If you travel to Ecuador, visit the Galápagos Islands too. Take a cruise between the islands or stay in a hotel, before or after your mainland trip.
“The natural history of these islands is very special. Galápagos seems like a little world unto itself.”Charles Darwin
The islands are known for the fearlessness of the animals towards people: you snorkel with penguins and sea lions, see 200-kilo tortoises wading through cactus forests and watch blue-footed boobies and frigate birds up close.
Ecuadorian governments have always worked to preserve the fragile ecological balance of the islands. Galápagos has been a National Park since 1959. Since 1981 the islands have been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the surrounding ocean is a marine reserve.
Most people visit the Galápagos Islands from a small cruise ship. About 80 ships sail fixed routes between the islands, in different types and luxury classes. We help you choose between catamarans, sailing ships, large and small ships.
See the cruise ships →
You can also visit the islands staying in hotels. There are 4 inhabited islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela and Floreana, with hotels in different classes.
See the hotels →
These volcanic islands were never connected to the mainland. Yet animals and plants found their way here and evolved differently from their continental ancestors. Because large mammals never came ashore, reptiles became dominant. The islands were uninhabited until 1535: the animals still have very little fear of humans.
See all the islands →The climate and the best time to travel, access to the National Park, the quality of the guides and the flights from the mainland to the islands.
Galápagos practical info →Ships, routes, hotels per island and practical info on explore-galapagos.com.
