The newlywed trip is for many couples the most awaited moment on their way to the altar, almost as much as wearing their wedding dress, declaring their vows or exchanging wedding rings before the watchful eyes of their guests. That is why, if you are looking for a destination in Latin America that combines warm beaches with the most impressive flora and fauna, without a doubt your tickets must be to theGalapagos Islands.

Get ready to raise your glasses as a bride and groom, now as a married couple, to the sound of blue-footed boobies, while enjoying an exquisite canchalagua ceviche.

Coordinates

It is one of the most exotic places on the planet and is located 972 km from mainland Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands correspond to an archipelago of 13 islands of volcanic origin, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and that stands out for the number of marine and terrestrial species. Unlike other Pacific islands, however, its landscapes are arid, with huge lava fields, rock formations, cactus forests and volcanic cones.

Declared a World Heritage Site The archipelago is almost entirely a national park, while the sea around it is a marine reserve. Only four of its islands are inhabited, the main human settlement being the town of Puerto Ayora.

How to travel

From the Ecuadorian cities of Quito and Guayaquil there are regular flights to the Galapagos Islands The Seymour airport, located on Baltra Island, and the San Cristóbal airport, located on the island of the same name, receive the largest number of tourists due to its central location.

When to travel

Considering climatic conditions and presence of species, it is estimated that the best time to travel to the Galapagos Islands is during the Hot Season Especially April and May, which are the most favourable months in terms of temperatures (27°C-32°C) and with a greater chance of bird watching The climate is tropical.

Where to stay

If you choose the Galapagos Islands to celebrate your silver wedding rings, ask your travel agency for different package options and promotions. Anyway, over there you will find a wide variety of accommodation Most of them are concentrated in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, which also offers the best tours and excursions to the other islands due to its strategic position.

Attractions

Galapaguera

It is located in the vicinity of Cerro Colorado, on the island of San Cristobal and it is where you will be able to see the famous giant turtles In fact, this space was built especially to improve the state of the island's population of land tortoises, the Geochelone chatamensis, in an environment with conditions similar to their natural state. In addition, you will find trails for hiking and observing different species of native and endemic plants of Galapagos.

La Lobería Beach

It is a coral sand beach, so called because of the large numbers of sea lions resting on its rocks In fact, it is possible to swim among them, always keeping a prudent distance, especially from the male wolves. It is also possible to swim among them. watch large birds and marine iguanas A beach that is also perfect for surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and swimming, ideal for unwinding after months of being overwhelmed by wedding decorations, souvenirs and other items.

Turtle Bay Beach

This white sandy beach, bathed by beautiful emerald green natural ponds Tortuga Bay, home to sea turtles, colorful reef fish, white tip sharks, rays and multicolored crabs, is located on the south coast of the island of Santa Cruz and also offers a trail through the Marine Iguana Sanctuary You will be able to observe colonies of pelicans, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds along the coast.

Puerto Villamil

It is located on Isabela Island and is a dream place for brides and grooms who are looking for an experience closer to nature Puerto Villamil is a picturesque village that retains all the charm of a small fishing village, and the nearest beach is spectacular, with two miles of silky ivory-colored sand with palm trees, an idyllic setting for a few beautiful love phrases, while a five-minute walk from the village will take you to a lagoon inhabited bybeautiful flamingos.

Charles Darwin Station

It is a must to visit while in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, as you will be able to learn more about the evolutionary processes of the different species Founded in 1964, this biological research station also functions as an active breeding and rearing centre for turtles, unique in the world.

Sleeping Lion

In the middle of the sea, a few kilometers from the archipelago of San Cristóbal, lies the Sleeping Lion or Kicker Rock, an islet formed by two volcanic rocks It is an ideal place to swim, dive, snorkel and observe the most diverse species, since an impressive channel is formed between the two rocks. It is an unmissable tour for your honeymoon, so your travel agency will surely suggest it to you as well.

Bartholomew Island

This small island is famous for its penguin colony, beautiful white sand beaches, lush green mangroves and a lunar landscape of volcanic formations, with arid soils and craters. A real exotic open-air zoo The Pinnacle Rock, one of the most representative postcards of the Galapagos Island, where you will undoubtedly have to pose with your golden rings, is a triangular shaped rock formation, standing on the edge of the ocean, and around which you can swim and dive.

Gastronomy

Although it is defined as a varied cuisine, the truth is that the predominant dishes are the recipes based on seafood products Thus, for example, among its most popular dishes are rice with seafood (shrimp, shells, squid, mussels, etc.), cod with potatoes, canchalagua ceviche (mollusk endemic to the island) and spiny lobster, which can be eaten with garlic, grilled, in soup, au gratin, baked or with garlic cream, among other options.

Currency and documents

The official currency in Ecuador and therefore in Galapagos, is the US dollar It is advisable to arrive with the change in hand, and with respect to the documentation, you only need to travel from Chile. your identity card or passport in force They can stay as tourists for a maximum of 90 days.

If you are involved in the wedding decorations, the banquet or selecting the love phrases to incorporate in the parties, the advice is to save a little energy now, because if you choose the Galapagos Islands for your honeymoon, you will lack time between all that there is to see and do.