The Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s more wonderful gifts. This series of islands off the coast of Ecuador were placed perfectly for the development and survival of unique wildlife. Close enough that animals were able to get to the island (perhaps by floating debris like on logs) but far enough away to remain isolated, the creatures that now call the Galapagos Islands home are often not found anywhere else in the world.
So it isn’t surprising that so many people want to visit the Galapagos Islands. There are several ways to do this. The most popular is by taking a Galapagos cruise. A cruise allows you to visit several of the islands in the easiest way possible. Because each island has a slightly different landscape and different wildlife, seeing several islands when you travel to the Galapagos is recommended.
There are several cruise options, depending on your budget and travel style.
You should know, however, that even the “budget” options will still be expensive. There are costs associated with visiting the Galapagos that cannot be avoided, such as roundtrip plane tickets to get to the islands and the fee the government imposes on all travelers visiting the islands.Less expensive cruise lines may have very basic rooms without windows that may be shared with another passenger. Luxury cruise options are more expensive but much more comfortable. Larger boats are better for people who get seasickness, while smaller boats will give you more personalized attention. Yachts are also available.
You can take a cruise as short at 3 nights. However, longer expeditions are recommended because usually half of the first day and half of the last day aren’t really spent traveling. The prime number of nights is around 5-6, although nature lovers and people with special interests can cruise up to 12 nights.
There is also the option of taking an island hopping tour. This way of seeing the Galapagos features special nature lodges on different islands. You’ll spend the night at a different lodge on a different island each night, allowing you to see the diversity of the Galapagos just like a cruise would. This option is best for people who get seasickness because is cuts down on all unnecessary time spend on the water, although you will need to board a boat to travel between the different islands.
Regardless of how you decided to visit, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime. Consider combining it with another destination, such as a Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour to see more than one of the wonders South America has to offer.
Deciding How to Travel to the Galapagos Islands