Galapagos Permits

[hpeer]

Just sorta dreaming, but we just bought the boat and, well, ya know, now I need somewhere to go.

Galapagos!

Yeah, that's the ticket. I need dreams to work for or I get all depressed.

So, where do I go to find out the skinny on sailing to the Galapagos. I was reading Beth Leonard last night and she seemed to think permits were pretty hard to come by. Are there guide books and how to's or is it every man for himself?

Many thanks in advance.

[Dave852]

If on a private yacht with less than 10 people aboard you can just show up and they will give you 21 days. However you must spend that time in the port you arrive at. So you must decide which island you want to visit. You can apply for a multi port permit before you arrive but it's very expensive. Check with Galapagos Yacht Agency for the latest info.

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by Dave852

If on a private yacht with less than 10 people aboard you can just show up and they will give you 21 days. However you must spend that time in the port you arrive at. So you must decide which island you want to visit. You can apply for a multi port permit before you arrive but it's very expensive. Check with Galapagos Yacht Agency for the latest info.

Does that 21 day permit let you go ashore or just stay ?

I'd written off the islands because I thought you could only go ashore with a paid guide ?

I'm quite interested in the answer so thanks in advance,


-Sven

[Dave852]

Originally Posted by SvenG

Does that 21 day permit let you go ashore or just stay ?

I'd written off the islands because I thought you could only go ashore with a paid guide ?

I'm quite interested in the answer so thanks in advance,


-Sven

Yes, you can go ashore. You will use a water taxi instead of your dingy as the sea lions would ruin it. Cost about $.50 cents per person. Now by going ashore I am talking about going into town. If you go to a park you will need a guide but thats not a big deal. You will pay to go on an excursion. We went on some for as little as $35.00 per person. That was a land trip to a park in the back of a pickup truck with a stop at the guys house for lunch. Dive trips will cost more. Check in fees are the highest I have paid. If on a real tight budget you may want to pass. Somewhat offset by $3.00 lunch and $1.00 fuel though.

[hpeer]

Wow, I guess things have changed. Beth, in her book, said that getting a permit took years and cost hundreds of dollars and was not always successful.

Thanks for the resources. I will check this out. I need something to look forward to.

[jim_thomsen]

Some of the best current information can be found on the Soggy Paws website: S/V Soggy Paws - CSY 44 - Circumnavigate with Dave and Sherry McCampbell They are currently in the Galapagos.

Their up to date Galapados Ecuador Cruisers 2009 guide is great.

[hpeer]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[hellosailor]

When in doubt, check the consulate for current information. Remember that in most countries, new laws go into effect on January 1st each year, so the world may have changed just one month ago.

[jim_thomsen]

We are on our way to Galapados and have been told by our agent there, Bolivar Pesantes (naugala@hotmail.com) that we have a 60 day permit allowing stops in 5 different anchorage. Total cost about US$300

I hope it's true!

[Unicorn Dreams]

Try going to Noonsite: The global site for cruising sailors . They usually have up ro dare info.

[Stella Polaris]

Originally Posted by jim_thomsen

We are on our way to Galapados and have been told by our agent there, Bolivar Pesantes (naugala@hotmail.com) that we have a 60 day permit allowing stops in 5 different anchorage. Total cost about US$300

I hope it's true!

Hi Jim,
Did it work out?
I'm in Panama now planning to sail to Galapagos as soon as I am through the Canal on Tuesday.

[barnakiel]

Why not simply pick up an easier destination?

Hawaii?

b.

[YourOldNemesis]

I was there in '08.

When you arrive you get assigned an agent - although it's unclear how easy it is to do it without - probably fine. We were only allowed a permit to stay in one place, not to visit other islands, so we did it using the local boats instead (but we did have someone to stay onboard for us).

I know that it's a big deal destination for lots of people, and that I'm sure I won't put you off, but it is an absolute hole of a place.

Everything is a cynical ploy to extract money from you and they look after the place really badly, while bleating on about how hard it is to survive on bottled water. I was there during a 2 hour rainstorm that completely filled our dinghy with water, I was ashore at the time and watched as gallons and gallons of drinkable water flowed off the roofs, into the street and then into the sea - no gutters!

There are far, far nicer island groups you can visit in the Pacific. I remember the Marqueses very fondly indeed. Especially Hiva Oa and Ta'ha (sp?).

[hellosailor]

I think it was one of the magazines that said, flat out, "Do not send mail from the Galapagos, the postmaster peels off the stamps to resell and throws out the mail."

Of course since it is neither a republic nor a banana plantation, you can't call it a banana republic either.<G>