Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Accessible Travel Info
What to Expect
Ecuador
Accommodation
Hotels on the mainland portion of the tour are boutique-style properties selected for their comfort, character, and welcoming atmosphere. Most are small, locally owned hotels or charming haciendas that reflect the culture and natural surroundings of each region. There are 3 to 4 fully accessible rooms at locations we work with. We choose properties with convenient layouts and assist where possible to make your stay comfortable. Rooms are clean, cozy, and well equipped, but you’ll likely spend most of your time out enjoying the landscapes, towns, and experiences.
Food
TYPICAL MEAL – Breakfast usually includes coffee or tea, fresh juice, fruit, bread with butter and jam, and eggs. Some hotels may also offer local specialties such as cheese, yogurt, or traditional breads.
Lunch and dinner generally feature a selection of fresh, regional dishes such as chicken, beef, or pork, served with rice, potatoes, vegetables, and soup or salad. Ecuadorian cuisine is simple, fresh, and based on local ingredients. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be accommodated, but please note that options may be more limited in smaller towns or rural areas.
DRINKS – Drinking water is provided during the tour, and juice is often included with meals. Alcoholic drinks and bottled beverages are not included. To reduce waste, we encourage the use of refillable water bottles whenever possible.
Activities
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY – Activities are designed for all travelers independent of their level of fitness.
EXPERIENCE – No previous experience is required for any activity. The tour focuses on cultural encounters, scenic walks, and hands-on experiences such as markets, cooking, crafts, and local visits. Activities are suitable for beginners and designed to be enjoyable and relaxed.
PARTICIPATION NOT REQUIRED – All activities are optional. If you prefer to skip something, rest at the hotel, or explore on your own, you are welcome to do so. It’s your vacation.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES – In some locations there may be opportunities for additional experiences. We are happy to help organize these when possible, but they are at your own expense and responsibility.
TRANSPORT – We use a mix of private vehicles and short walks to move between destinations. Travel times vary by region, but most daily drives are between one and three hours, with regular stops for rest, scenery, or cultural visits. For people with physical disabilities, when there are 2 persons we use standards SUV vehicles. When we have more than 3 people in tour we use VAN with portable side ramp to access vehicle. For groups of people with visual disability we use standard VAN / buses.
For groups of travelers who are blind or have low vision, we can incorporate tactile and sensory experiences whenever possible. These may include handling traditional crafts, food preparation, guided walks with detailed descriptions, and meaningful interaction with local people to create a rich, immersive experience.
Galapagos Islands
Accommodation
All hotels are clean and comfortable with some modifications for accessibility. Completely accessible rooms are a rarity here and we’ve worked with hotels to make existing rooms as accessible as possible. Usually, the only time you will be in your room is to shower and sleep! Most of your time will be spent outside exploring the magnificent surroundings.
Food
TYPICAL MEAL – Breakfast usually consists of coffee or tea, juice, fresh fruit, bread with butter and jam, and eggs. This is the typical ‘American Breakfast.’ Lunch and Dinner usually include juice, rice or fries, fresh fish or chicken, and a small salad or soup. Vegetarians and special dietary requirements can be accommodated, however please keep in mind that the selection and availability of specialty meals is limited.
DRINKS – We provide drinking water for the entire tour and juice at most meals. We do not provide alcoholic drinks, sodas or bottled drinks. In an effort to produce minimal rubbish from our trips, we try to utilize reusable 5 gallon bottles of water 100% of the time.
Activities
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY – While you don’t need to be an athlete, a reasonable degree of fitness is recommended.
EXPERIENCE –If you’re not an experienced kayaker or snorkeler, no problem. This is not an extreme sport trip but we do enjoy experiencing places in an active fashion. The activities are designed to be fun for all and beginner friendly. Being a willing participant is most important. We’ll go over all the details before each activity to make sure you’re comfortable. Safety first.
PARTICIPATION NOT REQUIRED – All the activities and events offer something new or exciting, but if you’d rather sit something out, or do your own thing for a while, by all means – it is your vacation!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES – There are occasional opportunities to do optional activities. We are happy to help with organizing when possible, but these activities are at your own risk and your own expense.
TRANSPORT. – We use a variety of transport while in the Galapagos –. Most bus and taxi rides are 30 minutes or less. Crossings by boats are an average of two hours between each island depending on sea conditions. Crossings by plane are an average of 45 minutes between each island.
For groups of people who are blind or short sighted we organize a tour which includes representation of animals by figures, while we visit the locations. We try to have the experience around living experiences such as swiming in the ocean, hikes, cooking classes and local interaction with people
Country Info
Ecuador and Galapagos
For Ecuador continent
Ecuador is a country located in the northwest part of South America. It borders Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
It has an area of approximately 283,500 km². To put this in perspective, it is similar in size to the state of Colorado in the USA. The country has just over 18 million inhabitants. The official language is Spanish; however, the Constitution also recognizes several indigenous languages spoken by native communities, including Kichwa and Shuar among others.
Since 2000, the local currency has been the US dollar. Ecuador is one of the few countries in the world located directly on the Equator, and at the same time it is crossed from north to south by the Andes Mountains.
These particular conditions provide a wide variety of climates within the country. Ecuador has four main regions: the Pacific Coast, the Andes Highlands, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands.
Each of these four regions is very different in terms of culture, history, migration, cuisine, and traditional clothing. The country ranges from sea level up to 6,263 meters at the summit of Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador.
Ecuador is considered one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. The diversity of its four regions has given rise to thousands of species of flora and fauna. It has around 1,600 species of birds, approximately 4,500 species of butterflies, about 470 species of reptiles, more than 600 species of amphibians, and over 400 species of mammals, among many others.
Not surprisingly, Ecuador is considered one of the 17 megadiverse countries on the planet and has one of the highest levels of biodiversity per square kilometer in the world.
There are over 60 protected areas, including national parks, reserves, and ecological zones, covering more than 20% of the country’s territory.
The economy of Ecuador has traditionally been based on oil production. In addition, the country is a major exporter of bananas, shrimp, flowers, and cacao.
Tourism is an important sector, with over 1.5 million international visitors per year in recent years.
Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club, especially in cities and tourist areas.
As in any country, it is important to take the usual precautions with your money and personal belongings. Keep valuables secure, divide cash into different locations, and avoid displaying large amounts of money in public.
Practical Info
COMMUNICATIONS / TELEPHONE CALLS
For calls to Ecuador, dial: +593 + city code + phone number.
ELECTRICITY
Standard voltage is 110 volts. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets, and some may also offer 220-volt options.
TIPS
Although tips are voluntary and at your discretion, it is customary to recognize good service.
For guides, tipping is optional, but it is a common way to show appreciation. A typical amount is USD 5–10 per day, depending on the level of service and group size.
INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that travelers purchase travel insurance to cover events such as trip cancellations, medical expenses, repatriation, and loss of belongings. Please read your policy carefully to ensure you are adequately covered.
For Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) west of mainland Ecuador. The islands are part of Ecuador and form one of the most unique and protected natural environments in the world.
The archipelago consists of 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands, and more than 100 islets and rocks, all of volcanic origin. The total land area is about 8,000 km², spread across a vast marine reserve that covers more than 130,000 km².
The islands have a population of approximately 30,000 inhabitants, mainly living on the four populated islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Floreana. The official language is Spanish, and the local currency is the US dollar, as in mainland Ecuador.
The Galápagos are located directly on the Equator, but the climate is influenced by several ocean currents, creating two main seasons:
Warm and wet season (December to May): warmer temperatures, calmer seas, and occasional tropical showers.
Cool and dry season (June to November): cooler air and water temperatures, with more clouds and occasional mist.
The Galápagos Islands are world-famous for their unique wildlife, much of which is found nowhere else on Earth. The isolation of the islands allowed species to evolve independently, inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution after his visit in 1835.
Among the most iconic species are:
– Giant tortoises
– Marine iguanas
– Blue-footed boobies
– Flightless cormorants
– Galápagos penguins
– Sea lions and fur seals
In 1978, the Galápagos Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and today about 97% of the land area is protected as Galápagos National Park. The surrounding waters form the Galápagos Marine Reserve, one of the largest protected marine areas in the world.
Strict conservation rules are in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem. Visitor sites are carefully controlled, and all activities within the National Park must be conducted with a licensed naturalist guide.
Tourism is one of the main economic activities on the islands, along with fishing and small-scale agriculture. Visitor numbers are regulated to help protect the environment, and sustainable tourism practices are strongly encouraged.
Credit cards are accepted in the main towns and larger establishments, but cash is recommended for small purchases, local restaurants, and remote areas.
As in any destination, it is advisable to take basic precautions with your belongings and follow all park regulations and guide instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Practical Info
COMMUNICATIONS / TELEPHONE CALLS
To call the Galápagos from abroad, dial: +593 + area code + phone number.
Mobile coverage is available in the main towns, but signal may be limited or unavailable in remote areas and visitor sites.
ELECTRICITY
Standard voltage is 110 volts, the same as mainland Ecuador and the United States. Most hotels use standard US-style outlets.
TIPS
Tipping is voluntary but appreciated for good service.
For guides and crew, it is customary to leave a tip at the end of the tour. Amounts vary depending on the type of program and group size.
INSURANCE
Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover trip cancellations, medical expenses, and unexpected events. Please ensure your policy includes coverage for activities such as snorkeling or boat travel if applicable.
Safety is our number one priority on each and every trip. However, the destination in which we operate has limited medical facilities and is an island off the coast of a third world country. Although we don’t anticipate a medical emergency, travel insurance with medical and emergency evacuation coverage is highly recommended.
Wi-Fi & Cell Phone Service. Internet service in the islands is extremely limited. Some hotels have it, some don’t. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it doesn’t work at all.
