FAQs about Galapagos: When should I make my reservation?
Galapagos is a top-destination for travelers, therefore cruises and tours are on very high demand year-around. It is recommended to arrange your trip at least with 6 months in advance to secure and guarantee your spots on the preferred trip.
Now, if you find the opportunity to visit the Galapagos before 6 months in advance, there is also the possibility to find cruise deals that may fill your expectations. However, if you leave your decision for the last-minute, you may not find what you were looking for a tour that will fulfill your expectations.
Other related frequently asked questions
You can visit the Galapagos any time of the year as there is always something wonderful happening in the Islands, especially with wildlife’s behavior and natural events.
From mid-June to early-December you have a mixture of warm and rain (afternoon showers), and Ocean waters are warmer and calmer due to the “El Niño” current. From mid-December to early-June is the cool/dry season on land and Ocean, especially because of the passing of the “Humboldt” current through the Archipelago.
For cruises and tours, we have flexible payment policies:
- Tours booked from 91 days or more, small 30% deposit is requested to pre-confirm, 70% balance is needed 90 days before tour dates.
- Tours booked 90 days or less, complete payment is needed to confirm your trip.
It depends especially on the level of comfort and facilities on board you are looking for:
- On board Luxury class yachts & vessels you can expect large cabin or suites with panoramic windows, suites with balconies, large lower beds, high-end amenities, exceptional cuisine, personalized services, VIP services, cruise director, spacious social areas, sun deck with Jacuzzi plus special treats to complement your trip.
- On board First class yachts services are also quite personalized, large cabins with lower beds and large windows (some yachts have cabins with balcony), excellent cuisine, ample social areas, ample sun deck (some with Jacuzzi) plus complete amenities.
- On board Midrange or Economy class yachts you can still expect good quality service from the crew and your guide, good meals (mostly small buffet), cabins regularly have bunk-beds and port-holes (upper decks offer cabins with windows), cozy and comfortable social areas and sun deck.
During your cruise, you will have magnificent opportunities to enjoy snorkeling in the most fantastic underwater scenarios within the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve as well as other wonderful activities to complement your experience in the Archipelago.
On Luxury and First class cruises snorkeling equipment (snorkel, mask & fins) are included and on Midrange and Economy class cruises they are available for rent. Some Luxury class cruises also include Wet suits while on First, Midrange and Economy class, Wert suits are available for rent.
Taking a Galapagos cruise is considered the best way to explorer the Galapagos as it gives you the opportunity to reach the remotest islands as you sail at night from site to site, which means more time to enjoy the location and day’s activities.
However, if you are susceptible to sea sickness the feasible alternative is taking a nice land-based tour with hotel accommodation on the populated Islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and/or Isabela; from here you can enjoy interesting day-tours to the nearby sites or Islands; you will also have the possibility to enjoy snorkeling and other activities while taking day-tours.