When & How to Visit the Galápagos Islands

The best months to visit the Galápagos are generally May, June, November and December. Among the 13 principal islands, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal are the most developed, with approximately 12,000 and 6,000 year-round residents, respectively. Of the two, Santa Cruz has more allure for visitors, with its dozen or so hotels, restaurants, and shops. The archipelago's four populated islands can be visited on a limited basis without guides, but the uninhabited islands can be seen only with a guide licensed through the Galápagos National Park Service. It's typical to book your own airfare and prearrange a one- to two-week package that includes guided visits to islands like Española and Isabela. A cruise of 10 days or longer is needed to reach the more remote northern islands or to climb either of Isabela's two accessible volcanic craters. That said, 10 days on a boat is not everyone's cup of tea, and shorter cruises will still give you ample time to see plenty of wildlife, including the giant tortoises, and go for a swim, or out snorkeling or kayaking.

For the landlubbers among you, a one-island visit is entirely doable, but, of course, limits your exposure to the rest of the archipelago. You can negotiate day jaunts with local boat owners to other islands upon arrival, but these tend to be much smaller (read: more wobbly in the open sea) than the bigger vessels used by cruise operators. Some hotels, such as Finch Bay, have their own yachts and run half-week boat trips.