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Galapagos Islands
.com > Planning your trip > Galapagos F.A.Q.
F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions
Flight to the Galapagos
Q: How long is the flight
from Ecuador to Galapagos?
A: It depends from where you depart. Flights to the Galapagos
leave from Quito and Guayaquil. It takes about half an hour
to get from Quito to Guayaquil and roughly one and a half
hours from Guayaquil to the Islands.
Q: Are there luggage restrictions
on the airplanes?
A: Only one checked suitcase (44 lbs., 20kg) and one carry-on
bag are allowed. Thank God bathing suits and shorts don't
weigh that much!
When to go and what to bring
Q: What should we bring?
A: Since the Islands are situated very near the Equator, we
recommend you to bring lightweight clothes. Bring, of course,
your swimming suits, sunlotion, and good footwear. Please
have a look at our packing list
to get an idea what to bring.
Q: When is the best time to travel
to Galapagos?
A: Since the climate
is always pleasant year round, there is no "best"
or "better" time to fly to the Galapagos. However,
you might take other factors, such as High Season vs. Low
Season etc. into account. Please have a look at our "When
to go" page and decide when it's best for you to
travel to the Islands.
Taking precautions
Q: Are there any immunizations
required/recommended?
A: For the Galapagos Islands there are no immunizations neither
required nor recommended. If you, however, intend to spend
more time in Ecuador, especially in the jungle, immunization
is highly recommended. As this changes from time to time please
check with your local health office (or the Institute for
Tropical Diseases) a few weeks in advance of your trip.
Q: Will we have to exchange any
money before we travel to Ecuador or once in the
country?
A: Not if you have US dollars. In 2000, Ecuador adopted the
US dollar as its official currency. Just make sure you bring
cash bills in good condition with you. If they have tears
in them, they are likely to be refused.
Payment regulations
Q: When do we have to
pay?
A: First you pay US$400 per person
at the time of confirming the reservation in order to reserve
your spot. 50% of the remaining price should be paid 90 days
before departure. We kindly ask you to pay the remaining total
60 days before departure. For more detailed information, click
here.
Q: What form of payment
do you accept?
A: We accept payments with Visa,
Master Card, American Express, Discover, e-checks or payments
from PayPal account. To reserve your spot, we need a $400
deposit. For more detailed information, click
here.
Q: What is the National Park
entrance fee & how can I pay it?
A: The entrance fee amounts to $100. You'll pay it in cash
when you enter the National Park on the first day of your
arrival.
Included in your price
Q: What is included in the prices
(for the boats)?
A: Included are the accomodation ob board, three meals a day,
purified drinking water, visits and excursions to the Islands
with an English speaking naturalist guide, Panga rides, our
famous 24 hour client support service, and taxes.
Q: What is not included?
A: Not included in your price are the flight
tickets to and from the Galapagos Islands, the National
Park entrance fee ($100), alcoholic drinks on board, tips,
transfers, and all kinds of personal expenses.
On the boat/On the Islands
Q: Is it possible to make phone
calls to my home country?
A: You can call your family and friends from Puerto Ayora
(Island: Santa Cruz). You also have internet facilities there.
Q: Is there a dress code
on board?
A: There is no dress code ob board our Galapagos cruises.
The only requirement for lunch and dinner is to wear shoes
or sandals. There are exceptions like the: Parranda, Explorer
II, Xpedition, Sta Cruz, Isabella II, and Legend that will
ask you to wear long pants during meals.
Q: Are single or triple suites
available?
A: Most of our cruises will assign double cabins to all passengers
unless you want to pay the single supplement if traveling
alone. Triple cabins can also be arranged on request, depending
on availability and the vessel you chooses.
Q: Is it allowed to smoke on
board or on the Islands?
A: In the cabins, as well as on the Galapagos Islands, it
is not allowed to smoke. On smaller boats, however, you can
smoke on deck. The bigger (cruise) ships even offer certain
smoking areas.
Trip Extention
Q: Can I extend my stay
before and/or after my cruise?
A: We highly recommend you to do so. Have a look at our entire
Trip Extention section and get to know mainland Ecuador and
its major cities at its best!
Q: Can you make hotel reservations
for us in Ecuador?
A: Of course! We are happy to arrange that for you! Just have
a look at the recommended hotels
in Ecuador and let us know where you'd like to stay.
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