What tourists remember most about their trips are the places they’ve visited, the memories they created, and how they felt while traveling to a particular country. And the Galapagos can deliver all of it! The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most fantastic tourist attractions that you can explore on a multi-day cruise or book an island-hopping tour.
These islands are excellent destinations with so many stunning places to visit, incredible wildlife to observe, and mountain peaks to climb. Four of the major islands are uninhabited, so you can witness some of the most beautiful panoramic views if you decide to visit them.
Here, we’ll guide you through the Galapagos itinerary and mention a few things to consider before preparing for the trip.
This post is part of our family travel advice series
Plan Your Itinerary
When preparing for trips to Galapagos Islands, it’s crucial to plan responsibly and learn about the archipelagos’ preserved ecosystems. This way, you can choose a ship or a cruise with an eco-certificate and avoid packing plastic bottles or containers. You can either carry aluminum bottles or biodegradable packages for your food or refill the existing ones.
Make sure to keep a proper distance from the animals because getting too close to them might be dangerous for you and those around you.
The next thing to consider is whether you’ll take a cruise or a boat tour to Galapagos. If you book a cruise, you’ll be sleeping, relaxing, and dining on the ship while traveling to remote islands and participating in different activities like snorkeling.
If you go with the boat tour option, you can stay at a hotel or in a resort and book various island-hopping tours to explore and marvel at the breathtaking sites. Then, you can decide the number of days you’ll be staying and plan your itinerary based on your preferences and availability.
Here are some essentials to consider when booking a certain type of cruise.
Naturalist Cruises
You can have many activities on a naturalist cruise, think snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, whale watching, learning to sail, seeing volcanoes and lava fields, and going panga riding. Naturalist cruises do not incorporate diving permits on board, so if you want to take on these extra activities, make sure you book a couple of extra days on the islands.
Diving Cruises
Diving cruises are an out-of-this-world experience. They offer the opportunity to dive into various locations and meet all kinds of sea life. Sites where you can dive include:
- The Wolf and Darwin Islands – considered the best sites for diving in the world;
- Diving with manta rays and dolphins on Marchena or Fernandina Islands; and
- Swimming with the majestic whale sharks on remote islands like Darwin and Wolf.
Visit A Lot Of Places!
It’s hard to decide which places to visit with so many at your disposal. When planning your trip, keep in mind that there are many tours available, from kayaking, biking trips, or land-based tours. Compare all of the options and explore the deals so you can decide where to go.
Our recommendation is to visit as much as you can, of course, if your budget allows that. Additionally, if you want to see the remote islands, the best option is to take an island-hopping tour since you can visit the remote corners where larger cruises don’t usually sail there.
Some of the attractions you can visit are Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island, where you can kayak or snorkel around the bay, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, learn about the theory of evolution, walk to the Wall of Tears on Isabela island, etc.
You Must Visit The Fish Market
The fish market is a must-see. It’s located in the center of Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz, and it represents the pure image of the Galapagos islands and their fish hustles. You’ll see all kinds of yellow-thin tunas, red snappers, scorpionfish, groupers, or camotillo fish, and occasionally take the chance to enjoy a traditional fish dish.
Stay Safe
Another thing to consider when going to Galapagos is to stay safe. Sometimes we can forget how strong the sun rays can be, and since you’ll be spending most of your time exposed to the sun, it’s important to use sun cream.
Furthermore, avoid swimming in areas that are prohibited or restricted for tourists, always follow your guide’s instructions and ask for further recommendations about specific sites. If you want to have an unforgettable experience in Galapagos, you must stay safe at all times!
Pack Your Bags!
It’s time to pack your bags and embark on the luxury family adventure of your life! It’s important to consider all of the tips above and do your due diligence regarding certain terms and conditions when travelling to remote and exotic locations.
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