June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Jamaica
Jamaica;
Six hundred miles west of Ecuador, a cluster of volcanic islands rises from the sea. These are the lonely islands of the Galápagos, a place of stunning natural beauty that’s home to wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Species unique to the Galápagos include blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and marine iguanas, the only lizard known to swim in the sea. The waters around the islands, where three ocean currents converge, are home to a dazzling array of marine life.
When’s the best time to visit the Galápagos? That depends on what you want to do and see. The weather is cooler and drier from June through November (although it’s not chilly; the average high is still 79 degrees F) and skies are often gray. Cold ocean currents make fish plentiful, attracting seabirds, sharks and whales. From December to May, temperatures are warmer and the weather alternates between rain showers and bright sunshine. Flowers bloom and sea turtles nest during these months.1
Hundreds of thousands of tourists make the trek to these islands each year, but access to the Galápagos is carefully controlled. To protect this fragile ecosystem, it’s crucial to follow the rules:
Ready for a wild adventure? We’ll cover the basics of planning your journey to the Galápagos Islands.
What’s the best travel insurance plan for the Galápagos? If you’re traveling with children, we recommend OneTrip Prime or OneTrip Premier. These plans offer robust coverage for international travel, and both cover kids 17 and under for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents). The best option for frequent travelers may be AllTrips Premier, which covers all your trips for a full 365 days.
Remember: Every Allianz Travel Insurance plan includes 24-hour assistance for immediate help. Download the Allianz TravelSmart app for rapid access to assistance.
Take a cruise tour. Many travelers say the best way to see the islands is on a liveaboard boat that travels from island to island. No mammoth cruise ships are allowed; the largest ships carry only about 100 passengers, and their routes are controlled to minimize impact to the islands. Expect minimal shipboard activities, as nature is the main event. Itineraries range from four days to more than two weeks.
Establish a hotel home base. Stay in a hotel (most are on San Cristóbal Island or Santa Cruz Island) and then plan day trips by boat. You won’t be able to reach the most remote islands, and you’ll lose a portion of each day in transit, but the land-based approach can save you money on your Galápagos trip. Plus, hotel accommodations may be quite a bit more comfortable than a budget-priced cruise cabin.
Arrange a private yacht charter. While it’s certainly not an inexpensive way to see the Galápagos, chartering a private boat with captain and crew makes for a personalized experience you’ll never forget. If you’re traveling with a large group, it may make sense to consider this option. One Galápagos charter company says that for groups of 12 or more, the cost of a private cruise can be the same as booking cabins on a shared boat.3
Read more: Planning a Private Cruise Adventure
Isabela Island, the largest of the Galápagos’ 19 islands, is a dramatic landscape of volcanic peaks and lava fields. “The island’s rich fauna is beyond compare,” the Galápagos Conservancy says.4 Isabela is home to the Galápagos’ largest population of wild tortoises, with a separate species on each volcano, as well as one of the world’s rarest birds, the mangrove finch. The town of Villamil is charming, with white-sand beaches and flamingo lagoons.
San Cristóbal is where you’ll find the provincial capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, which is a good jumping-off point for day trips. Attractions on San Cristóbal include Frigatebird Hill, where you can watch Magnificent Frigatebirds and Great Frigatebirds soaring, a sea lion rookery, and the tortoise reserve. Hike to Punta Pitt for spectacular views and a chance to see all three of the islands’ booby species.
Española Island is one of the oldest and most isolated islands, making it a haven for unusual wildlife. It’s best known as the sole breeding colony of the Waved Albatross; between April and December, nearly the entire population of the adult birds comes to Española to participate in elaborate mating rituals and raise their chicks. Española is also home to a giant tortoise species that, after nearly going extinct in the 1960s, is now thriving.5
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance for your Galápagos expedition! See affordable plan options from Allianz Travel Insurance.
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