Finally getting around to blogging about my amazing trip to the Galapagos!

First and foremost, the pre-travel planning! Before nailing down precisely what I wanted to do on this trip, I read many books and websites. I recommend “Galapagos Islands” by Lisa Cho and “A Traveler's Introduction Galapagos” by Wayne Lynch.

There are no shortage of blog posts out there; most are overwhelming, outdated, or not what I was looking for. After careful planning, my husband and I were ready to head out on our Galapagos adventure!

Pre-travel Packing

We knew ahead of time that we'd be sleeping in the airport, so I decided to get a Rumpl travel blanket—and let me tell you, I can't recommend it enough!

Since we also knew the drinking water wouldn’t be safe, we each got a Grayl water bottle. While we didn’t end up using it much to purify water (thanks to the many freshwater bottle-filling stations), it was still a great backup!

I packed all my own gear—mask, snorkel, booties, fins, and several underwater cameras. Looking back, we were so glad we brought our own snorkel gear (I’ll explain why later)! You can see a glimpse of some of my packing in the picture (though it’s not a full layout), but I definitely focused on making sure I was ready for ocean adventures. And, as much as I wanted to bring my dog along, he tried his best to sneak into the shot but, sadly, he couldn’t make the trip!

Flights, Lounges, and getting to the Galapagos

Getting to the Galapagos can be a bit of a journey, but it’s all part of the adventure! I flew with Delta Airlines from BWI, with a quick layover in Atlanta, all the way to Quito. Once we arrived, we stayed overnight at a lounge just across the street from the airport.

We chose the Layover Stay Lounge, and honestly, it was a pretty solid spot to rest. It had a dark, quiet room with reclining chairs that were surprisingly comfy. As I mentioned in my Top 3 International Travel Tips post, having an AMEX Platinum comes with a priority pass, and I can’t recommend it enough—it makes layovers so much easier.

And a huge shout-out to my Rumpl travel blanket! It was a total lifesaver for those moments when I needed a little extra comfort.

We managed to get some rest until around 5 a.m., then quickly scrambled to get in line for the mandatory Galapagos Transit Control Card ($20). The line filled up fast, and it ended up taking quite a while to get the card. My advice? Get in line early and make sure you have all your documentation ready—return flight details, passport, hotel addresses, and anything else they might ask for. It’ll save you time and stress!

After we got our transit control card and made it through security, we were able to get a free breakfast and mimosa at the Sala VIP Domestica lounge. Great lounge, great food, very clean.

We boarded our LATAM flight from Quito to Guayaquil (where we stayed on the plane), and more passengers joined us for the next leg of the journey to the Galapagos. Upon arrival, we had to pay the $100 national park entrance fee.

Next, we forked out $2 each to board a bus that took us to the ferry terminal, then another $2 per person for the ferry ride to the taxi pickup point. From there, we hopped into a taxi for the ride to our hotel. Let me tell you, the drive from the taxi pickup to Puerto Ayora is definitely an experience—it’s a bit of an adventure in itself!

Galapagos seal — The Cutest Welcome Committee!

Hotels

We finally made it to our hotel after about 20 hours of traveling! For the first six nights, we stayed at Casa Frigata.

I can’t rave about Casa Frigata enough! The people there are some of the kindest I’ve ever met. Upon arrival, we were greeted with refreshing juice and homemade banana bread, followed by a warm and welcoming hotel tour.

The level of hospitality and information we received was beyond impressive. Ellie even took us to one of her favorite restaurants for lunch—such a thoughtful touch! Every morning, we enjoyed a delicious, fresh Ecuadorian breakfast and had the chance to chat with Monica, the owner.

Ellie and Monica truly made our stay unforgettable. We absolutely loved our time at Casa Frigata!

For our last two nights, we stayed at Ikala Galapagos Hotel.

Ikala is the perfect spot for a luxurious, relaxing retreat after a day of diving. The breakfast was absolutely delicious, the mimosas were on point, and the pool provided the ideal place to unwind and soak up the atmosphere.

Our room featured a spacious bed that was perfect for a restful night, and there was plenty of room to let my scuba gear dry out before our flight back to the U.S.

The location is fantastic—within walking distance to a variety of shops and restaurants, making it easy to explore and enjoy the local vibe!

Non-diving Activities

Tortuga Bay

Walking to Tortuga Bay was a super relaxing and enjoyable experience. It took us about 45 minutes from our hotel (Casa Frigata), and the whole walk was scenic and easy. When we arrived, the beach was absolutely breathtaking—pristine white sand stretching as far as the eye could see!

We even got lucky and spotted a shark hunting in the shallow waters—such an exciting sight! There were also sea lions playing in the waves, and one had even found a cozy tide pool to nap in. The marine iguanas here were massive compared to the little ones that hang out in town!

We’re so glad we made the time to visit Tortuga Bay—it’s truly a gem. We rented a kayak for around $15 and paddled out pretty far. Along the way, we saw baby sharks, tons of sea turtles, and even a few rays!

To top it off, we took the water taxi back to Puerto Ayora for about $5 each. This was definitely one of those moments when we were so grateful we brought our own snorkel gear—made the experience even more unforgettable!

Las Grietas

We hopped on a water taxi to Las Grietas, and it was absolutely worth the journey! For around $10 each, we enjoyed a guided tour to this stunning spot, which included a fascinating walk through the surrounding landscape. Once we arrived, we had about an hour to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the volcanic rock formations. The natural beauty of Las Grietas is truly unique, with the vibrant turquoise water contrasting beautifully against the rugged cliffs.

The swim was incredible—perfectly refreshing, and the surroundings were just breathtaking. We had the chance to explore the different pools and even snorkel a bit in the calm, cool waters. It felt like we had our own private oasis!

Definitely glad we made the trip to Las Grietas—it’s one of those must-see spots in the Galapagos that will stay with us long after the trip.

Pinzon Tour

I absolutely recommend taking a tour to Pinzon—it's an unforgettable experience! We were lucky enough to spot an abundance of marine life, including numerous adorable white-tip reef sharks gliding through the water. The marine iguanas were a real highlight too, gracefully swimming alongside us, their unique movements making them look like underwater dragons.

And of course, the sea lions were everywhere, playfully darting through the water and interacting with us. It's the kind of trip where you feel like you're immersed in a real-life nature documentary! The waters around Pinzon are clear and vibrant, making for some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced. If you have the chance, don’t miss out on this tour—it’s a true Galapagos gem.

Isabela Tour

We had an amazing time spotting both penguins and flamingos on Isabela Island! The wildlife there was incredible, and it was such a special experience. If you can, I highly recommend staying overnight on Isabela to really make the most of it. The ferry ride there and back took about three hours each way, so staying overnight allows you to fully explore without feeling rushed. The journey itself can be a bit long, but the stunning views along the way and the vibrant wildlife make it totally worth it!

Scuba Diving

I initially booked dives with both Scuba Iguana and Shark Bay Diving, excited to try out two different dive operations. However, I ended up diving exclusively with Scuba Iguana.

Unfortunately, my dive with Shark Bay to Gordon Rocks was canceled because not enough people signed up. I was really bummed about missing it, but Shark Bay was super accommodating and booked me on the Floreana Dive with Scuba Iguana instead. It turned out to be an amazing experience—I still got to see hammerhead sharks, along with a huge variety of marine life, including sea lions, turtles, and vibrant schools of fish. So, despite the change in plans, it was still a great dive!

Edison, our dive guide with Scuba Iguana, is absolutely incredible. His expertise, passion for the ocean, and friendly demeanor made each dive even better. He was always attentive, ensuring everyone was comfortable and safe while also making the dives fun and educational. The boat captain and Pedro, the second boat captain, were fantastic as well, ensuring smooth transitions between dives and creating a laid-back, enjoyable atmosphere on board. Their professionalism and experience really stood out, and the entire trip felt seamless from start to finish.

All in all, this ended up being one of the best scuba tours I’ve ever had. The dive sites were stunning, the crew was top-notch, and the experience was unforgettable. Hands down, I can’t recommend Scuba Iguana enough!

My first day of diving with Scuba Iguana was spent exploring the stunning dive sites of Bartholomew and Cousins. We were lucky enough to encounter a fantastic variety of marine life—sea lions frolicking in the water, graceful turtles, mesmerizing stingrays, white-tip reef sharks, and even a curious octopus! It was the perfect introduction to the incredible biodiversity of the Galapagos.

On day two, we had the thrill of doing double dives at Mosquera, and let me tell you, it was absolutely mind-blowing! We spotted at least eight Galapagos sharks and were lucky enough to swim alongside a school of 20+ hammerhead sharks—such an exhilarating experience! The underwater world was alive with activity, from the fascinating garden eels to more octopuses and turtles. Above the water, we were treated to the sight of blue-footed boobies, adding a charming touch to our dives. And, of course, the playful sea lions were there, making every dive even more magical.

The Galapagos is truly unmatched when it comes to the sheer quantity and quality of sea life—it’s an underwater paradise!

I had the opportunity to do a night dive in the Puerto Ayora Bay area, and it was an absolute blast! The underwater world came alive as we explored the bay, and I lost count of the stingrays after seeing more than 30—such a magical experience!

My final day of diving was at Floreana, and I’m so glad I was able to join that trip. It was nothing short of incredible! We encountered massive schools of tuna, playful sea lions, and an abundance of turtles—at least 20 of them! The highlight was swimming alongside a group of hammerheads, which was an awe-inspiring sight. We also spotted several white-tip reef sharks, curious octopuses, and so much more. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable diving adventure in the Galapagos!

Helpful Galapagos Travel Tips:

Bring a reusable water bottle! Staying hydrated is key, especially in the warm, sunny climate.
Cash is king. While some places accept cards, it's always better to have cash on hand for smaller purchases, tips, or unexpected expenses.
Plan and book activities in advance. Popular tours and excursions can fill up quickly, so it’s best to reserve your spots ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Guard your transit control card! This card is essential for entry to the islands. If you lose it, you’ll have to go through the process of getting a replacement, which can be time-consuming.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! The sun near the equator is incredibly strong, so make sure to pack a high-SPF sunscreen and apply it frequently.
Pack light. Space on boats, taxis, and in hotels is often limited, so try to keep your luggage compact and practical for your island adventure.