Why are the Galápagos Islands so special?

What makes the Galápagos Islands so unique is their unspoilt nature. The animal species on the islands have historically had few or no natural predators, nor have they been hunted on a large scale. The unique nature experience you’ll enjoy in the Galápagos lies in your encounters with the various animal species, in complete tranquillity, without the animals running away or flying off out of fear of you. This makes you feel more at one with nature (note: without it having to become a competition to get as close to the animals as possible!). The islands are, of course, famous for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which took shape here, amongst other places. Read more about this in the blog ‘The unique animals of the Galápagos’.

Good news – you can visit the archipelago all year round. Every month has its own unique advantages. If you’re planning a trip to the Galápagos to see a particular species or experience a natural phenomenon, it may be worth finding out more so you can visit during the best time of year. If that’s not the case and you’re flexible with your travel dates, it might be worth travelling outside the school holidays, when it’s a bit quieter and cheaper. Would you like to travel during our summer months or over Christmas? If so, please book well in advance – at least six months ahead. On our website, we provide more detailed information about the best time to visit the Galápagos.

First-hand information about the Galápagos

That’s a very good question. The Galápagos Islands can only be reached by plane. There are daily flights from the cities of Guayaquil and Quito. There are two ways to explore the islands further.

In recent years, a number of four- and five-star hotels have opened on the main island of Santa Cruz. These hotels offer excursions to nearby beaches and day trips by boat to slightly more distant hotspots. Hotels of this kind are a good option if you are prone to seasickness and want the comfort and space that a hotel can offer. This option is also recommended if you are planning to go diving.

However, we prefer to go on a Galapagos cruise. Cruising around the Galapagos Islands is an unrivalled experience. Don’t picture huge ships: the cruise boats we use have a maximum of 8–10 cabins, so there are no more than 16–20 people on board. With this small group, you’ll sail a route past various islands, to the most beautiful spots. Here, you’ll go ashore and have the chance to see the unique wildlife during walks, canoe trips or snorkelling sessions. A cruise like this gives you the opportunity to experience the diversity of the archipelago, reach the most beautiful spots and gain a more complete picture of the rich wildlife. You’ll spend the night on a luxury yacht, sleeping in a comfortable private cabin with en-suite facilities.

As you’ve read above, the islands are only accessible by plane from mainland Ecuador. As you’ll be spending some time on the formalities required to enter the National Park upon arrival at the local airport, you’ll find that you have little time for activities on the first day of your visit. Due to the relatively early departure time of the flight back to Ecuador, the same applies to the final day. This means that a 5-day stay in the Galapagos, or a 5-day cruise, effectively offers only 3 full days of experiencing nature.

The Galapagos Islands are a unique destination on a global scale, which will undoubtedly rank highly on the list of the most beautiful trips of your life. The destination is also exclusive and expensive; for that reason, not many travellers return there quickly. Our motto is therefore: if you’re going to do it, do it properly. If you book a hotel on the islands, a stay of four or five days should suffice. If you book a cruise and it fits within your budget, we recommend opting for a 7- or 8-day cruise. That way, you’ll get the most out of your stay and you certainly won’t regret it!