Smart Galapagos Reviews 46

The agency name says it all! When doing my research, there are 2 ways of visiting the Galapagos. Doing a cruise: all my friends doing that got seasick, it’s very expensive although you can access diving spots not available from land tours. Doing it from the land: stayed twice as long for the same price, do island hopping then visit other islands from there, stay in your bed and recover in the evening, choose different type of restaurant. It was a no brainer… we did meet some people doing it themselves and they struggled with tours and ferry being booked out then not having anything to do. Choosing an agent to organize our trip was easy, from day 1, Juan Pablo was the only one asking us our level of fitness, what we were interested in, etc before proposing a tour. He has different options depending on budget/ length etc. His level of communication and organization is 10* Everything is detailed, options are given and discussed, he is very responsive. We even had a WhatsApp call so I could check him out. Once you start the tour, you are in constant communication with him by WhatsApp ( having an eSIM is recommended). For dinner included, he books the best table in the restaurant ( the one overlooking the water). For meals not included, he has good recommendations. He knows a lot about the islands. Hotels were great too. We took the long package (11 nights) and everything went smoothly. We stayed on the 3 main islands. Everything was pre booked and pre arranged. The tours had in average about 12-16 people. The choice of tours was great and allow us to see the different wildlife on land and in the sea. Obviously depending on the season, and luck, you will see different animals. But the Galapagos has wildlife everywhere so you can’t miss it. Our highlights were blue and red footed boobies, tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, frigates, turtles, white and black tip reef sharks, hammerheads. It was an amazing time and I really thank Juan Pablo for organizing our trip.

So glad we booked our 12 Day Mega Galapagos holiday with Juan Pablo and Smart Galapagos. There was a good mix of activities for our family of 4 (14 & 17 y.o.) with boat trips, snorkelling, hiking, kayaking and still leaving us time to explore the towns we stayed in. We stayed on Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal where all the “comfort” accommodation was excellent with good locations and helpful staff. We would normally book our own travel, but were really happy with the help and daily support from Juan Pablo as it meant we could relax and enjoy the holiday. He was on hand from early morning to late at night via WhatsApp for any questions and recommendations for restaurants etc. This even went as far as Juan Pablo checking up on our son when he was feeling unwell and missed one of our boat trips and stayed in the hotel to see if he needed anything when we were out of mobile signal range. Would highly recommend Smart Galapagos for holidays to this unique location with wonderful wildlife.

Our family of four is too busy to effectively plan an epic vacation in a remote location on our own, but with the help of SG we had an epic 8-day vacation that we'll remember fondly for the rest of our lives. Juan Pablo was incredibly responsive on both e-mail and WhatsApp, even handling a last-minute shift of our vacation by a day due to the airline cancelling our original flight (only found out when we tried to check in). He checked in with us routinely during the trip and we felt very secure knowing that all aspects were handled at all times. All transportation was on-time and there was absolutely no trouble with event, restaurant and hotel bookings. Other than airline troubles and a bout of a stomach bug that passed through our family in the last days, our entire trip to the Galapagos could not have gone better.

What an unforgettable 8-day adventure in the Galapagos with Smart Galapagos. I can’t recommend this tour company enough! From start to finish, everything was incredibly well-organized, and Juan Pablo went above and beyond to make sure every detail was taken care of.

The itinerary was packed with a perfect balance of activities—snorkeling with sea lions and turtles, hiking on pristine volcanic landscapes, and learning about the islands' unique wildlife and conservation efforts from our expert guides. Each day felt like a new discovery, and I loved that we had plenty of time to explore at a comfortable pace without ever feeling rushed.

The guides that were booked through Smart Galapagos were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the islands, which made every experience that much more enriching. Their ability to spot wildlife and explain the history and ecology of the islands really enhanced the entire trip.

The accommodations exceeded my expectations too—comfortable and well-situated with breathtaking views. We opted for the budget accommodations and were stunned at how nice our rooms were. The food was fresh, locally sourced, and delicious, which added an extra layer of enjoyment after each day’s adventures.

One of the highlights of traveling with Smart Galapagos was the flexibility they offered in customizing the trip to our needs. Whether it was adjusting the schedule for a little more downtime, tailoring activities to our fitness levels, or accommodating specific interests like photography or wildlife observation, Juan Pablo was always willing to make adjustments. This level of personalization made the experience feel uniquely ours and allowed us to fully enjoy the islands in a way that suited our small group.

If you're looking for an immersive Galapagos experience with a team that genuinely cares about preserving the magic of the islands, Smart Galapagos is the way to go. This trip was a dream come true!

Everything was better than expected. Once you get to Galapagos, you don't want to leave. Scheduling our trip with SMART Galapagos was simple and personalized. There was always friendly staff waiting for us at each port who dropped us off at our hotels and shared a little bit about their life in the islands. You will also find sea lions waiting for you at the ports. Thank you, SMART Galapagos. Can't wait to visit Galapagos again. We are already planning our second trip!

I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional service you provided during my recent travel planning experience. Your dedication and attention to detail truly made all the difference, and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful trip you helped arrange.
From our initial consultation to the final booking, you exhibited a level of professionalism and expertise that exceeded my expectations. Your extensive knowledge of destinations, accommodations, and travel logistics ensured that every aspect of my trip was seamless and enjoyable. Your recommendations were spot-on, and I appreciated the personalized touch you brought to the planning process.
Your responsiveness and willingness to address all my million questions and concerns promptly made me feel valued and well taken care of. It's evident that you are deeply committed to providing exceptional service to your clients, and it certainly did not go unnoticed.
Thanks to your efforts, I was able to embark on a memorable journey filled with unforgettable experiences. Whether it was arranging transportation, booking accommodations, or suggesting local restaurants, your expertise guided me every step of the way, allowing me and my husband to relax and truly immerse ourself in the adventure.
I wholeheartedly recommend your services to anyone seeking a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. Your professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for your clients set you apart in the industry, and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you.
Once again, thank you for your outstanding service. You have not only earned my trust and loyalty as a client but also my highest recommendation to friends and family seeking travel assistance.

My family (wife and two grown children) and I just returned from our trip to the Galapagos and I wanted to share our experiences. We booked our trip through Smart Galapagos after inquiring with several other companies. The service that was provided by Juan Pablo once we booked through him was beyond phenomenal! I can honestly say that through this experience I consider Juan Pablo a friend, which I do not say lightly. From the first time I communicated with him, he impressed me with his knowledge, friendliness, attention to detail, passion for the Galapagos and his resourcefulness, however, the most impressive thing of all was his ability to deliver! What separates him from others is that he is genuinely interested in your Galapagos experience and strives to accommodate you at every step of your trip. You can't find a better person to assist you in making your dream trip a reality. This is one of those cases where you can truly believe all of the wonderful things that other customers have written about Juan Pablo and Smart Galapagos, he is absolutely the BEST!!!! Now about our experience: First, the Galapagos is an amazing destination with an abundance of wildlife, activities and very friendly people; we were impressed with their commitment to preserving their unique ecosystem. We did a combination 4-day cruise (4 islands) with a 6-day land (2 islands) tour. I would highly recommend a combination tour because of the diversity of the islands and the fact that you get to see so much. We liked aspects of every island we visited, but there were certainly some that we enjoyed more. Our family particularly enjoyed Isabella (3 nights); you must do the Lava Tunnel tour and if up to it, I highly recommend biking to the Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears). The actual Wall of Tears is not the attraction, it is the wildlife, specifically the giant tortoises which I saw many of, including a faceoff between two large males; it was incredible. The city of Puerto Villamil is quaint and very enjoyable. We also had a great visit to Isla Floreana while on the cruise and saw flamingos, many sea turtles on the beach resting after nesting, and a great snorkeling experience. Our experience at Kicker Rock (San Cristobal) was not as good as many people report due to poor visibility, but that was simply Mother Nature. As towns go, we really liked Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and I highly recommend Posada del mar Galápagos hotel; the rooms are very cozy, and the staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. They also have a common room with a kitchen and if you are into cooking, go buy a Red Scorpion Fish at the local fish market and cook a nice meal! I could go on and on about our visits, but the bottom line is that the Galapagos is a great place to visit and we highly recommend that you book through Smart Galapagos!

We felt so safe and taken care of the whole time. Everything was carefully planned. We had an amazing experience!

Our experience in Galápagos with Smart Galapagos was amazing! The organization was impeccable, everything perfectly organized.
Our trip was unforgettable.
Looking forward to going back again :)

We decided for Smart Galapagos because we directly had a good feeling with Juan Pablo in our first call. That's why we not only booked Galapagos but also the Amazon with this agency. This good atmosphere went with us during the whole journeys in Cuyabeno and on Galapagos. We always knew that Juan Pablo chose the best options for us and he was always there for us with the best recommendation (we could text him at any time and he had an answer on almost everything). We are so happy that we have choosen Smart Galapagos instead of planning everything by ourselves because we did not have to spend time and nerves to find all the information and book everything. And we got to know things that we would not have find without the know how of Juan Pablo who lived on Galapagos and knows everyone and every single grain of sand there ;)

My trip was wonderful!
I contacted Juan around 2 months before my trip only and he took the time to speak with me via zoom and helped me build the perfect itinerary. All I had to do was book my flights and he and his team took care of everything else.
We arrived to meet a livery driver who waited for us with packed - and vegetarian as we have a diet restriction - sandwiches and from then on basically we didn’t need to worry about any part of our days. We visited great places for a great price and stayed in good hotels, had great restaurant reservations (with the best tables), saw the lava tunnels, swam with sharks and all the other good stuff you can do in Galapagos all for a very fair price.
Would definitely book again.
Thank you for the whole team!

I normally am skeptical of companies with all 5 star reviews but this is real! Juan Pablo and smart Galapagos were there every step of the way to make our trip amazing! I loved all of our time and the food, the views, and the animals were amazing!!! I was so sad to leave. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Juan is great as a travel manager and advisor. Galapagos is paradise on earth and we have had a wonderful time. Highly recommend Smart Galapagos for your journey into paradise. Thank you Juan for the beautiful memories captured in (digital) film

Our trip to the Galapagos was amazing. Such a beautiful part of the world with incredible wildlife.
If you want a hassle free time, book with Smart Galapagos.
The trip was seamless, everything planned perfectly, with guides waiting for our arrival amd incredible tours booked. Our only regret was not staying longer.
Juan was incredible from start to finish, very responsive and keeping me up to date at all times.
The accommodation was lovely and located very well.
The food was incredible and when we weren't happy with a resturant (not there usual one they use) Juan made arrangements for us to eat in a lovely restaurant the following night.
Highly recommend the Lava Tunnels and the walking tour especially if you want to see penguins.
Just an unforgettable experience.
Highly recommend.
Thank you Juan and the team at SMART GALAPAGOS

Juan Pablo and his Team created an action packed authentic Galapagos experience ! He was always available to answer questions and arranged all aspects of our 7 day trip ! It was a perfect balance of hiking and snorkeling as well as experiencing great island flavor in scenic restaurants. The hotels were right on the ocean !! So scenic ! I can only say highly recommend the Smart Galapagos team especially Juan !! We saw all of the famous Galapagos finest birds, mammals , and reptiles !

Amazing trip!! When the paradise come true :) Galapagos is one of this places that when you see it you want to live there forever. Juan Pablo you are great!!

Excelent service. We had our honeymoon and Juanpa was the best to make our dream to know galapagos come true! Thank you

Outstanding advice and support. Juan Pablo immediately responded to my and request and quickly a rough plan was in place (including very good recommendations I received based on my preferences). It was also taken into account that I travel with a limited budget and also love having time to explore on my own. During my trip he continously checked how my trip was going and gave me useful tips on what to do, where to eat etc.

We did the Cuyabeno 4day-3night trek that Juan Pablo helped set up. He was communicative and clear in the trip description and setup. We referred to him when we went to the Galapagos after and it made the trip smoother and more enjoyable. Thanks for everything! Highly recommend!!

Booked the 3 Night Package in Cuyabeno. The lodge was great. We did day and night hikes and went out with the boat a lot to spot animals or see the sunrise or sunset. The Food was good. Perfect for people who want to experience the rainforest in ecuador.