Lonely Planet Ecuador & Galapagos Islands (Travel Guide)

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Located over the equator, almost 600 miles away from the South American shoreline of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands can be the queen’s jewels of natural world.

A visit to this amazing Galapagos archipelago lives up to dreams of a protected area far away from the typical problems of modern life. The skies are tend to be full of sunshine, as well as the ocean breezes generate that most suitable air temperatures which promptly calms down your body. The water is an ever-tempting light blue, matched by long sandy beach locations of crystal bright, pink, brown and green. You will discover crystal coves and protected mangrove lagoons, together with magnificent cliffs and caves.

Weather for Galapagos Islands Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands, positioned in the Pacific Ocean, around a thousand kilometers west of Ecuador, have a distinct climate, warm and semi-arid, which has an incredibly hot and relatively rainy season coming from January to May, plus a dry and cool weather, but also cloudy and misty, coming from July to November.

The landscapes of the Galapagos are dry, except in the highlands of the larger islands, which usually get much more abundant rainfall. As was already observed by Charles Darwin, who as you may know observed the peculiarities of the species living in the islands, their climate is colder than one would likely be expecting from a location situated at the Equator, as a result of Humboldt Current, which usually gets to the region right after running in the water west of South America. However, here the weather is varied from one year to the other, because there are different ocean currents that encounter or take turns in the region (additionally there is a hot current coming from Central America, that runs at no great length and is extra powerful in the periods El Niño), therefore, the weather conditions are tough to anticipate.

On the shorelines, the rainfall amounts to lower than 600 millimeters (20 inches) a year, therefore it is in no way abundant. This is actually the average rainfall in Puerto Baquerizo; we are able to notice the reality that within the dry period, small amount of millimeters per month accumulate, thanks to mainly to drizzle and dew formation.

When to visit Typically, the Galapagos can be visited throughout every season. However, the perfect time to go to Galapagos, if you also want to go swimming and also take sunbathes, runs from February to May, since it is the most warm and sunniest, however, there might be some rains or severe storms in the morning.

The cool period, from July to November, can be suggested to explore nature, mainly because it very rarely rains in the flatlands and the climate is nice, even if you need to take under consideration mists, haze and cloudy skies. From September to November the sea can be a little tough, and this situation could affect people who are afflicted by movement illness, during catamaran trips from one island to the next.

What to bring

From December to May (warm cycle): light outfits, a light sweatshirt for the night, light raincoat or outdoor umbrella for rain showers; sun hat. For hiking in the hills and the Vulcan Wolf, a bit more comfortable sweatshirt and raincoat, walking shoes.

From June to November (cool season): light outfits, t-shirt or sweater and lightweight coat for the night time.

For the ocean, gear for snorkeling, water shoes or rubber soled footwear.

The Galapagos is a year-round location, and nature-loving tourists can anticipate to be surprised by the plant life and animals every month. However, the 2 main most important “periods,” each of which has its draws and downsides.

High season, when tourists usually force occupancy levels to the maximum, is considered June until September and December until mid-January. From June until November, the Humboldt Current creates colder, nutrient-rich water and colder land conditions. Average highs are usually close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds and seas are usually slightly harder. Skies are often cloudier, but rain is uncommon. The alteration in water attracts fish and marine birds, making this an incredible occasion to snorkel. Due to the cooler water temperature — sometimes in the low 60s– using a wet suit is a wise idea for snorkelers aiming to stay in the ocean a bit longer. This is also the mating season for the blue-footed boobies and waved albatrosses.

December until May, the atmosphere and water conditions are normally hotter, in the high 80’s, and seas tend to be calmer. Light rain falls for a while everyday, but the spritz is balanced with powerful sunshine. Sun-fans might be tested in February, when equatorial heat scorches the lava. Land vegetation explodes, with flowers everywhere. Numerous types of birds mate during this period, and sea turtle nesting can also happen.

El Nino, a climate event, can upend weather-related forecasts, delivering a tropical sense to the surroundings at unanticipated times.

The Way to Get to the Galapagos Islands

The Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport at Guayaquil (GYE) receives flights from U.S. cities of Miami and New York, European cities of Amsterdam and Madrid, and important cities of Central and South America. Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito (UIO) receives flights from the U.S. via Atlanta, Houston and New York; from Europe via Madrid and Amsterdam; also out of several Big cities in Central and Southern America. We advise you to arrive at Ecuador at least two times ahead of your Galapagos Cruise starts and catch your international flight home at least 2 days following your stay in the Galapagos. It’s possible to take benefit of these two days by visiting Quito, Guayaquil, or their environment. As soon as you have your trip to mainland Ecuador, getting to the Galapagos Islands is simple. Located nearly 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Ecuador’s coast, the only way to travel is by airplane. Whether Quito or Guayaquil, there are several flights daily that take passengers to the archipelago. You can land on Baltra Island or in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. TAME, AVIANCA and LAN are the airlines which operate these routes. If you are flying from Quito, you’ll almost certainly have a brief stop in Guayaquil on your way to the islands. Reserve your Galapagos tour before you purchase flight tickets to make sure correct dates. Check with your Galapagos cruise or tour company for advice on booking your flight to the Galapagos including optimal arrival times to the Islands according to cruise/program plans.

Galapagos Facts

A great number of unfearful wildlife, visitors can get up close and personal to some of the planet’s rarest animals. The convergence of three important oceanic waters flow brings an unbelievable mix of marine life to Galapagos. The endemic Galapagos marine iguana is the only lizard to float in the sea. Darwin’s study in Galapagos led to the groundbreaking theory of The Evolution of Species.

In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos since the first World Heritage site. The film Captain and Commander was filmed around the islands of Bartholomew and Santiago. The title ‘galapagos’, an old Spanish term for ‘saddle’, was originally employed by Bishop Tomas and his team to spell out the giant tortoises but the name stuck. As a result of early existence of both English and Spanish inhabitants in Galapagos, the Islands now have both English and Spanish names.

Throughout the five weeks he spent there, he went to collect plants, stones, birds and insects. He detected the odd life forms and their adaptations to the harsh environment. He noted it was possible to distinguish which island that a tortoise came from by the shape of their own shell. His most well-known research is of the numerous species of finches which inspired his groundbreaking theory The Origin of Species, published in 1859.

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