Galapagos Islands Facts
Our Galapagos Islands facts page can help you get ready for the vacation of a lifetime, making this a good place to start planning. First of all, there are only a few Galapagos Islands facts you really need to know about in order to start your vacation right.Entry
You don't need to get any vaccines in order to visit the Galapagos Islands. You don't need a visa, either. But you will need a valid passport. The other thing you need is cash for entrance to Galapagos Islands National Park. Since 97% of the islands are within Park boundaries, you'll need admission to the Park, and they only take cash. It's really called an entry fee for the Galapagos Islands, since only 40% of the US$100 goes toward the National Park. The rest goes into budgets of various local conservation and development groups aimed at protecting natural resources of the Galapagos Islands and marine life around them.Money
Ecuador has been dollarized, which means your best bet for cash is the US dollar. Everyone accepts it, even in the remotest of villages of the Galapagos Islands. If you're arriving with currency other than the dollar, make sure you get it changed Quito before you go to the Galapagos. And if you can, get clean dollar bills, since crumpled or torn ones might not be accepted by shopkeepers. Travelers' checks are also a good thing to carry.ATMs are temperamental in the Galapagos Islands, often sitting offline and unusable. If you are patient and persistent, you will eventually be able to get cash.
In the marketplace, it's normal to bargain. Local shops will try and first overcharge you, so don't fall for the first price. Bargain and get the price down by asking what the price is first.
Keep in mind that your credit cards won't be accepted everywhere but you'll probably be ok in restaurants, tourist agencies, and souvenir shops and other places set up specifically for tourists.
Banco del Pacifico has several branches in the Galapagos Islands. Find banks on Isla Santa Cruz and Isla San Cristobal.
Tipping
If you go on a boat tour or charter, you should tip. For a cruise, you tip each week. If it's a shorter cruise, just a few days, tip every day. Tips range from $25 to $50 per week and $5 to $10 per day. Whether there's a tip can on the boat or you pool together with other passengers and have someone give the tip to the captain to dole out, will depend on your boat. Sometimes they'll give you an envelope.
Other Galapagos Island Facts
The Galapagos Islands use Central Standard Time. The official language is Spanish but so many people speak English Americans and British should have no problem getting around.When to Go
One of the few little known Galapagos Island facts is that the climate isn't as hot and humid as other equatorial places. It's only a temperature range 70 to 80 degrees here, unlike other locations located on the equator. The waters around the islands are cold: only 68 degrees. The rainy season, from January through April, brings more rain but less wind and warmer water so it's still a good time to visit. The dry season as you guessed has less rain but more overcast days and lots of mist. Whenever you go, however, the islands are wonderful!
