Galapagos - A Trip to Remember

Galapagos Islands | Jul 1 - Jul 10, 2026

This hotel was on the waterfront and by location it had amazing views. The rooms were small but comfortable. Our rooms had a balcony which was also a pleasant place to sit and take in the wonderful scenery. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They were very helpful in giving us a good idea on what to expect from the trips that we had booked. Their restaurant and breakfast was also excellent.

The Rooms were large and spacious. There were TV in the room . The breakfast was good but basic.

We set off early. The day was hot and not knowing the details of what to expect. There was a pretty breach at the end of the hike. Thinking this was a hike, we had hiking clothes and shoes. The beach at the end would have necessitated us to bring a whole change of clothes which seemed too much to carry. On hindsight - this was not a true hike but a short walk. People were dressed for swimming - slippers/sandals was all we needed.

The boat was fast and the outboard motor was very noisy. But that's to be expected. Otherwise the trip was ok.

Angie was our guide took us to the highlands to see the crater of the extinct volcano. She did a very good job in explaining the history and geology of the area. This was a nice short uphill walk which was very pleasant for all of us. Then we went to lunch to a local farm house and it was delicious.

Fast and noisy

Diego came and picked us up from the hotel at 6:30 for the water taxi ride to the mainland. Then we went on a bus to the other side of the island to catch Galápagos Shark - our boat for the tour. It was a 2 hour sometimes rough ride to the island. On board our guide for the day explained the day’s itinerary very clearly I appreciated. They started the trip with some snacks of bananas and crackers. On Bartolome island our guide took us on the hike to the topmost point of the volcanic island. On the way he provided us with a very good overview of the history and geology of the island. About 1 hour. We came back to the boat and then the boat took us to a sheltered cove where my daughter and others snorkeled. Since my husband and I didn’t snorkel- we stayed on the boat and had a pleasant time observing the views and chatting with a couple of others who didn’t snorkel either. This was a much better experience for us. We had lunch after the snorkeling was over and it was good with fish/ veggies/ salad and a dessert. After lunch we started our way back. Just before we reached home dock - the boat provided us with Champagne and another dessert to commemorate a successful day at sea.

Diego picked us up from the hotel and helped us with our luggage. We took a water taxi to the mainland, then a taxi the pier to the other side of the island. He helped us transfer our luggage on the boat which took us to Baltra island. There we got on a bus which took us to the airport. At the airport he helped us check in our luggage and made sure that we had everything we need for our journey. He was very helpful.

Trip to Floreana This was a very good trip. Diego picked us up and took us on the water taxi to the mainland where he showed where to get on the trip. In Floreana we first went on a hike to the highlands where our guide gave us an excellent explanation of the history and geography of the island. We followed the footsteps of the pioneers of the island and then the first Germans who made their way to what they claimed at that time and is still true day “the last peaceful earth” After a yummy lunch in a local restaurant my daughter went off on a snorkeling trip. Since my husband and I don’t snorkel our guide offered us to drop us off at the beach where we could relax and watch the sea lions and marine iguanas. That was very thoughtful of him.

We were added with a group of divers in this tour. My husband and I don’t do water sports which we had already mentioned. My daughter however snorkels so we said we don’t mind doing this tour where my daughter will get to snorkel. I don’t understand why we were put in a group of 9 divers. The boat was small and the guides on the boat were diving guides. One guide was available for my daughter to snorkel and he was very good and helpful with her. He also took us on a small circle around the Kicker rock to show us some of the best features from the boat but that was all he could do. Lunch on the boat was provided after the diving activities were over. Lunch was ok.

There was a mechanical problem with the morning boat so we went on the afternoon boat. Jose was very helpful and informed us about this problem the night before. He booked us seats on the afternoon ferry and also rearranged some of the trips that were scheduled on that day. We reached San Cristobal around 5. Angie met us on the dock and accompanied us to the store where Saveri got fitted on a wet suit and snorkeling gear. She then dropped us off at the hotel. She was very efficient. She explained what we were going to be doing on San Cristóbal for the next three days. This included when we would be picked up, who would pick us up and what we would be doing on the trip. That was very helpful.

AM interpretation center, beach and lunch at local restaurant. This was the rescheduled trip to accomodate the change in boat ride the day before. PM - speed boat back to Santa Cruz Christian picked us up and took us to the interpretation center where the history of the island as well as the contribution of Darwin was shown. He explained everything to us as we walked from one exhibit to another. This is what I would have expected from Enrique on Day 1. He also explained the natural history of the island very well. The walk to the beach was very interesting and we spent some time there but did not swim or snorkel. After lunch at the local restaurant (which was excellent) we were dropped off at the pier and took the boat back to Santa Cruz