Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
So what's best: paying for an Autografo or doing day trips from a home base at one port?
Frugal sailors who view the Galapagos as a stopover are usually satisfied with the one-
port option. Those who see their visit as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity might be better
off paying for an Autografo and gaining an overview of several different islands. The key
point to keep in mind is that both these options only grant permission for inhabited is-
lands. No matter where you anchor (and anchoring is the only option), you will be at
arm's length from the prime sights on smaller, wilder islands. But don't lose heart: it is
possible to see a great deal by combining travel on your boat with independent excursions
and organized tours. Last minute deals on live-aboard tours abound in Puerto Ayora. For
example, four-day tours on a sixteen-person tourist class boat go for $525 to $600 (down
from a regular price of $1,500) in the week prior to departure. The main hurdle to joining
a tour is leaving your own boat unattended, which some crews solve by leaving one per-
son on board or trading boat-sitting duties with other crews. The bottom line is, a visit to
the Galapagos is entirely worth the expense and effort.
A marine iguana in the Galapagos Islands
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