Is it about time to embark on your journey to the Galapagos Islands? The local experts at Bespoke Galapagos / Angermeyer Cruises want to make sure you’re ready! Read on to find out important things to know pre-departure for this curious wildlife paradise.
First things first, make sure your documents are in order—you must have a valid passport to travel to mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. You may think about checking with the Ecuadorian consulate in your country about visa requirements.
Documents in order? Then it’s time to reconfirm international flights for arrival in Ecuador. If you plan to leave right after your trip to Galapagos, let us know and we will happily reconfirm flights for you.
Now let’s talk money. Did you know the local currency is US Dollars? While both Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.
The Galapagos Islands stays untouched thanks to strict controls by the Ecuadorian National Park system. In order to limit the amount of human impact on the islands and to keep the wildlife safe, you must pay a $100.00 park entrance fee in cash as well as a $20 Transit Control Card per person. Make sure you have cash! Cash is also handy for tipping – should you feel appropriate (note that guides and crew are tipped separately).
Don’t be caught without charged electrical devices since you won’t want to miss the thousands of opportunities to capture the unique wildlife on film. Make sure you have an outlet adapter, 110VAC and in Galapagos sometimes 220VAC is available.
Keep in mind that many people in the Galapagos speak English but in mainland Ecuador, having a basic knowledge
of Spanish can be handy.
All of our yachts offer delicious treats typical of the local gastronomy, and we take the utmost precautions in food safety. Nonetheless it is always better to drink bottled water or desalinated water like we provide on board, and to be careful when consuming uncooked food.
The Galapagos Islands is a super relaxed environment. Locals dress in casual, comfortable clothes, and we suggest you do the same. Comfortable shoes are key for walking and a light jacket or windbreaker can be handy as nights can be cool, as well as the months of July to November. Average year-round temperature is 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit). December to June are the warmest months, so we suggest bringing a good sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
Don’t forget your bathing suit so you can swim alongside the playful sea lions, sea turtles, tropical fish and if you’re lucky, snorkel past sharks. Most important, don’t over pack, airline luggage limits vary between 20-23 kilos.
Now that you have all the tools to prepare you for your one-of-a-kind adventure in the Galapagos Islands, we wish you safe travels!
Should you need more information, our friendly local experts are ready to answer all your questions.
Email us: contact@andandotours.com or call us on our local U.S. phone number: 1.954.636.2822