Daytripping in the Galapagos Islands

Sorry for the Galapagos spam, but I had such an amazing time there that I want to share it all. As I wrote in my previous posts, I didn't book an exorbitantly priced cruise, but went totally rogue and explored the islands on my own. Puerto Ayora was my base and I went to Isla Isabela and Isla Cristobal on day trips. Here's what I got up to on those.

Staying at Bellavista Lodge in Mindo

After spending a few days in Quito in Ecuador, I was dying for some peace and quiet, so I booked a two-night stay at Bellavista, a private reserve in the middle of Mindo cloud Forest. I was really looking forward to getting back to nature and some well-deserved R&R after a lot of sightseeing.

Five Must See Sights In Quito

Quito is one of those places that brims with history. So much so that its entire city centre has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. There are pretty buildings every time you turn a corner. I had a good three days to explore the historic heart, but if you're short on time, then here are five must see sights in Quito.

Casa Gardenia Hotel in Quito

I usually take a lot of time researching hotels when I go on holidays, but it can still be hit or miss. But the Casa Gardenia Hotel in Quito really deserves a blog post.

Casa Gardenia is located in the historic heart of Quito and housed in a renovated colonial building itself. The streets it's on, is a bit steep, so you might feel a tad bit out of breath, especially since Quito is located at 2,780M above sea level.

There are only seven rooms surrounding one of those typical Andalusian patios, the Spanish imported when they colonised South America. The decor is quit modern with earthy tones, giving guests that home away from home feeling.

Galapagos on a Budget Part II

As I mentioned in my previous post, Galapagos is very doable if you don't have the $$$ for a luxurious cruise. You can easily visit the islands by doing it on your own. I made Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz my base and visited two other islands on day trips. I will tell you what I did on Isla Isabela and Isla San Cristobal in a separate post. In this post I will show you what I got up to on Isla Santa Cruz.

How to do Galapagos on Your Own

I always thought that travelling to the Galapagos Islands would be something I´d never ever do. Yet, I'm writing this blog post from an internet cafe in Puerto Ayora, the main town on Isla Santa Cruz. Lots of travel companies will have you believe that the only way to see these incredible islands by booking a cruise for extortionate prices. Nothing is less true. You don't have to be a millionaire or take out a loan to come here.