Hello,
My boyfriend and I are heading to Ecuador and the Galapagos for 3 months this winter. We are getting sorted with surf gear in Ecuador and heading to the Islands and hoping to stay for 2 months. We may pick up a boat tour from the islands but more specifically I am looking for any information lazying around the islands.
On San Cristobal- is there a grocery store? What are prices for drinks (beer, water, etc?) and food? Accomodations? Avg daily budget for a couple?
Is there enough to do for water lovers? He is a surfer, I am content with relaxing and snorkelling etc. Will we get restless being out there for to long?
Everything is focused to the boat tours. i would love some budget island stay suggestions.
Also I am looking into a sweet camera set up with an underwater housing for snorkelling and scenery shots. Is this something that I should take down with me? Will it get ripped off easily on the main land? The islands sound safe. Any help is greatly appreciated! happy travels
Hi, I've spent a fair bit of time lazying around the islands as you put it as my boyfriend is living out there, I was there for two months last summer and then two separate 3 week stints. I've only been to Puerta Ayora (spent most of my time there) and Isabela (for 3-4 days) so can't say about San Cristobal for definite but I would be 99% sure that they would have grocery stores- drink prices in Puerta Ayora are about $2 for a small beer, $3 for a bigger one, $5-6 dollars for cocktails, 25cents for a bottle of water, it's generally cheaper to eat out than cook your own food as everything has to be imported so buying food in a grocery store can be pricey enough unless you're buying in bulk (set lunch or dinner will set you back $2.50 including a soup, main course- rice with fish/chicken/meat and juice). As for water activities, snorkelling is good and it should be pretty easy to just rent equipment on your own and head out. As for surfing, I've heard it's good on San Cristobal, the main spot near Puerta Ayora is Tortuga bay where the waves can get up to about 2m, it's not great for swimming but there's another beach at the other end where you can swim and snorkel (Playa Mansa). And as for getting restless, it depends on what you're looking for, if you're happy just to chill out and soak up the atmosphere, 2 months will definitely be enough, if you're looking for constant different activities/amazing nightlife etc then you might get a bit restless. Feel free to PM me for info if you want, hope that helps!
I personally would feel very bored in the islands... The towns are small and there is not a ton to do other than day trips or snorkelling. Plus, the islands are so much more expensive than the mainland. I would recommend seeing the coast area on themain land instead. but this is just my opinion, I would feel too isolated and bored on the islands. The tourists aer mostly people who get off thier cruise boats for an afternoon or an evening. There is a store in San Cristobal, but it is pretty small, and only has some basic supplies like pasta, junk food and drinks. The Galapagos is an extrodinary place, but its charms are found in the water and on the uninhabited islands, not in the town. I also have not seen anyone surfing there that I can recall. Whatever you choose, I am sure you will enjoy!
trusted partner
