It is best to book a cruise on Galapagos as long in advance as possible: some ships are in high demand and the best cabins on a ship leave first. If you want to book a cruise, send us the following information:

• with how many people do you travel and how old are they
• what are the planned dates (or period) of your trip
• the desired duration of the cruise: how many days can your cruise last
• do you have a preference for a certain type of ship; do you want a large or a small ship, a catamaran, a sailing ship
• do you want a ship from the luxury class, from the first class, the superior class or tourist class
• do you have any special requirements regarding fauna and flora?
• do you have special requirements in terms of activities (snorkeling, diving, …)
• do you want to extend your stay with a few days hotel in Galapagos
• You pair a visit to Galapagos with a visit to the mainland

We then check the availability of the ship or ships of your choice and make a tailor-made program around it. A few days after your request, we will send you a fully detailed travel proposal.

When to visit?

As with most holiday destinations, the busiest season in Galapagos is also July, August and the Christmas period. During Easter week (Semana Santa) there is quite a bit of internal ecuatorial tourism. Many cruise ships charge different rates for high and low season. Also look at the climate of the Galapagos Islands.

National Park

Every foreign visitor to Galapagos pays USD 120 cash upon arrival at the airport. It concerns 100 USD entrance for the National Park and 20 USD Migration Card (locally called Ingala Card). This cost is usually not included in the price of cruises. The entrance to the National Park can only be paid on site. We can purchase the Ingala Migration Card for you in advance. This way you avoid (sometimes long) queues and loss of time. Keep your receipt with you during your entire stay in Galapagos.

Guides

During the cruise you will be permanently accompanied by an English-speaking guide who has a license to guide the Galapagos. The quality and expertise of the guides is permanently evaluated by the shipping companies. It can be said that the quality of the guide more or less parallels the quality of a cruise ship. Cruise ships with an excellent reputation pay their employees a higher salary, which means that you can expect a good guide. With budget boats you will generally also find budget guides.

Flights to Galapagos

All flights depart from Quito and fly via Guayaquil to Baltra or San Cristobal. There are 3 companies that provide the flights: Tame, Lan and Aerogal. A flight ticket to Galapagos is always booked together with the cruise. The owner of the ship that you book, therefore, determines with which company you fly.
Flights Quito – Galapagos – Quito and Quito – Galapagos – Guayaquil cost around USD 550 per person. Guayaquil – Galapagos – Guayaquil flights cost around USD 525 per person. These prices include airport taxes and costs. There is a discount of 30% for children under 12 years old.

Language

Spanish is the main language on Galapagos. But all nature guides speak English. The higher the cruise ship’s price range, the better the knowledge of English. On some larger ships you will find French and German speaking guides.

Time difference

The time difference between Galapagos and Belgium is 7 hours earlier during the Belgian winter time and 8 hours earlier during the Belgian summer time. If you want to know the exact time in Ecuador and Galapagos, click here

Other information

For information about money, telephone connections, security, languages, embassy of Ecuador, information about Ecuador, vaccines and other medical information see the page Practical information about Ecuador