Editing Galápagos Islands (section)

==Travel==
[[File:Water taxi in Puerto Ayora on the Island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos photo by Alvaro Sevilla Design.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Water taxi in [[Puerto Ayora]] <small>(2011)</small>]]
[[File:Outside of Seymour Airport in Baltra Island (New).jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Seymour Airport]] on [[Baltra Island|Baltra]] <small>(2013)</small>]]
Options for air travel to the Galápagos are limited to two islands: San Cristobal ([[San Cristóbal Airport]]) and Baltra ([[Seymour Airport]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://galapagos.gob.ec/informacion-de-interes-para-la-llegada-a-las-islas/ |title=Información de interés para la llegada a las islas  |website=galapagos.gob.ec|language=Spanish |publisher=Gobierno de la República del Ecuador|access-date=2023-07-01 |quote=}}</ref> Private aircraft must use Baltra as it is the airport equipped with overnight plane accommodations. Seymour Airport on Baltra was recently renovated (2012–2013) to accommodate larger planes.

Until 1969 the only way to visit was on a private or chartered vessel. There was no regular air service until Forrest Nelson's Hotel Galápagos began the first organized tours in April 1969. Soon other travel companies brought in tour ships and yachts, and local fishermen began converting their wooden boats for rudimentary cruising with guests. These vessels were the main source of overnight accommodations in the Galápagos.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://galapagos.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2021/02/Historia-humana-San-Cristobal.pdf |title=Historia humana. Isla San Cristóbal |author1=Maldonado, R. |author2=Llerena, E.|year=2019  |language=Spanish|location=Puerto Ayora |publisher=Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos|isbn=978-9942-944-06-1}}</ref> Today there are about 85 yachts and ships equipped for overnight guests. In 2006 the Baltra military governed island, was opened up to limited overnight camping. Baltra also requires permits by the military government for overnight stays on the beach. Other inhabited islands also allow camping on the beaches designated as "recreational" use to the locals. All of these camping permits are limited to number of people and nights, with most nights not to exceed three.

Land based hotels are opening on the inhabited islands of San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela. By 2012, more than half the visitors to Galápagos made their tours using day boats and these small hotels. Restaurants, easy access and economy make this an attractive travel option.

There are only 116 visitor sites in the Galápagos: 54 land sites and 62 scuba-diving or snorkeling sites. Small groups are allowed to visit in 2- to 4-hour shifts only, to limit impact on the area. All groups are accompanied by licensed guides.