Are you deciding on the perfect family vacation and looking for an extraordinary adventure? The Galapagos Islands are a natural paradise for adventurers of all ages. Enchanting and exotic, this is a land where giant tortoises reign supreme and close animal encounters are an everyday occurrence. Close to home, but a world away, the Galapagos Islands provide the unique opportunity to learn about and experience nature at the same time.
Located 600 miles off the west coast of South America, the Galapagos Islands are easily accessible for families living in North America. Your trip begins with an international flight to the mainland of Ecuador: daily flights from Miami are slightly longer than those from the Caribbean (just over 3 hours). You will arrive in the afternoon and connections to the Galapagos are available each morning.
Most travelers choose to start their trip in Quito, one of the two international gateways to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Located in the Andes, Quito is the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito, the best-preserved colonial city in South America, is well worth spending an extra night or two to explore on your own. The city’s historic quarter is rich in art and architecture, and Quito’s proximity to the equator (15 minutes) offers you the opportunity to take family photos as you cross the equator with one foot on each hemisphere.
Entry requirements for citizens of most countries are fairly simple, consisting of a valid passport and a return ticket; no vaccinations are required.
Once you have decided that you will visit the Galapagos, the next step is to select the type of program that best suits your family: a cruise or a tour package. Over the past 25 years, cruises have become the traditional way to see the islands. Ranging in accommodations from 16 to 100 passengers, you’ll cruise between islands at night and explore the islands during the day. Each yacht has a predetermined itinerary that varies from 3 to 15 nights. Children 7 years and older are welcome on board; special arrangements for younger children can be made upon request. Many yachts have special family outings with children’s activities and special menus designed for children. Cruise ships often offer discounts of up to 50% for children 11 and under.
More recently, Galapagos Tours has gained popularity. Using one of the islands as a base of operations, tours can be any number of nights (3 nights is the recommended minimum). Tours combine day trips to a selection of islands with a variety of activities including snorkeling, hiking, photography, kayaking, as well as wildlife viewing and daily interactions with wildlife.
Galapagos tour packages are the best alternative for families with small children, multi-generational families, or groups of families with a wide range of ages. Tours are more flexible and can be designed around the interests of the family. You can decide how many hours you want to be on tour each day, as well as the departure time each morning. Many families with younger children choose to have a babysitter accompany them on tours, which provides more flexibility (local babysitters are available). Your babysitter can take care of and entertain the younger members of the family while she frees up the parents and older children to enjoy longer walks or more time in the water.
Whether it’s seeing the smile on your child’s face as they swim with sea lion pups, or taking a photo with a giant tortoise, the Galapagos Islands are a magical destination for adventurers of all ages. Your visit to the Galapagos provides you and your family with the backdrop for spectacular family photos while creating wonderful memories of your adventure together, while gaining a greater love and concern for the environment that can last a lifetime. .