Cruises vs. Hotel-Based Tours

If you are not sure what type of Galapagos visit best suits your needs, the following information should provide you with a good understanding of the different types of tours available.

Both cruises and hotel-based tours allow tourists to view unique wildlife, spectacular landscapes, and participate in activities such as snorkeling and hiking.

The most obvious difference between these two options is sleeping arrangements with the choice of either hotel accommodation on land, or a cabin aboard a yacht.

However, there are many other important factors to consider when deciding which type of trip is right for you.

Cruises are a great option for those who desire the full Galapagos experience and who have relatively few physical limitations

Most cruises offer very impressive itineraries, visiting not only major sites but also remote islets in the archipelago. Because most of the navigation takes place at night, you are able to spend more time visiting the islands and doing activities during the day.

On a cruise, a naturalist guide leads all of your tours and an experienced crew attends to your needs onboard including the provision of great international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

As well as providing a place to relax on deck and enjoy the sunset with a cocktail, most cruises also offer evening presentations about conservation, cultural history, or important Galapagos information.

If you are prone to seasickness, larger cruises tend to be the most stable, followed by catamarans, and finally other vessels. Most cruises can accommodate for some minor physical disabilities. The largest cruise ships in the Galapagos offer programs that may appeal to certain travelers:

• “Formal” evenings
• On-board spas
• Glass bottom boats
• Karaoke for example.

Hotel-based tours offer a choice of four options:

• Land-based
• Diving
• Multisport
• Island hopping.

All of these give visitors the opportunity to choose their accommodation from a range of budget, midrange, first class and luxury hotels located on the Islands of Floreana, Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.
Staying on one of the Islands provides the opportunity to spend time in the ports, browse the shops and eat out at one of the many restaurants as well as get to know the local communities.

The hotel-based options also offer a wide range of activities to suit all interests, thus allowing visitors the flexibility to build their own schedule. However, as only four of the major islands have hotels, programs and visiting options may be limited, as day visits to some islands may be impractical due to navigation time to and from the nearest hosting island.
In summary, both cruises and hotel-based tours have their pros and cons, so take the cruise option if you:

• Enjoy travelling by boat
• Want to visit more than just the sites on the main islands
• Prefer following a pre-determined itinerary with a guide
  And opt for a hotel-based tour if you:
  • Want to spend more time on the main Islands
  • Don’t want to be limited to onboard facilities and services
  • Would prefer the flexibility of planning your own schedule

Either way, a cruise or hotel based experience in the Galapagos Islands will be memorable!

Explore the Galapagos Islands and enjoy the best visitor sites, unique wildlife and breathtaking views.