The best way to take in the archipelago is with a boat tour, but safety can be spotty. According to the U.S. Department of State, accidents are more common in the small boats that carry fewer than 16 passengers and aren't subject to international maritime safety code. Inspections and compliance for all size tour boats can vary, though, and you should research the reputability of tour providers before your trip. Once the boat is ready to set sail, don't hesitate to check out the safety provisions, including life vests and lifeboats, before heading out into the water. If you plan on scuba diving, be aware that decompression facilities are very limited, and plan ahead with appropriate evacuation insurance coverage.
Don't become an unwitting drug mule; keep your belongings as close and secure as possible as you head toward the Galapagos. Traffickers have been known to stash drugs in the luggage of tourists headed toward the island, favoring pockets you may not have secured on the outside of a suitcase or backpack. Once on the island, never attempt to take any natural souvenirs of this ecological paradise with you. Smuggling out any plants or wildlife could land you in jail.
The Galapagos Islands were formed by active fault lines, and volcanic activity and temblors still rattle the area. You're basically on the top of extinct volcanoes, and some of the craters are now temperate lakes. However, a large enough earthquake could trigger a tsunami that endangers the islands. The March 2011 earthquake in Japan touched off a Pacific tsunami that damaged property and flooded areas of the islands. Tsunami warnings are issued, but in the case of the Japan quake, island authorities didn't execute any plan to evacuate people.
Your doctor may recommend vaccinations including hepatitis A and typhoid four to eight weeks before your trip to the Galapagos Islands. Because of limited medical resources on the islands, ask your doctor about medications to take along, including antidiarrheals and antibiotics. Dengue fever was first reported on the islands in August 2002; since there isn't a vaccine, you should take measures to protect against mosquitoes that carry the disease. Take into account any preexisting conditions before planning a Galapagos trip, on the knowledge that medical facilities are very limited, and nonexistent for cardiac and surgical emergencies. Be sure your medical insurance coverage for the trip includes air evacuation.
