When to travel
The Galapagos has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from the low 80's to the high 90's / 25ºC-30ºC from December until May, the sea is warm and there is a chance of rain and accompanying humidity. From June to September you may experience occasional garúa or mist and the water is atypically cool for the tropics. Temperatures vary from the low 60's to high 70's / 15ºC-25ºC. From October to December temperatures ranges from the 70ºF to 80ºF.

Visits
To protect the islands the National Park Service limits access to about 63 visitor sites, in addition to the towns, public areas and diving visitor sites. These visitor sites are found in places where the most interesting features are to be seen and all the wildlife species can be seen.

Itineraries can be changed due to decisions made by the Galapagos National Park, the captain, the guide, or the passengers, but all itinerary changes for live-aboard Galapagos naturalist or diving cruises require approval from the Galapagos National Park.

Almost all visitor sites are reached by boat and normally landings are made in a panga which is the small dinghy that every boat carries for shore trips.

Most landing sites are sandy or rocky beaches as there are few docks. Landings are called "wet" or "dry". During a wet landing you will have to climb out of the panga onto a beach and wade ashore in shallow water, sometimes up to your knees. Dry landings are made onto rocky outcrops or jetties and you'll probably not get wet, unless a rogue wave comes up and splashes you.

Activities
Once on board the yacht, the guide will give you a welcome briefing, about life on board the yacht, safety rules on board, Galapagos National Park Rules, and a general overview of you activities during the cruise. Later, at dinner time, the guide will introduce you to the crewmembers and as every night during the cruise, she or he will give you a lecture about next day activities and about islands natural history.

Most yachts will provide free snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkel and fins) but some will charge for it. If you have your own equipment, we recommend bringing it, as you will feel more comfortable with your own.

Tipping / Gratuities
Tips (To Ensure a Personal Service) is always something delicate to discuss and more to recommend.
Throughout the years we have been often asked what gratuity would be appropriate to leave for the guide and the crew of the boats.
We think, quality of service and personal attention, should determine the extent of any gratuity. For example; if the service received has been excellent, a suggestion of USD$40 per person for the guide for one week and USD$100 per person for the crew for one week, is considered appropriate, but of course this is only a suggestion and must serve only as a guideline.

Smoking policy
Is not permitted inside the yachts, only on outside decks. It is forbidden to smoke on the islands.

Communication facilities
During your Galapagos Cruise, you can call home the day that you visit Puerto Ayora.

Medical and Health
Participants need to be in good physical health and condition to be able to enjoy a Galapagos cruise. Irregular terrain walks, embarking/disembarking on slippery and wet lava rocks or yacht ladder are difficult if you have not exercised regularly before your trip. To full enjoy a Galapagos adventure, we advise to get into an exercise program for your own safety and enjoyment.
If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician about joining a Galapagos Expedition.

Insurance
We strongly recommend passengers to take a trip cancellation insurance (it will reimburse the cost of air tickets and non-refundable trip payments), and a insurance to cover: life, international medical assistance, baggage loss and baggage delay. Ecuador Adventure^®, assumes no liability for lost or stolen personal belongings during the length of the trip.

Special Diets
If passengers have special dietary requirements, we need to be advised at least 30 days before the trip starts, in order to comply with their requests, based on products availability in Ecuador.

Photo tips
Bring plenty of film, as it is often difficult and quite expensive to find film on the Islands. Cruises usually start the day you arrive, and you may have to wait few days to enter then next inhabited island, where you can buy film or batteries Waterproof bags (Zip-lock freezer bags work well) are also a must, as are moisture-absorbing packers which are found in camera stores. We also strongly recommend the use of telephoto and macro lenses as animals in Galapagos can be far from the trails.

Airfares
Flights to Galápagos are serviced by TAME Airlines, from Quito and Guayaquil to Baltra or San Cristobal Islands. Seat reservations for confirmed passengers will be made by each boat operator, depending on the airline availability. Arrival and departure airport depends in each boat itinerary and subject to change according to this. In addition, passengers may be changed, by the airline, to a second or even a third flight, according to total number of passengers arriving or departing from Galapagos. Therefore, we suggest you to avoid making tight connections after your Galapagos flight, as you may loose them if changed to a second or third flight.

High season TAME rates (Jan 1- April 30, June 15- Sep 14, Nov 1- 31 Dic) QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO US$ 390,00 QUITO-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL US$ 368,00 GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL US$ 345,00 GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-QUITO US$ 368,00 Low Season TAME rates (May 1-June 14, Sep 15-Oct 31) QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO US$ 334,00 QUITO-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL US$ 317,00 GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL US$ 300,00 GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-QUITO US$ 317,00

Rates include $5,00 airport taxes