Getting Around Galapagos
Posted September 21st, 2008 by Bob the Sea LionMost people get around the islands by organized boat tours, but it’s entirely possible to visit some of the islands independently.
Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Santa María (Floreana) and Isabela all have accommodations and are reachable by interisland boat rides or flights (which are pricey). Keep in mind however that you’ll only scratch the surface of the archipelago’s natural wonders traveling independently.
AIR
The small airline, EMETEBE (Puerto Ayora 05-252 6177, San Cristóbal %05-252 0036, Puerto Villamil 05-252 9155, Guayaquil 04-229 2492), flies a five-passenger aircraft between the islands.
It offers two to three flights a week between Baltra and Puerto Villamil (Isla Isabela), between Baltra and San Cristóbal, and between San Cristóbal and Puerto Villamil. Fares are about $120 one way, and there is a 13kg baggage limit per person (although this is flexible if the plane isn’t full).
BOAT
Ingala (Puerto Ayora 05-252 6151), a governmentrun company, operates passenger ferry services aboard the Ingala II. It goes from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from Santa Cruz to Isabela about twice monthly (usually on a Friday) and once a month from Isabela to Floreana.
The office in Puerto Ayora can give you upto-date details, as can the Camará de Turismo (tourist information office) in Puerto Ayora . The departure times change periodically.
Fares are $50 for foreigners (sometimes cheaper in low season) on any passage and are purchased either on the day before or the day of departure. Ask around in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for private companies that ply the same routes daily or weekly; these are cheaper and faster but also tend to be smaller and more sensitive to rough seas.
Fees & Taxes
The $100 Galápagos national park fee must be paid in cash at one of the airports after you arrive or can be paid in advance through a prebooked tour. You will not be allowed to leave the airport until you pay. Make sure you have your passport available when you pay your fees and hang onto your ticket until you leave.
Tags: Galapagos Tours
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