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Dear Friend,

We present this information hoping to help you plan your trip to our country, and make your stay in Ecuador a truly memorable one.  We thank you for having chosen GALAPADIVING and NAUTILUS YACHT to book your trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Our priority is to ensure your safety, enjoyment and to enhance your knowledge of our country and our natural resources.  Welcome to Ecuador and to the Galapagos Diving experience!

Time Zone                    Ecuador is in the Eastern Standard Time zone.  Galapagos is one hour behind Ecuador's continental time.  GMT-5 in the Galapagos Islands. GMT-6 in mainland Ecuador.

Language                    The official language is Spanish, Even so, English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and shops you will visit. It is advisable to carry a small Spanish phrase book with you.

Currency                      The currency is the US Dollar.

Bank hours                  Banks are open to the public from 9:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.  Some ATM's located throughout the city of Quito.  In Puerto Ayora the ATM does accept MASTER CARD withdrawals but not VISA Cards.  While in Puerto Ayora both Master Card and Visa are accepted by many shops for major purchases however it is reccomended to bring cash for smaller puchases and for use on the other Islands where cash is required.  Travellers checks are not widley accepted and you will normaly pay a 5% charge to change them.

Electricity                    110 volts, 60 cycles AC

Shopping hours           Shops are open from 9:00 hrs. to 13:00 hrs. and from 15:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs. Few shops stay open at lunch time. Malls are opened from 10:00 hrs to 20:00 hours. We strongly recommend that you buy jewelry, antiques or artwork at specialist stores to guarantee authenticity.

Communication Facilities    During your Galapagos Tour, you can make International calls from Puerto Ayora.  A mobile phone system does operate here using both Movie Star and Porta systems.

Climate (average temperatures)    The Galapagos Islands have a subtropical climate regulated by the cold Humboldt current and the warm El Nino current. Weather varies during the year. From December until May temperatures range from low 80°s to low 90°s (with possibilities of rain). From June to September temperatures vary from low 60°'s to high 70°'s. This is the garua season (mist in the mornings). From October until December temperatures range from 70°s to 80°' (dry season).

 

Marine Currents           The Galapagos Islands waters have the Humboldt Current's influence that brings cold waters especially during the mist rainy season (cool weather) from July to December. The warm season is during the months of January to June. The southeast trade winds become weaker and the water from the Panama Basin remains warm. During this season there is more of a tropical climate with some occasional rains. "El Niño" current may cause a much greater flow of warm waters, making the surface warmer and rainfall increase.

 

Average Water Temperature                                                                                                                                January - June: 70°F - 80°F (20C - 26C)
July - December: 65°F - 75°F (18C- 23C)

Health/Medical/Diet     As for every trip you take abroad, general good health is required  for your travel to Galapagos.  You may well be taking long walks in hot weather.  We advise you to start to get into shape by bicycling, walking or swimming as this will help you to enjoy your trip.  No immunizations are required for your trip to Ecuador, however, for travel to the rainforest prevention against malaria & yellow fever may be considered.  If you take medication regularly, we advise you to take enough for the length of your trip.  Please advise us if you have any medical condition, which may require attention, so we can be prepared should an emergency arise.

If you should become ill during your stay, we can provide for you names of English speaking physicians or the telephone number of your Consulate or Embassy for advice. 

Recommendations   

1.     Do not drink tap water

2.     Avoid ice in your beverages while traveling in Ecuador (Consult with your guide).

3.     You can use ice on board the yachts in Galapagos and in main hotels & restaurants.

4.     Always drink bottled water and soft drinks.

5.     Try to avoid eating raw vegetables and salads or any raw foods while traveling in the continent. Always prefer cooked food.

6.     Always use sunscreen lotion even in cloudy days.

Insurance                    We strongly recommend you get full trip cancellation insurance. We understand the changeable nature of individual or group bookings and will try to accommodate your needs.  However, the purchase of a short term cancellation insurance will keep you covered. We also recommend accident, medical, diving and baggage insurance.

 

What to bring             

It is not necessary to carry much to the Galapagos, pack light and pack smart.  Lightweight fast drying cotton is recommended.

• Long Cotton pants
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long sleeved shirt
• A windbreaker or light sweater for evening or early morning
• Hat: preferably that cover the ears
• Lots of sunscreen lotion
• Good walking shoes: sneakers will do
• Tevas or sandals (if you wish)
• Sunglasses (with strap)
• An extra pair of prescription glasses (if needed)
• Small backpack to carry on land visits for your camera and water
• Plastic bag to keep your camera or photographic equipment dry
• Plenty of film
• Medications (anything you might be using while on your Tour)
• Trasderm scoop or tablets (if you are prone to sea sickness)
• Books to read while on Tour
• Binoculars
• If you wear glasses, it is a good idea to bring contact lenses for diving and snorkeling
• Insect repellent
• Personal Diving Equipment  

Additional recommendations    As the sun in the equatorial latitude is quite strong, we suggest you wear sunscreen at all times. Make sure you protect your head, face, arms and legs.   

On flights to Galapagos you are allowed two pieces of luggage with a maximum of 20 Kg (44 pounds) excluding your hand-bag and carry on.

Air transportation    Please be sure to reconfirm your international flight 48 hours before departure.  If you are collecting your tickets for flights to the Galapagos at the airport please do so on arrival or as soon as possible therafter.  For all national flights you are asked to be at the airport two hour before departure time.

Required Documents    According to Ecuadorian Immigration regulations, every foreign passenger entering the Country must have a passport with a time validity of at least 6 months from the day of arrival to Ecuador.  Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months.  

No visa is necessary for U.S. citizens or citizens of most other countries.  There are exceptions for some Asian, Central American and European countries.  Please check your individual situation with your travel agent, tour operator or local Consulate.  We advise you make copies of all your important documents (visa, passport, credit cards, air tickets, etc.). In case they are lost, it will make replacement much easier.

Upon Arrival     Upon arrival you will go through customs and immigration. Be sure your entrance papers are officially stamped showing the number of days allowed for your stay in the country: and you will be given a copy of these papers. Keep them in a safe place,  as you will need them to leave the country.

If you require assistance with your luggage at the airport, there are porters who can help you. Standard gratuity is US$1 per bag. If you are taking a taxi to your hotel, we suggest you to make sure that it has a taximeter running. If the taxi does not have a taximeter, you should arrange the price before getting in the vehicle. Most of the hotels in Quito and Guayaquil are located in the city, so the price should not be more than 6 US dollars. The rate also depends on the hour.

Normally, if you are arriving on a flight late at night and do not feel comfortable in a foreign country by yourself, we suggest a private transfer which can be arranged directly with us.

We recommend eating lightly the first day (if arrival city is Quito). Due to altitude you might suffer some digestive problems, as well as light dizziness.

Customs           According to Ecuadorian laws, any person that enters the country temporarily is exempt from the payment of any customs duty. This means that you should not pay any taxes or duties for your luggage, new or used articles that you will use during your trip, and portable items such as photo cameras, video cameras, laptops, radios and CD players.   Aside from the limitations set by each airline, there are no specific customs restrictions concerning the number of pieces of luggage or maximum weight you are allowed to bring into the country. 

Galapagos National Park - Rules and Regulations      Galapagos National Park rules are very strict and a way to keep the Islands intact for your enjoyment and that of future generations. You might think some of those rules excessive, but have in mind, that only in this way this unique archipelago will last for years to come. The most important rules are the following:

1.     Always follow the marked trail and never leave it.

2.     Do not touch the animals.

3.     Do not take souvenirs from the islands.

4.     Do not get too close to animals.

5.     Do not litter.

6.     Do not smoke in the National Park sites on the islands.

7.     Do not take food to the islands.

8.     Clean your shoes' soles before disembarking in the islands. You may have carried some seeds endemic to one island and would not want to introduce them to another.

9.     Always stay together with your group.

Entrance Fee    The Galapagos National Park of US$ 100 (US$ 50 for children under 12) is paid at Baltra or San Cristobal airport. Please be sure to carry the above amounts in cash. Credit Cards and travellers checks are not accepted.  

Note: Taxes, entrance fee and air tickets prices can be subject to change without prior notice.

Tipping / Gratuities     This is a very delicate matter.  Throughout the years we have been often asked what gratuity would be appropriate to leave for the guide and the crew.  It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity. 

 

 What is included in the price of a scuba tour?  Accommodations on board the vessel, all meals, snacks, non alcoholic beverages, diving, compressed air tanks, weights, weight belts, guiding.   Not included: Airfare, tipping, alcoholic beverages and purchases of personal nature.

 

When should I arrive to Ecuador?  You should plan to arrive two nights before your cruise starts.    It often happens with international flights that luggage is left behind and arrives one day after the passenger.  Going to Galapagos without your equipment and personal items might be quite difficult.

 

What is not included in my cruise price?

·         Air ticket to/from Galapagos

·         Galapagos National Park entrance fee  (US $ 100 per person)

·         International flight departure tax  (US $ 25 per person)

·         Tipping

·         Alcoholic beverages consumed on board

·         Purchases of personal nature

Be sure to carry the exact amount of cash to pay for the National Park entrance fee. Credit cards,personal checks or traveller’s checks are not accepted. Taxes cost might be subject to change without previous notice.

Do I need a passport?   Citizens of all countries require a passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival to the country.   USA and UK citizens do not require a visa.     Citizens of other countries please enquire with you travel agent about visas.

 

Who will meet me at arrival to Galapagos?  Your dive instructor/naturalist guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Galapagos.   He/she will have a sign with the name of the yacht you have booked your cruise on.

 

What is the diving like in Galapagos?  Galapagos diving is for very experienced divers only.     Strong currents, surge and cold waters make diving in the Islands difficult.     To be comfortable diving in Galapagos you will need to have at least 30 - 40 open water dives in your logbook.   Galapagos waters are full of big pelagics: whale sharks, hammerheads, and rays.

 

What dive equipment to I need?

Galapagos waters are cool.    Temperatures range between 65 F ( --C) to 85 F (--C).   Galapagos has thermo climes of about 65F.  You will need a ¼ inch (5 - 7mm) full hooded wet suit, booties, gloves and/or a dry suit.  Water temperatures vary little year round.

 

Can I rent dive equipment in Galapagos?   If carrying your own equipment is a problem for you, we can arrange for you to rent your dive equipment for your whole cruise.     You need to inform us of your wet suit and fin size in advance

 

What is the best time to dive the Galapagos?  Galapagos has good diving throughout the year as pelagics are always present in most of the dives. The cool water season June – December tends to have stronger currents and more difficult conditions but this is the best time for sightings of hammerheads.  The Period December to June tends to have warmer water and less strong currents and calmer conditions however you are liable to see less hammerheads.

 

Friends of the Galapagos     If you are interested after your Galapagos visit to join one of the clubs of "Friends of the Galapagos". Please contact:

Charles Darwin Foundation, Inc.
100 N. Washington St., Suite 311
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
(703-538-6833)

The Nature Conservancy, Latin American Division
1815 North Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209
(703-841-4860)

Galapagos Conservation Trust
5 Derby Street
London W1Y 78D
Tel: 0207 629 5049
Fax: 0207 629 4149

We hope you enjoy your stay in the Galápagos.