Galápagos National Park is Ecuador's first national park. Also, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Galápagos Islands are a collection of rocky and volcanic lands. It has pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. They are a protected part of the Galápagos National Park. About 97% of the entire area is part of the National Park system. This is more than 300 square miles of land and 53,000 square miles of ocean. The other 3% is the inhabited area. In fact, most hotels are in this area - Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristobal, and Floreana islands.
The Galápagos National Park is rich with flora and fauna. There are unique animals such as giant tortoises, land iguanas, and marine iguanas. Also, Galapagos has more than 36 species of reptiles. Galápagos is one of the most unique and outstanding places on earth. It is the reason most people travel to Ecuador.
To get to the Galápagos Islands from Ecuador, you must take a flight either from Quito or Guayaquil. There are also cruises that visit the islands. Cruise passengers must travel in groups of 16 people maximum, with one guide during the land excursion. Peak season runs from mid-June to early September, and from mid-December to mid-January. Visiting the islands is expensive. Visitors can stay in the park up to 60 days over the calendar year.
