Travel to the Galapagos Islands: Easier Than You Think

Many people dream of visiting the Galapagos Islands. Remote and untouched, shrouded in mystery, they are frequently on people’s bucket list of places to visit.

But people assume the Galapagos are difficult to reach, prohibitively expensive, or only accessible by cruise ship. Fortunately, none of those assumptions are true.

The Galapagos Islands are surprisingly easy to visit year round with both cruise and land based options that suit a variety of budgets and travel styles.

Why Travel to the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are one of the world's most remarkable wildlife destinations.

Most people associate the islands with Charles Darwin and his observations that contributed to the theory of evolution. Today, visitors can see many of the same unique species in their natural habitat, without fences or barriers separating them from the landscape.

Beyond their scientific significance, the islands offer:

· Incredible wildlife viewing

· World-class diving and snorkeling

· Beautiful volcanic landscapes

· Stunning beaches

· Fresh local cuisine

· Fewer crowds than many tropical destinations

Because wildlife has been protected for generations, many animals show little fear of humans, making observation opportunities truly exceptional.

How to Get to the Galapagos Islands

The Island of Baltra houses the Galapagos airport. It is not an international airport, so all flights come from either Quito or Guayaquil where people complete Ecuadorian customs before proceeding on to the Islands.

I always recommended arriving in Ecuador a day or two before your Galapagos flight. This provides a cushion against travel delays and gives you time to relax before your adventure begins.

Cruises mainly depart from Baltra but there are a few that leave from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal. Travelers choosing a land-based itinerary typically take a short bus ride followed by a ferry transfer to Santa Cruz Island, providing an exciting introduction to island life.

Land Trips vs Galapagos Cruises

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to explore the Galapagos by land or by cruise.

Four of the 13 major Galapagos Islands are inhabited by people, while many others can be visited on guided excursions. Regardless of how you travel, you’ll have opportunities to experience the islands’ incredible wildlife while respecting National Park regulations requiring visitors to stay at least two metres away from animals.

Choose a Land-Based Trip If You Want:

· Greater flexibility

· More time in local communities

· A wider range of accommodation options

· Lower overall costs

· More independent exploration

Choose a Cruise if You Want:

· Access to remote islands

· An all-inclusive experience

· More extensive wildlife itineraries

· To unpack once

Neither option is better. The right choice depends on your travel style, budget and interests.

Wildlife of the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their extraordinary biodiversity. Some of the species you may encounter include:

· Galapagos Giant Tortoises

· Land Iguanas

· Marine Iguanas

· Lava Lizards

· Galapagos Sea Lions

· Darwin’s Finches

· Blue Footed Boobies

· Giant Frigate Birds

The waters around the Galapagos are also home to countless varieties of sharks, manta and sting rays, crabs, dolphins and even penguins!

Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands

Being close to the equator, every day in the Galapagos has about 12 hours of daylight with sunrise and sunset around 6:00 each day. The temperature also does not vary greatly, usually between 21 C and 31 C depending on the time of year.

There are two main seasons, the rainy season and the dry season.

Rainy Season: From December to June

· Warmer temperatures

· Lush green landscapes

· Clear water

· Excellent wildlife activity on land

Dry Season: from July to December

· Cooler air and water temperatures

· Increased marine life activity

· Excellent diving opportunities

· Less humidity

The best time to visit depends entirely on what you hope to see and do.

My Galapagos Adventure

My husband and I love exploring unusual and out of the way destinations, so the Galapagos was perfect.

We travelled at the end of February/beginning of March. We wanted to really experience the wildlife and culture of the area, and budget was a concern for us, so we chose a land-based adventure, and it proved to be exactly what we were looking for.

Our adventure began in Quito. We arrived one day before our flight to the Galapagos. I like to do this both as an insurance policy, making sure I get to my final destination in time for my trip to start, and to have a day to relax after travelling. During our free day we went to Guayaquil taking in the beautiful scenery, viewing interesting wildlife and plants along the way and adjusting from the chill of February on Vancouver Island to the heat of Ecuador.

First Impressions of the Galapagos

The moment we stepped off the plane, the heat and humidity took our breath away.

After a bus ride and water crossing to Santa Cruz Island, we stopped for lunch at an open air restaurant. Looking across the street to the beach, we immediately saw marine iguanas basking in the sun and seals playing in the water.

That first wildlife encounter set the tone for the rest of the trip. Every day brought another unforgettable experience.

Santa Cruz Island

Highlights:

· El Garrapatero beach

· Lava Tunnels

· Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortoise Breeding Centre

· Waterfront wildlife viewing

We stayed on Santa Cruz for the first four days. Each day we were met at our hotel and taken to a different location on Santa Cruz or off to a nearby island. We would return each evening and have time on our own to stroll along the beach, browse nearby shops, and have dinner in a local restaurant.

One of the most entertaining parts of the Island was simply walking along the waterfront. At night time, strolling on the dock we regularly spotted golden rays, black tip reef sharks, blue crabs and fish galore. The sea lions seem to know that they are in charge. They would claim benches for napping on, forcing visitors to relocate.

Early in the morning, the catch would be cleaned on shore to the delight of pelicans and other shore birds waiting for the cast offs. I had never seen so many pelicans all in one place!

El Garrapatero offered beautiful white sandy beach, nesting sea turtles and a freshwater lagoon where flamingos, herons, stilts and other shore birds gathered.

North Seymour Island

North Seymour was one of the most surprising destinations of our trip.

We witnessed the impressive red throat pouches of the many frigate birds nesting in the area. This was also our first glimpses of the spectacular blue-footed boobies who were doing courtship dances.

Just off shore protected coves provided a safe nursery for young sea lions learning to swim and play, gaining skills they would need to survive on their own.

Isabella Island

Highlights:

· Flamingos Lake

· Wall of Tears

· Sierra Negro Volcano

The journey to Isabella Island was an adventure in itself, involving a high speed boat ride across choppy seas. Thankfully, focusing on the horizon helped me avoid needing one of the seasickness bags handed out by the crew!

Isabella was covered in nesting marine iguanas. The enormous beach had areas fenced off so that no one inadvertently stepped on an iguana nest.

Flamingos Lake was another highlight where dozens of flamingos gathered in shallow waters, their brilliant pink feathers reflecting in the sun.

We also visited the Wall of Tears, a reminder of the island’s history as a penal colony. The massive structure was built by prisoners between 1945 and 1959 under extremely difficult conditions. Locals claim to hear cries emanating from the heavy energy surrounding the site.

For those who enjoy hiking, the Sierra Negra Volcano offers breathtaking views from the largest basaltic caldera in the Galapagos.

Final Thoughts

The Galapagos Islands exceeded every expectation.

Choosing a land based itinerary allowed us to connect not only with the wildlife, but also with the local communities, culture and cuisine. Every day brought something new, whether it was a rare bird sighting, a marine iguana crossing the path, or a sea lion commandeering a public bench.

If the Galapagos Islands are on your travel bucket list, they are much easier to visit than most people realize, and the experience is truly unforgettable.

Ready to start planning your own Galapagos adventure? Contact me to discuss the best Galapagos itinerary for your travel style, budget and interests.

Let’s make your next adventure easy. Reach out anytime — I’m here to help you plan with confidence.

talitha@solderastravel.ca