How to Travel the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands feature giant tortoises.

Animals unafraid of humans have evolved independently of continental cousins on the volcanic islands of the Galapagos 600 miles west of Ecuador. Giant tortoises and marine iguanas here are found nowhere else in the world. Declared a protected World Heritage Site in 1978, the islands are primarily dedicated as a national park surrounded for 15 miles by a marine reserve. The Galapagos allows you to see nature up close.

Things You'll Need

• Weather appropriate clothing
• U.S. dollars
• Camera
• Approved guides list
• Garbage bags for personal trash

Instructions

1. Bring appropriate clothing. Between June and December is the weather is cool and dry. Between December and June, the climate is warm and rainy.

2. Fly into Isla Baltra, home of the main airport, where visitors are transported to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, the Galapagos' tourist hub. Continue on a cruise ship or stay on one of the larger islands and then take the ferry or private charters to visit the smaller, less-populated islands.

3. Explore accompanied by a certified guide, taking only photographs and videos and nothing from the environment. Stay on designated paths, not touching or feeding the animals. Refraining from smoking, setting fires or littering.

4. Explore islands based on your interests. For snorkeling and scuba diving, try Darwin, Wolf, Floreana, Duncan and Marcheana, and for observing wildlife such as the rare Darwin finches, hawks, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, doves and sea birds, visit Isabela, Fernandina, Genovesa and Seymour.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your mask, snorkel and weight belts for snorkeling or diving as some dive operators may require you to bring these items.

• Use an authorized naturalist guide. The National Park trains specific individuals to be its guides. No other guides are allowed. Guides must carry up-to date-licenses.

• Check the current list of the Marine Reserve Guides of Galapagos with the national park before engaging a dive operator.

References

• Ecuador Tourist Board: The Galapagos Islands - Ecological Reserve
• Dirrecion del Parque Nacional Galapagos: Rules for Vistors of the Galapagos National Park Protected Areas

Resources

• Dirrecion del Parque Nacional Galapagos: Directory of Naturalist Guides
• Dirrecion del Parque Nacional Galapagos: Visitor Sites Guide
• The Weather Channel: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
• Dirrecion del Parque Nacional Galapagos: Marine Reserve Guides of Galapagos