{"id":44187,"date":"2019-02-22T14:00:04","date_gmt":"2019-02-22T22:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=44187"},"modified":"2021-04-21T14:17:48","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T21:17:48","slug":"galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide","title":{"rendered":"Gal\u00e1pagos Islands Adventure Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, you\u2019ll find a little corner of paradise: The Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. Sea lion pups nip at your fins as you swim through the warm, equatorial waters. Marine life thrives and underground lava tubes and caves abound. On land, you\u2019ll spot rare animal species, and you can even hike to the top of the world\u2019s second-largest caldera. If you love wildlife, tropical climates and outdoor adventures, a trip to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands is sure to please. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide will cover all the ins and outs of traveling to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#why-travel\">Why Travel to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#top-sites\">Top Destinations in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#top-outdoor\">Top Activities in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to\">How to Plan Your Trip<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_44195\" style=\"width: 982px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44195\" class=\"wp-image-44195 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/epic-2.jpg?resize=972%2C615\" alt=\"Kayakers on an REI Adventures trip paddle through sea cliffs. \" width=\"972\" height=\"615\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-44195\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kayakers paddle among massive sea cliffs.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a name=\"why-travel\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Travel to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re an animal lover, the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands should be on your bucket list. Because the islands are so remote, they play host to a variety of animal and plant species that aren\u2019t seen anywhere else in the world, including the land iguana, the giant tortoise, huge cacti, endemic trees and many types of finches and mockingbirds. According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/earthwatch.org\/Expeditions\/Darwins-Finches-and-Natural-Selection-in-the-Galapagos\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">historical reports<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Charles Darwin\u2014impressed by the area\u2019s biodiversity\u2014created his theories of evolution and natural selection after a visit to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands in 1835.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And the impressive natural displays don\u2019t stop where land meets the sea. The <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mpatlas.org\/mpa\/sites\/901\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gal\u00e1pagos Marine Reserve<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an underwater wildlife park with some of the most abundant marine life in the world. According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNESCO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: \u201cNo other site in the world can offer the experience of diving with such a diversity of marine life forms that are so familiar with human beings, that they accompany divers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located off the coast of Ecuador where three ocean currents meet, the 127-island archipelago is a volcanic hotspot that contains several active shield volcanoes; their frequent volcanic activity leads to vibrant, underwater marine life, according to <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/volcano.oregonstate.edu\/oldroot\/volcanoes\/galapagos\/fernandina.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon State University<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe reason I would travel for about 24 hours from Seattle to Atlanta, then to Quito, Ecuador \u2026 then to Guayaquil before finally arriving on San Cristobal Island \u2026 is the amazing wildlife,\u201d says Suzanne Faith Harris, an adventure travel program coordinator. \u201cI was blown away by the diversity. The animals are not hunted by man and have no fear.\u201d<\/span><br \/>\n<a name=\"top-sites\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top Destinations in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you can visit many of the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, only a few contain developed infrastructure. Visitors typically stay on a cruise boat that leaves from one of the largest islands, listed below, or on a hotel on one of these islands:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/isabela\/\"><b>Isabela Island<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This seahorse-shaped island crossed by the equator is the largest of the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands; at 1,803 square miles, it\u2019s bigger than all of the rest of the islands combined and contains five fully formed, active shield volcanoes, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/isabela\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gal\u00e1pagos Conservancy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On Isabela Island, most locals make their money from fishing, farming and tourism. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many tourists book hotels in Puerto Villamil, the largest town on the island. Villamil contains white-sand beaches and beautiful lagoons filled with flamingos, pintails and whimbrels, according to the Gal\u00e1pagos Conservancy. Villamil has a small airport for inter-island flights and a number of towns and bars.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_44199\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44199\" class=\"size-article_body wp-image-44199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/Isla-Isabella-on-the-way-to-the-historic-Wall-of-Tears.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"A cyclist crosses a bridge in the forest.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-44199\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A cyclist pedals across Isabella Island to the historic Wall of Tears.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning to spend time on Isabela Island, you\u2019ll want to visit the Sierra Negra Volcano; its caldera measures 6.2 miles across from north to south. Visitors also often spend time at the Villamil Lagoons, the Tortoise Center, the Wall of Tears and the Tintoreras. (More on these activities below.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/santa-cruz\/\"><b>Santa Cruz Island<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 381 square miles, Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Gal\u00e1pagos but the most populated due to its tempered terrain (fewer active volcanoes) and substantial infrastructure, including a large airport. The island\u2019s nearly 12,000 locals also enjoy Santa Cruz\u2019s paved roads (the longest in the Gal\u00e1pagos, running north-south across the island) and developed towns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you visit Santa Cruz, you\u2019ll likely spend some time in Puerto Ayora, a port town that serves as a take-off point for most tours and cruises. Puerto Ayora also has a hospital, banks, post office, radio station and airline office, according to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gal\u00e1pagos Conservancy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Plus, it has the most hotel offerings in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning to spend time on Santa Cruz Island, you\u2019ll likely be interested in Bellavista, where visitors can go underground into lava tubes; it is also a good starting point for hikes or horseback rides to the top of the island. Lava tubes can also be explored from Santa Rosa, another small farming town on Santa Cruz. While on Santa Cruz, you can also check out the Charles Darwin Research Station, Las Grieta (The Crevices) and El Mirador, a partially collapsed lava tube. (More on these activities below.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/san-cristobal\/\"><b>San Cristobal Island<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charles Darwin famously came ashore this island in 1835. It\u2019s smaller than Santa Cruz and Isabela islands but contains most of the government infrastructure for the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, including the capital city, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. San Cristobal is known for its fertile grounds, freshwater lake and wildlife viewing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/fernandina\/\"><b>Fernandina Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(the youngest island in the Gal\u00e1pagos), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/santiago\/\"><b>Santiago Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(known for its lava shoreline), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/floreana\/\"><b>Floreana Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(the longest-inhabited island in the Gal\u00e1pagos), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/espanola\/\"><b>Espanola Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(one of the oldest islands, geologically), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/marchena\/\"><b>Marchena Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(which is quite remote and seldom visited), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/santa-fe\/\"><b>Santa Fe Island<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/genovesa\/\"><b>Genovesa Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(known for its red-footed boobies) and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/about_galapagos\/about-galapagos\/the-islands\/baltra\/\"><b>Baltra Island<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(home to an Ecuadorian military base) are also common day trips for tourists visiting the Gal\u00e1pagos. If you plan to take a cruise during your visit to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, you may visit these other islands.<\/span><br \/>\n<a name=\"top-outdoor\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top Outdoor Activities in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, outdoor adventures abound. Please note, an authorized Gal\u00e1pagos Park Naturalist must accompany travelers at all times on the islands, which means you must book your trip with a group outfitter that can handle all of the logistics and details for you. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many outdoor activities to enjoy, but the following make for a great place to start:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Hiking <\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThe Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are quite regulated, so you will need some sort of guide,\u201d says Kelsey Wenger, REI Adventures program manager. \u201cOne of the hikes you can do is to the top of [the Sierra Negra Volcano] on Isabela. It\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Guides may take you to hike on the Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island, which offers gorgeous views of the world\u2019s second largest caldera (according to the Gal\u00e1pagos Conservancy). While visiting the volcano, tourists can also walk on relatively a recent lava flow at Volcan Chico, a fissure of a parasitic cone that erupted 40 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Popular hikes include the Wall of Tears, a three-hour hike on Isabela Island that leads to a historical site built between 1944 and 1959 by prisoners of the now-defunct penal colony. Along the way, the hike winds through lakes filled with flamingos and beaches covered with iguanas and sea lions.<\/p>\n<p>On Floreana Island, a loop trail offers views over a saltwater lagoon, which is home to\u00a0Gal\u00e1pagos flamingos.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Observing Animals<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many places to see rare animals on the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, both in the wild and in conservation centers. If you love turtles, plan to visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.galapagos.org\/conservation\/our-work\/tortoise-restoration\/tortoise-breeding-and-rearing-programs\/\"><b>Giant Tortoise Breeding Center<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on Isabela Island. The center breeds and raises giant tortoises before releasing them into the wild.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_44200\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44200\" class=\"size-article_body wp-image-44200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/gim_02.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"A giant tortoise moves through the grass. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-44200\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Home to the slow-moving Gal\u00e1pagos giant tortoise, the islands are a treasure trove of biodiversity.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The islands\u2019 beaches also make popular destinations for viewing wildlife, including the beach at Tortuga Bay and Garrapatero Beach on Santa Cruz Island. At Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island, you\u2019ll likely get a chance to see sea lions and coastal and migratory birds such as blue-footed boobies and pelicans. On Fernandina Island, head to Punta Espinoza, where marine iguanas and penguins are known to gather.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Kayaking <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sea kayak enthusiasts will enjoy paddling in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands because of the gentle weather patterns and beautiful coastal terrain. Many companies lead multiday sea-kayaking tours from island to island; these trips typically include kayaking through lava channels (which Wenger says is a blast), observing wildlife and spending time on the area\u2019s uninhabited islands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Single-day kayaking tours leave from two places. First, the island of San Cristobal, where you can paddle along the island\u2019s coast, past Carola Beach and into Darwin Bay (where Darwin first began his explorations of the Gal\u00e1pagos). You\u2019re likely to spot sea lions, marine turtles, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds on kayaking trips in this area. Many sea-kayaking trips include snorkeling as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Second, kayaking trips may begin from Santa Cruz Island, where you can paddle through Divine Bay and Punta Estrada. This area contains lava channels, which make the water cool and calm. Here look for sea life such as rays and sharks, as well as many species of birds and iguanas. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scuba diving and snorkeling in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are spectacular experiences because of the copious volcanic activity in the area. According to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon State University volcanologists<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, hydrothermal venting from underwater volcanoes can allow bacteria to coat rocks, which provides an extra food source for shrimp, crabs and barnacles. This hydrothermal venting can also make water temperatures warmer, which allows sea life to grow quickly. Many explorers come to the Gal\u00e1pagos just to dive, and the activity is available year-round.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_44197\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44197\" class=\"wp-image-44197 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/gan_09.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"A seal swims through the tropical Galapagos waters.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-44197\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A seal swims through the tropical Gal<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00e1<\/span>pagos waters.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll probably need a wetsuit from June through December, when the water is a bit colder (around 72 degrees). From January through May, the water is warmer, averaging roughly 76 degrees, according to the Gal\u00e1pagos Conservancy. As is the case on land, a guide is necessary to properly explore the waters around Gal\u00e1pagos. The Gal\u00e1pagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) only grants permission to a select number of tour providers for underwater exploration, so plan to book your trip in advance and make sure your outfitter is authorized to operate before booking. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>For on-land aquatic play, aim to visit Las Grietas, a canyon on Santa Cruz Island filled with crystal clear water and fish. Cerro Brujo Beach on San Cristobal Island is a lovely place to go swimming and snorkeling, and divers will get a chance to see manta rays, turtles, fish and sharks off the coast of Cerro Brujo, too.<br \/>\n<a name=\"how-to\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Plan Your Trip<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to Go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are located on the equator, so there\u2019s really no bad time to visit, Wenger says. \u201cThe same animals are there year-round!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">June through December tends to be cooler and drier, while January through May tends to be warm and wet, according to the Gal\u00e1pagos Conservancy. Peak seasons are from mid-June through early September, and mid-December through mid-January. No matter when you choose to visit, though, it\u2019s never really \u201ctoo cold\u201d to explore the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, with temperatures hovering around 70-85 degrees. January through May brings brighter wildflowers and the animal-watching bonanza of mating season; June through December brings plankton-rich water perfect for scuba diving and bird viewing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get There<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wenger recommends flying from the U.S. to one of mainland Ecuador\u2019s two major airports: \u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quito-airport.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in Quito<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tagsa.aero\/en_aeropuertojjo.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guayaquil<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">;<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> then taking a smaller inter-island flight to Santa Cruz Island the next day. Flights depart daily from both Guayaquil and Quito.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most flights will bring you to San Cristobal or Baltra Island. When you arrive in Ecuador, you\u2019ll need to buy a $20 transit card. When you land in the Gal\u00e1pagos, you\u2019ll be required to pay the National Park Entrance fee ($100 for adults, $50 for children), too, all in cash at the airport. Also note: You\u2019ll need to provide proof of medical insurance to enter the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. Specifically, your coverage should apply to travel outside of your home country. Contact your insurance company to ask for documentation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please note, Quito is at a high altitude (9,350\u2019), which means you may experience some mild altitude sickness symptoms when walking its steep streets and sleeping there overnight, such as headache, insomnia and nausea. (See more details from the CDC about sleeping at high elevations <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/page\/travel-to-high-altitudes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.) <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transportation Between the Islands<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are ferries between the major islands, or you can choose to sleep on a cruise ship, which will ferry you between all of the places you\u2019d like to explore. There are ports on each of the main populated islands where you can catch a high-speed or local ferry, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santa Cruz de la Palma or Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puerto Villamil on Isabela<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ferries usually depart twice daily, according to Gal\u00e1pagos <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/galapagostransfers.com\/boat-schedules-galapagos\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transfers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the travel time is approximately two hours. The main ferry operators are Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express. Public ferries typically cost $25-$35 USD, per person per ride. High-speed ferries vary in cost and are typically more expensive. You can buy tickets through a travel operator or in town at kiosks near the ports.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_44204\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44204\" class=\"wp-image-44204 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/gim_07.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Kayakers paddle next to a rocky coastline. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-44204\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Exploring the Gal\u00e1pagos by paddle is a great way to check out the archipelagos&#8217; overlooked details.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also take an inter-island flight, available daily, between the three main populated islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Money<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the official currency of Ecuador is the U.S. dollar, you can use the American currency on almost every island, according to Wenger. Major credit cards will work in the more touristy areas but, as with most trips, Wenger recommends bringing some cash just in case. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe advise $350 to $400 for meals for eight days,\u201d Wenger says. \u201cEverything is expensive.\u201d Tip: Get your cash before you land in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands\u2014you\u2019ll have to buy a Transit Control Card for $20 and a National Park Entrance Pass for $100 at the airport, and both are cash only.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where to Stay<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two options for accommodations on the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. You can stay at a hotel on one of the three inhabited islands, Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, and take day trips to the other islands by boat each day; or you can stay on a liveaboard cruise boat, which will allow you to travel to the other islands more easily. If you choose to stay in a hotel, it will likely cost less, but be slightly less convenient. On the other hand, cruises can be pricier, but you\u2019ll probably see more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI have done a land visit [staying in hotels] and a cruise which moves between the islands while you sleep,\u201d Harris says. \u201cI loved the cruise\u2014hands down, I saw more of the Gal\u00e1pagos and its fascinating wildlife, both on land [walking and hiking] and by water [panga boat, snorkeling].\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are heavily regulated, there are very few camping options. If possible, you should book your Gal\u00e1pagos accommodations well in advance or as part of a guided tour. You\u2019ll also be required to show proof of your hotel or cruise reservation in the immigration office at the airport. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to Pack<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you plan to fly between the islands at any point (and this includes your flight from Quito to Santa Cruz), Wenger recommends packing light: the inter-island flights have a checked luggage weight restriction of 20 pounds per person, and a carry-on weight restriction of five pounds per person. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should bring a daypack for excursions, big enough to hold a water bottle, a jacket, sunscreen, a camera and some snacks. Ecuador and the U.S. use the same 120 voltage plug socket, so you won\u2019t need a converter.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis area is well known for seafood,\u201d Wenger says. \u201cCorn and rice and beans are also common staple dishes on the islands\u2014and you\u2019re on the equator\u2014so there\u2019s fresh fruit year round.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_44196\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44196\" class=\"size-article_body wp-image-44196\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/Butler_092314_0192.jpg?resize=1024%2C682\" alt=\"A mound of lobsters wait to be sold.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-44196\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hungry? Seafood is par for the course in the Galapagos Islands.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use bottled water, not tap, when on the islands.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Internet Access<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan to be offline for most of your trip. All internet in the Gal\u00e1pagos is satellite-based, so it may be tough to get a signal and you\u2019ll probably have to pay extra for it. Most hotels have telephones.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Useful Phrases<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spanish is the official language on the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. However, English is spoken in most major tourist hubs. Useful Spanish phrases to remember include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Si<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hello: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hola<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Goodbye: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adios<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank you: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gracias<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much?: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cuanto cuesta?<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you have&#8230;?: <i>Tienes usted\u2026?<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, you\u2019ll find a little corner of paradise: The Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. Sea lion pups nip at your fins as you swim through the warm, equatorial waters. Marine life thrives and underground lava tubes and caves abound. On land, you\u2019ll spot rare animal species, and you can even hike [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":44252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[388],"tags":[1692,375,1775,707,1550,1774,1773],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-44187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-diving","tag-ecuador","tag-galapagos","tag-hiking","tag-international","tag-snorkeling","tag-wildlife"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/travel\/galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Gal\u00e1pagos Islands Adventure Travel Guide","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/Butler_092014_0627-e1550874115148.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/Butler_092014_0627-e1550874115148.jpg?fit=2400%2C1160"},"articleSection":"Travel","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Beckindale"}],"creator":["Beckindale"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["diving","ecuador","galapagos","hiking","international","snorkeling","wildlife"],"dateCreated":"2019-02-22T22:00:04Z","datePublished":"2019-02-22T22:00:04Z","dateModified":"2021-04-21T21:17:48Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Gal\\u00e1pagos Islands Adventure Travel Guide\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/galapagos-islands-adventure-travel-guide\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/Butler_092014_0627-e1550874115148.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/Butler_092014_0627-e1550874115148.jpg?fit=2400%2C1160\"},\"articleSection\":\"Travel\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Beckindale\"}],\"creator\":[\"Beckindale\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"diving\",\"ecuador\",\"galapagos\",\"hiking\",\"international\",\"snorkeling\",\"wildlife\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2019-02-22T22:00:04Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-02-22T22:00:04Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-04-21T21:17:48Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/02\/Butler_092014_0627-e1550874115148.jpg?fit=2400%2C1160","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44187"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168764,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44187\/revisions\/168764"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44187"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=44187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}