The Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s very best wildlife destination and inextricably linked to the history of biological sciences, we’ve decided to get a bit scientific ourselves and describe the anatomy of a Galapagos tour. We’ve tried to include everything you need to think about when booking your Galapagos adventure, building a clear picture of how your incredible trip can come together and work as a living, breathing holiday of a lifetime.
Getting there
Almost all visitors arrives to Galapagos by plane. At 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador, it’s a long way to travel by boat. Flights will ether arrive at Baltra airport (right off Santa Cruz Island) or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobal. You will need to double check with your cruise provider that you are flying into the right airport for your itinerary. Which leads us very nicely into…
Booking a cruise or staying on land
Hotel accommodation in Galapagos is quite ample, especially in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and for those who suffer from sea-sickness it might be a good idea to stay on land and perform nice day-tours or even to nearby Islands by choosing an Island Hopping Tour. For most people, the best way to get around is on board a cruise to be able to explore more Islands and more sites and get the most of your time.
Small yachts or catamarans are perfect for those looking for a more intimate adventure, plus catamarans offer smoother sailing. But, a large expedition vessel like the M/V Santa Cruz II is a great alternative if you wish to have more space on board, larger social areas and more stable sailing.
Other fees and considerations
Before flying to Galapagos, you must get at Airport in Quito or Guayaquil the mandatory Transit Card ($20 p.p.) and upon arrival in the Galapagos, you have to pay $100 p.p. for entrance to the National Park, both are valid for your complete stay. Some operators include one or both of these fees and the flight tickets to make it a convenient package-deal for you.
All Galapagos cruises include a professional bilingual licended guide on board your vessel; also when takin a land-based tour, you will have a guide to join you and your fellow-travelers for all excursions and activities. Remember that no one can visit tourism sites within the Galapagos without the company of a Licensed Guide.
We can help you arrange a complete and wonderful experience either on board a sailing cruise or taking a nice land-tour in the Enchanted Galapagos. Contact Us so we can build a convenient package-deal.
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