FAQs about Galapagos: Boat or hotel?

Visitors entering Ecuador and the Galapagos are not required to present any proof of vaccination, but you will need to present your Travel Insurance document when entering the Galapagos. However, if your doctor recommend taking a vaccination, you can follow the advice at your own discretion.

Cruises have strict policy on smoking on board: is prohibited in almost all social areas, dining rooms and cabins in cruises, but most of them do allow to smoke on designated areas in the sundeck prior request from passengers to the guide or cruise director. Smoking is strictly prohibited on inhabited islands and visitor sites during a cruise.

With all cruises and tours you will always be accompanied by a professional Licensed Bilingual (English-Spanish) Guide for all excursions and visits as per National Park’s regulations. On Luxury and First class cruises your Guide will be level II-III while on Midrange and Economy class cruises your naturalist Guide will be Level II.

If by any case, force major or personal calamity you are unable to travel, each cruise or tour has specific cancellation policies that vary depending on the time that the cancelation takes place before your traveling dates. We strongly recommend our valued Customers to purchase a complete insurance package that includes cancelation coverage in case you need to cancel your trip; this way, if we need to pay cancelation fees to your cruise, you will be covered by your trusted Insurance Carrier and we will provide the necessary documentation for your claim.

Choosing the right cruise is critical if you are susceptible to seasickness; large vessels are the best choice as they’re very stable when sailing. If you do not like large vessels, then we recommend choosing a nice catamaran (twin-haul), which also offer smooth sailing for passengers’ comfort.

You can also ask your doctor to prescribe you medicine to help you contrast the effect of the motion when sailing; it is also important to be properly hydrated during your cruise as this also helps prevent the effects.

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.