Comments on: Galapagos Cruising Permit / Autografo

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:14:36 +0000

I have to reiterate that Ecuador is a bureaucratic nightmare: no one knows the rules, especially those charged with enforcing them. Please read that sentence again and try to believe it, I’m not trying to exaggerate.
The autografo can be arranged in advance from anywhere. It is required for boats leaving mainland Ecuador, but you can get one if you arrive from Mexico. Incidentally, boats leaving Mexico for the Galapagos should not miss swimming with Manta Rays in the islands offshore Mexico.
If you want to visit more that the three (or possibly 5) anchorages, you need to hire a guide for $200 per day for the boat. Not per person.
Boats on a budget should seriously consider only visiting Isabella, and not getting the autografo.

By: Pedro

Pedro — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:53:11 +0000

I was told that to tour in Galapagos Islands, I had to pay $200 for each member of the crew per day and had to hire a guide, if I wanted to cruise in my own boat.Is this information true?

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:43:34 +0000

Thanks for the Galapagos Autografo information. Am I to understand that it is not possible to get an Autografo except if one is sailing from an Ecuadorian port to the Galapagos? Is it possible to get an Autografo when departing from a Mexican port ?

By: SV Tula

SV Tula — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:31:29 +0000

Darusha and Steven,
I follow your blogs regularly and enjoy them and keeping up with your progress. Michelle and I wish you the very best for 2010. You are both living all our dreams. We both have just returned from skippering a 47 foot Leopard cat in the Grenadines with 8 people on board. Had a great time. Tame compared with your adventures. I enjoyed the video of the peacock and the sloth(?).
Keep up the reporting and keep safe,
Good luck from Mich, me and the Calgary BCA Chapter
Captain Pedro

By: dad ensslen

dad ensslen — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:59:53 +0000

talk about a money making racket!!!

sorry to hear that.

and that in a poor part of the world

too bad

i bet the people that fly in are not stiffed like that

can’t you pirate the galapagos?