Galapagos Islands Travel Guide

There's no way around it -- trips to the Galapagos are expensive. But if you book a cruise at the last minute, you can save substantially off the regular rates. Unfortunately, it's not easy to find a last-minute price, and you run the risk of not finding space. During the high season (June-Sept and late Dec to early Jan), you shouldn't even waste your time looking for one. Even during the low season, you shouldn't expect to come to Ecuador and immediately find a boat that's leaving the next day. In some cases, you may have to wait a week to 10 days before you find an opening. The following list will help you plan a last-minute trip to the Galapagos.

Websites

• TOPPSA, also known as Travel Opportunities South America (www.toppsa.com), manages a website that specializes in offering last-minute trips throughout Ecuador (including to the Galapagos). If you plan to travel to Ecuador within the next 60 days, it's worth a look to see whether special offers are available.

Travel Agencies in Quito

Note: Galasam, on Avenida Amazonas and Cordero, specializes in wildly inexpensive last-minute trips to the Galapagos. But I have heard complaints about the level of service and the inefficiency on its ships. The prices are low, but so is the quality.

• Ecoventura operates five ships and yachts in the Galapagos. Through the website (www.ecoventura.com) they sometimes offers last-minute deals at reduced rates. If there are no special discounts on the website, stop in or call their local offices in Ecuador. In Quito they have an office at Almagro N31-80, Edificio Venecia (tel. 02/2907-396); and in Guayaquil they have an office on Av. Central 300A, Ciudela Miraflores (tel. 04/2207-177). At both offices, you can try to book a last-minute berth at last-minute prices.

• Zenith Ecuador Travel, Juan Leon Mera 452 and Roca (tel. 02/2529-993; www.zenithecuador.com), has access to information about 100 boats that ply the waters around the Galapagos Islands. Give the staff your dates and your requirements, and they'll talk to their contacts and try to find you a special last-minute deal. Ask to speak to the owner, Mr. Marcos Endara, and tell him you are a Frommer's reader.

• Enchanted Expeditions, Av. de las Alondras N45-102 and Avenida de los Liros, Floral Building, Office no. 104 (tel. 02/3340-525; www.enchantedexpeditions.com), operates several boats in the Galapagos. If there's space, you won't have trouble negotiating a discounted last-minute price.

Travel Agencies in Puerto Ayora

• Bargain hunters should make Moonrise Travel Agency, Av. Charles Darwin, near the corner of Charles Binford (tel. 05/2526-402), your first stop. They specialize in booking last-minute trips on a number of different vessels (all classes and all sizes).