Visiting the Galapagos Islands, the archipelago that inspired Charles Darwin to develop the theory of evolution, is a truly riveting experience. There are few other places on earth where you can get so close to a vast number of endemic species in their natural habitat. From exploring dramatic, unspoiled landscapes to learning about Charles Darwin’s fascinating discoveries, touring the Galapagos Islands is an adventure that would make any passionate traveler weak in the knees.
Planning a Galapagos vacation can be overwhelming because of the sheer variety of options available. From helping you decide between day trips and cruises to deciphering the categories of boats and uncovering those that offer the best deals, the following info will help you plan an enjoyable Galapagos vacation without breaking the bank.
Which Is Better – Day Trips or Cruises?
One of the factors that hold many travelers back from visiting Ecuador’s Enchanted Islands is cost. A cruise package can cost upwards of a several thousand dollars per person, depending on the class to which the boat belongs.
In order to save money, some budget-minded travelers fly to the Galapagos Islands, stay in a hotel, and book day trips. Although this option will cost you less, you won’t see and experience nearly as much as you would on a cruise. The cruises take you to areas off of the beaten path, such as uninhabited islands that are far removed from the main ports.
If your hope is to do as much wildlife watching as possible during your Galapagos vacation, then taking a cruise is the best choice. If just the thought of having to stay on a boat for several days makes you seasick, however, then staying on land and booking day trips may be a viable alternative. Just bear in mind that seasickness can usually be controlled with over-the-counter motion sickness medication.
Why Tourist and Tourist Superior Boats Should Be Avoided
There is no official classification system for ships in the Galapagos, so the information you’ll find about boat categories will vary somewhat. Roughly, the boat categories in the Galapagos Islands are tourist, tourist superior, first class, deluxe, and luxury.
Boats in the tourist and tourist superior category should generally be avoided. Tourist and tourist superior boats lack creature comforts and tend to be very cramped. Naturally, on a Galapagos cruise, you will spend most of your time on board, and spending time on a crummy boat will make for a crummy vacation.
Tourist class boats are always on the older side, so it’s more likely that they’ll deal with mechanical problems, have rat infestations, or in the worst case scenario, be prone to sinking. Furthermore, the quality of the naturalist guides is far lower on tourist and tourist superior boats. Most of them do not speak English very well and have little scientific knowledge. Having a knowledgeable, bilingual naturalist guide on your Galapagos boat can make all the difference in your Galapagos experience.
First class boats have larger cabins and generally include air conditioning. You can also choose between different bed types, such as bunk, twin, and double beds. First class boats are usually the best choice for budget travelers.
Some travelers may even be able to stomach a tourist superior boat, but just think – you’re going to be stuck on the boat for six to ten days, so you’ll probably want to choose a boat that’s relatively comfortable and safe. You’ll also be eating the food served on the boat for several days, so it’s worthwhile to find a boat that serves decent meals.
Why You Should Book the Best Cruise You Can Afford
As with anything else, you get what you pay for on a Galapagos cruise. Book a cruise with the best cruise you can afford so your Galapagos dream vacation doesn’t become an utter nightmare.
Luxury boats are the cream of the crop when it comes to Galapagos cruises. Luxury boats offer the most amenities and have spacious cabins and excellent cuisine. The bilingual natural guides on board luxury boats tend to be the most knowledgeable.
The price for a cruise can range anywhere from $120 per night, per person to $1000 per night, per person. These prices do not include the tips for the crew and guide.
Are Large Boats Better Than Small Boats?
You can choose from large cruise ships, small yachts, and anything in between when booking a cruise to the Galapagos. Ultimately, the choice between large boats and small boats boils down to personal preference.
Large cruise ships typically offer more amenities than the smaller boats, and they also have more activities planned. Because they are high powered, the larger ships are able to go to areas that are farther off the beaten path, such as the west side of Isabela Island.
On the other hand, small boats are more cramped and it’s easier to get seasick on them because they are more sensitive to the conditions of the ocean. The advantages of riding a smaller boat, however, are that they are more intimate, you can get to know your fellow passengers better, and the schedule is more flexible. In contrast, the schedules on larger boats are more rigid.
The Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
The peak travel season in the Galapagos runs from mid-June to early September and mid-December to mid-January. Avoid the peak travel season if you want to take advantage of last minute travel deals and other attractive bargains.
The Galapagos Islands have an abundance of wildlife and mild weather year round, so they can be visited at any time of the year. Just bear in mind that December through May is the rainy season. In addition, from June to November, the water and weather are colder because of the Humboldt Current. Scuba divers consider this period to be the best season for diving because of the wide variety of marine life that can be seen underwater.
September is a great time for budget travelers to take a Galapagos cruise because many of the boats offer discounts, such as a cruise package for two people for the price of one. Just keep in mind that the seas are at their roughest in September.
Have you ever been to the Galapagos Islands? If you have any tips that could help your fellow travelers plan a fun and affordable Galapagos vacation, please share them in the comments!
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