Your perspective on the world might change after seeing the Galapagos Islands. The fragile environment of this remote cluster of volcanic islands has almost mythological importance as a showcase of biodiversity. Nevertheless, you do not need to be an expert in evolutionary biology or ornithology to enjoy the beauty of these islands.
The Galapagos Islands are among the safest places on earth. In 1959, the islands were designated a National Park to protect the archipelago. The Galapagos Islands began to experience consistent tourism in 1969. This finally meant that procedures and guidelines needed to be put in place and enhanced so that visitors could experience the Galapagos Islands with an unmatched level of safety.
Visiting the Galapagos Islands might be the best travel decision you have ever made. Below are some tips to help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Choose a Month Suitable For You
The Galapagos Islands are a year-round tourism and cruise destination. Irrespective of the time of the year you visit, there is always a fun activity to do. However, most people believe that December through May is ideal for a Galapagos Islands tour.
This is because these months fall within the warm season, where the ocean is clear and warm, making it ideal for diving and snorkeling.
On the other hand, the cool season begins in June and runs all through November. This is usually a perfect time for hiking and enjoying the views of marine life.
Also, if you want to avoid crowds, it’s best you visit during the off-peak periods – early December, early January, and September.
Connect to a Galapagos Tour Cruise
Your safety is guaranteed when you travel with an organized tour group. You can be assured of the best experience with experts on Galapagos tours. Besides, you can learn about many exciting places and creatures in the company of registered tour guides.
Do you want to see the wildlife only on one island, or would you like to explore the fauna of several islands at a time? You should take a cruise if you want to discover a variety of animals on several islands in one go (ideally 8-days or more).
You Can Plan With Your Family
The Galapagos Islands may be the world’s best family vacation spot for nature lovers. Families will love boat excursions, wandering along beaches, and swimming in the ocean while seeing animals. They can safely approach a variety of wild animal species on their trip, which makes it ideal for children of all ages, too.
Some cruise lines provide family excursions where groups of families with children of similar ages are placed together to make the vacation more fun for everyone.
Plan a Trip of At Least 8-15 Days
Getting to the Galapagos Islands requires time and money. Therefore you should be very careful about managing your budget and time spent off the actual tour. The minimum number of days you should schedule is at least five, but to explore the islands fully, you will need at least 8 to 15 days.
Save the Galapagos for a future trip when you have more time if you don’t have that much time now but wish to explore it well.
If you only want to cross the Galapagos off your bucket list and are not interested in seeing it thoroughly, allow four days. If you have little time but want a meaningful trip, allow 5 to 6 days. However, if you’re going to make the most of your vacation and genuinely get to know the Galapagos, plan 9 to 15 days.
Galapagos National Park regulations limit the times each boat can visit a specific destination to once every two weeks. Due to this, seeing all of the islands’ beautiful sites would require a vacation of at least two weeks.
Have a Budget
A trip to Galapagos can be as expensive or affordable as you want it to be. This is why it is very important to have a budget that must be strictly adhered to, as you don’t want to spend all your life savings on a single tour.
Depending on your budget, you can choose to tour the Island by land or on a private cruise.
You also want to put into cognizance your flight fees, entrance fees, accommodation, and feeding costs.
Choose an Itinerary That Visits Unique Sites
With this, you can:
- Visit more islands and observe a greater variety of wildlife.
- Go to more isolated locations and see more wildlife in its natural habitat.
- Select a route that stops at notable locations.
While it is true that specific itineraries are better than others, we advise choosing an itinerary that includes one or two unique locations. Pick a route that takes you to some more distant locations, such as Genovesa, Fernandina, or Espaola, rather than merely the more crowded islands.
Plan Your Journey
To plan your next tour, ensure to do the following:
- Before making any further reservations, decide on a Galapagos tour.
- Choose whether you want to extend your stay in the islands so you may go diving, relax, or explore other islands.
- Next, reserve the other sections of your trip, including accommodation and transportation, such as visiting the Amazon, exploring the Otavalo Market, or simply spending time in Quito.
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months; if it isn’t, have it reissued immediately.
- Book international travel ticket
- Include any extra services or travel segments you still need to reserve.
- Obtain travel insurance
Unwind and Prepare Yourself for a Fantastic Journey
Do more research on where you’re going, and get everything ready. You might want to consider a mini camera to capture the beautiful moments you will experience.
Looking for some places you to visit on a low budget? Check this Europe on a low budget!
I hope so you enjoy our article, do check out more of our amazing articles.
