Holiday in the Galápagos Islands

What makes Galápagos Islands special as a destination?

The Galápagos Islands, located about 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific, are a vibrant natural laboratory of evolution and one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. Here, Charles Darwin developed his groundbreaking theory of evolution, and to this day, animals inhabit these volcanic islands that are unafraid of humans — an experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Giant tortoises that can live over 100 years, marine iguanas that are found nowhere else in the world, blue-footed boobies with bright blue feet, and playful sea lions swimming alongside snorkelers — the biodiversity is overwhelming. Each island has its own personality: Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, Isabela offers volcanic landscapes and penguins at the equator, and Española is the only breeding ground for the Galápagos albatrosses. The underwater world is equally spectacular: schools of hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks make the Galápagos one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world. Multi-day cruises between the islands are the best way to explore the archipelago. Visitor numbers are strictly limited to protect the fragile ecosystem. January to May offers warmer water, while June to November has cooler temperatures with more marine life.