Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions?  We have answers!

General FAQ

What money is used is Ecuador?

Ecuador is on the US dollar system. Even coins can be used. Bring small bills for expenses prior to boarding as change is not always available. 

What is the electrical currency in Ecuador?

The standard currency in Ecuador is 110 volt, same as the US. Onboard Calipso, we have both 110 v and 220 v outlets.  

How is the weather in Galapagos?

Dec – May is our warm season with more sunshine and higher air/water temps.  Average air temperature ranges from 80-87 F / 26-31 C.  February and March are the warmest months.  June – Nov is the cooler season. Garua, a light mist, is often present, creating overcast days. Winds during this time of year can create choppier seas.  Average air temperatures range from  of 67-78 F / 20 -26C. 

What time zone is Galapagos in?

 -6 GMT.  No daylight savings time. Half the year, Ecuador is the same as Chicago, IL (CST), the other half of the year it is the same as New York City (EST). The Galapagos  are 1 hour behind mainland Ecuador. 

Travel FAQ

Do I need a Visa to enter Ecuador?

No visa is necessary from most countries, only the following: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Senegal and Somalia. This is always subject to change, so best to check the Ecuador Embassy website in your home country. You are allowed to stay up to 90 days in any 12 month period.

Your passport must have 6 months prior to expiration at the time you enter Ecuador.  You must have a round trip (return) or onward ticket. You must have proof of health insurance coverage for the time of your stay in Ecuador. See more about this in the insurance FAQ.

Are there any travel advisories?

As travel advisories are always subject to change, please refer to any travel advisories issued by your own country’s authorities.

Do I need any vaccinations to enter Ecuador?

To fly into a mainland airport and visit Galapagos, no vaccinations are necessary. A Yellow Fever Vaccination is usually advised if you plan to visit the Amazon. 

Health Risks: While Galapagos, Quito and Guayaquil tend to be relatively disease free, dengue can be a risk on land. There is no vaccination against dengue, however, wearing long sleeves and using a DEET based repellent are good preventative measures.

Onboard Calipso, you will have no health risks from food or water. Bring your own water bottles to use while in Galapagos. Onboard and at all hotels, you can refill your bottle with purified water as often as you wish. At hotels on land, we recommend you brush your teeth with purified water and avoid questionable street food. 

Do I need insurance?

Dive insurance is mandatory. We recommend Divers Alert Network for the US or EuropeIf you live in another country, please check with your provider to make sure your policy has both recompression chamber and evacuation coverage.

Though the government has delayed enforcing the policy, it will become mandatory to have health insurance for the time you are in Ecuador. If your existing coverage does not provide international coverage, often a simple travel policy purchased when you buy your international flights will provide health coverage sufficient for the requirement. 

Though travel insurance is not required, it is recommended in the event you have to cancel your departure due to illness, loss of employment or in the event you miss your connecting flight which causes you to miss your departure. Please read the fine print. What you assume is covered may not be.

Should I arrive early?

While the vast majority of divers arrive the evening before their flight to Galapagos and have no problem at all, there are those who arrive only to learn their luggage was not onboard their international flight. For those unfortunate few, it can create a big problem. It is logistically to collect your luggage once Calipso has sailed. If your bags don’t come with you to Galapagos, you won’t get them until you disembark a week later. 

So, it is always safer to arrive early if for no other reason than to make certain your luggage arrives, too.  Most arriving international guests appreciate the opportunity to rest and relax prior to diving. We can arrange hotels and day tours in Quito or Guayaquil. 

If you are planning to add an extension in the Amazon to your holiday, we recommend visiting the Amazon before Galapagos. You might be disappointed in the Amazon after the fearlessness of the wildlife in Galapagos. 

Where do I fly into?

Ecuador has 2 international airports: Quito (airport code UIO) and Guayaquil (airport code GYE). Most international flights arrive in the evening, so an overnight hotel is in order upon arrival. Quito is the newer airport, located approximately 70 minutes outside the city.  Quito is at an altitude of 2850 m / 9350 ft, so if you suffer from altitude sickness, you may want to consider only airlines that fly into Guayaquil, which is at sea level. You fly from mainland Ecuador into San Cristobal airport in Galapagos (airport code SCY) on the morning of your departure. 

All flights to Galapagos from Quito route through Guayaquil. You do not deplane and the wait is typically 30 minutes. 

Calipso departs from San Cristobal (SCY).  If you are booking your own flights, please be certain you fly into the correct airport. 2 airlines fly into SCY on Thursdays, Avianca and TAME. 

Thursday Departure Ecuador to Galapagos:

Avianca Airlines: Flight AV 1630 departs UIO at 10:15 AM. Arrives GYE at 11:10 AM. Departs GYE at 11:50 AM. Arrives SCY at 12:40 PM.

TAME Airlines:  Flight EQ 195 departs UIO at 9:26 AM. Arrives GYE at 10:30 AM. Departs GYE at 10:50 AM. Arrives SCY at 11:35 AM.

Thursday Departure Galapagos to Ecuador:

Avianca Airlines: Flight AV 1631 departs SCY at 1:20 PM. Arrives GYE at 4:10 PM. Departs GYE at 4:50 PM. Arrives UIO at 5:45 PM.

TAME Airlines: Flight EQ 194 departs SCY at 12:30 PM. Arrives GYE at 3:15 PM. Departs GYE at 3:55 PM. Arrives UIO at 4:45 PM.

 Airline websites: Avianca and TAME

Airport Codes: UIO-Quito, GYE-Guayaquil and SCY-San Cristobal.

 

Though we will send a rep to the mainland airport on the day of departure, below are instructions for the procedure to check in for Galapagos flights. 

Quito: If you are arriving into Quito, the airport is approximately 70 minutes drive outside the city, so it is better to stay at airport. If you arrive into Quito on a red eye, there is a Layover Lounge in the Airport Center which is located outside and directly in front of the airport terminals. It offers reclining loungers, showers, snacks, wi-fi and more. There are many other services, including restaurants, in the Airport Center.There is free wi-fi in the boarding gates area. 

You need to return to the airport by 08:15 AM the day of departure. “Salidas Nacionales” will be the first doors as you arrive to the airport. Inside, the first thing you see to your right is a separate area for Galapagos departures. It is clearly marked. There may be a line of people waiting. You will present your passport and pay for your TCT card ($20 pp in cash), receive a customs form and go through the door marked “Galapagos Pax Control” to have your bags scanned and tagged for your flight. Only then do you proceed to the Avianca counter to check in for your flight. 

Guayaquil: There are many hotels options in Guayaquil within 5-15 minutes from the airport.  If you are arriving on a red eye, you can buy access to the Aeropuerto VIP Club for $25. There is also a nice coffee shop downstairs, Juan Valdez Cafe, which has some comfy chairs. There is free wi-fi in the boarding gates area.

You need to return to the airport by 09:10 AM the day of departure. “Salidas Nacionales” will be the first doors as you arrive to the airport. Once inside, look to your left and you will see escalators. Go up one floor.  If you prefer, continue past the escalators to the elevator. Across the from the top of the escalator, you will see the area to check in for Galapagos. You will wait in line and once at the window, present your passport, pay for your TCT card ($20 pp in cash), receive a customs form and then put your luggage through the scanner. Once it’s tagged, you are then free to go to the airline counter to check in for your flight. 

Galapagos: Upon arrival into Galapagos, you will go through a customs line for International Visitors. You present your passport, the customs form you received in Quito and pay the National Park Entrance fee ($100 pp in cash). They will give you two parts of the customs form to retain. One (with a hologram and your name) will serve as your ID in the Galapagos so you don’t need to carry a passport and the second is a stub you need to present to enter the boarding gate area when you depart Galapagos.Failure to present the stub can result in a delay. So best to have it handy to present when you depart. We recommend putting it inside your passport so both are convenient.

Diving FAQ

What is the minimum age for divers?

Children 15 years and up who are certified and have the prerequisite number of logged dives may dive when accompanied by an experienced diving parent.

What experience is required to dive Galapagos?

Diving in the Galapagos is advanced due to strong currents, varying visibility and cold water. We recommend 50 dives between Dec and May and 100 dives between June and Nov. You need Nitrox certification especially if you are on the lower end of dive experience.

Do you offer rental gear?

Yes, we do.  All of our rental gear is ScubaPro. A full kit rental is $250. Rental includes BC, Regulator, Wetsuit, Fins & Booties, Mask and a hood. Computer rental is $75. Individual pieces are also available to rent, except gloves which are necessary so please bring your own.

We provide Dive Alerts, SMBs and Nautilus Lifelines at no charge. We also provide a shared Nitrox Analyzer on the dive deck. Divers will be responsible for replacement costs if equipment is lost or damaged.

 

Is there night diving?

Yes, bring your torch! There are 2 sites where night dives are permitted. One is at Wolf July – December and the other is at Cabo Marshall January – June. We also have a small swim through at Wolf which is so much more beautiful with a torch. 

What is the ratio of divers to dive guides?

1 dive guide for 8 divers. We have 2 dive guides and 16 divers. 

May I hire a private dive guide?

Yes you may, but it must be arranged in advance. The cost is $1750 for the week / $250 per day. 

Yacht FAQ

What safety equipment do you have onboard?

First Aid Kits, AED and stretcher
Large Oxygen Bottles and 3 Oxygen Kits – 1 for each panga
Life Jackets that meet US Coast guard standards and Life Rafts for 40 plus the Zodiacs
Nautilus Lifelines, Dive Alerts, SMBs, Noisemakers
Foruno Radar
Foruno Sonar
VHF Radio
EPIRB Radio Beacon
GPS Antenna
Searchlight and Horn
Bilge Pump Alarm
Sprinkler System in all cabins and interior spaces
Fire Alarm System and 14 Extinguishers
Smoke and Temperature Detectors
CO2 Bank (150 Kg)
Fire Hoses

What are the yacht specs?
Build 1991, Rebuilt 2018-2019
Length 35.4 m / 117 ft
Beam 7.4 m / 24 ft
Engines 2 Cummins NTA855-M, 400 hp, 1800 rpm
Generators 2 Cummins 6B-CP, 99 kw, 60 hz
Compressor Bauer Verticus model VAC20-E3, 5000 PSI
Cruising Speed 11 knots
Electricity 110 & 220 V
Fresh Water 5,000 gallons / 20,000 litre
Fuel Capacity 7,200 gallons / 29,000 litres
Hull Naval Steel
Superstructure Naval Steel, aluminum and fiberglass
Capacity 11 crew members & 16 passengers

 

What is food like onboard?

You will not go hungry onboard. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style for all you can eat. We serve international and Ecuadorian dishes prepared with fresh local produce and seafood. There are snacks and hot beverages after each dive. Fruits, candies and snacks are available all day.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Of course. We can accommodate virtually any dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc) as long as you submit them to us in a timely manner. Your requests will be included on your Diver Booking form due 90 days prior to arrival. 

Is alcohol included in the price?

Only juice & soft drinks are included. Self-serve water, coffee and tea are available 24 hours a day.

Wine, beer and liquor are available at the bar for an extra charge. You may bring your own bottles onboard. Corkage fees are $10 for wine and $15 for liquors. Alcohol prices vary by brand. Glasses of wine: $6-$7. Bottles of wine: $30-$55. Beer: $4.50-$6. Cocktails: $5 -$12. 

Please remember that there is no drinking and diving in Galapagos. Once you have a drink, you are done diving for the day. While we realize it’s pleasant to have wine with dinner or to relax with a beverage in the evening, please bear in mind that evenings are early and so are mornings. You want to remain well hydrated for diving. 

 

Is there Wi-Fi onboard?

Yes, we have satellite wi-fi. It is included in our rates until further notice. 

How many crew do you have onboard?

There are 11 crew members: Captain, first mate, sailor, chef, chef’s assistant, engineer, machinist/electrician, cabin boy, waiter/bar man and 2 dive guides.

 

 

How much of a tip do you recommend?

In Galapagos, on all cruises – dive or naturalist, the recommendation is 10% of the cost of your departure rate. That is shared by 11 crew members.

 

Phone: +1 954 693 6553

             +593 995 837 355  

Address:  sales@calipsodive.com

 

 Av. Quito y Tnte. Hugo Herrera                     Puerto Baquerizo Moreno                           Galapagos - Ecuador

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