Choosing what to bring with you on a trip is as personal as choosing a traveling companion, and by no means do we dare propose a comprehensive packing list that works for everyone. But here are some essentials and suggestions:
For the daytime in the Galapagos, you will most likely want to be in shorts and a loose comfortable t-shirt or tank top. A wide-brimmed or long-billed hat and a pair of sunglasses are essentials for protecting face, eyes, ears and neck from the bright and scorching equatorial sun. For the evenings, dinner can be a bit more formal, so a dress shirt or a simple sundress might be a good idea. The dress code in Galapagos is island wear, and your daytime clothes will be fine. Consider bringing only one or two pairs of light pants to the Galapagos. They will be too warm usually, but you might want them for the plane and perhaps at night to enjoy the island nights. Also, bring a light sweater or sweatshirt so you won’t miss magnificent nightly star-gazing or evening strolls in town.
You must pass through Quito or Guayaquil. Quito is also on the Equator, but high in the mountains with a cool climate. Arriving at the airport dressed for cold weather is wise, so pack a jacket, preferably a waterproof one that can double as a raincoat in the islands. Guayaquil has a warm tropical climate and at times can be rainy.
Without a doubt, Teva-style sandals or water sports shoes are the most useful footwear you can bring to the island. They can be worn during dry or wet landing on the islands, protect your feet from the hot, harsh volcanic landscape and keep them cool. You might want the protection and support of tennis shoes or hiking shoes, but we would recommend that you bring your broken-in pair than a new pair that will suffer the damage of saltwater, volcanic rock, and sand.
We list sunscreen as its own section because it is so important. The sun hits the equator hard and can burn you before you know it. We recommend SPF 30 or higher waterproof sunscreen. Put it everywhere –don’t forget the tops of your feet and ears! Remember to reapply. Strong sunburn can be a debilitating condition –especially for those with lighter skin.
A swimsuit or two is perfect for the water –the sun will dry them quickly. We strongly suggest a rash guard or skin. If you have your own snorkeling equipment and you feel like bringing it with you, do so by all means. Often it is better to have your own equipment with which you are comfortable and certain of it fitting than renting from the boat or a shop. However, if you do not have your own, if your tour boat does not supply it, or you don’t want to bring yours down, it is quite possible to rent from a shop in PTO Ayora. For those that like to spend hours snorkeling and diving deep, you might consider a shorty wetsuit for the deeper 18-23 degree C waters.
Of course, you will bring your camera or a quality smartphone! The Galapagos is one large photo opportunity after another, and you will return with many photos that can never be repeated. For this reason, we suggest that you think about how many photos you will want to take and then bring twice as much film or memory cards. Frames will quickly fill with all the rarities, wildlife, and ocean scapes you can dream of. But if you run out of film or memory, getting more can be expensive or difficult. For those that have quality 35mm cameras, bringing a wide-angle/macro lens and a 70-210mm zoom lens is advisable. The zoom lens will let you frame animals at any variety of distances, and reduce the amount of camera equipment you lug with you to the islands. A polarizing filter helps to reduce the glare of the sunlight on the water and make the dolphins more visible as well as helping with sunset shots. If you do not have an underwater camera (as most of us don’t), Kodak, Konica, and Fujifilm all make disposable ones — they work surprisingly well and let you take photos of the sea lion you befriend or the sharks that make you look twice.
Bringing video equipment, while adding more bulk, weight, and worry, it also means that you capture not only the image of the blue-footed boobies but their courtship dance. If you bring a tripod, make it a lightweight non-bulky one as you’ll have to hike with it.
Some other items that you might consider bringing are binoculars (7×25 are recommended), and extra camera batteries.
The official currency on mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos is the US Dollar. It would be wise to already bring some US Dollars in cash with you. You need to have some cash when you arrive. The Galapagos national park entrance fees and airport transportation must be paid in cash. The airports in Quito and Guayaquil, as well as the major hotels, have money exchange facilities. There are two banks in Puerto Ayora (a typical stop on your itinerary) that gives cash advances on most credit cards and ATM cardholders may be able to take money from the ATM. Carry your money, credit cards and the like in a money pouch (held close to your body). Torre Mar Galapagos Boutique Suites also has safes in each suite.
First Aid kits are provided on all tour boats, but may not be complete or provide for those with special needs. Always travel with all prescription medicines that you may need. Special medicines you should consider bringing along are motion sickness medication (if your sea legs don’t develop quickly), and aloe vera gel (in case you forget our advice about sunscreen). If traveling to Quito, it is at 9,500 feet, (3,000m) and some people experience symptoms of altitude sickness which in most cases can be remedied by drinking lots of water, getting lots of rest (which can be difficult when traveling), taking aspirin, or if you experience symptoms of mild headaches, DIAMOX, a drug that increases oxygen perfusion is readily available in Quito pharmacies. If you experience severe headaches or respiratory problems, consult a doctor immediately. In Puerto Ayora there is a doctor that speaks Spanish, English, and French as well as the local hospital.
