Traveler Testimonials

We recently traveled as a family of five to the incredible islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal — and words can hardly capture how extraordinary our trip was! Every day felt like stepping into a wildlife documentary: we swam with graceful sea turtles, sleek sharks, and gentle stingrays, spotted adorable penguins up close, and watched sea lions lounging casually around town like friendly neighbors. One of the most breathtaking moments? Being surrounded by hundreds of dolphins playfully leaping alongside our boat — pure magic!

The hotels were wonderful, blending comfort with authentic island charm. But what truly elevated our experience was having a dedicated local guide. Their knowledge and passion unlocked hidden, untouched corners of the islands we never could have discovered ourselves — it made the whole journey so much richer and more meaningful.

We’re a family from New York with roots in Quito, so this adventure felt deeply special to us — a perfect blend of exploration and connection. Visiting the Galápagos is something we’ll treasure forever, and we can’t recommend it enough to anyone dreaming of nature, wonder, and memories that last a lifetime! ?✨?

Galakiwi took the time to understand my family's needs for this trip. 3 grown sons, my wife, and I were able to have a magical time in these islands, we did plenty of activities, all the while feeling like we are part of the island's ecosystem. From the moment we were met by an agent at the airport to help us through the additional steps to get to the islands, we already knew we were in great hands. It’s one thing to plan and coordinate our vacation; it’s another to physically guide us through the obstacles that can arise on any travel. We have awesome restaurant recommendations, we’re given the right amount of information on activities and islands alike, and we did not feel like we missed out on anything. An amazing group of people who truly make up an awesome travel agency.

We highly recommend Galakiwi - from the start, we could tell Galakiwi was the right partner - they listened to what and where we wanted go, gave great suggestions, iterated and came up with an amazing itinerary. The trip was amazing in itself- it did not feel like a 'large operation feel' because it was not! It was great to interact with the locals and to see them as part of the crew and to see the intentional support of the local businesses (restaurants we ate at, etc.). Most of all, we had the best guide! Pepo was knowledgeable, passionate and helpful - he knew exactly where to lead us on our snorkeling trips to see so much marine life - hammer heads, reef sharks sleeping, sea turtles and even sea horses. And we learned so much! Accommodations and food were also great - and we felt totally pampered having so much coordinated for us. It felt magical and will be one of our most spectacular and memorable experiences!

Our 8-day Family Tour with Galakiwi was outstanding in every way. The many included activities were well-paced and fun for adults and our 13 year-old son. Our guide Pablo was a wealth of knowledge about the natural history of the Galapagos and encouraged all of us to not only ask tons of questions, but also to observe our surroundings closely. His enthusiasm for and love of the islands was evident. From the lovely hotels (with pools), the delicious included meals, the super efficient transport and everything in between, I can't recommend Galakiwi enough for your next family adventure.

Our trip with Galakiwi was a trip of a lifetime. This was our first family trip outside of North America, and we felt confident that all details were taken care of. With our three children aged 6, 9, and 10, we did a Quito city tour, a 5d/4n Amazon stay, and our own 8-day family Galapagos tour with Pablo as our guide. Every day of the trip was full of memories I'll cherish always. I would recommend this trip to anyone without hesitation. If you're considering adding on the Amazon Sacha Lodge stay, do it! And do it on the first part of the trip so you start with earlier mornings, long days, and harder to find animals. Follow that up with your Galapagos trip that is a bit more laid back, but still very active. My kids did great, but I would probably not go with any younger than 6 unless you are confident in their ability to stick to a busy schedule. We loved spending two free afternoons on the beach on Isabella Island. The kids' favorite thing there was the tide pool where they practiced snorkeling. We loved all of the activities including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and visiting the giant tortoise breeding centers. Los Tuneles was a highlight for sure. Galakiwi did a great job communicating a few necessary changes and coordinating with us before the trip. All in all, we give this trip a 10 out of 10!

We just returned from an incredible 6-day Galapagos tour with Galakiwi, and it was absolutely AMAZING! The accommodations were beautiful, the food was fantastic, and the wildlife—Wow! We saw everything: sea lions, turtles, penguins, sharks, iguanas, blue-footed boobies—you name it, it was there.

Our guide, Pepo, was outstanding. He shared so much fascinating background information and made the entire experience fun and engaging. He knew exactly where to go to spot all the animals!

Galakiwi was also incredibly responsive and supportive. When my daughter's flight was canceled at the last minute, causing her to arrive a day late, they stepped in immediately. I called Karen, who had organized our trip, and she reassured me not to worry—they adjusted my daughter's itinerary so she could meet up with the group seamlessly. They even sent someone to meet her at the airport to ensure everything went smoothly.

Thanks to Galakiwi, what could have been a stressful situation turned into a seamless experience. They truly saved our trip and helped make it the adventure of a lifetime. It’s no wonder they have so many glowing reviews—they genuinely go above and beyond.

Look no further—highly, highly recommend. What a trip!

Galakiwi is an extraordinary operation that combines professionalism, community and conservation support, deep knowledge of the destination, while also being able to keep it reasonably priced, a rare thing in the Galapagos.

I am a 70 year old, fairly fit woman. With the gentle encouragement of our guide, Pepo, I willingly left my comfort zone and went beyond what I thought I could do. I am so glad I did. I had the information to make a choice if I thought I could not participate and never pressured. I am a retired science teacher. I always dreamt of seeing and experiencing some of the natural wonders that Charles Darwin observed that lead him to formulating the science of Evolution. This I did and so much more. The experience became spiritual for me. That feeling that I am only a small part of God's beautiful creation and truly connected to the Earth and all its creatures. With a heart full of gratitude, I am in awe and wonder of it all. GALAKIWI made this all possible for me.