Galapagos Islands FAQ's
The warmest months are from December to June. January to March can be hot and humid, but also mostly green at this time. The months from July to November are cooler. The average year-round temperature is 76°F (24°C).
Galapagos Weather: The Galapagos archipelago has a unique tropical nature in matters of weather. The influence that the marine currents create on the islands makes it unusually dry. There are two very different seasons that completely change the environment and landscape during six months each. Even though the pattern that the currents create is accurate, the weather behavior is unpredictable in the transition of the seasons and is completely changeable within a few hours.
The Warm and Wet Season (88°F/70°F)
Starting on January to June, is the time when the strongest marine current that crashes on the Galapagos is the Panama northern hot current. This is associated with high wind and water temperature that results in high humidity. The skies are usually clear but there are eventual heavy rainstorms.
Terrestrial Life
The temperature peak of the season is often on March and April, and this is the time when vegetation turns green and terrestrial ecosystems flourish. Insects such as Butterflies, beetle, grasshoppers, mantis and others are easier to find. This is a positive impact for bird and other vertebrate fauna for feeding and reproducing processes.
Marine Life
The Galapagos marine fauna and flora are diverse and unique thanks to the upwelling phenomenon. On the warm season the Panama current has the chance to enter the island zone because the wind engine system changes and weakens the upwelling. Then when the water is warm, most animals find it difficult to survive due to the lack of primary production resources and life struggles.
The Cold and Dry Season (81°F/66°F)
Also called the Garua season starts on the months of June until December, is due to the presence of cold waters coming from the south and west, resulting in no much evaporation and so, no much precipitation in the lowlands. The Humboldt Current coming from the south hits the archipelago and together with the west current of Cromwell, create a perfect upwelling scenario for life.
Terrestrial Life
The lowlands and highlands are different ecosystems that also have very different facts that influence on their nature. On the cold season, the lowlands turn completely dry, most plants die and most trees (the ones that are adapted to the dramatic change) lose their leaves creating a desert like landscape. Land Animals on this season are put on test and again, natural selection makes the most adaptable and lucky survive. Reptiles have an advantage and most ants use complex strategies to make it through. On the islands that are tall, the highlands are usually covered by clouds and are often rainy and very humid.
Marine Life
Marine productivity is at its peak on this season, life in the ocean is the richest on this time of the year. The cold waters and the nutrients lifted by the upwelling create opportunities for all species to feed and reproduce. This also encourages Marine Birds to mate, so almost all of them have adapted their reproduction cycles to fit on this season. Sea Lions, Sharks, Manta Rays, Fish and many Marine Invertebrates take the chance to arise in all locations of the archipelago.
Local time in the Galapagos is GMT -6 (one hour less than Ecuador’s mainland). In our vessels, we work with Ecuador’s mainland time.
The airline that operates to Galapagos allows one piece of luggage per person of no more than 20 kg (about 44 lb) and a carry-on bag of 7 kg p/p.
We recommend you take a soft-sided bag as it will be easier to store in your cabin. Please lock your luggage during the flight.
Comfortable, breathable clothes: shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits, and good hiking shoes are required to walk over the lava rock paths. Personal medication, a good camera and plenty of memory cards or film, sunblock, sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, and binoculars.
Smoking is not allowed inside the cruise ships, but is permitted in designated outdoor areas.
Our cruise ships are equipped with 110V/220V power outlets, compatible with European and American plugs.
The electrical frequency is 60 Hz on the mega Yachts Coral I & Coral II and 50 Hz on the Expedition Cruise Galapagos Legend.
*You can safely connect your electronic devices, whether designed for 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
Upon arrival, an account will be opened for you. If you wish to pay with your credit card, we ask you to come to reception to sign a voucher and to make copies of your passport and credit card. Authorizations take about 48 hours, so please do this on your first cruise day.
We accept all major credit cards: Diners, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Euros* and U.S. Dollars are also accepted.
* Please ask for the exchange rate.
In both cruises, meals are varied depending on the food preferences of the guests, which are informed beforehand by your agency. Go Galapagos-KleinTours will do I very best to meet reasonable special dietary need keeping in mind Galapagos provision restrictions.
We have seasick medication on board all of our ships, but if you are particularly sensitive to it, you can bring your medication, and we recommend taking it at least 24 hours before the cruise starts.
Yes, the water on board is purified. Ice used onboard is made with purified water as well. Reusable bottles made out of recycled aluminum are available at the cabins. You can refill your bottle during the cruise at our purifiers located at the main bar, pool bar restaurant, and disembarking area. Bottles must always be returned to the ship after the activities on the islands, and then you can take them home as a souvenir.
Satellite internet is now available on the Expedition Cruise Galapagos Legend and the mega yachts Coral I & Coral II.
*To purchase a plan or learn more, ask your sales agent or speak with a crew member on board.
We recommend passengers to be in reasonably good physical condition as some trails may be difficult. Therefore, elderly or disabled persons may find them too demanding and must notify Go Galapagos Ecuador about their physical condition in order to make the necessary arrangements. Go Galapagos Ecuador reserves the right to decline a passenger if anyone fails to inform of any physical disability, or who, under company´s discretion, constitutes a danger to themselves, other guests, crew members, or the operation of the vessel.
Yes, all of our guides speak both English and Spanish fluently and are certified by the Galapagos National Park.
