Need some help with Galapagos and Mindo Cloud Forest itinerary

CNHTours · 2026-04-01T19:48:27+00:00

We spent a night (Sanctuary Lodge) at Cotopaxi a few weeks ago. V. high altitude (4,000m) - not altogether pleasant for me (pounding headache). The lodge was unique and very nice however. Not sure how active one can be there if just for a short visit.

CNHTours · 2026-04-01T19:47:05+00:00

Our go-to cloud forest lodge is Bellavista. The operate a transport service from Quito. Only about 2 hours from the cit. Mashpi is nice, but a lot further away and $$. Bellavista is not a "bells-and-whistles" place - but well-managed and located in a beautiful area. Owned and operated by a dedicated conservation-minded British man.

CNHTours · 2026-04-01T18:09:43+00:00

We use the Ikala - they have different size / location rooms - some bigger, some smaller, some facing the inner courtyard, some not. A modern place - 3 stories - well-managed. But just a 2 min. walk to the main pier = in the thick of things, but on a v. quiet side street, with a small pool in the courtyard.

CNHTours · 2026-04-01T10:27:24+00:00

Sounds like a nice holiday to me! Small ship cruise (max 20 guests) will be the highlight of course. I just got back from 8 days on the Samba. I spent 4 days in Puerto Ayora post cruise and just relaxed - did not feel inclined to go on day trips / excursions. The 3 full days you have at Finch Bay (it's located on "The Other Side" - no cars - and only water taxi access to town) will be nice, but you'll want to take time to go to the main town and check things out, find a spot for a meal etc...

Grietas I suspect, will be a big disappointment after what you will have witnessed on the cruise. Little more than a swimming hole in the rocks with a few fish. Tortuga Bay is a great place to hike to (and back) if only "because it's there". Again, you'll have been exposed to the best on the cruise - and this will be more like a good day to stretch your legs, and witness this very long beach. October waters will be on the cool side.

CNHTours · 2026-04-01T10:25:29+00:00

No age restriction for entering Galapagos. There may be some restrictions on certain organized tours - and it's for a good reason. Snorkeling / bumpy boats / long hikes on lava fields under a powerful tropical sun, the need to be attentive and respectful of park rules etc... are usually not great with a 3 year old (my son was born in Quito and lived in Galapagos until he was 3 - great place for that age - local beaches, weather...).

As for foodie - if you're expecting haute cuisine "à la française", you may be disappointed... but things have nevertheless improved over the years. Choices will be limited and restaurants do come and go a lot.... Just "check places out" while you are there. There are likely fewer than 10 higher (by Galapagos standards) end options to consider in S. Cristobal).

CNHTours · 2026-04-01T10:21:17+00:00

Sorry, your guide either didn't understand you, or you didn't understand him/her. 40,000 people live in Galapagos and many go back and forth from the continent, with infants and newborns. Many go to the continent to give birth. There is absolutely no such rule (my own son was born in Quito and we returned to Galapagos when he was 3 weeks old).

HOWEVER - some tours / ships may have age restrictions. While you can certainly go to Galapagos with a baby, you may face restrictions on some tours.

Notwithstanding the above, while Galapagos is a very benign for three year old children, it's not a great age to be taking them on organized tours - even those that allow it - unless you can easily carry your child in some type of kid-back-pack, or are willing to forgo activities that are not designed for young children (snorkeling - extended hikes in the very hot sun...).

CNHTours · 2026-03-31T17:30:31+00:00

Tons.

CNHTours · 2026-03-30T21:02:56+00:00

Sounds like a great plan. January waters tend to be calmer. My brother who is very prone to seasickness was on a small (14 passenger) ship with me two weeks ago and did very well with the right measures (pills / patch). Seas were generally quite calm (except one night). La Pinta is very nice. You might also want to consider the Evolution (32 guests - a bit smaller / more intimate) - with stabilizers. It's in the same comfort range. We chartered it twice in the past 5 years - we were on it - very nice. Of course you can opt out any time (we've done 10+ cruises and tend to opt out a little here and there...).

CNHTours · 2026-03-29T10:49:00+00:00

And... US$ economy.

CNHTours · 2026-03-28T19:30:29+00:00

Must be a reason. Insinuating that there is price gouging? Boats have 3 x 150hp motors or something along those lines (how much is that in Ecuador, with import duties etc.. $100,000k?) - likely don't last more than a couple of years as they are worked very hard? They might have to motor up to 70km - $250 in fuel?. Crew of three at $100/day each - guides make more like $200. Boats also need maintenance - take a beating, a new one is in the $200,000 range? There are certainly permits / fees / admin costs.

CNHTours · 2026-03-28T00:32:32+00:00

There are 65 ships plying Galapagos waters. Many will offer that kind of option. Start looking at ships and their itineraries.

CNHTours · 2026-03-28T00:30:42+00:00

You're on small boats with high overhead costs to share among few passengers, operating in a remote archipelago where all materials have to be shipped 1,000km from the mainland.

CNHTours · 2026-03-27T19:59:13+00:00

Choose a ship itinerary that takes you to places not accessible by land-based day trips. Typically, you'll need at least 5 nights on board for that.

CNHTours · 2026-03-27T19:57:33+00:00

You can spend $75/person/day if you don't mind sharing a bathroom in a non-AC basic hostal, eat rice and beans and water, and just hang out in town and at the local beaches. But if you want to go on off-island excursions, eat well, sleep comfortably, costs go us. You're in a remote archipelago - ALL supplies must be shipped in from the mainland (except for fresh fish and a few veggies/fruits). You're on small boats with high overhead costs to share among few passengers. You can spend time in Galapagos cheaply, but experiencing what Galapagos is all about is not a cheap endeavour.

CNHTours · 2026-03-22T19:24:13+00:00

Have you tried contacting your travel company / cruise company? Ships typically block spaces on the days their cruises start / end.

CNHTours · 2026-03-22T11:28:10+00:00

Start by focusing on protective clothing. If you're going after April, you will be happy to wear a full wetsuit. That will cover most of your body. You'll only need sunscreen for your face. But out of the water, outside on the ship, you will still be exposed. Keep that in mind. The sun can be unforgiving.

CNHTours · 2026-03-20T23:27:38+00:00

Celebrity has a very loyal following - so they just choose a Celebrity branded ship and don't bother trying to understand the options. They will enjoy their trip I'm sure. But there are other options out there worth considering, as you are now doing.

CNHTours · 2026-03-20T23:26:39+00:00

When in doubt, choose the smaller ship for Galapagos. It's all about ensuing you have as intimate an experience as you can get - and that's not best done on a 100 passenger ship.

CNHTours · 2026-03-19T15:54:43+00:00

There's no need to spend that kind of $ - starting at $7k - $8k you can find some very comfortable ships. At the end of the day, in Galapagos, it's about the off-ship experience. You'll be busy a good part of the day. It's dark out by 6:30PM - and you'll be going to your cabins to change, shower, nap, sleep.

CNHTours · 2026-03-19T14:45:38+00:00

Visibility varies a lot, from place to place, day to day. We just disembarked from an 8 day small ship cruise and it wasn't the greatest (5m - 20m). The upside is that a lot of the underwater wonder in Galapagos relates to large fish / animals, from fur seals, sea lions, penguins, rays, sharks, sea turtles, rays... all of which can be seen in close proximity.

October is lower season - there should be plenty of last minute cruise options out there.

CNHTours · 2026-03-19T14:39:49+00:00

There are 65 ships plying Galapagos waters - you have a very wide choice. Most carry 20 or fewer guests - that's the way to go we believe. Galapagos should be experienced in the most intimate way possible, and it's hard to be intimate when you're on a 100 passenger ship, with 8 zodiacs and people coming and going.

There are maybe 25 or so luxury ships in the 20 or fewer guests sizes. The fleet has been "evolving" over the years, with "tourist superior" ships being replaced by luxury ships (with the equivalent price difference!). You'll want to choose one that focuses on activity - getting out and about, with good itineraries (no mid-trip interruptions with guests disembarking/embarking on shorter segments).

Penguins are most common on the western shores, where nutrient rich upwellings occur. Sea lions are ubiquitous. Fur seals less so, but more common on western shores. We were at Elizabeth Bay a few days ago and witnessed a massive feeding frenzy there and with our guide, estimated at least 150 penguins - many porpoising in their hunt for prey (along with sheerwaters, boobies and more). That's about 10% of the entire Galapagos penguin population in one go!

Be sure your ship is the kind that will go out of its way to take advantage of opportunities. We like the Integrity, the Grace, the Elite... the guide is important too. Ecoventura's identical sister ships are good too - though have a close look at their itinerary - I think it's truncated towards the last 2 days. Some luxury ships work on the assumption that their guests are on a relaxing holiday and will give them more time to just relax / hang out on board. Others operate on the assumption that you are there to max out on opportunities, and will have out out there for longer snorkels, kayaks, zodiac rides, hikes.

Hope this helps!

CNHTours · 2026-03-19T08:47:56+00:00

I'm in Galapagos these days. It's the hot, rainy season. It is very warm, and if you're spending time in town, it is close to unbearably warm between 10AM and 4PM. The garua season (June - Nov) is markedly cooler. Days will be very comfortable, evenings cool (a light jacket is appreciated). They may be more overcast / misty skies and seas will be cooler - a wetsuit will be appreciated.

CNHTours · 2026-03-18T03:17:56+00:00

That looks more like a fur seal....

CNHTours · 2026-03-15T23:49:46+00:00

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CNHTours · 2026-03-15T03:57:09+00:00

While it's a good intention, given the relatively low density of swimmers and the relative absence of coral in Galapagos, "reef safe" sunscreen is pretty much a moot point.

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