A World Heritage Site since 1978, this archipelago is a first-rate international tourist beacon, seeing an average of 200,000 tourists every year. It’s where Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution and continues to be a unique global location due to the large number of animal species existing in a confined, isolated space.
Iguanas, turtles, seahorses, pelicans, sea lions, albatrosses, penguins, lizards…the diversity of animals in this ecosystem is simply jaw-dropping. The Galapagos Islands are formed from 13 islands and innumerable islets. For a long time, they were known as the Enchanted Islands, but have their current name due to the vast number of turtles that live there.
The islands are volcanic. Despite the fact that they’re popularly imagined to home lush, paradisiacal beaches, most of the region is strictly volcanic with no vegetation. Another misconception is the need to obtain special permissions to visit the islands or that there are visitor quotas. Travellers can visit with total freedom and book hotels and excursions without any bureaucratic requirements.
We recommend staying at BlueBay Galápagos Planet****, located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in the so-called “Capital of Paradise” on Isla San Cristobal, the political and administrative capital of the archipelago. With a fresh atmosphere, island flavour, and views of the coast, this new hotel offers 30 rooms for lovers of nature and adventure. All rooms have the usual comforts and services that guarantee the BlueBay Hotels experience.
Galapagos is almost 1000km from the continental coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of flights from Quito and Guayaquil that will take you to the islands, which is an excellent place for seasoned adventurers who love the wildest terrain nature has to offer.
