The Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos Islands [Paperback]

Barry Boyce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998

Hunter Publishing is proud to offer travelers this collection of unique titles that are not part of any series and often stand alone in their field of coverage. The eclectic selection of topics includes cultural and historical travel, as well as books that are tailored to specific interests, such as fall foliage and nature. All books are written to the high standards you expect from Hunter and provide detailed, up-to-date information.

History, wildlife, flora, photo opportunities, what to bring, how to pick a tour company. A detailed analysis of all the tour operators & what they offer. Color.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Intrepid travelers interested in natural history who can afford to spend a pretty penny for the privilege of roughing it may consider vacationing in the Galapagos Islands, a province of Ecuador where tourism is tightly controlled in order to protect the fragile environment. Boyce reviews the islands' history, explains its ecology and the evolution of its wildlife, and tells where to go and what to see and photograph. He describes various available tour options in detail, but this section is the most likely to become outdated, as visitor sites, tour operators, airline routes, etc., change. An annotated bibliography plus two indexes (one general, a second for tours) help the traveler prepare. For comprehensive public library travel collections. --Laurie Tynan, Montgomery Cty.
Norristown P.L., Pa.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A Traveler's Guide To The Galapagos Islands presents the essentials of a "hot-to" travel adventure to the Land of Darwin. From the basics of which airlines to choose to a detailed analysis of the Tour Operator network, Barry Boyce describes the rules and tells the reader how to play the Galapagos adventure travel game. Entire chapters are devoted to such topics as choosing a tour, what to pack (and not to pack), photographic equipment (including under-water photography), Galapagos history, wildlife (with an orientation towards photo opportunities), and a detailed tour of the islands. Over 100 Tour Operators offering Galapagos programs are categorized by the type of service and tours they provide with descriptions, analyses,and price structures of all the yachts and cruise ships on which the traveler will sail the waters of the Galapagos archipelago. The readers are also put into direct contact (via FAX) with the Galapagos Tour and Boat Operators. A Traveler's Guide To The Galapagos Islands is the ideal handbook for anyone thinking of going to the Galapagos. It's also a very fun read for the armchair traveller as well! -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Hunter Pub Inc; 3rd edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556508506
• ISBN-13: 978-1556508509
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,043,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Galapagos advice, March 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos Islands (Paperback)

I typically get several travel guides from the library when I plan a trip, then I buy the best one to mark up and take with me on the trip. This is the one for the Galapagos. It really helped me differentiate between the types of tours, the different vessels and the level of guides. It also has much information about the history of the islands, what natural life to expect, the ecological issues, etc. I highly recommend it as a way to plan your visit to the Galapagos Islands.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...best for multi-use, August 13, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos Islands (Paperback)

When going somewhere distant, you'll only get one chance to get things right, and this book is just the ticket to help you know how to prepare. Clearly written, this guide has excellent tips on what to bring, how to pack, how to pick tours, and understanding travel in Galapagos. Boyce also gives plenty of background information on the unique wildlife, geology, climate, and cultural history of these "enchanted islands." Finally, one of the most useful chapters had dozens of photographic tips that helped me get the most from my photos.

Start with this book; it can stand alone as your sole resource on Galapagos travel, or it can be an in-depth introduction that will help you find further references in areas of your interest

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE guidebook for those considering going..., December 20, 2002

By 

JDiver "You haven't lived until you've dived." (Roseville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos Islands (Paperback)

The first time I saw this book, I viewed it with a jaundiced eye- after all, Barry is the owner-operator of a travel agency specializing in travel to the Galápagos Islands! Glad I took the time to read it- I've bought every edition since the first!

Barry's book is objective, comprehensive and as up to date as a printed guide can be given that boats are launched and agencies change hands, and includes detailed information on the tour operators, their specializations (e.g. birding, diving, etc.) and even the individual boats. (This is especially valuable- there is no US Coast Guard to assure marine safety in Ecuadórian waters, and the boat you spend a week or more on can make or break the trip- or even you, as more than one boat has sunk or burned.) The book reveals why you can not do the Galápagos justice with a land-based trip, nor in most cases (depending on your trip goals) with a large cruise ship.

You will learn when to go, how to save money to the extent possible, which operators respect the fragile island environment, which ones have university-trained naturalist-guides, which ones do a true seven day trip, vs. those who will take your money for a "seven day trip" and actually put you on a three day trip with a four day trip following (meaning you spend a lot of time in the same places you saw already, not to mention going to port to take on and discharge passengers.) Barry has a dry sense of humor- his slogan is "¡Viva la evolución!"

As someone who has been to "las Islas Encantadas", as the Galápagos islands is often described in Spanish, who is going again in 2003, I highly recommend this book to anyone contemplating traveling there as a key planning tool. I only hope Barry is planning to update his valulable book again SOON!