Tips to begin planning for Ecudor Visit
 

I know that somewhere in this forum this question might exist, but I am tired of looking for it, so here goes:

I have a week(July 4th) and am planning to travel to Ecuador and ofcource Galapagos. I have a total of 8 days and travelling with 2 kids, 7 yr ( who loves wildlife and reads tons of books on them) and a 3 yr old. Also, my wife gets motion sick on any boat ride. Any tips from your experiences, so I can get some pointers to start planning?

Hi hawk123, I am sorry this is not a response to your specific inquiry...I myself am planning a trip to Ecuador in August and have been checking back to this forum for info and for the past few weeks there's been nothing new. If you find another source for info on Ecuador trip planning, please post the site here! I'll do the same.

I would not put 3-year old on a boat, even a big one. It would be too confining and difficult. Children of that age may not even be allowed on the islands, you’d have to check. You must walk only on paths and no running, which might be hard for a little one.

Instead of a boat-based trip to the Galapagos, I’d opt for land based. (Though I have never done so myself.) The inhabited islands that might work for land based are Santa Cruz, Floreana. You can fly into Santa Cruz and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz has hotels. From there you can go to the highlands and see wild tortoises (which I have done and is excellent) and of course the Charles Darwin Research Station is there with the captive tortoises. Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) is a wonderful place to see turtles, rays, and reef sharks swimming in the mangroves. Conway Bay in the north has a land iguana colony, though I’ve not been. The marine iguanas are plentiful as are the sea lions. For birdlife, I know there are pelicans and some blue footed boobies. You might be able to do some day trips from there with your son.

The book A TRAVELERS GUIDE TO THE GALAPAGOS is very helpful.

Hmmm.

I think if I were worried about a baby and a seasick spouse, I would probably be looking for something OTHER than a Galapagos trip....I would certainly NEVER consider doing it as a "land only" trip.

Just my opinion...
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

The larger boats are much more stable, and would be better for someone prone to motion sickness. But, its still choppy and dramamine (or equivalent) would be necessary.

I visited the Galapagos in 2003, and I don't recall any very small children on any of the boats or at the sites -- there may be an age requirement. Moreover, the landings can be very difficult and would be unsafe for a three-year old.

With a three-year old and with someone prone to seasickness, it may be better to do a land-based visit to the Galapagos, staying on Santa Cruz (the Finch Bay Hotel is very nice), and visiting sites on that island and maybe taking some boat tours to nearby islands. There are a lot of sites within easy reach of Santa Cruz.

Michael

Can't say as I agree at all with thit_cho.

Getting to Santa Cruz is an expensive proposition to begin with, and the Galapagos experience is all about the ISLANDS and the wildlife that lives on 'em. Staying in one place in a destination like the Galapagos just doesn't hit me as the way to get any kind of return on your travel investment....it hits me as a whole world of missed opportunity.

Land only?? In the GALAPAGOS???

NO WAY!!! I'd sooner go to Paris and skip the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

The only way to see the Galapagos is Celebrity Xpedition (fabulous experience and 6 star). Why on earth would would you take two young children? I took my children to see their grandparents from 6 months onwards on international flights.....but the trip you want to take is not for youngsters.

Here is my review of the Galapagos:
http://www.epinions.com/content_214393130628
At the bottom are links to my other Ecuador reviews.

We went to the Galapagos through Lindblad expeditions. There were some young kids on the boat, and they seemed to do fine. I'd recommend you look into Lindblad (expeditions.com) or Celebrity, which are the biggest ships in the Galapagos. Otherwise you're going to have small ships that don't offer much in the way of comfort, at least traveling with kids.

The seas can be rough, but the bigger the boat, the better you'll do, and be sure to bring dramamine. Also keep in mind, kids have to be strictly supervised, as they absolutely cannot wander. Our guide was scared he would get fired and lose his Galapagos National Park license because someone would see the kids running out of control.

I have a ton of pics from my trip - from the Galapagos to Ecuador. I'd be more than happy to share - drop me an e-mail if you are interested and I'll send you the link.

[email protected]