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Galapagos travel and tour tips

 

What to pack

 

Life aboard all vessels cruising the Galapagos ranges from informal to very informal. Dress is casual - shorts, tee shirts, swim suits; jeans/slacks and a windbreaker or sweater. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, ample protection from the Equatorial sun (including a hat); and it is highly recommended that you bring a lightweight backpack to carry your camera, excess film and a towel (for drying off after wet landings). Do not over pack. There are weight restrictions on the flights (30 pounds per passenger) and you need only a minimum of casual clothing. Your excess luggage may be left at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil in storage.

 

Suggested items:

 

  • Khaki pants and Bermuda shorts

  • Cotton shirts and T-shirts

  • Windbreaker or sweater

  • Good walking shoes (tennis shoes will do)

  • Rubber-soled shoes or thongs (Tevas are popular)

  • Small backpack or knapsack

  • Camera with lots of extra film

  • Bathing suits (2)

  • Sunscreen

  • Snorkeling equipment

  • Hat or scarf

  • Underwater camera

  • Sunglasses/strap

  • Sea sickness medication

  • Wet suit (July-November)

 

 

Galapagos travel and tour tips

 

Suggested Reading:

 

  • Darwin's Islands, A Natural History of the Galapagos, by Ian Thornton

  • Galapagos, A Natural History Guide, by M.H. Jackson

  • A Field Guide to the Fishes of Galapagos, by Godfrey Merlen

  • Plants of the Galapagos Islands, by Eileen K. Schfield

  • A Field Guide to the Birds of Galapagos, by Michael Harris

  • Highly Recommended:

  • Galapagos, Islands Lost In Time, by Tui de Roy

  • Galapagos, Discovery on Darwin's Islands, by Steadman and Zousmer

  • Galapagos, a Terrestrial and Marine Phenomenon, by Paul Human

  • Key Environments, Galapagos, by R. Perry

  • The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin

 

Climate

 

The Galapagos Archipelago is located on the Equator and its climate is sub-tropical, allowing cruises to operate on a year round basis. Temperatures are determined almost entirely by the ocean currents that are influenced by the trade winds. Generally, December to May is warm and sunny; June to November is cool and breezy. Most birds nest year round, so you can see courtship, mating, chicks hatching and rearing almost any time of the year.

 

Temperatures are shown in Fahrenheit:

 

Temperatures

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Max. Air Temp.

84

86

88

86

82

78

76

74

76

77

78

80

Min. Air Temp.

70

74

74

72

72

68

66

64

62

64

66

68

Avg. Sea Temp.

74

76

76

76

74

74

72

66

68

70

72

74

Avg. Rainfall (in.)

1

1

2

1.5

0.75

0.25

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.25

0.5

0.5

 

Languages

 

English and Spanish are spoken aboard the vessels by guides and officers.

 

Time Zone

 

GMT-6 in the islands and GMT-5 on the mainland. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

 

Currency

 

The sucre is the monetary unit of Ecuador. However, the country has also adopted the U.S. Dollar as its currency.

 

Getting There

 

There are worldwide connecting flights to Quito and Guayaquil, on the Ecuadorian mainland. Specially arranged flights (contracted by the cruise operators) from the Equadorian mainland serve the archipelago's two airports. The airports in Baltra San Cristobal are served by TAME Airlines. Passengers fly from the mainland on the morning of the departure date of the cruise.

 

The cruises sail from Baltra or San Cristobal. The airport to which you fly will depend upon which ship you are booked on.

 

The flights to and from the Galapagos are automatically confirmed when the cruise arrangements are confirmed. All passengers must arrive on the mainland at least one day prior to the departure date of the cruise.

 

As always, if you have any specific questions about traveling to the Galapagos Islands, you may contact us. We would be happy to answer your questions.

 

Galapagos boobies