It’s never a bad time to travel to Galapagos. The geographical position of the islands on the Equator makes the country visitable all year round. However, the weather can change significantly in various months. Before packing your bags and landing on these marvelous islands, there are a couple of things you need to know and consider.
From budgets, to itineraries, to the best island for your particular niche, we want to help and guide you in the planning process, so we’ve put together a list of tips you need to know to plan the perfect getaway.
Determine the Budget
If you are traveling on a budget, it’s important to consider all options. There are deals and packages for different prices and amenities. The Galapagos trip cost will determine a lot of your preferences, with areas where you can save and also where you might want to splurge. If you go on a cruise, budget boats offer casual settings and smaller cabins, however, you’ll still experience the full Galapagos trip!
Determine the Season for Traveling
Having a good idea of the weather conditions before arriving at the Galapagos can help you determine when to visit it. The rainy season starts in December and lasts until May. The precipitation has increased and you can expect to see green scenery in the highland areas. In this season you can snorkel more comfortably since the water is warmer, but the sea life is reduced.
On the other hand, the “garua” season, commonly known as the dry season, starts in June and lasts until November. It features sunny days with dry air and increased water temperature. This would probably be the best time of the year to witness the rich wildlife and sea life.
Think About the What, How, and Why?
This step in planning your trip to Galapagos will help you with the stressful situation of having to deal with all of the logistics. First of all, you need to determine what you want to see on the trip. The Galapagos archipelago consists of 13 major and 6 minor islands, stretching over a 17,000 square miles area, rich in wildlife and biodiversity.
So…you need to keep in mind what you would like to see there. Is it going to be the wildlife? Are you going for the watersports? Or to learn more about the scientific side of the islands?
Next, you need to ask yourself how would you like the entire experience to flow. Would you like to stay in an expedition hotel and explore the islands or prefer a shore excursion and visit as much as you can?
Lastly, determine how many days you want to stay in Galapagos. It’s relevant when booking your trip and planning your vacation so you can coordinate your personal and professional life.
Choose The Method of Transport
It’s all fun and games until the time for scheduling your trip and buying the tickets comes. Until then, it all might seem like a distant dream that might not even happen. When planning your Galapagos trip, you need to determine the crucial question of how you will travel there? Is it going to be a cruise or a flight?
Each of these has its advantages and cons, however, as long as you have a clear idea of how you want to spend your vacation, either way, is fine. If you decide to go with the cruise, look at your options as the itinerary of each can vary. Cruises tend to travel for more days and need to stick to a certain schedule.
In case you opt for a flight, you might still need boat transport to the islands and some of them are only reachable via a small ship.
Learn More About the Surroundings
The Galapagos archipelago is a large area of scattered islands, so you’ll need to familiarize yourself with those you can visit. You can arrange day trips or tours around the islands, reach remote locations and visit untouched-by-human places or visit the most populated islands.
Among the most popular islands on the archipelago are San Cristobal, Isabela – the largest island, Bartolome, Santa Cruz, etc. To enjoy the Galapagos trip properly, we’d recommend exploring the area via boat.
Walking on the islands, you can see a lot of wildlife. Among the endemic species living on these islands are:
- 3 species of land iguanas
- 13 species of finches, known as Darwin’s finches
- The cormorant that can’t fly
- A mockingbird
- The small Galapagos penguin
- The marine iguana
- 11 subspecies of giant tortoises
Not Convinced Yet?
If you are not convinced, what is stopping you from preparing for a perfect Galapagos trip. And if you feel like this article might help some of your friends or relatives who plan on visiting the islands shortly, feel free to share it with them as well!
