Overview

The Galápagos Islands.  There’s something magical about the name - they are, of course, known as the Enchanted Isles  - and they sit adrift of mainland Ecuador in isolation in the Pacific Ocean, for centuries far removed from the influences of mankind. Up to the middle of the 20th century only a colourful array of pirates, whalers, convicts, eccentrics and fishermen dropped anchor on their shores.

Born from volcanoes thrusting their way through the surface of the waters, the clutch of alternately sun-baked and misty islands of twisted lava, jagged cliffs and scrubby forest seem an unlikely habitat for wildlife. But a phenomenal array of trusting bird and reptile species, not to mention undersea marine animals, have settled and evolved here, to the delight of visitors from Darwin onwards.

Watch the lumbering giant tortoises, nesting albatrosses, flirting frigate birds, comic boobies, wrinkly iguanas and frolicking sea-lions from a cruise or land-based adventure. Climb a volcano, kayak to a white sand beach or swim with hammerhead sharks:  so many unique experiences to get involved in are at your feet.

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Holidays Galapagos Islands

Enjoy diving, snorkelling, wildlife watching and cruising in the Galapagos on one of our unforgettable holidays. Book now with Journey Latin America.

Things to do

Discover a wealth of activities in the Galapagos Islands, from wildlife encounters to biking, kayaking and snorkelling. Book with Journey Latin America.

Where to go when - our guide to Galapagos Islands

Galápagos Islands

The weather in Galapagos Islands is wide and varied

The Galapagos Islands are extraordinary no matter the time of the year. Although there are two distinct seasons, the hot rainier season of Dec-May and the cooler dry season of June-November, the wildlife both on land and underwater is prolific and easy to spot every single month. You may choose to time your visit to coincide with a particular wildlife event, such as the June-October whale watching, the arrival of the waved albatross in April or the February marine iguana mating season when they turn brightly coloured. However, our general advice is to base your dates on whether you prefer hot days when the sun beats down through clear blue skies or whether you’d be more comfortable exploring the islands in cooler temperatures, with breezier days and some cloud protection from the sun. Another consideration is how you wish to explore. If you want a smaller expedition cruise, or wish to ‘island-hop’ travelling by speedboat between the islands, then you might consider December-May when the seas are calm. If you preference is for a less intimate and larger/inherently more stable vessel then the choppier seas of June-November needn’t be much of a concern. Novice snorkelers and divers may favour the warmer waters and better underwater visibility of December-May although the nutrient rich cool waters of June-November, when visibility reduces, bring with them even more underwater activity and larger species. A final consideration may be what the weather is like in other places you are visiting during your holiday, for example in Ecuador’s Andean highlands, the Amazon rainforest or perhaps even in Peru or another country?

View our Galapagos Islands weather guide

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Real Latin american experts

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

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