Three lessons for making the most of your visit

For many people, visiting the Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As I was getting ready for my trip to the famous islands in the Pacific, almost everyone I talked to said going there is on their “bucket list.” So how can you make the most of this iconic trip?

I figured, who would know better than the Guides who have been showing people around the islands for years?

Guides are ubiquitous in the Galapagos. Not only are you required to have a guide to visit spaces and sites that are within the Galapagos National Park – which covers 97% of the land and water in the archipelago. Guides also provide invaluable insights on the unusual flora and fauna that have made the islands famous. They complete a multi-month training program and play a key role in the appreciation and conservation of the islands.

During our 6-day trip to the Galapagos, booked through Detour Destinations and managed by Neotropic Expeditions, my husband and I were fortunate to have a private guide on each of the 3 islands we visited. Although guides don’t have to be from the Galapagos, each of ours had been born and raised on the island where they now live.

Besides sharing details about the mating rituals of giant tortoises and how marine iguanas swim, they offered tips for enjoying their home islands.

Be Physically Prepared

For more than a decade, our guide on Isabela, Sebastian Estrada, has been taking groups around the areas where his swashbuckling pirate ancestors landed centuries ago. He often leads groups from well-known companies that offer active trips around the world.

Over the years Sebastian has come to expect that there will be at least one or two people in a group who are less prepared than the rest. Although he adjusts what the group does to accommodate all levels, sometimes the other guests get frustrated because they expected a different experience.

It’s better to tell the guide up front if you have any concerns or limitations on activities, so the guide can plan for it before setting out, Sebastian says. Before we hiked along the Sierra Negra volcano crater, my husband mentioned that he doesn’t like getting near the edges of rocks or cliffs with drop-offs. Sebastian pointed him to spots along the hike where he’d get a great view without being too close to the edge.

Sebastian also told us to watch out for uneven surfaces – in nature, around town and even in hotels. Stairs and curbs don’t have “standard” heights there, and iguanas and sea lions lounge across sidewalks and streets at will. He’s had guests trip and fall, then not be able to do the activities they’d planned.

Pack a variety of clothing

Bring clothes for a variety of weather conditions, which can vary more than you might expect, and change quickly. Of course, all the photos you see online show sunny days and people snorkeling in bathing suits. We were glad we had rain jackets handy and used them several times.

For more tips on clothing and other gear, check out my post on Packing for Your First Multi-sport Adventure Trip.

My husband and I took the advice of Maria Fernanda Gordillo, our guide on San Cristobal, and rented full-length wetsuits for snorkeling at Kicker Rock. We were comfortable snorkeling for the full time during our two 45-minute excursions alongside sea turtles and countless fish. Others on our boat who had “shortie” wetsuits either cut their snorkeling time short, or shivered as we swam around the massive rock formation looking for sharks (saw one black-tipped, no hammerheads though).

One thing I didn’t think to bring was a Buff. Sebastian and many of the locals we saw wore neck and head protective sleeves, and pulled them up to cover most of their faces. The sun is incredibly strong on these islands that lie along the equator. Many shops in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz had cute versions of Buffs with marine and bird patterns, but by the time we got there it was our last day in the Galapagos.

Be flexible

Tourism in the Galapagos is more steeped in nature than many other destinations, Maria pointed out to us. Birds, iguanas, sea lions and other wildlife come and go as they please without barriers, enclosures or specific viewing areas (with a few exceptions – like the Tortoise Center on Isabela island and the Charles Darwin Research Center on Santa Cruz island).

One night as we sat at dinner we noticed a sea lion sprawled across the boardwalk that lead to the restaurant. Galapagos rules include that you must stay 6 feet from the wildlife. So when people approached the restaurant via the boardwalk, they had to turn around and take the long way!

Although you almost can’t avoid seeing the most iconic animals of the Galapagos – sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises – others can be more elusive. When we kayaked to an area where dozens of endemic Galapagos penguins usually hang out, we only saw one. But at least we saw one!

Even seemingly “common” items can be hard to find. My husband ran out of shaving cream on day 3, so we stopped in a few places to find a can. No luck at the supermercado or a few mini-tiendas that seemed to specialize in personal grooming supplies. When we mentioned it to Sebastian, he took us to the place he knew usually stocked “unusual” items. Sure enough, we found it there – for $7 a can.

Sebastian pointed out that the supply ship that brings everything not grown on the islands only comes to Isabela twice a month. A far cry from Amazon 2-day delivery. Plan accordingly.

Slow down

As tempting as it may seem to visit as many islands and sites as you can in as few days as possible – the per-day cost of a Galapagos trip can be pretty steep – spend as much time as you can. In retrospect, I wish we had taken a day or two more than our 6-day/5-night excursion.

Be sure to build in a day or two (or at least a half day) to just relax while in the Galapagos, says Karla Zarabia, our guide on Santa Cruz. She has lead trips that are 5 days and cover 4 islands, which can be too much for some travelers. Some people end up skipping a day or two of activities because they’re too tired. When you only have 5 days, missing 1 is 20% of the time!

Although many people visit the Galapagos via boat, which allows them to move between islands overnight and reach more destinations, we chose a land-based trip, which included at least one night on each island.

Staying on the island allowed us to take Sebasian out to dinner at a local restaurant where his friend’s wife is the chef (check out El Cafetal when you’re in Puerto Villamil). We shared ceviche with Ecuadorans Carmita and Marcelo at the Los Kioskos street food market in Puerto Ayora. And then there was my “guest bartending” stint at the place on Isabela whose bartender had just quit, and the manager didn’t know how to make a lemon drop …

The pace of your activities can make a difference in what you see too. Sea kayaking and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) are a great way to explore the marine environment up-close and at eye level, Maria noted. As we quietly paddled up to a rocky outcropping in Darwin Bay of San Cristobal, we could clearly see the blue feet of the classic Galapagos blue-footed boobies perched up above us. No binoculars necessary.

So take your time, be flexible and be prepared. And appreciate your guides for all of the wisdom they are so happy and willing to share.

What to bring so you have an amazing experience

If you’re the type who usually packs for a trip the night before you leave, it’s time to change that habit, at least when you pack for a multi-sport adventure trip. The sooner you start pulling together the items for your trip, the better it’ll will go when you get there.

You’ll probably get a packing list from your trip operator well in advance, though the level of detail varies by company. Not sure how to pick the best multi-sport trip? Consider these tips. While the location and activities on your trip will dictate the specifics, some considerations are consistent regardless of your destination.

If you need to get new footwear, clothing and/or gear, do your shopping at least 3 months in advance so you have a chance to test and exchange items as needed.

Clothing Materials

Of course, the types of clothing you’ll need will depend on the environment where you’re going. Certain fabrics and features work well in various environments though.

Merino wool – You’ll see this in clothing from head to toe, from hats to socks and just about everything in between. This is not the itchy wool like your childhood sweaters – its fibers are finer, therefore softer.

Merino wool is warm yet breathable, which means that sweat escapes through the fiber. And it also doesn’t get stinky – yay! It does come at a higher price than other fabrics, though. And it’s not as durable as some alternatives.

Synthetic fabrics – Many companies have developed proprietary blends of synthetic fabrics, often made from forms of polyester and nylon, that provide warmth and breathability for less money than Merino wool.

Again, this is not the polyester you remember from years back – it’s soft and comfortable. Although some synthetics do get smelly, other versions include anti-stink treatments, like weaving in silver strands to trap the odor-causing bacteria.

Blends – Several companies make clothing with a blend merino wool and synthetics to take advantage of the properties of each.

Not cotton – As you peruse the clothing in an outdoor store, you may notice the lack of good old cotton on the racks. That’s because it has many qualities that can be problematic in the outdoors – the primary one being that it retains water, both sweat from your body and from precipitation, and that will make you feel cold and clammy.

Clothing features

Features to look for in the clothing you take on a multi-sport adventure include:

• quick drying (especially for humid environments)
• wicking/breathable
• fitted yet flexible

Think about what clothing items you could wear in layers, which you can put on and take off as the temperature changes. Then try them on together – at home if you have them already, or at the store if you’re buying new items.

Wear the clothes you plan to take with you out on a walk or hike, and practice putting them on and taking them off. This will make you more comfortable and efficient on your trip!

Picking shoes and boots

This is literally where the rubber meets the road, or trail, or boat deck, or bicycle pedal. Again, what you need will depend on the types of activities you’re doing on the trip, so here are some general guidelines.

Go to a reputable store that specializes in the footwear you need, with knowledgeable staff and a good selection. Try to go during a time they aren’t busy (avoid weekends and sales) and spend as much time as you can trying on different footwear and walking around the store.

I put the staff at REI through their paces when I was shopping for new boots to hike the Inca Trail – and it was well worth it to find the boots I’d be wearing for 4 days in a row, for 8+ miles a day, over thousands of feet of elevation gain and loss.

Buy footwear at least 3 months before you go. This will give you time to get them broken in, and also give you time to figure out if you need to get something different.

If footwear isn’t feeling good after using it for at least an hour a few times, return it if you can. Even if you can’t return or exchange it, suck it up and buy something else – you’re spending a lot of money to have a great vacation, don’t jeopardize that fun with footwear that hurts.

Selecting a backpack

The size you’ll need will depend on how much you need to carry on your trip, but again, look for key features as you pick your pack. 

Materials – Seek out packs made with lightweight and durable materials, even if you just need a daypack. The less weight you start with for your pack, the less weight you’ll be carrying around for your trip.  

Pockets – Personal preference is a factor, as some people like to have things super organized. Then again, usually more pockets create more weight. Having at least a few pockets to have quick and easy access to key items – lip balm, sunscreen, snacks – can be handy.

Fit – Most pack styles come in at least two sizes, S/M and L/XL, and some have additional adjustment options in each size. Sizes are based on torso length, not overall height, and vary by manufacturer. Some manufacturers make women-specific packs – though don’t get too fixated on how a pack is “labeled,” focus on what fits.

Similar to footwear shopping, it’s best to go to a store with a wide selection and trained staff to get the right fit.

Contents – Bring what you plan to take on your trip with you when you’re shopping for a pack, so you can put it in and see how it feels before you buy. Walk around the store with the filled pack for at least 10 minutes.

Testing – Take the pack out on a few hour-or-more trial walks/hikes well before your trip – ideally, the same “test walks” you’re taking with your footwear. If the pack rubs you somewhere, feels awkward or otherwise isn’t working, return it and get another one.

Now you have some insights on what clothing and gear to pack. This really just scratches the surface, though, which is why there’s more detailed information on clothing and gear on https://trailblazerwellness.com (and, honestly, elsewhere on the Internet!).

And ultimately, what would be even more helpful is a customized version of this that’s specific to the trip you’re thinking about taking, or have already signed up to do. Contact me at becki@trailblazerwellness.com to ask questions and find out about getting personalized support for you and your travel companions.