The Galapagos is a cluster of islands about 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador in the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 13 large islands and six smaller ones. The unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin to come up with his theory of evolution, propelling the islands onto the world nature stage. The Galapagos has been governed by Ecuador since 1832, three years before Darwin's visit. The island was used as a penal colony until 1959, when the penal colony was closed down and the islands were gazetted as a national park. In 1978, Unesco inscribed the islands as a World Heritage Site. Tourist access to the Galapagos is strictly controlled to maintain the fragile ecosystem. All visitors must be chaparoned by a park-certified naturalist guide. Among the animals that can be viewed at the Galapagos include its giant tortoises, its iguanas, dolphins, boobies, sea lions, penguins and cormorants.
Fast Facts about Galapagos Islands
Official Name: Galapagos Islands
Capital: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (2,800)
Population of Galapagos Islands: 12,500
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Currency: US Dollar
Religions: Roman Catholic (95%), others
Size: 7,880 sq km (4,897 sq miles)
Region: South America
When to visit Galapagos Islands
A different season will provide you something different to view. Winter is recommended, as it is also the dry season, and because the lower water temperature encourages the animals to come out. Be aware that you will not be able to see all the types of animals of the Galapagos within the same season. The following is a annual cycle for your consideration:
January: The beginning of the rainy season. Land birds are starting to build their nexts. On Hood Island, adult marine iguanas are becoming brightly coloured. Green sea turles begin to arrive to lay eggs. Water and air temperature begins to rise.
February: Greater flamingos start nesting at Floreana Island. The Bahama pintail ducks start their breeding season. Nazca boobies end their nesting season on Hood Island. Marine iguanas start nesting on Santa Cruz Island. Water temperature reaches its highest level of 25 deg C, and remains high until April.
March: The wettest month. Air temperature reaches 30 deg C coupled with high humidity. Marine iguanas are nesting on Fernandina. Waved albatross begin arriving with the summer equinox (21 March).
April: Waved albatrosses are arriving enmass at Espaņola (Hood Island) and begin courtship. Hatching season ends for giant tortoises. The eggs of green sea turtles and land iguanas start to hatch. All the rain of the previous month turns the islands quite green. This, together with May, are the best months to visit Galapagos.
May: Blue-footed boobies start courtship at North Seymour. The eggs of sea turtles are hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) while the eggs of marine iguanas are hatching on Santa Cruz. Trees of Palo Santo begin to drop their leaves. Waved albatros start laying eggs on Espaņola (Hood Island). Band-rumped storm petrels starts nesting.
June: Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz begin their annual migration from highland to lowland to find a nesting place. Migratory birds moving north stopover at Galapagos. Migrating humpback whales can be sighted during this month.
July: Active breeding season for sea birds, especially the blue footed boobies on Espaņola. Flightless cormorants start their courtship rituals and nesting on Fernandina. American oystercatchers start nesting. Lava lizards start mating rituals. More sightings of whales and dolphins, especially on the western coast of Isabela. Water temperature max at 21 deg C
August: Galapagos hawks start courting rituals on Espaņola and Santiago Islands. Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island. Migratory birds start arriving. Giant tortoises start their track back to the highlands of Santa Cruz. Sea lions start pupping (giving birth) on the western and central islands. Water temperature max at 17 deg C.
September: Coldest season of the year. Air temperature at 19 deg C. Galapagos Penguins active on Bartolome Island. Sea lions also very active, with males fighting to establish colonies. Similarly, the sea birds are active at their nesting sites.
October: Lava herons start nesting between now and March. Galapagos fur seals start their mating period. Blue footed boobies are raising their chicks on Espaņola and Punta Vicente Roca.
November: Brown noodies are in breeding season. Some species of jellyfish can be sighted off the coast. Band-rumped storm petrels start their second nesting period. Newly born sea lion pups start playing in the sea off Champion Islet.
December: The eggs of the giant tortoises begin to hatch between now and April. Green sea turtles start their mating behaviour.
What to wear in the Galapagos Islands
Medium weight to warm clothing required for visiting the islands. Lightweight clothing may be useful for the summer months when air temperature warms up.
Getting into Galapagos Islands
Flights to the Galapagos leave from Ecuador in the mornings, so visiting wishing to go to the Galapagos without visiting Ecuador still need to overnight in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The main airport on the Galapagos is at Baltra, across from the town of Santa Cruz. There is another air strip at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobal Island. These two airstrips are 96 km apart, and are connected by local flights on light aircrafts. Emetebe, the local airline uses Cessna planes. There is a strict luggage limit of 30lb or less per person. Most visitors come on pre-arranged tours, and are met at the airport.
Galapagos Islands Entry Requirements
Same as Ecuador, nationals of US, Australia, Canada, Britain and the EU do not need a visa to enter Ecuador.
Getting around in Galapagos Islands
Most places within the Galapagos cannot be explored without the company of a certified naturalist guide. Find out what are the places you can visit on your own, and which one requires professional accompaniment. Generally, those places within town are fine for you to go around. The best (and the most expensive) way to explore the attractions of the Galapagos is to join a cruise ship or tourist oriented yacht. Options are available for 4-, 5- and 8-day cruises. These all cost a fortune, but since the islands are so unique, consider joining the 8-day cruise, for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. You should make your reservations for this well in advance. Another alternative is to sign up for a land tour with a guide. On Santa Cruz and Isabela, you have more chance to go do your own thing. Bikes and horses are available for rent, and places for you to explore without the need of a guide. Always stay on the trails and do not damage the ecology.
Money matters in Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands belong to Ecuador, which uses the US Dollar as its currency since 2000. Banknotes come in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 while coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, and $1. Banking hours are from 8:30am - 4:00/5:00pm Mondays to Fridays.
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