Getting around the Galapagos
February 19, 2014 7:29 PM
We are going to Ecuador this summer and want to go to the Galapagos. Google suggests cruises, but our guidebook suggests that it is possible to island-hop on ferries and avoid sleeping on a boat. What's our best option?
We are looking at about a week in the Galapagos, though that's flexible. Budget is also flexible, though we don't want to go too crazy.
If a cruise is the way to go, are there companies that you'd recommend? The cruises all take different routes - what islands should we make sure not to miss?
Otherwise - in real life, how feasible is it to see the Galapagos by taking ferries between the major islands and day-tripping out? Are we going to miss stuff if we go this route? Is it just going to be a huge pain?
I looked at the other Galapagos questions but a lot of them were for seniors or non-traveling types. We travel a lot (though we're not exactly adventure travelers), are good at both planning and going with the flow, speak okay Spanish, and budget is not a huge issue.
We are looking at about a week in the Galapagos, though that's flexible. Budget is also flexible, though we don't want to go too crazy.
If a cruise is the way to go, are there companies that you'd recommend? The cruises all take different routes - what islands should we make sure not to miss?
Otherwise - in real life, how feasible is it to see the Galapagos by taking ferries between the major islands and day-tripping out? Are we going to miss stuff if we go this route? Is it just going to be a huge pain?
I looked at the other Galapagos questions but a lot of them were for seniors or non-traveling types. We travel a lot (though we're not exactly adventure travelers), are good at both planning and going with the flow, speak okay Spanish, and budget is not a huge issue.
Some are the islands are far apart and if you don't sleep on the boat between them you waste a lot of daytime traveling.
posted by Obscure Reference at 4:57 AM on February 20, 2014
posted by Obscure Reference at 4:57 AM on February 20, 2014
For the reasons stated above, cruises are the best option.
I went on the M/V Santa Cruz, and it was wonderful. There are a lot of good options, though.
posted by eas98 at 6:56 AM on February 20, 2014
I went on the M/V Santa Cruz, and it was wonderful. There are a lot of good options, though.
posted by eas98 at 6:56 AM on February 20, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you don't SCUBA dive, get certified ASAP. The Galapagos would be 10% as interesting if you don't dive, in my opinion.
posted by kcm at 7:33 PM on February 19, 2014