Travel guide · 124 guides

Galápagos travel guide

Islands, wildlife, the best months, cruises and costs, written from Ecuador by the team that books the cruises. Every guide links to live dates and prices.

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Galápagos Islands

Plan your trip: fees, flights, packing, budgets.

Planning

Galápagos Travel Guide: Everything to Plan Your TripHow to Get to Galápagos: Flights, Airlines and FaresGalápagos Entry Fee and TCT Card: Costs and Where to PayGalápagos National Park Rules: The 17 Official Visitor RulesHow Many Days in Galápagos? (5 vs 7 Days)Galápagos Trip Cost: What a Trip Really Costs per PersonGalápagos Packing List (By Season, Checked by Locals)Baltra vs San Cristóbal Airport: Which to Fly IntoGalápagos Ferries: Routes, Schedules, Fares and TipsGalápagos FAQ: 26 Questions Answered by a Local OperatorWhat to Eat in Galápagos: Brujo, Lobster, Ceviche and MoreIs Galápagos Safe? What You Actually Need to Worry AboutSeasickness in Galápagos: Rough Months, Calm Boats, RemediesTipping in Galápagos and Ecuador: Who, When and How MuchMoney in Galápagos: Currency, ATMs, Cards and How Much CashInternet and WiFi in Galápagos: What to Really ExpectTravel Insurance for Galápagos: What Your Policy NeedsGalápagos with Kids: What Works at Every AgeGalápagos for Seniors: Pacing, Access and ComfortGalápagos Honeymoon Guide: Cruises, Hotels, a Mindo Finish10 First-Timer Mistakes in Galápagos (and How to Avoid Them)Responsible Tourism in Galápagos: Rules and Habits That HelpGalápagos Entry Requirements: Passport, TCT and Park Fee

Island-by-island visitor guides.

Islands

Getting Your Bearings in Galápagos: Islands and DistancesSanta Cruz Island: Puerto Ayora, Tortoises and Tortuga BaySan Cristóbal Island Guide: Kicker Rock, Town and WildlifeIsabela Island Guide: Volcanoes, Penguins, Los Túneles, WestFloreana Island: Post Office Bay, Devil's Crown and HistoryEspañola Island: Waved Albatross, Punta Suárez, Gardner BayFernandina Island, Galápagos: The Youngest, Wildest IslandSantiago Island Guide: Puerto Egas, Sullivan Bay, Fur SealsBartolomé Island: The Most Photographed View in GalápagosGenovesa Island: The Bird Island, Darwin Bay, El BarrancoSanta Fe Island: The Oldest Island and Its Own IguanaNorth Seymour Island Guide: Boobies, Frigatebirds, Day TripsSouth Plaza Island: Red Carpet Flora and Hybrid IguanasRabida Island, Galápagos: Red Sand and Salt LagoonsChinese Hat Island: A Perfect Cone and a Sheltered ChannelDaphne Major Island: The Finch Study and Why You Can't LandMosquera Islet, Galápagos: A Sandbar with a Sea Lion ProblemDarwin and Wolf Islands: The Dive-Only Galápagos IslandsMarchena, Pinta and the Islands Tourism Never ReachesLos Gemelos and the Santa Cruz Lava Tunnels: Highlands GuideLas Grietas and Playa de los Perros: Puerto Ayora's Swim Day

Weather, wildlife and crowds every month.

Month by Month

Best Time to Visit Galápagos (Seasons, Wildlife, Prices)Galápagos Crowds by Month: When the Islands Feel FullGalápagos in January: Warm Seas, Turtle Nesting, Calm WaterGalápagos in February: Warm Peak, Rain, Green TurtlesGalápagos in March: Warming Up, Marine Iguanas NestingGalápagos in April: Last Warm Month, Albatross ArriveGalápagos in May: Booby Courtship and the Transition SeasonGalápagos in June: Garúa Season Starts, Cooler and DrierGalápagos in July: Cold, Dry, and Full of WhalesGalápagos in August: Coolest Month, Sea Lion PupsGalápagos in September: Quietest Month, Penguins CourtingGalápagos in October: Garúa Lifts, Diving ImprovesGalápagos in November: Warm Returns, Sea Lion Pups SwimGalápagos in December: Warm Season Returns, Christmas Crowds

Every animal, where and when to see it.

Wildlife

Galápagos Giant Tortoise: Where to See Them in the WildGalápagos Marine Iguana: The Only Sea-Going Lizard on EarthGalápagos Land Iguana: Where to See Them and the Pink CousinPink Land Iguana: The Rarest Iguana in the WorldGalápagos Lava Lizard: The Little Reptile on Every TrailGalápagos Penguin: The Only Penguin North of the EquatorFlightless Cormorant: The Bird That Traded Wings for WaterDarwin's Finches: 13 Species That Changed ScienceGalápagos Hawk: The Top Predator on the IslandsGalápagos Mockingbird: The Endemic Songbird of the Arid ZoneGalápagos Dove: The Endemic Ground BirdGalápagos Racer Snake: Harmless, Fast and Hard to SeeGalápagos Fur Seal: The Smallest Fur Seal on EarthBlue-footed Booby: The Iconic Bird of GalápagosRed-footed Booby: The Tree-Nesting Booby of GenovesaNazca Booby: The Masked Booby of the CliffsWaved Albatross: The Galápagos Giant of the SkyFrigatebirds: The Pirates of the Galápagos SkyGalápagos Sea Lion: The Playful Locals of Every BeachGreen Sea Turtle: The Nesting Giant of Galápagos BeachesHammerhead Shark: The Scalloped Icon of Galápagos DivingWhale Shark in Galápagos: The Largest Fish in the OceanGalápagos Sharks: Whitetip, Blacktip, Galápagos and TigerRays of Galápagos (Manta, Eagle, Mobula)Dolphins and Whales of Galápagos: Where and When to See ThemGalápagos Birds: The Complete Guide (Land, Sea and Coastal)Galápagos Wildlife Calendar: What to See Month by Month

Snorkeling, diving, hiking and more.

Activities

Snorkeling in Galápagos: Best Sites, Seasons and PricesDiving in Galápagos: Day Trips vs LiveaboardsKayaking and Paddleboarding in Galápagos: Where and HowSurfing in Galápagos: Breaks, Boards and RulesHiking in Galápagos: Trails, Volcanoes and Park RulesGalápagos Photography Guide: Gear, Settings and EthicsBirdwatching in Galápagos: A 7-Day ItineraryGalápagos by Bike: Routes on the Three Inhabited Islands

Iconic visitor sites and the three towns.

Sites & Towns

Puerto Ayora Guide: Base Camp of the GalápagosPuerto Baquerizo Moreno Guide: San Cristóbal's Capital TownPuerto Villamil Guide: Sand Streets on IsabelaTortuga Bay, Santa Cruz: Trail, Beaches, Hours and TipsLos Túneles, Isabela: Tour Price, Wildlife and How to BookKicker Rock: The Sleeping Lion of San CristóbalEl Chato Tortoise Reserve: Wild Giant Tortoises, Santa CruzPost Office Bay, Floreana: Mail That Travels by TravellerGarrapatero Beach: Santa Cruz's Quiet Stretch of SandLas Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz: Turtles, Flamingos and BaltraConcha de Perla: The Free Swim That Surprises PeopleCharles Darwin Research Station: Visiting Guide and Hours

Choosing boats, routes and land tours.

Cruises & Tours

Galápagos Cruise vs Land-Based: Which Is Right for You?Catamarans vs Monohulls in Galápagos: Which Hull to BookSmall vs Large Ships in Galápagos: What the Park Rules MeanComplimentary Mindo Nights With Your Galápagos CruiseHow to Choose a Galápagos Cruise: Class, Route, LengthLast-Minute Galápagos Cruises: How the Deals Really WorkGalápagos Cruise Costs Explained: Fares, Fees and ExtrasLuxury Galápagos Cruises: What the Money Buys, With FaresBudget Galápagos Cruises: Real Prices, What You Give UpLand-Based Galápagos Tours: Island Hopping Day by DayGalápagos Cruise Itineraries Explained: Routes and Islands

Day-by-day plans, including Galápagos + Mindo.

Itineraries

7-Day Galápagos Itinerary: Land-Based or With a Cruise Leg5 Days in Galápagos Without a Cruise: Land-Based ItineraryGalápagos vs the Ecuadorian Amazon: Which Deserves the Trip?Family Itinerary for Galápagos: 8 Days Built Around KidsEcuador Honeymoon Itinerary: Galápagos First, Mindo LastGalápagos on a Budget: The Day-by-Day Cheap ItineraryQuito and Mindo Before Your Galápagos Cruise: A 3-Day PlanCombining Galápagos and Mindo: 10, 12 and 14-Day Itineraries