The Galapagos Islands and the unique wildlife that helped Charles Darwin develop his theory of natural selection (or evolution) are in a vast national park controlled, administered and protected by Ecuador.
Photo © iStock/DC_Colombia
At a glance
- The Galapagos Islands are generally considered safe, with low crime and minimal natural disaster risk
- Travelers should still take precautions on mainland Ecuador, including avoiding street crime and scams
- On the islands, be mindful of changing weather conditions, especially during the wet season
- Exercise caution around wildlife and follow safety guidelines when on boats
Dubbed a “living museum”, the Galapagos Islands are one of our planet’s most unique and important wildlife sanctuaries. This group of 13 main islands – 600 miles to the east of Ecuador’s mainland – is so biodiverse that a visit to its shores in 1835 shaped Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking research on evolution. Tourism to this archipelago is tightly controlled, due to its status as a both a protected marine park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here’s what you need to know to avoid danger while visiting this natural wonder.
Safety on mainland Ecuador
Unless they visit the Galapagos Islands on a large cruise ship, most travelers reach this archipelago by flying into the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, before taking a flight or a boat to Galapagos. Safety varies greatly across Ecuador. The US and Australian Governments recommend its citizens avoid the country’s far north, where kidnappings and violence are rife. But Quito is a relatively safe destination, especially if you follow these tips:
- While in Quito, steer clear of certain troubled areas. Avoid the hiking trails between the Quito cable car and Rucu Pichincha volcano, where tourists have been robbed. Pickpockets and thieves also commonly target foreigners in Quito at La Carolina park, El Ejido park, La Mariscal, and La Marin.
- Tourists must be careful when using ATMs, which can be fitted with card skimming devices, and are also spots where thieves linger. The solution: always use an ATM located inside a bank in Quito.
- Lastly, only use the official yellow taxis, as unofficial taxis cruise around looking for victims to scam or rob.
Boat safety is paramount
Tour and transport operators in the Galapagos often don’t uphold safety or maintenance standards, warn both the US and Australian Governments, in their travel advisories about this archipelago. As a result, it is recommended tourists take the following precautions:
- Choose your tour operator carefully. Before you book with them, request evidence of their safety equipment and procedures to assess how reliable they are. Above all, make sure any boat you board has sufficient life jackets.
- Do not get seduced by cheap prices: Budget tour and transport operators tend to cut corners with safety and maintenance to keep their expenses low.
- Ensure your travel insurance covers you for boat trips, and also for any adventure activities you may wish to do in the Galapagos: diving, snorkelling, hiking, mountain biking.
Why Consider Travel Insurance
As aforementioned, you may want to get travel insurance that will cover you for any activity you may wish to join on the Galapagos. Especially those which are inherently risky, like diving and snorkelling. Here’s three things to bear in mind in regards to insurance and medical treatment:
- The Galapagos Islands have limited medical facilities, and if you aren’t insured, its hospitals and medical clinics can be very expensive.
- Any significant injuries or medical issues will need to be dealt with at one of the larger hospitals back on mainland Ecuador. That will require being flown more than 700 miles back to the cities of Quito or If you aren’t insured, this process could be quite costly.
- You may or may not need to head back to the mainland if you have a mishap while scuba diving. One of the most common problems people experience while diving if ascending too quickly from deep waters, which causes a range of health issues and requires immediate treatment in a decompression chamber. These chambers are available on the Galapagos Islands at the towns of Puerto Ayora and Santa Cruz.
*Travel insurance coverage may not be the same or available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage
Safety around animals
Wildlife is the calling card of the Galapagos Islands, which are among the world’s most biodiverse locations, teeming with unique creatures. About 97% of its reptiles and land mammals, and about 80% of its land birds, do not exist anywhere else on this planet. Here’s what to know about staying safe in their presence:
- While none of these animals are inherently dangerous to humans, tourists need to know how to behave respectfully and safely around the islands’ famous penguins, iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, and giant tortoises.
- When diving, snorkelling or walking on land be wary of sea lions, which can become aggressive if you get too close to their children or harem of breeding partners.
- In the ocean, always wear strong reef shoes to protect your feet from being cut by coral or poisoned by the spikes of stonefish.
- Bleeding while diving or snorkelling is dangerous, as it can attract sharks, many different species of which prowl the ocean waters surround Galapagos.
- Whether on land or in water, avoid touching any creatures. Not only could they react aggressively, and bite or sting you, but you may disturb them emotionally and even potentially make them ill from your foreign bacteria.
Best time of year to visit
Because of the unpredictable weather during the June to December wet season, it is advisable to visit the Galapagos Islands between May and November, when it is drier and cooler. Here’s several things to know about how the seasons affect tourism on this archipelago:
- Many tours still operate during the wet season, but your experience can be marred by rough seas, which hinder diving and snorkelling, and rain storms, which affect land activities like hiking and cycling.
- Fortunately, the iconic wildlife of this archipelago are busy and visible for most of the year. So you’ll be likely to catch a peek at giant tortoises, Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, sea lions and lava lizards.
- February is a particularly popular month for tourism on the Galapagos Islands, as that’s when colonies of penguins return to the archipelago.
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2 Comments
Im doing a report for school, this website was so good!
Two comments:
1. Sunscreen is important, and for any ocean vacations, you should make sure you are using "Reef-friendly" sunscreen. (Ingredients in some sunscreen is very detrimental to corals, etc.)
2. The Galapagos has a strict 2 meter rule for wildlife. You have to stay 2 m (approx 6 feet) away from any wildlife at all times.