Local Time: Galapagos time is one hour earlier than continental Ecuador (GMT, - 6).

Personal Documents:

All tourists should travel with their passports to Galapagos. Every tourist who confirms his/her trip to Galapagos must give us his/her passport number, nationality and full name one month before the departure of the tour.

Climate:
The Galapagos Islands have a dry subtropical climate. December and January are generally hot months and July to November are cooler. The temperature in the archipelago varies between 18° and 22° Centigrade (66° to 71° Fahrenheit).

Taxes:
Tourists pay two kinds of taxes: the Galapagos National Park charges $80 and the Municipality charges $20. Children pay half the adult fee. There are no discounts for students or persons over 65 years of age. Tourists traveling from countries belonging to the Andean Pact or the Merco Norte pay a special fee. These prices are subject to change without warning and function according to resolutions made by the Government at the time of travel.

Airpots:
There are two airports: one in Baltra and another in San Cristóbal known as the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Airport . At this time, Galacruises initiates its operations from both airports.

Flights:
The only way to get to the Galapagos Islands is by air. TAME and AEROGAL are the airlines that fly to both airports. There are two/three daily flights arriving in and leaving from Baltra and San Cristóbal Island The number of flights may vary, depending on the demand. .

Luggage:
We suggest taking a large 20 kg suitcase and a carry-on bag since these are allowed by the airline. You must remember that cruises in Galapagos are in the open and include hikes, swimming, scuba diving and other physical activities that require comfortable, lightweight, informal clothing good for any kind of weather. Consequently, for the hot months we recommend a bathing suit, T-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, cap or hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, sport shoes good for walking in lava and through rocks, and sandals. For the cooler months, a waterproof jacket or poncho and lightweight pants are necessary. Other important items are lip balm, eye drops, plastic bags for electronic equipment, binoculars, patches or pills for seasickness, a photo or video camera and sufficient film, and medicine normally taken.

Smoking on Board:
Smoking is prohibited on board all boats except the large ones that have a covered deck.

Scuba Gear:
Scuba diving is an important part of the visit to the Islands. If you have your own gear (mask, snorkel, fins), you can carry them on board. If you do not have your own gear, our boats are outfitted with gear you may rent for a reasonable fee. When you scuba, we recommend that you listen carefully to the guide's instructions, stay with the group of divers and be careful in carrying out this type of activity, because you must always remember that there are strong currents around Galapagos.

How to Get in Contact Before Leaving Quito or Guayaquil:
Before leaving for Galapagos, you must verify that the Galacruises voucher contains all the information regarding the cruise, the diving service, the land services, the hour of contact at the airport and the name of the Galacruises representative who will assist you in either of the two airports (Quito or Guayaquil). Our reservations for flights are usually made in the first morning flights (EQ 191/195 going, and EQ 190/194 returning). We recommend that you check in at the airport two hours before departure. Galacruises will also provide Company stickers to make identification easier for all our representatives at the airports. When you arrive in Galapagos, one of our guides will meet you and ask for your service order and your air ticket to make sure everything is in order.

If you need a ride from the airport to the hotel or from the hotel to the airport in Quito or Guayaquil, we will notify you previously what time you will be picked up.

Purchases at the Ports and On Board:
At the ports, cash, USA traveler's checks and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are accepted. It is better to pay in cash or use traveler's checks on board the boats. If you only have credit cards, please consult on board before requesting services.

Air Fares:
Our cruises and programs in Galapagos do not include airfare. These prices are subject to change without previous notice.

The following rates will be valid 12th Jun 2008

Children pay a special fare and there is also a special price for travelers from countries belonging to the Andean Pact. Please contact our office for more information.

When you purchase a cruise or a package from Galacruises, your flight is automatically confirmed. If you miss your flight or are not at the airport at the indicated time, you will have to pay $20 as a "no show" fine charged by the airline

Changes in Schedule:
Galacruises and the captain of the boat reserve the right to change or omit any part of an itinerary without giving previous notice of such due to unforeseen circumstances, National Park regulations, weather conditions, etc. These decisions will be made with the safety of the travelers in mind and also as a precaution taken for the conservation of the Islands.

Services Included in Our Galapagos Cruises and Programs:
Our prices are for individuals who share a double cabin. If a person is traveling alone, he/she must be willing to share the cabin with another person of the same sex. If the person desires a cabin alone, there will be an extra charge, depending on the type of boat.

All our programs include three meals a day and simple beverages (water, juice, coffee, tea, herb teas), depending on the type of boat. Economic boats usually offer only meals and no type of beverage, but you can take a reasonable amount of drinking water on board these boats. Travel in Galapagos and the visits and excursions to the specific islands listed in the program as well as a bilingual guide (English - Spanish) are also included. The price of liquor or soft drinks is never included on any type of boat.

If a tourist should require a guide for another language (for example, German, French or Italian), this service must be confirmed at least two months before the trip. The service is considered additional and will be charged extra, and the price will be confirmed by our office via e-mail or fax.