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Traveling solo in the Galapagos
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May 15, 2018
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May 30, 2018Travelling solo in the Galapagos happens surprisingly more common than you would think. This is welcome news for singles travelers that want to visit the Galapagos, or those with partners that cannot get them to visit with them. At Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders we often get asked about options for solo travelers in Galapagos. We hope this will help you with all you need to know about traveling solo in the Galapagos. Do contact us if you would like to know more and we’ll be happy to help. If you are a single traveler to Galapagos there are options, and sometimes it can feel very liberating to take such an amazing trip on your own. Here is how you go about it.
If you’re a single traveler to the Galapagos Islands, the first thing that will likely cross your mind is the fact that cruises are often thought of as something that couples do. Indeed, one of the challenges with traveling solo in the Galapagos is that cabins are often built specifically for two people. This means sharing with someone who may be someone you do not know, or may not be of the same gender. That said, if you specify you will only share with someone of the same gender, you can avoid nasty surprises, mostly. Alternatively, it may be better just to pay the single supplement for the pleasure of having a cabin to yourself.
Unsurprisingly, single rooms are charged at a premium, so it is often just as well to share with a companion to make the trip much more affordable. Being willing to share with someone of the same gender may make it easier to find a good option that allows you to avoid the single supplement.
The good news is that for those that really do not want to share a room with a stranger for a week, some companies do waive the single supplement. Some boats, and particularly the larger cruise lines provide smaller rooms for those that want to avoid the single supplement. In some cases, it might even be possible to secure a double cabin occupancy for a single Galapagos traveler, though this is more uncommon. However, if you cannot afford a single supplement and cannot find a good deal for traveling solo in the Galapagos, you might very well consider sharing.
Many times, these options work out very well, and you may well even find that you make a new friend! Even if you do not, it is not as if you spend a lot of time in your cabin anyway. Most of the time you will be visiting islands, snorkeling, on deck or eating and socializing with other passengers.
Another way of getting a good deal when traveling solo in the Galapagos Islands, if you have time, is looking for a last-minute deal. You may be able to pick these up from Quito, or you can fly go Puerto Ayora and try to do it from there. If you are single you may find a last-minute deal at a significantly cheaper price. While this strategy works for some, it is not without its risks, as there is always the chance you will not find a cheap deal. For many this is not an option due to the potential for time wasting while waiting for a cheap option to come up. It will probably be easier to get a cheaper deal outside of the high seasons, and it might be much harder in December and January.
Options for solo travelers in Galapagos also include not taking a cruise, since this is where the cost of a single supplement can be really high. Instead, there is the possibility of taking a land-based Galapagos option. With these trips, you can island hop, or stay on one island. If you do this independently you can choose accommodation that charges per room, rather than per person, and take group trips during the day, which will work out cheaper overall. Or alternatively you could join a land-based tour, which also may island hop or be based out of one place. These are decent options that do allow you the chance to see a good deal of the wildlife that the Galapagos has to offer, without having to share a room with someone you do not know.
If you’re a single traveler to Galapagos let us know and we will identify options for you. Whether that is a Galapagos cruise with your own room and a single supplement, a Galapagos cruise sharing with another person, or a land-based option traveling solo to the Galapagos Islands, we will be happy to help. We will seek out the best available options for your dates that best suit your specific needs. Most importantly, do not let the fact that you are a single traveler to Galapagos put you off visiting.
