Galapagos Island Travel Tips

Here are some useful Galapagos island travel information and tips for those who would like to visit and explore the islands in a safe way.

How to get to Galapagos?

The best and most convenient way to get to Galapagos is by airplane.

If you live out of Ecuador you must travel to Quito or Guayaquil first.



Then you have to arrange a flight to Galapagos in one of these two National Airlines: Tame or AeroGal.



But there are also other ways to arrive to Galapagos like in your private airplane or if you like sailing you can cross the Pacific Ocean in your boat and arrive to one of the ports in the Islands.

The recommended ports could be at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno or Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island.

Once you arrive you have plenty of ways to travel around the different islands in Galapagos. You can hire a cruise boat with a naturalist and travel around the major Islands.

The best or most economic way during your Galapagos island travel adventure is to stay at a hotel either in Santa Cruz Island or San Cristobal Island and hire one of the several land and sea tours provided by most of the hotels in Galapagos. Here's a recommended hotel

Galapagos Climate

The Galapagos islands are located in the Equatorial Line, but the weather in Galapagos is not as hot as other tropical places in the world.

One of the reasons is that Galapagos is cooled by the Humboldt Current. In many Islands of Galapagos the water temperature is around 20° C (68° F).

There are two seasons in Galapagos:

1) The first one goes from July to December, this is known as the dry season. During this time there is a slight fog that covers the highlands of Galapagos known as Garua.

The temperature during this season ranges between 20° C and 24° C.

2) The second season goes from January to June. This season is hot and rainy (sometimes), and it's the best time to visit the Galapagos island. The sea is warmer and calmer. The temperatures vary from 26° C to 30° C.

Flights to Ecuador and Galapagos

I highly recommend the city of Quito because you can visit its historic downtown and buildings built in the 17th century.

For your Galapagos Island travel adventure it is good to know that there are two airports on the Galapagos Islands located on Baltra and San Cristobal Islands.

The only flights to the Galapagos Islands are from mainland Ecuador. Only Ecuadorian national airlines travel to the Galapagos.

There are three flights every day. Click here for more information on Flights to mainland Ecuador

Galapagos Island Travel Checklist:

• Small backpack (waterproof)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sneakers or rubber soles
• Shorts, Trousers and T-shirts
• Long and Short sleeved shirts
• Windbreaker fro nights
• Bathing suit and Wet suit (for snorkeling)
• Socks and underwear
• Hat or cap
• Toilette kit and biodegradable shampoo if possible
• Sun block, Sunglasses, Binoculars, Camera & camcorder
• Your favorite magazine or book, Here are some recommended ones
• Your personal medicines if you are taking any

Galapagos Island Travel Rules:

The Galapagos National Park has developed certain rules that must be followed by all visitors of the islands.

1. Do not feed the animals.
2. Do not touch or handle the animals.
3. No plant, animal, or remains of such (including shells, bones, and pieces of wood), or other natural objects should be removed.
4. You should not transport any live material to the islands, or from island to island.
5. Do not take any food to the uninhabited islands.
6. Do not startle any animal from its resting or nesting spot.
7. Do not deface the rocks.
8. Stay within the areas designated as visiting sites. Look for the trails and areas marked by the white wooden stakes.
9. Do not leave any litter on the islands, or throw any off your boat.
10. Do not buy souvenirs or objects made of plants or animals from the islands.
11. You cannot visit the islands unless accompanied by a licensed National Park guide.

Galapagos Restaurants and Hotels

Here are some recommended Restaurants and Hotels to choose during your Galapagos island travel adventure.

Galapagos Restaurants in Santa Cruz Island:

• RINCON DEL ALMA
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin right in front of the Navy port (Puerto Ayora)
  Phone: 5935 252-6196
• EL CHOCOLATE
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin (Puerto Ayora)
  Phone: 5935 252-6759
• EL CAPRICHO
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin (Puerto Ayora)
  Phone: 5935 252-6868
• SALVAVIDAS
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin, muelle municipal (Puerto Ayora)
  Phone: 5935 526418

Recommended Galapagos Hotels in Santa Cruz Island:

• FINCH BAY HOTEL
  It's a modern shorefront hotel with beach, very comfortable and highly recommended. Here's more information about Finch Bay hotel
  
  
• RED MANGROVE INN
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin
  Phone: 5935 252-7011
  Very nice, shorefront hotel
• HOTEL GALAPAGOS
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin
  Phone: 5935 252-6330
• HOTEL SILBERSTEIN
  Address: Av. Charles Darwin y Piqueros
  Phone: 5935 252-6277
  It is the former Hotel Argermeyer is a first class hotel with 22 bedrooms.

Recommended Galapagos Hotels in San Cristobal Island:

• CHATHAM
  Phone: 5935 252-0137
• HOGAR DE DON GUIDO
  This hotel has six rooms
• MAR AZUL
  Phone: 5935 252-0139
• GALAPAGOS
  Phone: 5935 252-0157

Web www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com

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