Overview
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When they hear the name "Galápagos" most people think about the great flora and fauna they've heart of. But do you remember discussing Charles Darwin, his famous finches and his theory of evolution in your Biology lessons? Because this is ref the 6 main islands, 12 smaller islands and over 40 islets - "las islas encantadas" (the bewitched islands).
Discovery
In 1535 the islands were discovered by the Bishop of Panama called Tomás de Berlanga. He stranded there, like most
animals and plants, unvoluntarily and said that noboby could live on the isle. With his last force he reached the coast
of Peru. And some years later in 1574 the archipelago could be drawn in a world map with the name "Islands of the turtles"
or in Spanish "Archipelago de los Galopegoes".
Climate
 The archipelago has its very own,
special climate. You can not compare it with nowhere else in the world, it has just its own micro-climate. This is because
of the different ocean currents. From December to June there prevails the north-equatorial Panamacurrent, so that you
have nice temperatures between 24 and 27°C. But in the other part of the year, the so-called garúa-months (June to
December), the temperatures just rise to 17-20°C and there is often fog and everlasting drizzling rain (garúa). So in this
time you better take a big pullover and a windbreaker with you. Even at night the temperature can fall below 15°C,
especially at sea and at higher altitudes. And if you want to check the weather right now ...
Getting there
Due to the fact that the Islands are situated 970 km west of the Ecuadorian coast most people choose to go by plane. The
national airline TAME ("Transportes Aereos Militares del Ecuador") flies to the archipelago twice a day. The plane leaves
Quito and continues via Guyaquil to (the airport on the isle..wuerde ich vielleicht weg lassen) Baltra or (the airport of)
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. So before you leave make sure you've checked your itinerary or have gathered enough information
about those two islands to know which one you'd like to go to. A hint: Most cruises start from (the airport isle) Baltra.
Visa
Most nationalities will need a visa to enter Ecuador. You can get a tourist visa at the airport or the border. Depending
on your nationality, you will get 60 or 90 days. You can get an extension at the migration office at Calle Amazonas 2639,
Quito or in Galápagos only in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal.
You can also get a work, student, business or residence visa, which is more complicated and expensive.
Because chances are that you will be asked to show your passport at a checkpoint, it is not advisable to overstay your
visa. However, the official fine for overstaying your visa is only 40 cents.
Puerto Ayora
The city is situated on the isle Santa Cruz, which is about 986 sq km big.
It is the most developed town on the Galápagos Islands and has about 15.000 inhabitants. There you'll have the choice of
many different restaurants and activities to join in. You can visit art galleries, surf on the Internet (but it's rather
expensive), go scuba-diving or go on a tour to explore the other islands. So it is not surprising that Puerto Ayora is the
tourism center of the archipelago. The Charles
Darwin Research Station gives you a good introduction of the Galápagos Islands and we recommend to visit it as early
in the morning as possible or late in the afternoon, because of the many tourists. It is opened every Monday-Friday from
8-12 and 13-16 and on Saturdays from 8-12. This station consists of a national park information center, a museum (with
slideshows in English, German, French and of course Spanish) and a very cute baby tortoise house. Also you'll be able to
take a look at the giant old tortoise called "Lonesome George" ("Jorge Solitario"). He is the last survivor of his species
from the island Pinta and he is over 50 years old. And until now the scientists have not found a female for him, so when
he dies someday, there will be one species less on earth. After the visit you'll be in the right mood to walk to Tortuga
Bay (Turtle Bay). They say that it is one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. And you wouldn't want to miss such
a attraction, would you? Another place to take beautiful photos is the Academic Bay. It is a natural harbor where you'll
be able to observe all kinds of ships because of the many circumnavigators who stop in Puerto Ayora before they go on
sailing around the world. But enjoy in on your own!
It is located by the port, on the right side of the Pro Insular Supermarket and does not look like a post office, so
keep your eyes open! And aks for special stamps!
Most boats accept Traveler's checks. But the only accepted credit card on the archipelago is Mastercard. But most places
don't take credit cards at all.
Banco del Pacífico
Cirrus ATM and cash advance on Mastercard.
Change of Traveler´s checks with 5% fee
Address: Av. Charles Darwin by Pelican Bay
Opened: Monday - Friday from 8 - 15.30
Saturday 9.30 - 12.30
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
One of the oldest islands of Galápagos, San Cristóbal, is the home of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It is the secong largest
city after Puerto Ayora and has about 8.000 inhabitants. But it has still kept its charm of a fishing village, from years
before. Although it is the provincial capital of the archipelago, it seems very calm and cosy.
The town is named after Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno, who was the first Ecuadorian president who ever visited this island in
1916. Its airport, which was opened in 1988, is quite new and you'll have more than enough opportunities to buy souvenirs
for your friends at home. If you want to have a good insight into the history and the fascinating flora & fauna of
Galápagos, the information center ("Centro de Interpretación") is the right place for you. They show videos and displays
to give you an understanding of Galapagos. At times you'll also be able to enjoy theatre, exhibitions or workshops in the
evenings. There is also a small natural history museum to visit as well as a cathedral on Avenida Northia with painted
mural paintings of Galapagos themes.(Entrance fee US$2). Another highlight would be the possibility of camping down at
the local beach... And this is the only place on the whole archipelago where you can do this legally!
It is situated at the Malecón, Av.Charles Darwin y 12 de Febrero, at the opposite of the little watersidepark. Do not
forget asking for special stamps!
Most boats accept Traveler's checks. But the only accepted credit card on the archipelago is Mastercard. But most places
don't take credit cards at all.
Banco del Pacífico
Cirrus ATM and cash advance on Mastercard.
Change of Traveler´s checks with 5% fee
Address: Malecón Charles Darwin y 12 de Febrero (by the waterfront)
Tel: 520365/366
Opened: Monday - Friday from 9 - 16
Useful expressions when searching for accommodation:
- Is there a room available? = ¿Tiene una habitacion libre?
- a double room = una habitacion doble
- How much does it cost? = ¿Cuánto cuesta?
- Does it have a private bath? = ¿Tiene baño privado?
- Can I see the room, please = ¿Puedo ver la habitacion, por favor?
Some useful phrases for eating out:
The cost of living all over the Galápagos Islands is higher than on the mainland. That's because most food is imported, and bottled drinks for example are very expensive. Another example: in Quito a beer costs 1 US$ and in Galápagos it costs about 3 US$.
- Do you have a table for one/two/three/four persons? =
¿Tiene una mesa para una/dos/tres/cuatro personas?
- It tastes delicious = Es deliciosa.
- Can I have the bill, please! = ¡La cuenta, por favor!
- salt = sal
- pepper = pimienta
- knife = cuchillo
- spoon = cuchara
- fork = tenedor
- meat = carne
- beef = res
- pork = cerdo
- Enjoy your meal! = ¡Buen aproveche!
Going out/Nightlife:
- A beer, please = Una cerveza, por favor!
- A big bottle of Pilsener = una Pilsener grande
- Do you have a boy/girl-friend? = Tienes un(a) enamorad(o/a)?
- What kind of cocktails do you have? = Que tipo de cocteles tiene?
- Can I see the menu? = Puedo ver el menu?
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