Galápagos Agencies and Boat Rentals
Galapagos tour operators or boat owners have contracts with a variety of different agencies. Only those agencies that own and contract out their own boats can usually offer discounts. Remember the boat rating is as important as the tour agency rating. There is never a discount on flights or the park entrance ($100 per person), other than student rates. If limited on time, booking through an agency is best. If you have got time and your schedule is flexible, watch out for last minute offers or just fly to the islands and sort a boat tour out from there.
In Quito
On the Galápagos
Diving on the Galapágos
Boats
Hotels in Galápagos
Average Costs for Flights
Absolute Joy |
Angermayer Tours or Andando Tours Phone: 323 7186, 323 7330, 323 7857, 323 7860 Fax: 323 8909 Address: Mariana de Jesús E7 - 113 (326) y Pradera, Quito Email: info@angermayercrouises.com Web: www.angermeyercruises.com Boats: Sagitta, Diamante, Sea Cloud, Samba , and Beagle |
Enchanted Expeditions (have own boats) |
Gala Cruises |
Safari Tours (operater) |
Sangay Tours |
Unforgetable Expeditions |
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On the Galápagos
Note: Most Agencies won’t take credit cards or charge you at least 10% Credit Card Fee.
Moonrise Travel Agancy |
Galakiwi
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Diving on the Galápagos
Scuba Iguana |
Raul Paredes Di ve Center: |
Arranging Boat Tours for Galapagos
Travel agents in Quito, Guayaquil and most other cities of the world can arrange Galápagos tours. Generally, the further the agency from the islands, the more expensive the trip. The cheapest tours are arranged on the islands, but if time is pressing (or during high season) this may not be feasible.
Recommended tour companies in Quito are
Many agencies offer economical trips, so it’s best to shop around. Really good deals can often be found as departure date approaches and the agency needs to fill a boat.Angermeyers
Foch 726 y Amazonas,
tel. 569960, fax 569956,
email: angerme2@angermeyer.com.ec,
website: http://www.angermeyer.com.ec
Safari Tours
Pasaje de Roca,
tel. 234799, fax 220426,
email: admin@safari.com.ec .
Besides the cost, the major drawback to package tours is dealing with ill-informed agents. They may, unwittingly, promise an itinerary you will never get, and if problems arise, a refund may be slow in coming, if it comes at all. Unfortunately, the traveler has little control since the agreement is between the agent and boat owner. A written itinerary or contract definitely helps. On the other hand, it’s more convenient to make arrangements ahead of time. To plan a suitable itinerary, ask about what’s good to see during the season that you plan to go. For example, the waved albatross isn’t always courting or even present on the islands at certain times of the year. Many visitors have few problems, but a complaint can be filed with the national tourism agency:
CETUR
Eloy Alfaro 1214 y Pasaje Carlos Tobar in Quito,
tel. 507-559/560/562,
Fax: 507-564/565,
E-mail: ecuainfo@interactive.net.ec ,
website: www.cetur.org
Approaching CETUR may be the best way to get a refund if one is required.
Arranging Tours on Santa Cruz Island
Setting up a tour in the Galapagos may be time consuming, but is often the most economical way to see the islands. Allow three to five days to make arrangements; it can take less. Have in mind the kind of trip you want - expense, amount of time, number of islands - and on boarding your flight to the islands, begin looking around for potential shipmates. A certain amount of flexibility helps, but most travelers are open to suggestions, as long as it fits their schedule and budget.
Puerto Ayora is a small town and finding other travelers is generally easy. However, if the competition is stiff or it’s the low season, it may be a good idea to meet the airport bus arriving in the main square at about 12:00 p.m. to better your chances. While you're forming a group, start looking for a boat.
Information can be obtained at a number of places. There are several so-called tourist information centers in Puerto Ayora, most using the title to lure in clients for their own package tours. Jenny at Moonrise Travel, opposite the Banco del Pacifico, keeps track of boats and how good they are. She’s honest and will advise you to go straight to the captain if it’s cheaper. CETUR has an office one block from the port but may not have much boat information.
The helpful folks at Coltur (www.iconsysweb.com/coltur) on first block of the coast road, know which boats are in port at any time. The Capitánia del Puerto may also be helpful. You may be able to save up to 20% during the low season on Tourist and First Class boats. It is advisable to pay for the trip in dollars or travelers checks. Credit cards are hard to use. If it is your only option, use a MasterCard. The Banco del Pacifico in Puerto Ayora is the only bank and they deal with MasterCard.
If you can’t find a boat, seek out the boat owners for information. In such a small town, it is easy to locate an owner's home. A good place to begin is at Bar-Restaurant Salvavidas by the main dock or at the volleyball court where crew and captains often play afternoon games.
Once you have found a boat and group, make sure all parties are in agreement on the price and what is included. Boat owners usually expect half of the fee as a deposit, with the balance due at the end of the trip. Most agencies insist on full payment before the trip. Most agencies and boats have a standard contract designed to protect both parties; if no suitable contract exists, draw one up. When dealing directly with boat owners, bargain.
Currently Operating Boats
There are some eighty tour boats operating in the islands at any time, which can make selection a daunting task. The following is a list of boats that have received favorable reviews from South American Explorers’ members in 2000.
LUXURY/ FIRST CLASS (LX), TOURIST CLASS (TC), ECONOMY BOATS (E) # OF PASSENGERS
This list is by no means exhaustive – but these have all received repeatedly good reports from members. If you plan to book a different boat we suggest you contact the SAE to see what members have to say. There are some boats best avoided! |
Recommended Boats
Economic: Mabel, Yolita |
The 4 Galápagos Islands with hotels are Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristobal and Floreana.
Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora Red Mangrove Adventur Inn, 05 526 564The Finch Bay Hotel, 05 526297Royal Palm Hotel, 05 527409Hotel Silberstein, 05 526 277 Hotel Sol y Mar, 05 526281
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San Cristobal Los Cactus, 05 520078 |
Isabela, Puerto Villamil La casa de Marita Hotel , 05 529238Ballana Azul and Isabella del Mar , 05 529220 |
Floreana Pension Wittmer, 05 520150 |
Low Season (Sept. 15-Oct 31, May 1-June 14) |
High Season |
Airlines
Aerogal Phone: 225 7202 |
TAME Airlines Phone: 290 9479 |