

View the full blog post here: BAY TOUR IN SANTA CRUZ

To book this tour:  Check the local company  Galapagos Dream’s website , or book it online on Viator here: Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island

10. DRAGON HILL TOUR - HALF DAY

The Cerro Dragon or Dragon Hill tour is usually booked with a cruise for its remoteness on the northwestern point of Santa Cruz island. Its main attraction is the multitude of beautiful orange land iguanas and marine iguanas, from where the name Dragon comes from. You will also see many Opuntia giant cacti and probably a lot of flamingos and other birds. On some of the tours you can snorkel and you might see baby reef sharks and sea lions.

Here I’ll leave you some companies whose yachts pass there: Letty by Ecoventura, Celebrity Xpedition by Celebrity Cruises, Explorer II by EQ Touring, La Pinta and Isabela II by Metropolitan Touring. 

To book this tour please check with the tour agencies on the island, I couldn’t find any online that I could honestly suggest to you apart from the cruises.

11. COFFEE TOUR - HALF DAY

The coffee farm is called El Trapiche Ecológico Galapagos and its coffee tour is probably one of the tastier tours in Santa Cruz. Yes, there is coffee produced solely in Santa Cruz. I’ll be honest, the coffee I tasted in San Cristobal was tastier than the one from Santa Cruz, but I’m not sure it was from this farm, so maybe their coffee is as amazing as San Cristobal’s one. Give it a try! 

12. BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND - FULL DAY

The Bartolomé Island Tour is the most iconic tour you can do on the Galapagos islands. You will go on a gorgeous sailing ship starting at Santa Cruz island, passing through the Daphne islands, and arrive at the beautiful Bartolomé island, almost an islet from Santiago island. With luck, you might spot some penguins as we did and then you go snorkeling on one of the paradisiac beaches in the near.

The name of the island comes from Charles Darwin’s friend Bartholomew James Sullivan who was the principal surveyor and second lieutenant aboard the HMS Beagle. Bartolomé is a volcanic tuff islet on the east side of Santiago island. It is the most photographed place in the Galapagos archipelago. For a land-based experience, this is definitely on my top 5 Galapagos Islands tours list.

View the full blog post here: BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND TOUR

To book this tour: Check the local company Galapagos Dreams’s website , or book it online on Viator with any of the tours underneath:

13. NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND - FULL DAY

North Seymour island is located on the north part of Santa Cruz island, over Baltra island (aka South Seymour island). You will see just like in Cerro Dragon hill (on the northern part of Santa Cruz) and on Baltra island, beautiful orange land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, marine iguanas, and probably sea lions.

Both North and South Seymour Islands were named after the British royal navy officer of the late 18th century, Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour. If you’re more fond of scuba diving, I wrote a full article on my dive here that I’ll link underneath.

View the full blog post here: DIVING IN NORTH SEYMOUR AND MOSQUERA

14. ISABELA ISLAND - FULL DAY

Isabela island is the third main island of the archipelago and it happens to be the biggest one of the three. If you have time I do recommend you to actually go and sleep there and start your tours from there, Isabela island’s landscape is wonderful. Two-thirds of the island is unoccupied and you can’t visit it unless you go on a National Geographic expedition or some scientific research trip of a sort.

Most of the Isabela day tours include the Tintoreras islets activity, there you will snorkel next to Puerto Villamil town (Isabela’s “capital”) and you will probably see some penguins and reef sharks. Personally, I would suggest you speak to the Galapagos Dreams travel agency and tell them you’d prefer to go to Los Túneles instead of Tintoreras Islets, for there you can see amazing underwater lava structures and wildlife.

They can probably organize it and you pay a little more (the Los Tuneles tour is more expensive and far away than Tintoreras, but is so worth it). If you don’t have the time or don’t want to bother here are a couple of Isabela days tours you can book from Santa Cruz.

To book this tour:  Check the local company  Galapagos Dreams’s website , or book it online on Viator with any of the tours underneath:

15. FLOREANA ISLAND - FULL DAY

The Floreana Island Tour is the most mysterious and at the same time beautiful tour, you can do on the Galapagos Islands. From tales of piracy, an Austrian baroness and her love trio, a peculiar German toothless doctor, and murder this island has it all.

This tour has to be done with an agency or you can alternatively take a boat to Floreana island and spend multiple days there, as there is some infrastructure on the island (not like in Bartolomé Island where you can only visit it on a tour).

The name of the island comes from Ecuador’s first president Juan José Flores, whose administration officially recognized the Galapagos islands as part of Ecuador’s territory. Previously the island was called Charles island (after King Charles II of England) and Santa Maria island (one of Columbus’s caravels). Floreana is the 4th and last island with human settlements in the Galapagos archipelago.

View the full blog post here: FLOREANA ISLAND TOUR

16. PLAZAS ISLETS - FULL DAY

These are two of the many uninhabited islets in the Galapagos. They were formed by an uplift of the seabed giving it its flat but very unique shape. They are located on the northeastern side of Santa Cruz island. 

The visit is in the cha nnel between the North and South Plaza islets, in the part where the islet slopes a little towards the water. There are many opuntia cacti and very beautiful red low-ground vegetation. On this tour, you will see many iguanas, s wallow-tailed gulls, and blue-footed boobies. You end up on the tour snorkeling at Punta Carrion where you will see a plenitude of marine life.

To book this tour:  Check the local company  Galapagos Dreams’s website , or book it online on Viator here: Day Trip to South Plaza Island from Puerto Ayora

17. SANTA FÉ ISLAND - FULL DAY

Santa Fé is one of the biggest islands in the Galapagos and it’s located just 20 km away from Santa Cruz. For that reason, it’s usually part of the daily tours in Santa Cruz. The island is known for its large colony of sea lions that live on the two beaches and its giant opuntia cacti.

You will probably find the endemic Santa Fé island land iguanas (yellow colored), blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and other seabirds. After the walk, you can snorkel from the boat and spot amazing marine life. If you’re interested there are also pure snorkeling and scuba diving tours to Santa Fé.

To book this tour: Check the local company Macarron Scuba Diver’s website, or book it online on Viator with any of the tours underneath:

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Isabela island, 18. sierra negra volcano tour - full day.

The Sierra Negra Volcano Tour is the best volcano hike you can do in the Galápagos and one of the best tours in Isabela island. For a land-based experience, this is definitely on my top 5 Galapagos Islands tours list.

You will walk on the rim of the massive Sierra Negra volcano’s caldera, whose last eruption happened just in 2018, and visit the Chico Volcano, a little offspring of Sierra Negra with a view to the Northwestern part of Isabela Island.

This tour has to be done with a Naturalist guide from the Galápagos National Park. You can book a tour with an agency and they hire the guide. You can’t simply hike your way up, unfortunately.

Along the hike, the landscape changes at least three times. From foggy and green, to dry and orange, and then to red and black. At the last stage, everything around you looks like an apocalypse. It’s an impressive and desolate place created by the destructive force of nature.

View the full blog post here: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO TOUR

To book this tour:  Check the local company Coral Blanco Tour Operator (click on the icons), or book it online on Viator with any of the tours underneath:

19. LOS TUNELES TOUR - FULL DAY

The Los Tuneles or Cabo Rosa tour is the coolest snorkeling tour you can do in the archipelago and one of the best tours in Isabela island. You will see so much wildlife you won’t believe it.

We saw on the surface blue-footed boobies, penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas and orange crabs and underwater reef sharks, turtles, a sea horse, a sea lion, an eagle ray, a stingray, an octopus, a lobster, and beautiful schools of fish.

Apart from the wildlife, the lava structures underwater are mind-blowing, you can dive through infinite tunnels and caves, and to top it we saw like in Angelita’s cenote in Mexico, an hydrogen sulfide cloud. What an experience! For a land-based experience, this is definitely on my top 5 Galápagos Islands tours list.

View the full blog post here: LOS TUNELES TOUR IN ISABELA

20. TRILLIZOS VOLCANO TOUR - HALF DAY

The Trillizos Volcano Tour is the most adventurous and probably one of the most secret tours of Isabela island. You will literally enter inside an artery of the main Sierra Negra volcano. Once inside you will encounter the hole from where the lava was expelled many years ago and a room full of Quartz stone, among other surprising things.

If you want to have the feeling you’re in a Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, or Tomb Raider movie, this is definitely the tour for you.

According to Jhan the son of Ulise, our guide, previously they didn’t know the hole was there, so their cows used to fall inside once the vegetation was too thick and then they would go down and collect the meat leaving the bones behind (you can still find them there).

The entire cave is not completely explored. Only a couple of rooms are. If you look in Google Maps and follow the lines of the Trillizos volcano until the Sierra Negra one you can actually see there might be other caves all the way through, completely unexplored. For a land-based experience, this is definitely on my top 5 Galápagos Islands tours list.

View the full blog post here: TRILLIZOS VOLCANO TOUR

To book this tour: Contact the owners, Ulise and Jhan directly (click on the icons).

21. LAS TINTORERAS TOUR - HALF DAY

Las Tintoreras islet is one of the most famous tours in Isabela island and it’s usually the only one you get if you come from Santa Cruz on a daily trip. 

It is an area on the water, 10 minutes by boat from Puerto Villamil’s town that was formed when the lava of Sierra Negra’s volcano got in contact with the oxygen forming a solid outer shell, like a lava tunnel’s carcass, and because it is on the water it formed some canals where daily hundreds of baby reef sharks (tintoreras) tend to go to. Here you will also see blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and with luck some penguins. 

After the land tour, there is some time for snorkeling where you might find turtles, rays, and sea lions.

22. SIERRA NEGRA SULFUR MINES TOUR - FULL DAY

This one is among the most epic tours in Isabela I, unfortunately, didn’t have time to do but it looks absolutely stunning. Instead of seeing the volcano from a viewpoint with its red and black surfaces of lava, you get to see and smell a vivid yellow sulfur mine with constant smoke coming out of it.

It is an amazing alternative to do if you’ve already seen the volcano from the top. When I go back to Isabela this is for sure the first tour I will do. It must be incredible. And very smelly Ahah. 

If you want to do the Sierra Negra Volcano tour I’ll leave you the link down below.

To book this tour:  Check the local company Coral Blanco Tour Operator (click on the icons)

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Machu picchu to the galápagos.

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Date: Tue, February 18, 2025 - Wed, March 5, 2025

Trip Status: Waiting for the brochure

Price: From $9,193 per person including air

Activity Level: Moderate

Region: South America

Arrangements: Odysseys Unlimited

Machu Picchu’s enigmatic ruins and the fascinating Galapagos Islands rank among South America’s greatest treasures, and a small group tour is the ideal way to experience both.  This outstanding 16-day adventure begins with Lima’s highlights.  Traverse the magnificent Sacred Valley, visiting impressive Incan sites and indigenous villages during a two-night stay.  After taking a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu, tour and absorb this astounding site on two separate days, overnighting nearby. Then encounter the history and beauty of Quito, a UNESCO site.  Spend the next four nights on the Galapagos’ beautiful Santa Cruz Island; the relaxed stay here includes cruising on a private yacht to two nearby islands to learn about Darwin’s incredible “living laboratory” from an expert naturalist guide.  After this unique experience, return to Quito for a final day of touring.  Discover the Amazon’s amazing flora, fauna, and villages with an exceptional 4-day/4-night pre-tour option. 

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To reserve, complete a registration form in the brochure and mail to Duke Travels, Box 90572, Durham, NC 27708, or call (919) 684-2988 to reserve conveniently over the phone and let us know you are mailing your reservation form to hold your space. To learn more about our travel program or any of our upcoming trips, please contact us at [email protected] or 919-684-2988

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This Luxe 157-Foot Catamaran Lets You Explore the Galápagos With a Personal Butler

Hermes will only host up to 20 guests on each cruise to ensure exclusivity., rachel cormack.

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A few superyachts and expedition vessels are already cruising the Galápagos , but travel specialist Via Natura is introducing a new ultra-luxurious catamaran to the islands.

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Hermes features 12 spacious convertible suites across the main and upper decks. (Ten are doubles and two are singles.) Each suite sports floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in closet, a private bathroom, a minibar, and a scenic private balcony with a Jacuzzi. The premium beverage menu is complimentary, so you can sip on something tasty while enjoying the views.

Beyond the suites, Hermes showcases several upscale social areas indoors and out. The compact multihull offers amenities akin to a larger cruise ship, too. The large welcome area leads to a contemporary interior with two plush lounges, a fully stocked library, and a spa with a Hammam overlooking the ocean. The exterior is home to an aperitif lounge and a spacious sundeck with an alfresco dining area, an observation zone, and a Jacuzzi flanked by sunbeds.

Gourmands will also be catered to on the cruise. A renowned Ecuadorian chef has prepared a signature menu highlighting the fascinating flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine. In addition, seafarers can try their hands at delicious local dishes and morish tipples via cooking lessons and cocktail classes.

As for exploration, the itineraries range from three to 14 nights and include stops at amazing far-flung destinations. Highlights include Gardner Bay, Black Turtle Cove, Santa Fe Island, and Buccaneer Cove. Two experienced naturalist guides will be on hand to share their knowledge during hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and more.

Rates for a three-night adventure start at $6,195 for a double or single suite and $117,705 for a private charter. You can find more information at the Via Natura website .

Click here to see all the images of Hermes.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Disney+ and national geographic unveil galápagos islands giveaway for earth day: here’s how to enter.

Disney+ subscribers can score a trip to the Galápagos Islands with Nat Geo experts.

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Disney+ is one of the most popular streaming services out right now, especially with its National Geographic originals — such as Earth Moods , Animals up Close With Bertie Gregory , Life Below Zero , The Space Race and Wild Yellowstone — that aim inform, educate and entertain its subscribers. While there are already plenty of perks and deals with a Disney+ subscription , the streamer is upping the ante with a contest to get a free cruise to the Galápagos Islands for Earth Day, thanks to Nat Geo.

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The giveaway is part of Nat Geo’s ourHOME Collection of nature docuseries, originals and short films — including Secrets of Elephants , Queens , Dolphin Reef , The Olympic Elk and Fire of Love — on Disney+ that’s designed to celebrate Earth Month .

You have to be a Disney+ subscriber to enter the giveaway. Not a member? You can sign up for Disney+ starting at $7.99 per month for the basic ad-supported plan. However, you can go ad-free for $13.99 per month, or $139.99 for an annual plan — that’s a savings of nearly 20 percent off per year.

You can also get the Disney Duo bundle, which comes with the ad-supported versions of Hulu and Disney+ for $9.99 per month, which is a nearly 40 percent savings altogether. If you’d like zero ads, you get the Disney Duo Premium for $19.99 per month, which is also nearly 40 percent off the ad-free plans of bother services.

In addition, the Disney Trio offers Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ (with ads) for $14.99 per month — about a savings of 45 percent off compared to signing up for separate subscriptions. You can even go somewhat commercial-free with Disney Trio Premium . It includes the ad-free versions of Hulu and Disney+ and the ad-supported version of ESPN+ for $24.99 per month.

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The Esquire Travel Guide: Ecuador, the Galapagos, and Peru

S hould a trip to Ecuador or Peru be on your bucket list , know this; either destination alone is entirely worth travelling across the globe for.

Know also that a single trip will, inevitably, barely scratch the surface – rather than having ‘done’ these countries, you will instead find yourself filled with a persistent and insatiable desire to go back, to explore vastly more of each country’s rich and extraordinary culture, ecosystem, and cuisine.

And know, finally that, when you set foot on the shores of the Galapagos, you will almost certainly be greeted, immediately, by a sea lion, and it will take every ounce of willpower that you have not to stroke its furry fat belly.

There are, of course, infinite ways you could explore Ecuador, the Galapagos, and Peru – but here’s one, and it’s real good. Trust us, we’ve checked.

To begin in Quito is a win-win. The capital of Ecuador is a beautiful historic city in which to acclimatise to the altitude which will be your perennial companion (and occasional nemesis) throughout your trip.

Casa Gangotena , a beautifully-restored colonial mansion in Quito’s Old Town, is a perfectly-placed base from which to explore the relaxed, bustling neighbourhood. Up on the rooftop terrace, look out across the city and drink in both the spectacular view and one of the signature cocktails - go for the ‘ Diablada de Píllaro ’, a punchy combination of rum, apple, ginger and hot pepper, if you’ve got nowhere to be the next morning. Down in the restaurant , gorge on ceviche (NB. assume you’ll be gorging on ceviche more or less constantly throughout your trip) but do take pains to seek out the cream of potato soup - no, genuinely – which, with its delicate combination of truffle, poached egg, cocoa nibs and onion foam, is an absolute showstopper.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – full of ornate, beautiful cathedrals, tiny family-run shops, and street vendors offering everything from scarves to corn. For a concentrated hit of traditional commerce, head to Mercado Central – the vibrant and lively market. Amidst bustling stalls piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled meat counters, and vendors selling almost addictively-moreish herbal teas, the market is also home to the curanderas - traditional healers who use natural remedies to cure ailments and imbalances, both spiritual and physical.

Ecuador is home to some of the finest chocolate in the world – much of it made with the superior Arriba bean – so take a Chocolate Masterclass to learn all about it. Chez Tiff offers an immensely-enjoyable afternoon which deftly combines rigorous academic study with eating huge quantities of incredibly high-quality chocolate, so arrive hungry to learn (and, you know, in general).

A short cycle away from the Old Town is Quito’s beautiful Botanical Garden . Ecuador is also the orchid capital of the world – there are over 4500 species – and here a dazzling array are on display (along with a wide-ranging collection of bonsai trees, if that’s your thing).

And from more or less wherever you are, look up and you will be greeted by the enormous statue of the Virgen de El Panecillo, who overlooks the city. A pilgrimage up to her hilltop vantagepoint is well worth it.

THE CHOCÓ RAINFOREST

There’s no quick ‘n’ easy means of making it to Masphi Lodge , but the bumpy three-hour drive northwest of Quito is more than worth it. Deep in the heart of the Chocó Cloud Forest, through gates not unreminiscent of the entrance to Jurassic Park, Masphi Lodge is a lush modernist hotel and resort that blends entirely into its unique surroundings.

Mashpi began as an ecological project – the owner, Roque Sevilla, a businessman and former mayor of Quito, purchased the land in order to protect it from destruction at the hands of a timber company. Today the 6,178-acre nature reserve, which is entirely carbon neutral, is home to over 400 species of bird, frog, tree, and endemic species – many of which can be seen through the spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows which cover one entire side of the building. You’ll inevitably want to get up closer than that, though, and Mashpi’s expert team of guides offer round-the-clock expeditions in which to inspect the flora and fauna in thrilling detail. For a truly staggering view, ascend to the canopies and ride the Dragonfly gondola or the pedal-powered Skybike, which allow you to travel, suspended through the air, through the very tops of the trees, surrounded by endless forest on every side. It’s a dreamlike, awe-inspiring experience. And, before you leave, make sure you take in a night walk – it’s then that the forest seems to come truly alive, teeming with glass-bottom frogs, glow-in-the-dark spiders, skittish lizards, and umpteen more unseen (but loudly heard) creatures.

THE GALAPAGOS

A short series of flights and an entire universe away from the Ecuadorian mainland, the Galapagos - another UNESCO World Heritage Site - is an unreal destination.

Closely-monitored and carefully-preserved, the islands are a marvel of the natural world – both for what they contain, and the fact that they have been left so immaculately preserved. Much of the latter due to the fact that they are 97% national park – every visitor is accompanied by a well-trained National Guide, and preserving the sanctity of the ecosystem is paramount (no snack-smuggling onto the island is permitted).

For a restful hotel experience, Finch Bay Hotel is a winning destination. With a warm and welcoming team, and fresh seasonal food served at their poolside restaurant (you will also be attended by a number of friendly and helpful ducks), the hotel is a short water-taxi away from Santa Cruz island’s bars, shops and restaurants.

STAY, EXPLORE:

But there is, famously, more to the Galapagos than bars, shops and restaurants – you are in the midst of one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet, and you’ll want to explore. So hop on board the Yacht La Pinta – the sunny and hugely-experienced crew run a tight ship, with expeditions which start bright and early in the morning, though you can opt out if you want to (NB. you don’t want to).

Each day will see you hopping into a dinghy and sailing off across a vibrant and pure blue sea which is the stuff of Hollywood films and screensavers. You’ll see Giant Tortoises – who give off a quiet hiss when they sense an approaching foe. You’ll hike across Islands formed entirely from cooled lava, the folds and rivulets of the flow forever hardened, but still giving off a feeling of rapid and powerful movement.

You’ll encounter basking sea-lions at every turn, scuttling crabs, languid iguanas, the occasional proud penguin stood, meerkat-like, surveying its surroundings before diving into the sea, and an array of mad-eyed staring blue-footed boobies (fear not, ‘I love boobies’ t-shirts are readily available in any and all of the Galapagos’ gift shops).

To snorkel in the Galapagos is to experience an embarrassment of riches. At a minimum, you’ll swim with darting schools of vibrantly coloured fish, but remain keen-eyed and you’ll likely find yourself dancing an aquatic dance with a sea lion or two (infinitely more elegant in the water than when blubbering happily across land), keeping pace with turtles as they soar angelically across the surface of the ocean, or coming into contact with dolphins, sharks (cheerfully benign), rays, and penguins.

Your life thusly changed forever, bid a fond farewell to your companions, both human and animal (it is not inconceivable that a sea lion may quite literally wave you goodbye upon your exit…) and make your way to Peru.

For a whistle-stop tour of The Land of the Incas, taking in the mighty Machu Picchu – but travelling, make no mistake, via the (incredibly) scenic route – look no further…

SACRED VALLEY

A short ride from Cusco airport, the Rio Sagrado is home to stunning views, gorgeous boutique rooms, and baby alpacas which guests can help milk twice-daily (a winning combination, overall). The property is in the lush and verdant Sacred Valley, a wonderfully-relaxing stopping off point as you begin the next leg of your expedition.

Visit the Catarata Poc Poc (Poc Poc Waterfall), a beautiful waterfall with a 30-metre drop, known as ‘the birthplace of the rainbow’.

HIRAM BINGHAM

All aboard the Orient Express of Peru – the Hiram Bingham is a fabulously-appointed luxury train which is simply the only way to get to Machu Picchu (NB. Many other ways to get to Machu Picchu are available).

A golden-age throwback, replete with cocktails on arrival, table service, a cocktail bar carriage with accompanying live band, and a gorgeous open-ended viewpoint at the back of the train, it’s the only train service in which a slower-than-expected journey time would be immensely welcome. You’ll set off from the Sacred Valley’s Ollantaytambo train station, and travel in fine style to a destination unlike any other…

MACHU PICCHU

Iconic, spectacular, and an almost-certainly-essential component of any first-time trip to Peru, Machu Picchu is a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2007 was voted one of the new seven wonders of the world. It’s not difficult to see why.

Sanctuary Lodge has the twin advantages of a) being extremely beautiful and b) being directly outside the entrance. You can’t go far wrong.

Though you’ll have seen all the photos, the Incan citadel is even more incredible in the, erm, stone. Set across vertiginous mountainside, the intricately-designed outpost seems utterly implausible.

Find a reputable guide, and hurl yourself into experiencing as much of Machu Picchu as your schedule, fitness and altitude acclimatisation permits. There are five day hikes available for the professional explorer – but one can glean a taste of the ancient Incan city in two or three hours, by starting at the top and marching downwards. Either way – come for the jaw-dropping ancient construction, and stay for the surprise community of llamas who will greet you utterly ignore you about halfway up.

Oh, and if you can manage it, set your alarm for 4.30am and get there bright and early, for a spectacular, brag-worthy, tourist-free photo of Machu Picchu in all its considerable glory.

Peru’s charming second city, Cusco can be reached from Machu Picchu via one all-too-short journey on the Hiram Bingham (or, again, via multiple ‘more sensible and less extravagant’ means, if you’re so inclined).

Palacio Nazarenas is a former nunnery, which has been converted into an exquisite, romantic hideout in the heart of the old city. The suites offer butler service – so enjoy a Pisco Sour made theatrically in your room, before heading down for dinner at Mauka, the hotel’s superb restaurant overseen by highly influential Peruvian chef Pía León (winner of World’s Best Female Chef in 2021).

Take a tour around San Blas, a short stroll from Cusco’s historic centre – it’s a beautiful artisan neighbourhood, and home to the remains of Pachacutec, the Incan leader who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu.

With reality on the horizon, finish your trip in Peru’s vibrant capital.

The grand, elegant Miraflores Park offers a rooftop infinity pool and a ground floor culinary treat. Tragaluz, the restaurant, is no vibeless corporate dining room, but a fully-fledged destination in its own right – offering a zingy modern menu and lethally-strong cocktails - that simply happens to be attached to the hotel.

Wander through the historic square of the Plaza de Armas, breeze through in the cafés and boutiques of the Barranco neighbourhood, and take in the pottery of the Larco Museum , replete with a vast array of treasures from across the Peru’s history, including more pre-Columbian erotic pottery than you can shake a stick at (though many of the subjects appear to be doing something along those lines).

Finally, before you leave, make sure you enjoy the ceviche you deserve. In one final shout-out to UNESCO, ceviche has been recognised by the organisation as an expression of Peruvian traditional cuisine, and appears on their ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ list, and there’s truly no better example of the dish than at Al Toque Pez. The hole-in-a-wall café is as rough and ready as they come, but there’s real magic in the soup – so work up your appetite in the queue, and treat yourself to a truly transcendent bowl of the good stuff.

And there you have it – a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The only snag being, you’ll immediately want to start planning your return.

Esquire was a guest of Belmond , Metropolitan Touring , and Rainbow Tours . Rainbow Tours can offer an 11-night Ecuador & Galapagos itinerary incorporating stays at Casa Gangotena, Mashpi Lodge, Finch Bay and a four-night cruise aboard the yacht La Pinta from £7,995 per person.

Annular solar eclipse 2024: Everything you need to know about the next solar eclipse

After the Great North American Eclipse comes a long "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse that can be seen in some iconic destinations.

• What is it?
• Where to see it from
• Viewing locations and timings
• Why so special?
• Partial solar eclipse viewing locations
• Next annular eclipse

Additional resources

Now that the "Great North American Eclipse" is over, you may be itching for the next opportunity to witness another celestial marvel. So when is the next solar eclipse ? 

The next total solar eclipse is more than two years out, on Aug. 12, 2026, in Greenland, Iceland and Spain. However, on Oct. 2, 2024 , a "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse will pass over parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile and southern Argentina.

Whereas 43.8 million people were able to experience totality for the April 8, 2024, eclipse in North America, only 175,000 people will have that opportunity for the Oct. 2 annular solar eclipse, according to Time and Date . The paths of both eclipses cross in the Pacific Ocean . 

During an annular solar eclipse, it is NEVER safe to look directly at the sun without solar eclipse glasses designed for solar viewing. Read our guide on how to observe the sun safely . 

So, ready to go eclipse chasing? Here's everything you need to know about the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 2, 2024, in Chile and Argentina. 

What is an annular solar eclipse?

The Oct. 2 eclipse will be very similar to the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 , which was visible across the U.S. Southwest, Central America and South America. All solar eclipses occur when a new moon is positioned precisely between Earth and the sun and casts its shadow on Earth. However, unlike a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is slightly farther from Earth. So, even when the disks align from our perspective, the moon's shadow doesn't completely block out the sun's light. Instead, a ring of sunlight is visible around the moon.

Related: What's the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse?

The eclipse on Oct. 2, 2024, will have an eclipse magnitude of 0.9326, according to EclipseWise.com . That means about 93% of the sun will be blocked by the moon during the eclipse, resulting in an "annulus" (Latin for "ring"). The moon will appear 6.4% smaller than average, according to MoonBlink . 

The closer the observer is to the centerline, the more circular the ring of fire will be and the longer it will last. But experienced eclipse chasers often observe from the edge of the path during an annular solar eclipse to see extended views of Baily's beads fizzing around where the limb of the moon appears to touch the sun. They can be visible for several minutes. 

From where can you see the Oct. 2 annular solar eclipse?

The ring of fire will be visible only within a path of annularity that passes across the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile and southern Argentina. 

This area will include the volcanic island of Rapa Nui/Easter Island, an iconic travel destination that's famous for the mysterious stone statues called moai, some of which reach 40 feet (12 meters) tall and weigh 75 tons. The island, which is only 63 square miles (163 square kilometers), is located 2,300 miles (3,700 km) from the Chilean coast, making it the most isolated inhabited landmass on Earth. Remarkably, it will be the second time a central solar eclipse has been visible from this tiny Pacific island in recent decades, with a total solar eclipse glimpsed there on July 11, 2010 . The next total and annular eclipses there will be in 2324 and 2345, respectively. 

A good option would be to position yourself slightly south of a moai at multiple sites to get a view of the ring of fire just above one of the statues, according to the Atlas of Solar Eclipses — 2020 to 2045 . Iconic locations will include the platform at Ahu Tongariki, where 15 moai are positioned on a 200-foot-long (60 m) ceremonial platform and nearby Rano Raraku. 

October's ring of fire will also be visible from southern Patagonia in Chile and Argentina. The path will be 180 to 185 miles (290 to 300 km) wide. 

Where and when can I see the Oct. 2 annular solar eclipse?

Here are some places eclipse chasers will gather for this annular solar eclipse:  

• Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile (5 minutes, 38 seconds to 6 minutes, 12 seconds of annularity starting at 14:03 EAST, 67 degrees above North) 
•  Cochrane, Chile (5 minutes, 40 seconds of annularity starting at 17:21 CLST, 26 degrees above NNW) 
•   Perito Moreno National Park , Argentina (6 minutes, 17 seconds of annularity starting at 17:21 ART, 25 degrees above NNW)  
•  Puerto Deseado, Argentina (3 minutes, 22 seconds of annularity starting at 17:27 ART, 20 degrees above NNW) 
•  Puerto San Julian, Argentina (5 minutes, 12 seconds of annularity starting at 17:24 ART, 21 degrees above NNW) 

Organized eclipse-viewing tours include Sky & Telescope , TravelQuest and AstroTrails . All are experienced eclipse tour operators that are headed to Rapa Nui/Easter Island.  

What will the weather be like for the Oct. 2 annular eclipse?

It's always best to travel somewhere you want to visit regardless of a solar eclipse. That certainly applies to the Oct. 2 event, because the prospects of a completely clear sky are relatively low. The chances of clouds that day are 75% for Rapa Nui/Easter Island, 90% for Perito Moreno National Park, and 65% to 70% for locations on Argentina's Atlantic coast, according to Time and Date . 

On Rapa Nui/Easter Island, the cooling of the land could cause convective clouds to dissipate, according to Eclipsophile , with the south coast statistically slightly favored. The chances of seeing the ring of fire are smallest on Chile's Pacific Coast and highest on Argentina's Atlantic coast. The latter has the least interesting scenery of anywhere in the path, but the eclipse will arguably be a more dramatic sight because it will occur much lower in the sky. 

Why is the Oct. 2, 2024, annular solar eclipse special?

The Oct. 2, 2024, annular solar eclipse is special for three very different reasons. First, it follows the Great North American Eclipse of April 8 — so interest in solar eclipses should be high, and many eclipse chasers will travel to see it. 

Second, it's a long eclipse, with the ring of fire lasting up to 7 minutes, 25 seconds. That's much longer than the 4 minutes, 52 seconds possible in the U.S. during the last annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023. 

Third, the best place to view this event is a truly iconic destination: Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island. 

Where to see the partial solar eclipse on Oct. 2

Although a ring-of-fire eclipse will be visible only from the aforementioned areas of Chile and Argentina, other areas will experience a partial solar eclipse on Oct. 2. These areas include parts of the Pacific Ocean and the southern half of South America. Here's what percentage of eclipse will be seen from major cities and destinations in the partial-eclipse zone:  

• Galapagos Islands (1%) 
• La Paz, Bolivia (1%) 
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (9%)  
• São Paulo, Brazil (10%) 
• Buenos Aires, Argentina (42%)  
• Montevideo, Uruguay (42%)  
• Santiago, Chile (44%)
• Villarrica, Chile (63%)    
• El Calafate, Argentina (83%) 
• Falkland Islands (84%)  
• South Georgia Island (76%)  
• Punta Arenas, Chile (75%) 
• Ushuaia, Argentina (72%) 
• Elephant Island (56%)  
• Port Lockroy, Antarctica (44%)  

After October 2024, when is the next annular solar eclipse?

Here are the dates and locations for some upcoming annular solar eclipses:  

• Feb. 17, 2026 : Antarctica 
• Feb. 6, 2027 : Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria
• Jan. 26, 2028 : Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Brazil, French Guiana, Portugal, Morocco and Spain  
• June 1, 2030 : Algeria, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Japan 

Want to look further ahead? You can find a concise summary of solar eclipses out to 2030 on NASA's eclipse website . Read more about solar and lunar eclipses on EclipseWise.com , a website dedicated to predictions of eclipses. See beautiful maps on eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler's GreatAmericanEclipse.com and interactive Google Maps on Xavier Jubier's eclipse website. You can find climate and weather predictions by meteorologist Jay Anderson on eclipsophile.com . 

Bibliography

Anderson, J. (February 2024). Annular Solar Eclipse

2024 October 2. Retrieved March 1, 2024 from https://eclipsophile.com/annular-solar-eclipse-october-2-2024/

Bakich, M. and Zeiler, M. (2022). Atlas Of Solar Eclipses 2020-2045. 

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/books/atlas-of-solar-eclipses-2020-to-2045

Espenak, F. Solar Eclipse Prime Page: Annular Solar Eclipse of 2024 October 2. Retrieved March 1, 2024 from: https://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEprime/2001-2100/SE2024Oct02Aprime.html

Jubier, X. (n.d.). Solar eclipses: Interactive Google Maps. Retrieved March 1, 2024 from http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html

Time and Date. (n.d.). October 2 2024 Annular Solar Eclipse. Retrieved March 1, 2024 from https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-october-2  

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Jamie is an experienced science, technology and travel journalist and stargazer who writes about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy and space exploration. He is the editor of  WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com  and author of  A Stargazing Program For Beginners , and is a senior contributor at Forbes. His special skill is turning tech-babble into plain English.

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