Galápagos Islands Travel Forum

Hello fellow travelers,

We will be going on a 8 day cruise (Archipel II) and wonder how much money to bring. This differs from person to person, I know, but anyone have any clue about prices of drinks/snacks/tips/etc on board these cruises? Have not been able to find any info solid on this. Softdrinks $3, others like wine and cocktails higher, but what does this mean? Or should I stock up on rum and coke before we board the boat :)? Anyone have recent info for the Archipel II? Park entry fees and others should be around $125, or has anyone seen other prices?

Gonijn

Hi, I have some additional questions that hopefully anyone could help me with...

1. Would november be an OK month to visit the Galapagos? Or is January/February a lot better? November suits my schedule best but the water might be too cold for snorkeling? Or isn't the difference that big?

2. Is there a specific area in Quito (street?) where our chances on finding a last-minute offer are best?

3. Are these tour agencies also able to arrange permits and flight to/from Galapagos?

4. Any tips/experience regarding agencies offering good last-minute deals?

Thanks so much for your help!

Hi, me and my friend are planning to go to Ecuador for 4 weeks in November or January. As I would like to get the most out of it, we want to go for 7/8 days. By browsing the internet I found out that there are two ways to visit: either on a liveaboard cruise or otherwise via an island-hopping trip.

Can anyone advise which type of trip would be better? Our main interest is the wildlife, we would really love to swim with sea lions and see the penguins, giant turtles, sharks and rays, but also see all kinds of birds, reptiles etc.

And...does anyone know where chances on swimming with sea lions, penguins and seeing sharks are best?

Thanks for your help!

I've booked a week crusing on one of the above names boats....just wondering if anyone done a trip on one of them...and if so did they stick to the itinerary? what was the boat and cabins like?Thanks

Hi,

Myself and the Mrs. are planning a trip around S. America early next year and are hoping to include a once in a lifetime trip to Galapagos.

Looking at the tours on offer, the prices seem to vary from around $1000 to $3000 an more, not including getting to the island.

As we're hoping to spend a couple of months travelling, in addition to Galapagos, this would eat a huge chunk of our budget. Do any VTers have an idea how to keep the costs down, whilst still getting the most out of this unique trip?

Would we be better off waiting until we arrive at the archipelago to book something locally, try and book day trips from the islands etc, do some of it independently?

Help, advice and any recommendations are welcome and appreciated.

Hi everyone, I saw a few postings re: specific boats in this forum but am overwhelmed by trying to sort through all the available boats and tours on-line. I'm going with my 16 year old daughter,(she's a good diver) and am trying to find a great, but not too expensive 4 or 7 day boat trip with diving.

Questions:
1. Does it make sense to wait to arrive in Quito to make a dive trip booking? We'd be flying to the Galapagos within one or two days.
2.I'm thinking tourist superior class (up from economy, but not first class or luxury). Can anyone recommend a great boat, not too crowded (maybe 12 or so)?
Thanks!

I recently visited the galapagos islands and purchased a Tee shirt from a shop in Puerta Ayora, Santa Cruz. Having returned home, I wish that I had purchased more of the same Tee shirt. How can I locate or contact shops that possibly sell the same T-shirt that I purchased?

Has anyone visited the Los Galapagos Turtle reserve in the northern portion of San Cristobal island independantly? I arrive in San Cristobal at 11am on my first day in the Galapagos and I want to use this half day to visit the turtle reserve becasue from what I have read it appears wild and the turtles have free range. I would appreciate any help with these questions:

1) Is a guide required to visit the Los Galapagos Turtle reserve? Can I visit it alone?

2) Is it feasible to hire a taxi from the Baquerizo Moreno to the Turtle Reserve? If so what is the approximate round trip cost?

3) How much approximate hiking will be required to see any turtles?

4) Is there another recommended way of visiting this place?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Looking for advice on when to visit the Galápagos Islands. Is there a time during the year that would be best?

How many days should I plan to spend on the Islands?

Also, could anyone suggest a tour guide/company that specializes in individual versus group tours?

Thanks!

hi all, I am travelling to Quito from Lima on 23 September and want to book a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Didn't want to book an organised tour from here as will have just completed a tour through Peru and want to see what happens under my own steam. I am told there are plenty of tours going and it should be easy to to do. I am travelling on my own and would appreciate any recommendations re reputable travel agents to use where I won't get ripped off. Alternatively, anyone interested in a travelling companion? Thanks, J

As usual, we are a month away from an upcoming vacation period and still trying to figure out where to go. One though that we had was to fly to Quito, spend a few days exploring the Andes scenery, and then fly to the galapagos for the rest of the the vacation. A few basic questions:

1. I have read that you can only tour the Galapagos Islands with a guided trip. Does anyone have a recommendation regarding a service to use? We will be two adults and a child.

2. Is it possible to book trips to the Galapagos Islands on short notice? Is there any sort of permit process or anything else that would force you to meet certain deadlines in advance of going there?

3. How many days should we spend on the islands to get a good flavor for them?

4. Is it easy to get there from Quito, or do you have to get to the coast first?

Hi!

I'm planning a 2 1/2 month trip to South America with my friend, we just graduated and are trying to keep it low budget. But obviously I want to have the best experience! We're first flying to Quito. We were thinking that maybe we wouldn't do the Galapagos, mainly because of the high cost, but now I'm starting to doubt that decision (I am bio major after all, I learned about that place! :)) I just wanted to hear back from travelers who have been there, is it definitely worth it? We will be in Ecuador second week of July. If I should go, how long should I spend there to make it worth it? Thanks so much!

~Kara

How much is the round trip fare from Guayaquil To the island?
One's I get there how much should I pay for cruising the islands for a week?
I'm planning to go to the islands the second week of October, is this a good time to go there? and for last How much is average cost for a hotel? I would appreciate this information. Thanks so much......jfgfedez

Okay, im a seasoned travellor, yet finally feelign the need to visit the Galapagos's. Hate crowds, hate volume tourism and hate "package deals".

i plan to head over for 10 days early Novembner, plan to do some scuba diving, and plan to avoid the madding crowds.

Hence i need advice?? where best to fly into? where best to base myself from? how best to travel around? who best to contact? what should i plan and what should i wing when i get there? and how can i avoid the crowds and see some of ecuador at the same time????

Neil

Hi guys,

My husband and I are looking into traveling to Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos next year. Can you recommend some good travel agency we should work with to plan our trip?

One that we found and liked is responsibletravel.com, but they seem to be just an intermediary between the end customer and the travel agency that really oranizes the trips.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, I will arrive in Quito next Sunday and I'm searching for a good travel agency in Quito to arrage a trip to the Galápagos Islands. I'd really appreciate any helpful advice - thanks in advance :-)

Has anyone been on the Encantada for a Galapagos boat trip? All feedback is welcome.

We are taking an OAT trip to the Galapagos in April/May. I read that sandals and hiking shoes are good. Is it just a matter of preference or do you have some firm suggestions? What do you wear on the boat?
Also, in lieu of a wetsuit, would a rashguard shirt help0 at all with the cool water?
Any advice for the trip is appreciated.
Sandy

Hi,
Has anyone travelled to the Galapagos Islands carrying surf boards? I am flying in to Quito 2nd March and hope to fly on to the Galapagos within a week. Will I be allowed to bring my own surf board to the islands? What is the surf like?

Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks

The airport in San Cristobal isn't going to be open in time for my upcoming visit, but I already paid $280 for a room for 4 nights on the island. I'm not going to be able to use it in the next 6 months, but evidently I can "transfer" the credit to someone else who may want to visit. (Based on the email below). I don't check this site every day, but if you're interested just reply and we'll see what needs to be done. I honestly just dont want that much money to go to waste. No ill intentions here, I promise -- I just got unlucky. The airport is supposed to open on the 24th of December 2007, and my visit is from the 16th-20th. Bummer.

Amy,
This is quite sad to hear that you’ve decided to stay in Santa Cruz island due to San Cristóbal Airport’s closure.

Once you´ve taken the decision to stay in Port Ayora instead of moving to San Cristóbal, our booking policies allow you to use or even endorse the length of the nights already paid ($280) 6 months counting after Dec.16th. If you think someone would be using your reservation under your name, we will be happy to honor that to whom you indicate us. I am afraid we have to discard a partial reimbursement in this case beyond our liability and reach.



Best regards,

Galahost Mgr.

Does anyone know if the constuction at the San Cristobal airport is complete?

Hi all,
Just wanted to know if anyone has been onboard the Nemo I Catamaran, and what experience they had.
We are looking for a short 3-4 night cruise around the islands, on a small, intimate, but reliable vessel, and the Cats look really nice - what do you think?
We want to supplement this with a short 2 night stay on Santa Cruz - the Hotel Mainao looks really quaint... is it easy to book day trips once you're there?
Going to be going around Feb 08.
Cheers,
Cat

I just got off the phone with someone from GalapagosTours.net (1-800 #) and I was shocked to hear that you're not longer allowed to book one day dives. Additionally, the only way to can dive in Galapagos is be a part of a Scuba-only cruise (starting at $2k US)!

Can someone please let me know if this is indeed the case and if there's anything I can do?

Assuming the worst, is there a way that I can dive without having to pay some exorbitant cost?

Thanks in advance.

Hi - We have booked on one of Ecoventura's yachts Eric, Flamingo & Letty. Does anyone have any experiences with these yachts or the company? Thanks.

Has anyone been on a recent trip on the Angelito. I'm thinking of booking an 8-day tour in December with Zenith Travel and would appreciate any feedback. Also, has anyone been to the Galapagos in early December? What is the weather and conditions like then? Thanks.

Dear all,

Im on business in Guayaquil for a week and thought id take advantage and go to the Galapagos for a one or two days after work flying out from guayaquil
Is this really feasible, as every one seems to do long boat cruises, (I only want to get a flavour of the islands and see some wildlife), and is it possible to get one/two days excursions on the island.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
David

Hello to all VT members,
I intend cruise Galapagos Islands on the April 2008, somebody that sailed on Samba yacht how it was your impression.
And second whether you have experience with Canadian travel agency Inti Travel
is it reliable company?
Many Thanks

Hi all
one question on the Galapagos Islands,

does anyone have a list of airlines which are flying there, no matter from which origin airport (even that i would prefer to fly from Lima or Quito)

thanks a lot
greetz
Philipp

Hello,

I'm interested in diving in the galapagos for a 8-day-cruise, just dont know (after lots of research) which is the best live-aboard diving yacht. Any recommendations... and on which ones I shouldnt go?!

PS. Is there any that eco-friendly is (besides the basic requirements by the N. Park) ?

Any info is welcome !! :)

I am planning a trip to the Galapagos and Ecuador, needing advice and booking information. At first I needed availability information of the August 2007 for Galapagos tours, but it may be too late for August- don’t know. I sent emails to
Safari Ecuador, Enchanted expeditions, Galasam, Andando Tours, Lindbad, Ecuador travel and OARS- waiting for reply. I have researched some boats that look good- ( Athala, Sagitta, Beluga, Diamante, Isabell 2, etc.) mostly motor yachts. As a college professor I am off when the students are, late November, late December and all of January. So if August fails, then I will try for January. Am I on the right track? I am not interested in SCUBA tours but like snorkeling and would combine this with a tour in the Amazon. I love ancient sites. Also if I don’t get a friend to travel with me, I will be hit with the deadly single supplement. ( is there a ay around this?) Thinking of two weeks in total. What do you suggest? Oh, I don’t eat meat. Thank you in advance. For any advice.

Regards,

Polipo