Copyright unsplash
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of about 19 volcanic islands and many smaller islets sprinkled 620 miles off of Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. Mostly uninhabited, only 5 of the 19 islands of the Galápagos are inhabited. It is a bucket-list worthy destination for any traveler. The islands are well known for their unique landscapes and rich wildlife. You will have the chance to see giant tortoises, penguins, marine iguanas, albatrosses and so much more. There is so much to do and see around the islands like, such as wildlife watching, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, surfing and much more. For more information read our blog: https://fencelesstravel.com/backpack-traveling-in-ecuador-galapagos/
To visit, the majority of the islands will require that you hire a guide licensed within the Galapagos National Park. You can book day trips to some of the islands from the main touristic hub of Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz. You can also book small cruises, as well as land-based hiking trips, eco-hotels and diving excursions.
The best way to get to Las Grietas is via water taxi from the main port on the Santa Cruz
From the city of Guayaquil, you can take the bus to Montanita, which takes around 3 hours and costs approximately
Mindo is located only 2 hours northwest of Quito, and is easily accessible by bus or car. There are direct
A community based on sharing tips and experiences on the different destinations of the world.
3 Responses
One of my best trip ever!!! I recommend San Cristobal Island and Isabella (much more wildlife and different species on these islands). It is about 2 hours by speedboat to get from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz and then another 2 hours to get from Santa Cruz to Isabella, tickets are about 25 US$ and boat run twice a day, early in the morning and late in the afternoon (in September 2021). Islands are pretty small so you can do many things by foot.
To get to the Galapagos, you have to take a plane from Guayaquil; there are some entrance restriction, such as a proof of a return ticket, accommodation booking proof, proof of double vaccination against Covid-19 and proof of negative PCR test less than 72 hours before the flight and then you have to pay 25US$. There are some other entrance fees once you get out of the plane; price depends on which country you are from (for Canadians, it was 100US$ cash per person; there is no ATM at the airport).