Although the Galapagos Islands host some of the most luxurious cruises and nature lodges, it's also a great destination for those looking to explore the best nature has to offer on a budget. The best way to balance your budget is to plan ahead. A little bit of forward thinking and investigation before your trip can save you a bunch of money.
Island hopping in the Galapagos Islands, also known as land-based tours, is the only other way to see the islands if you are not on a cruise. Cruises used to be the only way to visit the archipelago, but now travelers can base their excursions from a hotel on one of the four main islands to which they will return every night.
There's no one “best” way to visit the Galapagos Islands, but there are plenty of tricks for building the ideal Galapagos trip for your needs and interests. There are also strategies you can use to get a good deal.
A trip to the Galapagos Islands is no ordinary vacation. There are two options for a Galapagos trip: Cruises and land-based tours. Some people like to combine both these to get the most out of their island experience.
With about 80 cruise boats simultaneously sailing the Galapagos, it can be overwhelming finding the best boat for your needs at the best price possible. These tips by Columbus Travel should help you choosing a cruise and looking for the best deal.
If you are traveling children, a 4 or 5 day expedition is usually plenty for parents who decide to bring the kids along. For older couples, cruises can be an amazing way to share retirement; however, long cruises might be more difficult.
While a 5-day cruise is still a relatively short expedition, you will at least be able to experience several visitor sites and most of the cruise activities. The 5-day option is your best balance for those who want to see a lot but are still trying to manage their budget prudently.
Most experts believe that an 8-day cruise is the best balance of time on the islands for the money. While shorter cruises are extremely limited in what you get to see, many people feel that two-week cruises are expensive, long, and even exhausting.
The 15-day cruise option allows you to see the whole Galapagos archipelago and the only one that will fully acquaint you with each of its regions. The Galapagos, though a small geographic region, have very distinct zones in each corner of the Islands.
With all of the excitement and enthusiasm for your Galapagos vacation, don’t forget that mainland Ecuador is worth planning a couple of days of exploring. Quito is the country’s capital and second-largest city, right behind Guayaquil.
