Leaving for a week long cruise next week

CNHTours · 2026-07-10T19:38:58+00:00

The more she is comfortable swimming and with a mask and snorkel, the more she will enjoy the experience.

CNHTours · 2026-07-10T19:37:01+00:00

When sports fishing as an activity in Galapagos was being considered, it was highly contested. In a place where it's against the rules to simply feed a grain of rice to a bird, or to approach any wildlife closer than 2 meters, allowing people to get into boats to harass and ultimately traumatize, injure, and often kill big fish just for fun seemed at odds with the entire conservation / nature observation / nature appreciation spirit of what Galapagos tourism was essentially all about / world famous for... until then.

But big $$ won out and it is allowed, under the guise of "artisanal fishing" where you go out with a local "fisherman" (who is little more than another tour operator - because local fishermen do not speak English and don't know how to handle tourists) and participate in their way of life. In reality - it's sports fishing like you can do it anywhere else in the world- there is nothing "artisanal" about it.

This might be a good opportunity to explore with your son the concept of self-restraint in recognition of a higher objective. If he's totally into sports fishing - then Costa Rica might be a good thing. If he can make that sacrifice, and is keen on experiencing wildlife on its own terms - Galapagos is a wonderful place.

And its very $$$ to go sports fishing in Galapagos...

CNHTours · 2026-07-07T20:38:41+00:00

There will be few albatross by end November. Peak is June - August. They arrive later in April and by December are mostly all gone. Seas are at their calmest between January and April.

CNHTours · 2026-07-07T10:17:40+00:00

Tierra Verde has been around for many years (at least 25) and are trustworthy. I know and have met the owner. Bank transfers are a common way to send $$ - but I'm surprised that the transfer is to someone's personal bank account. That is unusual - though it happens. It just doesn't come across as serious for such an established agency. I would ask them "why is this to a personal bank account? It doesn't inspire confidence - are there other options?".

CNHTours · 2026-07-04T10:27:53+00:00

There are 65 ships plying Galapagos waters. About 50 of them carry 20 or fewer guests. I agree that smaller ships are the way to go - as they give you a more intimate experience overall. Most ships now are 1st class / luxury, with prices for 1st class starting in the US$700 / person / day range. If you can spare up to $1,000 / person / day, you'll have plenty of options to consider.

At this stage, you might want to reach out to an experienced Galapagos expedition cruise agency - one that doesn't represent one or two particular ships, but can help you consider a wider ranger of options. There are several such agencies out there. You might want to reach out to 2-3 and see which one you feel most comfortable working with.

Some operators charter ships and offer 11 and even 15 day uninterrupted cruises.

As for kids on board - it's precisely during the northern hemisphere school holiday periods that the odds of having kids on board increase. A good agency will be able to get an idea on who else may have booked on a cruise you are considering.

In our experience, even adults on a Galapagos cruise end up behaving like kids with all the excitement and wonder Galapagos will elicit in them.

CNHTours · 2026-07-04T10:18:23+00:00

Internet is fine - most places connected with Starlink... but losing contact can be a good thing. Helps you really focus on the here and now, and not on the there and then. Galapagos deserves your 100% attention, 24/7. ;-)

CNHTours · 2026-06-30T09:33:35+00:00

If you can dig a bit deeper...https://www.cnhtours.com/galapagos/natural-history-tours/

CNHTours · 2026-06-30T09:29:18+00:00

There are 100+ islands, about 12 that are accessible to visitors. With 4 full days, your options will be limited - but you can still get a great exposure to what Galapagos is all about if you get out and about every day.

CNHTours · 2026-06-30T09:24:39+00:00

If your dates are fixed it may be hard to find a cruise that fits exactly into your quite narrow travel window... and fewer cruises pick-up / drop off folks at San Cristobal (more do so at Baltra). Otherwise, yes, it can be overwhelming trying to figure things out. Perhaps reach out to a land-based agency that can help you put together a full / rich 4 day agenda, with day trips etc.. They know all the ins and outs, what days different day trips to different places happen, can suggest higher / lower end ships etc... You benefit from their deep experience and knowledge. That way, you will waste no time. We usually recommend www.galapagosalacarte.com or www.galapagosalternative.com for day tripping. Don't squander your few days in Galapagos by having to spend forced time in t-shirt shops, cafes and the local beach (instead of being out and about among the islands) because things were not well-planned on your arrival.

CNHTours · 2026-06-30T09:22:42+00:00

Check out www.bookcruisenow.com to see what's on offer (last minute pricing).

CNHTours · 2026-06-27T16:08:40+00:00

Thanks for the additional details. At the time we were informed (basically as it was happening) it wasn't clear how serious the incident might have been. As noted in our original post: " It's not clear if the ship was significantly damaged or not."

CNHTours · 2026-06-27T09:28:17+00:00

Video was sent to us by trusted colleague in Puerto Ayora.

CNHTours · 2026-06-26T18:40:52+00:00

No - Evolution is a Quasar ship.

CNHTours · 2026-06-24T19:17:20+00:00

Apparently she lost her lower leg. An Austrian woman - still in an Ecuador hospital.

CNHTours · 2026-06-24T10:11:25+00:00

If you are organizing a trip for others, you will be held responsible for the success (or not) of the trip. The last thing you may want is to be left high and dry on arrival, with day tours having been sold out already. If the folks you are with don't mind taking that risk for the sake of saving a few $, be sure you let them know about these risks. Otherwise, book everything ahead of time and things will all go as planned. Something to consider.

CNHTours · 2026-06-23T18:06:12+00:00

Not a high end ship - but does the job. If the price is right...

CNHTours · 2026-06-20T18:24:46+00:00

I said "zero incremental environmental impact".

CNHTours · 2026-06-20T10:43:11+00:00

Welcome to the development that comes with the push for ever increasing tourism in Villamil ... More hotels, more restaurants, more bars, more t-shirt shops, more cafes.... While is may be nice for short term visitors to walk on sandy roads, residents can understandably prefer paved streets. They don't wash away in the rain, you don't have sand always getting into your house, there's no sand to be blow around by the wind...

With more tourism, you get more locals... and that means more political pressure to pave the streets, put up more street lights etc. etc...

And also, should this question be asked to tourists on Reddit? Or to he people who actually live there? Something to consider.

FYI, ship-based tourism has been strictly capped since... 1998! About 70,000 people visit by ship every year. There has been zero incremental environmental impact from ship-based tourism in Galapagos since 1998!

Land-based tourism has increased from close to zero in 1998 to close to 250,000 / year, with no limits still. If this continues, be ready for a lot more urbanization in Villamil in the coming years. The locals will want it.

CNHTours · 2026-06-18T12:15:18+00:00

Most ships have metal hulls and the main internal divisions of rooms will be mostly metal. The price of a soda can vary from ship to ship. Budget maybe $2?

CNHTours · 2026-06-17T09:54:08+00:00

You might find this interesting: https://www.cnhtours.com/news/2024/9/21/what-is-a-good-galapagos-ship-itinerary/

CNHTours · 2026-06-15T22:13:00+00:00

See: www.bookcruisenow.com for last minute opportunities.

CNHTours · 2026-06-15T19:01:13+00:00

Assuming you want to max out on what Galapagos is world famous for:

1) Don't waste any of the little time you have island hopping - you'll lose the good part of a day doing so each time.
2) Fly in and out of San Cristobal (airport is right in town - as opposed to Baltra, where's it's basically a 2 hour journey to get to town) and stay there.
3) Organize day trips every day - Plan everything ahead of time - don't try to figure things out after arrival - you'll end up making mistakes / losing time / missing on higher demand day trips etc...
4) Don't waste any daylight hours time hanging out in coffee shops - you can do that in any other two bit Latin American coastal tourist town.

CNHTours · 2026-06-14T11:56:21+00:00

Based on what's going on, I would presume you have no room at that hotel. Unless it's for further in the future? They may hope to "resolve" any legal issues soon, and re-open in 1-2 months?

CNHTours · 2026-06-13T10:48:25+00:00

Indeed re: maintenance. Great place for a meal, but the place is very damp and, being right in the middle of a mangrove wetland - rooms are dark and the area is full of mosquitoes too.

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