Posts about Galapagos
Galapagos Cruises and Hotels
Galapagos Cruises and Hotels
When visiting the Galapagos, you’ll probably have to make the choice between a hotel and a boat cruise.
There are pros and cons of each, but I strongly recommend a hotel in Santa Cruz.
A boat cruise enables you to see more of the outer islands.
This is great, but for most visitors the outer islands aren’t all that different from what you’ll see on a day trip from Baltra or Santa Cruz.
On the negative side, boat cruises aren’t all that luxurious.
You’ll be on a 14-person boat and subject to the ocean’s motion.
If you want to see the turtles and boobies, you’ll be fine with day trips from Santa Cruz.
Time Zone in Ecuador and the Galapagos
The time zone in Ecuador is GMT -5.
This is the same as Eastern Standard Time in the United States.
Note that Ecuador does not participate in Daylight Savings Time.
The Galapogos Islands are GMT -6.
This is the same as Central Standard Time in the United States.
Ecuador’s time is equivalent to 5 hours behind London and Paris, one hour behind Brazil and Argentina, two hours ahead of California and the US Pacific Standard Time, and one hour ahead of US Mountain Standard Time.
Getting to the Galapagos Islands from Ecuador
Getting to the Galapagos Islands from Ecuador usually requires a flight from Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
There are three airlines allowed to fly to the Galapogos Islands from Ecuador’s mainland.
TAME
TAME Airlines flies to the Galapagos from Quito.
AeroGal
AeroGal Airlines flies to the Galapagos from Quito. Flights from Quito to the Galapagos on AeroGal cost around US$375. Flights are flown on on Boeing 737s or 727s’.
Icaro Airlines
Icaro Airlines flies to the Galapagos from Quito.
You can fly out of either Quito (Airport code: UIO) or Guayaquil (Airport code: GYE).