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Island Getaway: Your Guide to Planning the Perfect Galapagos Trip

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The Galapagos Islands are known as an unforgettable vacation destination. Here are some tips to ensure your Galapagos trip goes smoothly.

Are you planning your first Galapagos trip? Planning a getaway to the Galapagos Islands calls for a time of excitement! This destination is known for being an unforgettable one totally worth the cost and long flight. 

But to ensure that your trip to the islands is as enjoyable as possible, you should have an idea of what to expect. Knowing what to expect from the trip will help you in preparing a well-thought-out plan. Chances are you’re traveling a bit of a distance to get there, so going back home to grab something you didn’t know you needed isn’t an option.

Don’t travel to the Galapagos unprepared. Plan the perfect trip by following our guide provided to you below. Here are some of the best tips to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible!

  1. Pack Accordingly 

The first thing you’ll want to do is focus on what you need to pack. A trip to the Galapagos Islands isn’t like any other trip you’ve gone on before. You need to pack all of the essential items and leave unnecessary things at home. 

Your first instinct might be to pack several lounging outfits such as sundresses, blouses, or button-ups for men. Be warned, you want to leave all of your cute shoes and clothes at home. Sure, maybe pack one nice outfit for a dinner date, but other than that you won’t need these items. 

Save room in your bag by only packing what you need such as hiking boots, cargo shorts, athletic pants, and other similar items. When in the Galapagos, you’re going to want to partake in some exploring. Think about what you’ll need to do this comfortably. 

A hat, bug spray, and sunscreen are other essential items that you won’t want to forget!

  1. Expect Limited Resources

It’s important to take note of the limited amount of resources that you’ll have while on the islands. For example, there might be a night where the only source of protein for your meal is fish. Are you prepared for this?

You’ll need to be. There’s also the possibility that the island you’re staying on could run low or run out of freshwater until the next shipment comes in from the mainland. You also won’t have access to an ATM or internet in most places. 

The Galapagos Islands are known for being pure and untouched by the human in negative ways. Because of this, you have to prepare for little resources, but it’s also what makes the islands worth visiting. 

  1. Prepare to Engage with the Locals

You should also prepare to engage with the locals. Is this something you have to do? It’s not, but it’s something you should do. 

You’ll also be happy that you did because the locals here are friendly and welcoming. Every local here is knowledgable about the islands and the way of the islands. Everyone has a smile and a story to tell to go along with it. 

If you have a question about something you see or hear, or anything else while on a tour, be sure to ask a local or your tour guide about it. They love to share all of their knowledge. This travel blog is another great resource for learning about the islands. 

  1. Bring Lots of Cash with You

As stated before, the resources here are few to none including an ATM. This means that if you want to do anything while on this trip, you’ll need to have cash in hand. You’ll soon realize that a lot of the transactions that are made there are cash-only ones. 

The last thing you want is to be stuck on an island far away from home with no money and no access to your money. To avoid this, take plenty of cash with you. Take more than you think you’ll need to avoid running short. 

  1. A Tour Guide is Required

Certain areas of the Galapagos National Park can only be accessed if visiting with a tour guide. This is a law set in place to help ensure that the region is protected and preserved. You can opt to travel and explore without a guide, but keep in mind that you might not be able to see everything if you go this route. 

Have enough money with you to schedule yourself an exploration trip with a guide. This way, you won’t have to worry about where you can and can’t go while visiting. 

  1. You’ll Have a Few Options

You will have a few options for how you explore the islands. You can explore via cruise ship, independent island hoping, or by a land tour. A cruise ship tour will allow you to travel from one island to the next, while land tours restrict you to one main island that you’ll explore during the day.

If you want to go on an independent adventure, then consider taking a taxi, bus, or renting a bike to get around as you please. 

How Will You Plan Your First Galapagos Trip? 

Was this guide enough to help you plan your next vacation? How will you plan your first Galapagos trip? We hope that the information provided in this guide is enough to assist you in planning a smooth and exciting trip to the Galapagos Islands!

Want to explore more interesting posts like this one? Check back with us on a daily basis for more similar posts that are as helpful as this one!

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Laura actively works to ensure community building and audience engagement through her passion for arts, culture and media. She's currently a contributing writer for Elite Daily, Inside Fitness Magazine and The Culture Trip. Laura has no fear when it comes to dancing in public and she's known for two things: a contagious laugh and an Irish whisper. Connect with her on Twitter: @elleeshirk and Instagram: @ellee333

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