Galapagos Slow Travel Style - comments on 2+ weeks in Galapagos?
Jul 1st, 2005, 09:36 AM
#1
Original Poster
Galapagos Slow Travel Style - comments on 2+ weeks in Galapagos?
My husband and I plan to visit South America next year and a visit to the Galapagos is very high priority for us.
Our minds are really open about how/what to do while we're there - and time is pretty flexible.
Originally I assumed a 7 day cruise (leaning towards Isabella II) but now I'm thinking - why not stay in hotels on the Islands (1 or 2) and possibly do a cruise as well (4 days?) - I like the idea of just "being there" - and since we have the time to do it am interested in comments/ideas about that option.
Thanks in advance for your comments
Our minds are really open about how/what to do while we're there - and time is pretty flexible.
Originally I assumed a 7 day cruise (leaning towards Isabella II) but now I'm thinking - why not stay in hotels on the Islands (1 or 2) and possibly do a cruise as well (4 days?) - I like the idea of just "being there" - and since we have the time to do it am interested in comments/ideas about that option.
Thanks in advance for your comments
Jul 1st, 2005, 02:53 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did a 4 day cruise last year combined with a few nights in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) afterwards. We enjoyed just relaxing and being able to do some exploring on our own in a non-group environment. We found the town of Puerto Ayora quite charming in a funky sort of way. It reminded me a little of places like San Pedro/Ambergris Caye in Belize, Cruz Bay, St. John or Island Mujeres, Mexico if you've been to any of those.
I'm glad we decided to linger a few extra days instead of flying straight back to the mainland after our cruise. It's a totally different experience than the cruise and one that not many people seem to include, probably because it's less wildlife oriented. If your primary goal is to see as much wildlife as possible, then a longer cruise would better serve that purpose. But an island stay shows you a different facet of the islands.
Santa Cruz has the largest population and choice of accomodations (largest being relative to the other islands), and I think there are also hotels on San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana. I believe all of the other islands are uninhabited. We didn't stay on any island other than Santa Cruz so can't offer any first hand experiences. Expect it to be very quiet.
I also don't know how frequent the transportation options are between islands. If you choose a cruise like ours which sailed from San Cristobal and returned to Santa Cruz, it might make the logistics easier.
Hope this helps.
I'm glad we decided to linger a few extra days instead of flying straight back to the mainland after our cruise. It's a totally different experience than the cruise and one that not many people seem to include, probably because it's less wildlife oriented. If your primary goal is to see as much wildlife as possible, then a longer cruise would better serve that purpose. But an island stay shows you a different facet of the islands.
Santa Cruz has the largest population and choice of accomodations (largest being relative to the other islands), and I think there are also hotels on San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana. I believe all of the other islands are uninhabited. We didn't stay on any island other than Santa Cruz so can't offer any first hand experiences. Expect it to be very quiet.
I also don't know how frequent the transportation options are between islands. If you choose a cruise like ours which sailed from San Cristobal and returned to Santa Cruz, it might make the logistics easier.
Hope this helps.
Jul 1st, 2005, 05:48 PM
#3
Hi
I did the 7 days on the Isabella ll and if you decide on this Yacht ,I maybe be able to help a bit.
Yes there is nothing wrong with your combination of a 4 days cruise and a few days to just "hang out" at Puerto Ayora, the way Patty did.
You will more than likely never go back to the Galapagos, so see all you can while you are there.
Percy
Percy
I did the 7 days on the Isabella ll and if you decide on this Yacht ,I maybe be able to help a bit.
Yes there is nothing wrong with your combination of a 4 days cruise and a few days to just "hang out" at Puerto Ayora, the way Patty did.
You will more than likely never go back to the Galapagos, so see all you can while you are there.
Percy
Percy
Jul 2nd, 2005, 02:38 AM
#4
Original Poster
Thanks to Patty and Percy for your comments - Patty would you recommend the hotel you stayed in? And Percy - any information/comments regarding Isabella II would be appreciated. Thx again - I think we'll plan on the longer visit.
Any Machu Picchu suggestions by chance? I definitely want to stay right there and probably stay 2 nights - won't probably get there again either!
Any Machu Picchu suggestions by chance? I definitely want to stay right there and probably stay 2 nights - won't probably get there again either!
Jul 2nd, 2005, 11:59 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Elizabeth,
Hope you don't mind my jumping in on this.
Excuse caps (or lack of), new wireless keyboard seems to have a glitch.
How wonderful to have 2 weeks for just there. we have been looking into a trip to the galapagos ourselves. It has been near the top of our list of must sees for years but we just haven't done it. sounds like you are planning the same type of trip we are just a little sooner. Hubby is retiring soon and will be taking tropical bio classes and when not in class we hope to be traveling. He has lived in argentina and worked with his father in most other countries down there but never got to the galapagos. After having traveled to argentina I think I want to see as much as possible in south america on that trip rather than make that long trip again. saving our ff miles for an upgrade next time. 12 hours at night was a long time in coach. Percy, I can't imagine how long it must have taken you from canada. A friend of ours was in Machu Picchu last year and loved it. we are hoping to make it there also. we will start our trip in Argentina visiting friends about an hour out of buenas aires. from there we will head down the coast with them and part ways in tierra del fuego or Ushuaia where we will continue on up the other coast.
great to know the possibilities for the galapagos. Don't imagine we will get back so a combo of island and ship sounds good. sounds like a relaxing end to our south american odysey.
would love to hear more about the ships from those of you who have been. smaller is better for us. we don't like to travel in a "tour" other than what is necessary for certain areas. How was the stability of the ship? How was the food, weather etc?
Hope you don't mind my jumping in on this.
Excuse caps (or lack of), new wireless keyboard seems to have a glitch.
How wonderful to have 2 weeks for just there. we have been looking into a trip to the galapagos ourselves. It has been near the top of our list of must sees for years but we just haven't done it. sounds like you are planning the same type of trip we are just a little sooner. Hubby is retiring soon and will be taking tropical bio classes and when not in class we hope to be traveling. He has lived in argentina and worked with his father in most other countries down there but never got to the galapagos. After having traveled to argentina I think I want to see as much as possible in south america on that trip rather than make that long trip again. saving our ff miles for an upgrade next time. 12 hours at night was a long time in coach. Percy, I can't imagine how long it must have taken you from canada. A friend of ours was in Machu Picchu last year and loved it. we are hoping to make it there also. we will start our trip in Argentina visiting friends about an hour out of buenas aires. from there we will head down the coast with them and part ways in tierra del fuego or Ushuaia where we will continue on up the other coast.
great to know the possibilities for the galapagos. Don't imagine we will get back so a combo of island and ship sounds good. sounds like a relaxing end to our south american odysey.
would love to hear more about the ships from those of you who have been. smaller is better for us. we don't like to travel in a "tour" other than what is necessary for certain areas. How was the stability of the ship? How was the food, weather etc?
Jul 2nd, 2005, 06:44 PM
#6
Elizabeth
Yes I can tell you lots about the Isabella ll and send you some pictures of the Yacht inside.
You can e-mail me at [email protected]
Suzie2:
Yes it was a long plane ride from Canada, but the connections were very good, only a 2 hour wait in Houston and then it was clear going all the way to Quito.
I had a fellow in Quito who owns and runs a tour company and he booked everything for me , including four full day tours in Quito before I left for the Galapagos.
I just have to add that I could not have been treated better ,if I was the President of the United States.!!!!
Thanks to Martin in Quito.
The most hummingbirds I ever saw in my life was at the Bellavista Cloud Forest , a few hours out of Quito ( full day tour), they were landing on my head on my shoulder, on my hand, they were so close I could blow on their feathers ...
That is why the two hummingbird gardens I visited in Costa Rica were tame after this !!!
I was at the Galapagos during the bird hatching season, can you imagine seeing all these Blue Footed and Red Footed Boobies etc .with their chicks!!!!!! priceless !
Percy
Yes I can tell you lots about the Isabella ll and send you some pictures of the Yacht inside.
You can e-mail me at [email protected]
Suzie2:
Yes it was a long plane ride from Canada, but the connections were very good, only a 2 hour wait in Houston and then it was clear going all the way to Quito.
I had a fellow in Quito who owns and runs a tour company and he booked everything for me , including four full day tours in Quito before I left for the Galapagos.
I just have to add that I could not have been treated better ,if I was the President of the United States.!!!!
Thanks to Martin in Quito.
The most hummingbirds I ever saw in my life was at the Bellavista Cloud Forest , a few hours out of Quito ( full day tour), they were landing on my head on my shoulder, on my hand, they were so close I could blow on their feathers ...
That is why the two hummingbird gardens I visited in Costa Rica were tame after this !!!
I was at the Galapagos during the bird hatching season, can you imagine seeing all these Blue Footed and Red Footed Boobies etc .with their chicks!!!!!! priceless !
Percy
Jul 2nd, 2005, 08:40 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suzie,
We were on the 16 passenger Archipel catamaran. I posted my photos and some comments after we returned last year, including pics of our vessel -
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34502296
We also spent some time on the mainland (in Quito and Bellavista). If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.
Elizabeth,
We stayed at 2 hotels in Puerto Ayora and I posted some brief comments on both here - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34474941
I don't know if you have a budget in mind. We paid $75 a night for a new A/C room at the Lobo del Mar. It's right in town, next to the TAME (domestic airline) office, so an easy walk everywhere. If looking for some place a little more upscale (upscale being relative as there really aren't any luxury properties in PA), look into the Red Mangrove Inn, not too far from town on the road to the Darwin research center. There's also the Finch Bay resort which has its own small beach, but you need to take a water taxi back and forth to town.
No experience with Machu Picchu, sorry.
We were on the 16 passenger Archipel catamaran. I posted my photos and some comments after we returned last year, including pics of our vessel -
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34502296
We also spent some time on the mainland (in Quito and Bellavista). If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.
Elizabeth,
We stayed at 2 hotels in Puerto Ayora and I posted some brief comments on both here - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34474941
I don't know if you have a budget in mind. We paid $75 a night for a new A/C room at the Lobo del Mar. It's right in town, next to the TAME (domestic airline) office, so an easy walk everywhere. If looking for some place a little more upscale (upscale being relative as there really aren't any luxury properties in PA), look into the Red Mangrove Inn, not too far from town on the road to the Darwin research center. There's also the Finch Bay resort which has its own small beach, but you need to take a water taxi back and forth to town.
No experience with Machu Picchu, sorry.
Jul 6th, 2005, 06:42 PM
#8
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi all
We (myself, husband, and two kids) were in Galapagos in April. We stayed 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Red Mangrove then went on the Archipel for 7 days. Really glad we did it that way. The stay at the Red Mangrove was really relaxing - really pricey but really relaxing. We'd been in Ecuador for 9 days already and it was time to do laundry and kick back on a beach for a few days - Puerto Ayora was perfect for that. The Red Mangrove is right on the water - in fact at high tide the water covers the little dock in front - the marine iguanas come very close to actually being in the dining room where you have breakfast. My 11 year old said he preferred the stay in P.A. to the week on the boat - didn't like all that moving around.
We thought the Archipel was great with a few minor problems. There's really no air conditioning - our stateroom was fine but the kids' was stuffy at night (the Archipel II has air conditioning - don't know if it's in service yet). Our guide was kind of arrogant and hard to understand but the guides move around so he's not necessarily connected to the boat. On the plus side -because the boat is a catamaran the ride was lovely and smooth and the layout of the rooms and large common area up top was great. My husband's a naval architect and he thought it was way better designed than most of the other boats its size.
A very belated thank you to Patty and Percy for all your Galapagos postings - I've never responded to you before but your info was invaluable when I was planning our trip.
Glad to answer any questions -
We (myself, husband, and two kids) were in Galapagos in April. We stayed 3 nights in Puerto Ayora at the Red Mangrove then went on the Archipel for 7 days. Really glad we did it that way. The stay at the Red Mangrove was really relaxing - really pricey but really relaxing. We'd been in Ecuador for 9 days already and it was time to do laundry and kick back on a beach for a few days - Puerto Ayora was perfect for that. The Red Mangrove is right on the water - in fact at high tide the water covers the little dock in front - the marine iguanas come very close to actually being in the dining room where you have breakfast. My 11 year old said he preferred the stay in P.A. to the week on the boat - didn't like all that moving around.
We thought the Archipel was great with a few minor problems. There's really no air conditioning - our stateroom was fine but the kids' was stuffy at night (the Archipel II has air conditioning - don't know if it's in service yet). Our guide was kind of arrogant and hard to understand but the guides move around so he's not necessarily connected to the boat. On the plus side -because the boat is a catamaran the ride was lovely and smooth and the layout of the rooms and large common area up top was great. My husband's a naval architect and he thought it was way better designed than most of the other boats its size.
A very belated thank you to Patty and Percy for all your Galapagos postings - I've never responded to you before but your info was invaluable when I was planning our trip.
Glad to answer any questions -
Jul 7th, 2005, 08:43 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lindapinda,
Glad to hear you had a nice stay in Puerto Ayora and an overall enjoyable cruise on the Archipel. Your impression of the Archipel are very similar to ours. We were also surprised by the lack of A/C. Fortunately for us, the weather in May was cool enough at night for sleeping (especially after we figured out we could flip the ventilation switch on). We also loved the layout of the vessel - it felt very spacious. Sorry to hear of your experience with your guide. If I recall correctly, the guide we had said he normally worked on the Seaman, so I believe they do rotate them. What do you know about the Archipel II? Is it the same exact layout just with A/C?
Glad to hear you had a nice stay in Puerto Ayora and an overall enjoyable cruise on the Archipel. Your impression of the Archipel are very similar to ours. We were also surprised by the lack of A/C. Fortunately for us, the weather in May was cool enough at night for sleeping (especially after we figured out we could flip the ventilation switch on). We also loved the layout of the vessel - it felt very spacious. Sorry to hear of your experience with your guide. If I recall correctly, the guide we had said he normally worked on the Seaman, so I believe they do rotate them. What do you know about the Archipel II? Is it the same exact layout just with A/C?
Jul 8th, 2005, 08:38 PM
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patty etc.,
Don't know any details about the Archipel II except that it's supposed to have a/c - quick internet search reveals nothing.
One other thing about the Archipel I liked was our itinerary. We started with the less visited western islands - Isabela and Fernandina - and didn't see another boat our first two days out except one fishing boat. And Punta Espinosa on Fernandina was my favorite stop of the whole trip. Really all the islands were great but I especially enjoyed not having 4 or 5 other groups of people on the trails with me.
Talking about all of this is just making me want to plan our next trip.
It's some kind of sickness isn't it?
Linda
Don't know any details about the Archipel II except that it's supposed to have a/c - quick internet search reveals nothing.
One other thing about the Archipel I liked was our itinerary. We started with the less visited western islands - Isabela and Fernandina - and didn't see another boat our first two days out except one fishing boat. And Punta Espinosa on Fernandina was my favorite stop of the whole trip. Really all the islands were great but I especially enjoyed not having 4 or 5 other groups of people on the trails with me.
Talking about all of this is just making me want to plan our next trip.
It's some kind of sickness isn't it?
Linda
Jul 9th, 2005, 06:58 AM
#11
lindapinda
Enjoyed your report and it sounds like you had a great time.
I agree after nine day in Ecuador you needed down time in Puerto Ayora.
Glad Patty and I were able to help .
Percy
Enjoyed your report and it sounds like you had a great time.
I agree after nine day in Ecuador you needed down time in Puerto Ayora.
Glad Patty and I were able to help .
Percy
Jul 11th, 2005, 05:17 AM
#12
Original Poster
My 2+ weeks has turned into one month and now I'm trying to find villa/apartment style accommodation. There's a one bedroom suite that's located at the Casa del Lago Restaurant near the Ninfas lagoon - does anybody know that restaurant or have comments about the location? Better yet - has anybody stayed there? The apartment looks fine but I'm worried about noise from the restaurant as apparently they have music at night?
Thanks!
Thanks!
