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Here's the top islands and visitor spots that you don't want to miss when you visit the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are home to hundreds of wildlife species. Which ones are most commonly seen? Read on to find out!

The Galapagos Islands make for an exciting vacation destination for just about everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach getaway, an active nature exploration, or a fun family trip. And the town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, is a staple visit for most Galapagos cruises and a great place to stay on a land-based or island-hopping tour.

Discover what to do and see on San Cristobal Island along with travel tips for visiting the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands were born of fire - the same fire that melts the earth’s crust and has created a unique natural environment that could not exist without it. While many people visit the Galapagos Islands each year for the stunning wildlife, others feel that the geology itself is the most fascinating characteristic in the Galapagos Islands.

When planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, there are two important fees that you must be prepared for: the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100/ person) and the Transit Control Card ($20/ person). Both must be paid in cash, and without them, you will be denied entry into the Galapagos Islands.

Perhaps no better case can be made for adaptation than the marine iguana! Just about everything about this ancient lizard points to evolution at its finest.

The Galapagos Giant tortoise is perhaps the most iconic animal in Ecuador. In fact, they lend their name to the whole archipelago - when the Spanish explorers first came to the islands, they thought the shells of these giant tortoises resembled a Spanish-style saddle, or “galapago.”

Learn all about transportation on and between the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are considered by biologists one of the world’s most pristine “natural laboratories,” where some of the most fascinating life can be observed in its purest forms. It is here, in the varied and unique ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, isolated in the Pacific Ocean by more than 600 miles from the mainland, that many endemic species thrive.