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The Galapagos Islands are located right on the equator, approx.
six hundred miles west of Ecuador. They are an offshore province
of the Republic of Ecuador.
Travel Insurance for the Ecuador:
Area: Worldwide exc. USA / Canada **
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for the Ecuador
The islands were named after the
giant land tortoises found there, which are now in danger of
extinction. The Galapagos archipelago is volcanic in origin and
comprises thirteen main island, eight smaller islands and numerous
tiny islets. The Spanish discovered the islands in the 1500s
and they were claimed by Ecuador in 1832. The islands were Ecuador ’s
first national park. Spanish is the official language, but English
is widely spoken.
The main islands are called Isabela, Santiago , Santa Cruz
, Espanola, San Cristobal , Fernandina, Genovesa, Marchena, Santa
Fe , Pinta, Pinzon and Rabida. The largest towns are Puerto Baquerizo
Moreno on San Cristobal ; Puerto Villamil on Isabela; and Puerto
Avora on Santa Cruz.
The islands of the archipelago contain a plethora of unusual
and rare animal species. Many are only found in the Galapagos.
The fauna includes the giant land tortoise, land iguana, marine
iguana, and the Galapagos penguin, to name just a few. Blue-footed
boobies, albatross and flamingos can also be sighted. It is a
nature lover’s wonderland, especially as many of the species
have no fear of man. |
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The Galapagos are well known because of the visit by Charles
Darwin in the HMS Beagle, whose studies led to his book, The
Origin of Species and his theory of natural selection. The islands
are fairly barren of flora, being mostly lava piles with sparse
vegetation. The exception is on the upper slopes of the mountains
where there is more rainfall.
Sadly, during the nineteenth century the arrival of whalers
and oilers resulted in the capture and use of the tortoises for
food and oil and many seals were taken for their fur.
The Galapagos Islands are an increasingly popular tourist destination
although mostly for naturalists and those interested in the conservation
of the islands resources. They are a wonderland for water sports
enthusiasts with spectacular SCUBA diving and snorkelling, although
many of the dive spots may not be suitable for beginners. It
is not a good destination for sun-worshippers or beach lovers
as the terrain is mostly quite barren and volcanic. The best
way to see the islands is by a boat tour, and there are many
different options available.
Weather
The Galapagos Archipelago has a good climate for visiting at
any time of the year. However, it does have two main seasons:
The ‘wet’ and warmer season is from Dec-June, with
highs in the upper 80s, with increased rainfall in the mountainous
areas during Jan-Feb. However, Most of the lower areas of the
islands remain quite arid with plenty of sunshine. The drier
season is typically from July-Dec when the climate is cooler,
modified by the cool Humboldt current brought in by southern
tradewinds. There is plenty of sun but it is less hot with
more cloud.
Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information
is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.
* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the F.C.O. advise against travel to.
** At the time of writing, the F.C.O. advised against travel to countries, or areas thereof, marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the F.C.O. advise against travel to.
You are strongly advised to visit the F.C.O. web site for up to date information and general travel advice before you travel.
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