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Are Galapagos islands safe? The Galapagos Islands are truly a paradise on earth. The scenery is picturesque and hosts numerous species of animals that are unique to the islands.
As the largest island on earth and known for being home to the famous giant tortoise, the island of Santa Cruz is a popular destination for tourists.
Beautiful scenery and variety of wildlife often play host to hundreds of tourists from all around the world. In recent years however there has been an increase in crime levels as well as dramatic changes in people’s behavior due to a growing drug culture.
Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful places on earth. Sharing its beaches with various animal species, this remote place is a dream land for tourists from all over the world.
But are these islands safe? Are there any security threats or risks that could put your life in danger? Let’s find out in the following article!
Many people are reluctant to visit Galapagos Islands because they think it’s not safe? But the fact is there is nowhere in the world that’s perfectly safe. The Galapagos Islands might be perfect for some people and may not be perfect for others.
Virtually all ecotourism companies ignore an important question: are the Galapagos Islands safe? Information is shared on where to stay and what to do.
But there is virtually no information on safety. Further, the websites and blogs I have read rarely provide adequate descriptions of issues related to long term travelers to the islands.

Are Galapagos islands safe?
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. They have a reputation for being pristine and safe, but that’s not always true. This article will give you some tips on how to stay safe and healthy while visiting this wonderful place.
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. They have a reputation for being pristine and safe, but that’s not always true. This article will give you some tips on how to stay safe and healthy while visiting this wonderful place.
The main thing to keep in mind is that the islands are very isolated, so there are no hospitals or doctors available if something bad happens to you while there. The only way out is via plane or boat, which can take days or weeks depending on what happens.
The Galapagos Islands are a safe place to visit. The islands have a small population and crime is rare. The only threats to visitors are the sun, sea and sand. The most important thing to remember is not to leave anything valuable lying around on the beach.
If you do, it might be gone when you return. This can happen anywhere in Ecuador, but it’s especially common in the Galapagos Islands because there are no police on the islands to recover stolen items.
The only real threat to tourists in the Galapagos is pirates who hijack boats and kidnap tourists for ransom or just for fun. In 2004, two Americans were kidnapped off their yacht in international waters off the coast of Colombia and taken to Panama where they were held for ransom until rescued by Panamanian authorities.
In 2008, three American women were kidnapped from their yacht off Ecuador’s coast and taken to Colombia where they were freed after their families paid $250,000 in ransom money.
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Galapagos weather
Months | Temperature | Rainfall | Wind Speed | Sunshine |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 🌡️ 49°F | 🌧️ 1.0″ | 🌩️ 8.2 | ☀️ 9.6h |
February | 🌡️ 52°F | 🌧️ 0.8″ | 🌩️ 8.6 | ☀️ 10.7h |
March | 🌡️ 58°F | 🌧️ 0.8″ | 🌩️ 8.8 | ☀️ 12.0h |
April | 🌡️ 62°F | 🌧️ 1.3″ | 🌩️ 8.8 | ☀️ 13.4h |
May | 🌡️ 70°F | 🌧️ 1.4″ | 🌩️ 8.0 | ☀️ 14.5h |
June | 🌡️ 81°F | 🌧️ 0.9″ | 🌩️ 7.6 | ☀️ 15.0h |
July | 🌡️ 88°F | 🌧️ 0.3″ | 🌩️ 7.6 | ☀️ 14.7h |
August | 🌡️ 87°F | 🌧️ 0.3″ | 🌩️ 7.4 | ☀️ 13.7h |
September | 🌡️ 78°F | 🌧️ 0.7″ | 🌩️ 7.4 | ☀️ 12.4h |
October | 🌡️ 66°F | 🌧️ 1.7″ | 🌩️ 7.9 | ☀️ 11.1h |
November | 🌡️ 56°F | 🌧️ 1.6″ | 🌩️ 8.2 | ☀️ 9.9h |
December | 🌡️ 49°F | 🌧️ 1.1″ | 🌩️ 8.1 | ☀️ 9.3h |
Galapagos map
Have in mind
- The weather is safe and warm
- The people are safe and welcoming
- What animals are in the Galapagos?
- Can you swim in Galapagos Islands?
- Are there fresh water springs in the island?
- Crime rates on the islands are low

The weather is safe and warm
The Galapagos Islands are a paradise for nature lovers, but they are also one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. There are many reasons why people choose to visit this destination, and one of them is the fact that it has an ideal climate all year round.
The average temperature during the day is between 25°C and 30°C and at night it drops to 15° or 18° C. The average annual rainfall is about 1,000 mm per year, mainly during the rainy season from December to April.
The sun shines almost every day during all year round with some cloudy days as well. The Galapagos Islands are located in the equatorial zone, which means that there are no seasons and therefore no extreme changes in weather conditions throughout the year.
However, there are two main seasons: Dry and Wet Season. In reality, there are only slight differences between them but these two seasons have great influence on the behavior of wildlife because they depend on fresh water sources coming from rivers in order to survive dry months.
The Galápagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) west of continental Ecuador. The archipelago is known for its unique species and its variety of climate zones.
The weather in the Galápagos is generally warm year-round, but it can vary greatly depending on the island you’re visiting and your destination within the island. In general, June through December are the driest months while January through May have more rainfall.
There is a chance of tropical storms or hurricanes during these months, but they rarely hit land.
The temperature varies depending on where you go on the islands but it will always be hot and humid usually around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). You might need sunscreen and a hat when visiting the islands but other than that you should be fine in just shorts and t-shirts!
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The people are safe and welcoming
The people are safe and welcoming in galapagos. Galapagos is the best place to travel with your kids and family. The people are very warm and welcoming here. You will find many tourists here but they are not intrusive or rude at all.
They are all friendly and helpful towards each other as well as towards new comers like you. You will also find that there is no racism or discrimination on this island and everyone is treated equally with respect, which makes it a great place to visit with your family or friends.
The wildlife in galapagos is amazing! I saw so many different types of animals that I never knew existed before.
There were iguanas everywhere, lizards crawling on everything, turtles swimming in the ocean, penguins waddling around on land, and many more animals besides those too!
There are lots of different types of fish here as well! There are sea lions that swim with their babies on their backs all over the place.
There’s also sharks swimming around! It’s really cool to see them swimming by in deep waters because they’re very hard to spot unless you’re diving or snorkeling deep into the ocean where they live.
The locals are very friendly and will help you if they see you looking lost. They also know how to make a good living with their businesses so they are always willing to help you out.
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What animals are in the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Archipelago is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, located about 1,000 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are famous for their unique wildlife, including giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
There are more than 20 different types of mammals living in the Galapagos. Most are rodents, such as rats and mice. Some animals have become extinct over time due to hunting and habitat destruction.
The most famous animals in the Galapagos are the giant tortoises. There are 17 species of giant tortoise on the islands, with one species having gone extinct since Darwin’s visit in 1835.
These tortoises can live up to 150 years old! They have a lifespan similar to humans because they grow at a slower rate than we do due to their low-calorie diets in such a hot climate.
There are many other animals in the Galapagos that you might not have heard of. Here is a list of some of them:
Giant Tortoises
Marine Iguanas
Blue Footed Boobies
Galapagos Land Iguana
Finch Beaks Bird
The Galapagos hawk is another type of bird found on these islands along with several other types of raptors such as falcons and hawks.
Flamingos come here during breeding season when they can feed on algae growing on rocks at low tide levels where they build their nests so they don’t get wet feet when walking.
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Can you swim in Galapagos Islands?
It’s a good question, and an important one. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But there are also many dangers that can make swimming in the area dangerous or even deadly for some people.
The answer depends on where you are and what you’re doing.
The Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and they have their own unique ecosystem. Almost all of the islands were formed by volcanic eruptions, so many of them have rocky shores rather than sandy beaches.
And because this region is located far from any other landmass, there are no currents or tides to help clean up pollution from human activity or sewage from boats or ships. As a result, some areas have extremely high levels of bacteria and other contaminants in their waters.
There are two main types of beaches in Galapagos: sandy ones that are safe for swimming and rocky ones that aren’t safe at all (or only safe with extreme caution).
Sandy beaches are safe for swimming
The best beaches on Galapagos Island tend to be those with white sand and calm water but these aren’t always easy to find! If you’re looking for a sandy beach, the best thing to do is ask at your hotel or hostel what the best beach is in the area.
Isabela island – Punta vicente roca beach
Punta Vicente Roca Beach on Isabela Island is one of the most popular beaches in Galapagos. The beach has calm waters, white sand, and great snorkeling spots. This is a great place to relax and enjoy some sunshine!
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Are there fresh water springs in the island?
There is a large freshwater lake in the crater of Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island. The lake is surrounded by rainforest, and it is home to many endemic animals and plants. This area is protected as a nature reserve, and therefore has no human inhabitants.
Another freshwater spring can be found at Darwin Bay on Santa Cruz Island, which is also home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. This area was declared a national park in 1959 to protect its wildlife, including giant tortoises, land iguanas and marine iguanas.
The Galapagos Islands are known for their dry climate and lack of fresh water. However, there are a few springs on the islands.
One of these springs is located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. It is also known as La Mina or the Galapaguera and was discovered by the Spanish in 1535. The spring was formed because of volcanic activity and is located near Cerro Tortuga and Cerro Blanco.
This small river flows year round and has become an important part of the island’s ecosystem.
It provides habitat for many freshwater species including sea turtles, fish and crocodiles. The spring also helps regulate temperatures on the island by keeping it cool during the day and warm at night.
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Crime rates on the islands are low
There is no need to worry about crime when you visit Ecuador. The country has one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America, which makes it an ideal destination for tourists looking for an authentic cultural experience without any hassle or danger.
However, there have been some incidents reported recently that have made headlines across news channels around the world due to their severity and nature. In 2015, two American tourists were killed during an attempted robbery while they were hiking through Santa Cruz Island.
The same year saw another three tourists attacked by pirates in Drake Bay one woman was shot while another was injured by broken glass when someone threw a rock at her face during their struggle with their assailants.
The Galapagos are one of the most amazing places on earth. The islands are home to a plethora of wildlife, including giant tortoises, sea lions and frigate birds. They also hold a special place in the hearts of many people who visit them every year.
Crime rates on the islands of Galapagos are very low compared to other parts of Ecuador and South America. There is little crime committed against tourists or visitors to the islands, with most crimes being petty thefts perpetrated against local residents.
The crime rate in Ecuador is generally very low, especially when compared with other countries in South America. There were around 3 murders per 100,000 people in 2007 according to data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
This figure is much lower than that for many other Latin American countries such as Colombia (28 murders per 100,000 people), Brazil (25) or Mexico (8).
The majority of crimes committed in Ecuador relate to theft and robbery rather than violent crime like murder or assault.
Thefts from homes and businesses make up about half of all reported cases of crime each year according to official figures from Ecuador’s National Institute for Statistics and Census (INEC).
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Final thought
While some might argue that the Galapagos Islands are a bit expensive and less than safe, all in all I believe that the positive aspects outweigh the negatives and that visiting this area is worth the effort.
I am, however mindful of the fact that my experience and willingness to visit, may be different from someone else’s.
I do not mean to be discouraging to those who would like to visit these islands. I just wanted other prospective visitors to know what they are getting into, before arriving.
The Galapagos Islands are a magical retreat for tourists who want to sit back and enjoy the wildlife.
However, if you are planning a stay on any of the islands in the Galapagos, you will need to make sure your trip is risk-free to avoid contaminating the wildlife or getting sick.
Today, Galapagos Islands are the major not only attraction for tourists but also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It attracts thousands of visitors per year who come to admire its natural diversity.
According to UNESCO, “Galapagos is a showcase for the marvelous forms of life that have evolved in a relatively short period of geological time.”
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Joseph Benson
Hi, my name is Joseph Benson, and I am a traveler who is always on the go. I love to try new things and see different places. Never miss an adventure follow me.