Don't hesitate to book your Galapagaos adventure through kimkim with Alvaro.
Galapagos Islands
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Dec 24 - Jan 5, 2024
This was a big trip for our family of four -- myself, my husband and our two daughters, age 9 and 12. Galapagos isn't an easy place to get to from the U.S. with the multiple flights and the overnight in the mainland. I had no idea how to go about planning all of this and found it all a bit intimidating. Thank goodness I found kimkim and Alvaro our trip planner. I had never used a service like this. But now I don't think I will ever plan a trip alone again. Customizing a trip with Alvaro ahead of time (with multiple back-and-forth versions of the itinerary) and then having all the guides meeting us along the way and all the decisions made beforehand made the trip so much less stressful. In fact, it wasn't stressful at all! I could just enjoy each experience, each day, each hotel, and not have to worry about anything. Alvaro was immediately responsive on whatsapp text throughout the trip. Note: I have traveled widely. I don't think I've ever been anywhere with people as kind as the Ecuadorians. Not once in two weeks did someone try to upsell me anything. Everyone just generally wanted to be helpful and to make sure we had a good time and enjoyed this incredible opportunity to be with the animals. Our local guides, in particular, Edison in San Cristobal and Julio (unparalleled in my view) in Isabella, were incredible. We miss them!
Hotel Reviews
Great hotel to overnight at on way to and way back from the Galapagos.
Our favorite hotel of the trip.
This hotel is interesting because it is built into the mangroves. You can easily walk to the main strip or to the Darwin Center. And it is quieter because it isn't in the center of the action, which I liked. But I didn't really love that there wasn't really a great place for us to hang out. There's the tiny area where they serve breakfast with one couch and two chairs where you can see all the marine animals right there. And there's a little area on the upper level with a hammock. But not much more. The breakfast isn't terrific here but it is adequate. No amenities. Was our least favorite of the hotels. Much preferred Golden Bay in San Cristobal and The Albermarle in Isabella (which was beachfront and had a pool and a nice area to hang out for the kids.) Unsure if there are better options on the waterfront for families.
Activity Reviews
Snorkeling at La Loberia kicked off our trip and it was amazing.
Great activity. The snorkel is the best part.
This was our least favorite activity of the trip. I think we booked it instead of the volcano because I didn't think my kids would be up for a long, hot hike around the crater. But note this is not a chill SUP like the photo shows. You should have some SUP experience for this two-hour SUP into a strong current. Ended up kayaking with the girls.
We had seen so much good marine wildlife in San Cristobal and Isabella that this kayak was a bit of a letdown. But we really, really enjoyed snorkeling with the marine iguanas in an adjacent area. My husband was ecstatic at this part. (Rare to get to be in the water with the swimming iguanas.) And the big beach is gorgeous.
This is a complicated one to review. It is three hours on a boat there and three hours on a boat back and you have to leave at 5:45 a.m. This is really to get to see the scenery and a chance to see the penguins. (But if you go to Isabela Island you see more penguins.) I was anxious about the boat because we did an activity called San Cristobal 360 with the roughest boat ride of our lives. This boat ride, like Alvaro assured me, was nothing like that. It was relaxing and we were able to pass the time resting, sleeping and enjoying the boat. The crew was great and the chef even prepared omelettes for us when we didn't want the fish they were serving. My husband had an amazing experience swimming with a penguin that he said was the highlight of the trip for him -- even with three scuba dives and endless other snorkels.
This was a trip highlight. We loved walking around the ranch and seeing the giant tortoises. Lunch was amazing too.
