Galapagos - Transport

The two main modes of transportation in the Galápagos are taxis and your own two feet. There are only a few routes available for public transportation. You won't be able to drive yourself around the islands because there are no car rental companies there; locals also don't usually rent out motorcycles, though they do occasionally ride them.

Air

There are no direct flights to the Galapagos Islands. Whether you’re traveling from the United States, Europe, or anywhere else, you should book an international flight to Guayaquil or Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

There are two main airports in Galapagos. These are located on San Cristóbal Island (San Cristóbal Airport in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) and Baltra Island (Seymour Airport). The airport in San Cristobal is a better place to leave/join a boat because it’s a 10 minute taxi ride from the airport. To get to the airport in Baltra you have to take a taxi across the whole of Santa
Cruz, then take a ferry and a bus to the airport.

Flying from Quito to Galapagos takes about two and a half hours. Most of the flights make a stop in Guayaquil.

Flying from Guayaquil to Galapagos takes around one and a half hours, and all flights are direct.

Only two airlines are flying to Galapagos:

• Avianca (www.avianca.com)
• LATAM (www.latam.com)

Both airlines operate several morning flights daily from Quito via Guayaquil to the islet of Baltra, which is the main airport in Galapagos. It is linked to Santa Cruz by ferry.

Water Taxis

Getting ashore in most harbors is by water taxi due to the problematic sea lions and lack of decent dinghy docks. Water taxis charge between $1 and $2 a ride. All operate on VHF Ch. 14. In San Cristobal, water taxis stop running around 6-7 pm unless you arrange otherwise. In Santa Cruz, they run 24 hours.

Tours

One Day Excursions
There are a number of tour operators, based in all inhabited ports, who sell places on tours to visit sites in the National Park. Some of these are outside the port areas and cannot be visited by a cruising yacht with an Autografo.
The destinations of trips from Santa Cruz include Isabela, North Seymour, Bartalome and Floreana. Most tours begin with a coach ride to the north of the island and transfer to the tour boat, usually carrying 12-16 passengers. The boat journey to the destination island takes 2-3 hrs. On arrival the tour party will disembark and explore inland, accompanied by a licensed naturalist guide. Lunch is normally included but personal snorkelling gear should be taken if you have it as there will likely be a swimming stop.

Multi Day Excursions
It’s also possible to live-aboard a tour boat and visit several islands in the national park as part of a 4 or 5 day excursion. The boat will stop at several anchorages as it tours the islands and a naturalist guide will be available throughout to tell the guests about the fauna and flora. The boats usually have 8 cabins and a maximum capacity of 16 guests. Meals onboard are included but drinks are additional. The quality of the boats range from economy to ‘luxury’ and prices vary accordingly.
You will need to consider who will be available to look after your boat at anchor during these tours.
Last minute tours may be available on arrival, and will be discounted.
However, booking in advance ensures you get what you want.

Note that tours must be paid for in cash.