Last year, tourism in the Galapagos Islands increased 14 percent. Over 275,000 people chose to explore the beautiful islands.
Are you a travel lover who enjoys exploring the outdoors and unique wildlife? If so, the Galapagos Islands is the place to visit. The archipelago is rich with attractions for tourists.
Keep reading to learn more about visiting the Galapagos Islands.
Know The Basics
The Galapagos Islands are actually 18 main islands located in the Pacific Ocean, west of Ecuador.
The islands are most well-known because of the work of Charles Darwin. In 1831, Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands and noticed that while the same animals resided on several of the islands, they differed island to island. He studied these animals to help write his famous book, On The Origin of Species.
Best Places to Visit
Since there are 18 main islands, there’s a lot to see in the Galapagos. We’ve outlined a few of the top Galapagos Islands attractions below.
Mindo Cloudforest
The Mindo Cloudforest is one of the best spots to visit in the Galapagos Islands.
If you enjoy hiking and birdwatching, this is the place to visit. Trails lead you through the cloud forest, surrounded by exotic wildlife. You’ll even encounter a few hidden waterfalls along the way.
There are also plenty of tours available if you feel uncomfortable hiking around the forest on your own.
Santa Cruz
This island is home to Tortuga Bay, which is a protected and preserved beach area. Here you can see a large variety of exotic wildlife, from Galapagos crabs to marine iguanas. There’s even a bay nearby where you can swim with sharks!
For even more wildlife, visit the Tortoise Breeding Centre. Here, endangered species of tortoises are raised and released into the wild. You can get a first-hand look at the efforts to save some of the world’s oldest animal species.
While you’re there, stop by either the Galápagos National Park Service headquarters or the Charles Darwin Research Station. At both these places, you can get in-depth lessons about the island you’re visiting.
Isabela Island
No trip to Galapagos Islands attractions is complete without a visit to Isabela Island.
This island is the largest of the Galapagos Islands and home to six active volcanoes. The lava fields have created both a unique aesthetic and wildlife. And this island is home to more wild tortoises than any of the other islands!
While you’re there, visit the Bolivar Channel for some of the best dolphin and san diego whale watching you’ll experience. Also, stop by Flamingo Lagoon and learn how this tourist attraction got its name.
Start Planning Your Trip To The Galapagos Islands
Now that you know the basics about the Galapagos Islands and where to visit while you’re there, it’s time to plan your trip.
If you are visiting the Galapagos Islands, please be respectful to the existing ecosystem. Increased tourism has led to increased pollution and deforestation and the presence of invasive species. When visiting, make conservation a priority and remember to leave the land in the same condition you found it in.
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