Info & FAQ

Getting your suitcase ready for the Galapagos is an exciting moment! For many, it is a moment when the vacation becomes real! Packing for a cruise requires little foresight because you cannot access stores or pharmacies. But do not worry; here are essentials and suggestions:

 

ESSENTIALS

• You need your original passport, valid six months after the arrival date in Ecuador. We recommend storing good scanned copies of your travel documents in your email or cloud.
• When arriving there, you need 100 U$ in cash to pay the Galapagos national park entrance fee, plus 20 U$ in cash to buy the TCT card at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil.
• You do not have to register online for TCT; if we receive the information about your flights, we do it for you!
• Pack light and try to bring the essentials. Typically, the local airlines allow one checked luggage of 20- 23 kg (44 lbs) plus one cabin luggage of max. 8 kg (17.6 lbs.); please check the conditions on your ticket.
• However, there is enough space to store the suitcase in Angelito’s cabin or storage room.
  To help care for the ecosystem, please try to bring biodegradable products for personal care and sun protection, so as refill bottles that, after the tour, you can retake home. We provide bio soap, shampoo, and conditioner in the bathrooms while on board.
• Do not forget electrical adapters for charging your camera, phone, and other electronics. Ecuador, Galapagos, and the Angelito use American plugs with 110V.

 

CLOTHES

The Angelito does not have a dress code, but when serving the meals, it is more comfortable for all if the swimming clothes are drying in the sun during this time.

• Shorts or lightweight pants and T-shirts are great for walking around the islands. Onboard, comfortable clothing is best! Women might enjoy a light summer dress.
• It is smart to pack a fleece or a jacket for windy days or the evening when enjoying the night sky on the upper deck, but also for the flight, so as a lightweight rain jacket.
• Bring a t-shirt or UV protective shirt for larger sun protection while snorkeling.
• Underwear and good socks. Pack enough; there is no laundry service on board.
• You definitely need one, better two, swimsuits!

 

FOOTWEAR

The cruise with the Yacht Angelito includes a variety of terrains, as well as wet and dry landings.

A dry landing means moving from the Yacht to the dinghy and onto the island while staying dry.

When wet landing, you will get your feet and lower parts of your legs wet while getting off the dinghy onto the island. Therefore, we highly recommend trekking-style sandals such as Keen, Marrel, Teva, or similar that can quickly go between wet and dry terrains; if it comes with toe protection, even better! There are some excursions on which you will need the better support of tennis shoes/sneakers, but we recommend that you bring older or used ones as they could suffer damage from saltwater, sand, and volcanic rock.

While on board the Yacht Angelito, you may go barefoot or opt for flip-flops or slippers. You will leave your shoes used on the islands in cubbies at the entrance to the Yacht to help keep the space clean for everyone. We don’t allow walking in socks on the boat as there is an increased risk of slipping.

 

SUN PROTECTION

You are going to need it! The Galapagos Islands are on the equator, where the sun is much more intense than you are used to. You can get burnt before you even realize it. We advise that you bring various sun protection techniques, including wide-brimmed or long-billed hats, polarized sunglasses, and waterproof, high-SPF sunscreen (50, 70, and even 100 SPF are great options). You will probably want to apply sunscreen at least twice a day, so be sure to bring enough to last the duration of your cruise. Do not forget to use it on the back of your neck, ears, arms, and feet! You will also want a long sleeve shirt or blouse to protect against the intense equatorial sun on land and while snorkeling. And finally, do not forget to bring some after sun to calm the skin or for sunburns.

 

FOR THE WATER

If you feel more comfortable with your snorkeling equipment, bring it with you, but onboard the Angelito, we provide quality traditional masks, snorkels, and fins at no cost.

Depending on the season, the water may be amazingly comfortable or quite cold, so we rent wetsuits on board for 5 US$ the use or 25 U$ the week. Our wetsuits are short, 5mm, and we have enough sizes and unities available.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

You will encounter some of the best photography opportunities in the world right here in Galápagos! Even if photography is not your main attraction, you will probably find yourself taking one picture right after the other and the other, and more. Bring your camera, and do not forget extra memory cards and batteries, the charger, charging cables, and power converter if needed, and an excellent dry bag to protect from water or rain. Underwater cameras are a terrific way to capture magical landscapes underwater.

There is no cell phone or internet service for most of the cruise, so please note that you likely will not be able to back up or upload your photos to an online or cloud server.

Do not forget to put your binoculars in the luggage if you have them.

 

MEDICATION & INSURANCE

Consider that you will be on a boat trip to isolated islands 1000 km from the continent. Please consult your doctor if you suffer from any medical, physical, or other condition that might impact your or the group’s travel experience. And you must declare it conscientiously when filling in the booking form.

Always travel with enough of your prescript medicines; we strongly recommend having them in your cabin luggage. Bring your standard first aid travel kit with Band-Aids, antibacterial ointment, pain relievers, diarrhea medication, constipation medication, insect repellant, etc. Other medicines you should consider are for seasickness, aloe vera gel, another special cream in case of sunburn, and any other medication you use to take or that your doctor recommends.

None of our tours includes any personal travel insurance. Ensure you acquire correct travel and health insurance covering medical issues, travel cancellations, delays, hospitalization, and repatriation.

 

TOILETRIES

We supply biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and soap as hairdryers. However, you must still bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, hairbrush, and others, preferably without any packaging or single-use plastics (like grocery bags). You do not need to bring a bath or beach towel into your suitcase because we will be providing those for you!

 

ACCESSORIES & EXTRAS

• Be sure to pack all electrical adapters, cables for your phone, laptop, camera charging, etc., extra batteries, high-capacity memory cards, and external USB.
• We have a good library on board with books about the islands and their flora and fauna, but you won’t want to miss your book or Kindle if you love reading.
• Many people like to write about their experiences while traveling, so it is nice to bring along a journal and pens to jot things down while they are fresh in your memory.
• If you want, some sweets or a small souvenir from your home for the crew deepened friendships and leaves traces (the only ones you should leave in the Galapagos!)
• Finally, it would be helpful to have a small daypack (preferably a dry pack) to carry your water bottle, camera, and binoculars, during the daily excursions.

 

MONEY

The official currency in Ecuador and the Galapagos is the US Dollar. You need 100 U$ in cash to pay the National Park entrance fee upon arrival in Galapagos and additional cash optional expenses onboard the Angelito, like soda and alcoholic drinks, wetsuit rental, and tips for the crew and guide.

Many souvenir shops in Puerto Ayora and the airport accept credit cards, but mostly only if the expense is more than 10 U$ or 20 U$. You will find a small safety box to store your cash in your cabin.

ATM is to find in the Galapagos but remember that we do not touch many towns during the cruise, and the daily amount to retire is limited. Remember, you must notify your bank that you will be traveling internationally.

 

Guideline for tipping

• Even if eventually it is not normal in your country, on all cruises and trips in the Galapagos, tipping is customary and expected. Adapting to the visited country is part of being a respectful and polite traveler, especially when taking into consideration that tourism requires a 24/7 presence during the whole year, so also on weekends, holidays, and much on board a ship. Your tip will be a welcomed and well-appreciated thank you.
• For the naturalist guides on board, the person that makes sure that you will enjoy and love the islands as much as she/her does, you should plan to tip 10-20 U$ per person per day.
• The crew also works hard and also is there 24/7 to guarantee good service and quality on board, and you should tip them as well: 10-20 U$ per day and person to be divided among the entire crew.

 

Payments on board are in cash.

Please consider that in Ecuador and the Galapagos, sellers mostly don’t accept 50 and 100 U$ bills (no change and for security to counterfeited money); you need to have enough small units of max. 20 U$.

 

WHAT YOU DON’T NEED TO BRING

The Yacht Angelito provides shampoo, conditioner, soap, bathroom and beach towels, hair dryers, a reusable water bottle, and fresh drinking water filtered right on the boat for free refills.

You will also e provided three chef-prepared meals daily plus two snacks every day. You will eat a variety of meats, seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, and fresh, homemade fruit juices. Have a dietary restriction or food allergy? No worries! Just let us know when you book your tour (or as soon as possible to ensure we have what you need onboard), filling out the booking form correctly. In short, do not worry about getting hungry on board the Yacht Angelito!