"Places and faces of the Galapagos" Top 5 Page for this destination Galápagos Islands by Quero

Galápagos Islands Travel Guide: 1,001 reviews and 4,014 photos

Here's looking at you!

The Galapagos is an archipelago situated 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. It's not the sort of place that you just "discover" without expecting to--it takes time, effort and a decent budget. But it is worth every second, every frustration, and every penny.

I encountered animals so unafraid of people that I sometimes had to step over them to follow the trails mapped out on the islands. They would look me in the eye, seeming to challenge me to understand their place in the world, my place in the world, and the relationship between the two.

I found myself among sandy beaches, stony beaches, rocky shores, soaring cliffs, crater lakes, lava fields, submerged calderas, crashing waves, placid lagoons, sunsets and moonrises, and a microcosm of Earth in perpetual reinvention.

Humbolt, Cromwell, Equator, Nazca, Garua, Pahoehoe

These names represent some of the violent forces and harsh conditions that have formed the islands and continue to make them what they are.

The Galapagos archipelago sits right on the Equator. You would expect it to be tropical like Hawaii or Bali, but in fact there is little rain, so the land is dry, and hardy plants like the prickly pear cactus trees are found all over. Moreover, during the winter months--the "garua" season--it's not even all that warm here, not what you would expect of an equatorial climate. Visitors are often taken by surprise and are unprepared for the cool nights and mild, overcast days.

The Humbolt and Cromwell ocean currents both bring cold water to the archipelago, making it an attractive place for certain cold-water animals such as penguins, and also for ocean going animals like schooling hammerhead sharks.

The Nazca plate, on which the archipelago rides, has a hotspot which has been creating the islands for at least 4 million years. The hotspot is still forming new parts of the archipelago, and the volcanos of the Galapagos are considered to be among the most active in the world. The pahoehoe lava fields of the most recent flows present eerie landscapes and biozones still in development.

Underwater Galapagos

No visit to the Galapagos is really complete without getting into the water to see the amazing diversity of life, including the endemic species the islands are home to. No visitor to the islands who has swum with sea lions or penguins ever forgets the experience.

Getting wet in the Galapagos is not for the faint of heart! The water is cold, and even snorkelers wear neoporene wetsuits. There are significant currents and surges, and at certain (though by no means all) sites, underwater photographers need to anchor themselves down with special hooks in order to have at least one hand free to shoot a picture.

The rewards are great, however. Any potential visitor to the Galapagos would be well-advised to get a fair amount of practice in snorkeling or diving before going to the islands, so that they are ready for this exciting aspect of the Galapagos.

Last visit to Galápagos Islands: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Dec 8, 2004
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Reviews (59)

The local currency? The "greenback" - Galápagos Islands

The local currency? The "greenback" Local Customs (2)

Don't worry about taking any kind of cash to the Galapagos other than US dollars. That's the official currency. Bring... more travel advice

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Even the most ordinary birds doing the most ordinary things are a source of awe when you're in the Galapagos. For... more travel advice

The sunsets Favorites (4)

I don't know if it was because the skies were nearly always overcast or if it was because I was mellow after a day of... more travel advice

Baby, baby Favorites (4)

The juvenile animals. The wildlife is already unafraid of humans, and given the natural curiosity of the young of any... more travel advice

Hotels (3)
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Transportation (5)
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Off The Beaten Path (1)
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Restaurants (1)
Nice atmosphere
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Comments (37)

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Roadquill Jan 1, 2013 at 10:35 AM

Nice page and good info.
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rcsparty Oct 1, 2009 at 5:15 AM

looks amazing...happy birthday
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marcelo15 Jan 3, 2009 at 12:25 PM

hi intereting tips about the galapagos island. i didn´t know that this place has so many things to offer besides the giant tourtles...thanks for sharing.
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sourbugger Nov 21, 2008 at 4:01 PM

tips about types of boobies ? incredible stuff.
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kathymof Jul 24, 2008 at 8:57 PM

Ha Ha Ha ..."I will not take any more pictures of sea lions"...me too! I must have a couple hundred but yours are funnier!
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mypriority Jul 12, 2008 at 6:53 AM

wow wow wow...want to go there too....it's amazing dive you got. is it expensive trip?
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angiebabe Feb 22, 2007 at 3:29 AM

lovely page to look and dream through! lovely pics and coverage. hope to get there myself one day thanks!
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mollymoo0oo0 Jan 12, 2007 at 11:44 AM

w0w, what a beautiful canvas you have created of your Galapagos images... lovely!! m.x
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vichatherly Dec 29, 2006 at 5:13 AM

Looks like a special place to visit. Great photos!
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GandalfOnTour Nov 9, 2006 at 9:53 AM

brilliant page with so much info and beautiful photos!!! A few pairs of dive socks sound like a definite on my packing list