FAQs about Galapagos: Should I charter?

If you are planning to travel with your whole Family or with a group of adventurous Friends and you like to enjoy the privacy and comfort of a private cruise with personalized and dedicated service for your party, then chartering a nice yacht is a wonderful idea!

There are several options on different categories of cruises to choose from, especially for small yachts or catamarans with capacity for up to 16 passengers. Charter cruises are best if confirmed at least 9 months before your traveling period as all Galapagos cruises are always on very high demand and several are confirmed for charters with 12 and even 24 months in advance to guarantee the charter cruise. Please contact us if you are planning to charter a wonderful cruise for your party so we can guide you on how to choose the right cruise to enjoy a memorable experience.

Other related frequently asked questions

How much should we tip the guide and crew?

There are no established tipping guidelines for all cruises, you should decide the amount to tip your guide and crew based on your level of satisfaction with the services provided on board and while on excursions.

On Luxury and First class cruises it is recommended to tip $15-$20 p.p. for the guide per day and the same amount per day for the whole crew. On Midrange and Economy class cruises it is recommended to tip $10-$13 p.p. for the guide per day and the same amount per day for the whole crew.

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What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept payments for tours via bank transfer to our U.S. based Bank in Miami or via Paypal with your own account or your preferred Credit Card; corresponding fees will be applied.
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When should I make my reservation?

Galapagos is a top-destination for travelers, therefore cruises and tours are on very high demand year-around. It is recommended to arrange your trip at least with 6 months in advance to secure and guarantee your spots on the preferred trip.

Now, if you find the opportunity to visit the Galapagos before 6 months in advance, there is also the possibility to find cruise deals that may fill your expectations. However, if you leave your decision for the last-minute, you may not find what you were looking for a tour that will fulfill your expectations.

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Where are the Galapagos islands?
The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean about 1000 kilometers (563 miles) from Ecuador, South America. The 19 Islands are distributed on both sides of the Equator surrounding the Western Hemisphere to the west of Continental Ecuador.
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When is the best time to travel to Galapagos?

You can visit the Galapagos any time of the year as there is always something wonderful happening in the Islands, especially with wildlife’s behavior and natural events.

From mid-June to early-December you have a mixture of warm and rain (afternoon showers), and Ocean waters are warmer and calmer due to the “El Niño” current. From mid-December to early-June is the cool/dry season on land and Ocean, especially because of the passing of the “Humboldt” current through the Archipelago.

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Are all your prices in US dollars?
In Ecuador Mainland and the Galapagos Archipelago, U.S. Dollar has been established and used as main and only currency since the year 2000. When making payments for your trip, you may do so in your local currency at up-to-date conversion.
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