A Comprehensive Guide about the Galapagos Islands: The Islands offer plenty of opportunities to witness one-of-a-kind wildlife while snorkeling, hiking, biking & more
There is no other place on earth like the Galapagos Islands.
In fact, that’s one of the reasons why the Galapagos are one of the most famous island archipelagos in the world.
The isolated islands are home to uncounted endemic animal and plant species that exist nowhere else on earth.
These include the massive Galapagos tortoise, the only penguin species to live north of the equator, and the seven species of “Darwin finches.”
Darwin himself observed these birds on the islands and later used his notes on Galapagos wildlife to develop his groundbreaking theory of evolution via natural selection.
The archipelago holds 18 major islands, but none had permanent human settlements until the 1800s, when the first permanent resident, a marooned Irish sailor, arrived.
However, some 25,000 people live on the islands, and nearly a quarter of a million visit every year.
Three of the most popular islands to stay at are Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, and San Cristobal.
The islands offer plenty of opportunities to witness one-of-a-kind wildlife while snorkeling, hiking, biking, and more.
I recently traveled to the area to share the best things to do on the islands and a 10-day Galapagos Islands land-based itinerary, including Galapagos Islands hotel recommendations.
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On Isla Isabela, you can enjoy a trip to the Wall of Tears, visit the tortoise breeding center, and spot flamingos in the lagoons.
In Santa Cruz, you can join snorkelers at Las Grietas, walk to Tortuga Bay, visit the Darwin Research Center, go to the highlands, enjoy several stunning beaches, and snorkel at Concha de Perla.
San Cristobal offers the most opportunities for self-directed activity.
You can cycle through the highlands and to Playa Chino, snorkel and swim with sea lions, surf, hike to beautiful beaches and viewpoints, and even learn more about the Galapagos Islands and its animals at the Interpretation Center.
This is the islands’ warm and wet season, so there will be some precipitation you may have to plan around. But, overall, these warmer months mean gentler ocean waves and clearer water for snorkeling.
If you’re thinking of going from July to November, perhaps because you want to beat the heat, remember that the Galapagos Island is on the equator and that there are pretty much the same temperatures (25 to 30 degrees Celsius) year-round.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Cucuve Suites, Galapagos Eco Friendly, Hotel Albemarle, Paddle to the Penguins, Casa Playa Mann, Zenia Spa, Hotel Katarma, Galapagos Dreams, Isatourex, and Planet Ocean. My opinions, as always, are solely my own.
Galapagos Islands Hotels – I traveled to the Galapagos Islands on my own. Instead of sleeping on a boat, I booked hotels on the three main Islands Isabela, Santa Cruz, and San Cristobal. The Galapagos Islands offer not only spectacular nature but also very nice hotels to make your vacation even more special. During my …
San Cristobal Island rises from the water some 50 kilometers east of the other Galapagos islands. Find here the best things to do in San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands. Though not as large as Isla Isabela or as populated as Isla Santa Cruz, San Cristobal is definitely worth a stop. This island is actually one of …
Isla Isabela is the biggest island in the Galapagos. It actually accounts for over half of the entire archipelago’s landmass. Find here the best things to do on Isla Isabela, Galapagos Islands. But even so, the island is one of the least trafficked by travelers, and it’s home to just over 2000 of the 25,000 …
Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galapagos and holds the islands’ largest village, Puerto Ayora. Check out the best things to do on Santa Cruz Island. The island was formed by a now dormant volcano left behind a stunning lava tunnel, which stretches a full two kilometers beneath the island’s surface. I spent …
Ultimate 10 Day Land-Based Itinerary Galapagos Islands including Galapagos Hotels and best Galapagos Tours. The Galapagos Islands are almost as famous as their name is fun to say. Some 1400 hundred miles off the coast of its mother country, Ecuador, this one-of-a-kind archipelago juts up from the depths of the Pacific Ocean. The islands’ isolated …