Travel in Latin America
What makes the Galapagos Islands so special in this day and age is that there is no place on earth quite like them. Completely unique, these islands are truly one of a kind and are a great place to see evolution in action. Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1835 and it was here that he gathered important and key information to prove his Theory of Natural Selection.
Situated roughly 1,000 km west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands is said to be roughly five million years old. Accidentally discovered by Bishop Tomas de Berlanga in 1535, this string of tiny volcanic islands has been designated a World Heritage Site and today plays a very vital role in understanding how our planet has evolved. Officially known as the Archipelago de Colon, these islands are a national park as well as a marine reserve protecting some of the most rare and endangered animal, bird and marine species in the world. Nearly 25% of the fish species, 50% of the bird species and all of the reptile species on the Galapagos are endemic.
Vacationing here is a real treat for nature lovers as they get the chance to come up close and personal with an incredible plethora of wildlife. However, these islands are also an amazing adventure destination as there is much to do out here. Wildlife/bird watching, hiking, trekking, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving are just some of the many activities in the Galapagos Islands that you can enjoy.
Bird watching is very popular as hundreds of birds from all over come to the Galapagos to nest and rest as they migrate from hemisphere to hemisphere. The Waved Albatross, the Magnificent Frigatebird, the Flightless Cormorant and the Blue and Red-footed Boobies are just some of the many bird spices to be found here. If you are an avid bird watcher then do keep an eye out for the 13 endemic species of Darwin’s Finches.
If hiking and trekking is your passion then you will find much to explore out here. There are many walking and hiking trails on 19 larger islands in the Galapagos with some of the best pathways found on the Isla San Cristobal and the Isla Santa Cruz. However, be sure to get permission particularly if you want to hike the smaller islands as many of them are protected habitats.
For the more adventurous you can go swimming with sharks, eels, and manta rays, snorkel with schools of brightly colored fish and come face to face with a spectacular array of marine life. The coral reefs in the Galapagos are some of the most pristine in the world. The scuba diving here is also truly superb with dive zones for both the novice diver as well as the expert. The best diving in the Galapagos can be found around Isla Darwin and Isla Wolf. If you just want to spend some quiet time relaxing on a beach somewhere, head out to Turtle Bay on Isla Santa Cruz where the water is calm and the beach is sandy white.
With so much to do and so many activities to enjoy it is no wonder then that the Galapagos is a wonderful place to have an adventure. The ideal destination to have some fun, these islands make for a truly extraordinary vacation.