Juan Pablo was amazing from start to finish. Although the trip was officially an "8 day tour", Juan Pablo booked extra nights for us at our request for down time and a chance to explore on our own. The activities were perfectly curated and very well run throughout. Juan Pablo added some great included dinners are really nice restaurants, usually right on the water. He also checked in with us regularly to make sure that we were 100% happy. Juan Pablo knows everybody, so he will connect you with great people and great experiences. We went with the "comfort" hotels and these were great, often family run places with friendly service and a chill vibe. We usually travel more upscale, but I think we were actually happier with these family-run hotels. I probably don't need to tell you that the Galapagos islands are an amazing place for a vacation! We saw blue footed boobies, frigate birds, 4-5 giant turtle species, iguanas, sea turtles up to 2 meters in length, 2 species of sharks, Darwin's finches and many many more. The people who live in the Galapagos were genuinely friendly, helpful, and honest and, from my experience, there are zero safety concerns. We looked at pricey cruises and tours, and I'm so glad we went with Smart Galapagos! Our vacation was perfect!

We had a wonderful 8-day land-based tour in the Galapagos, organized with Juan Pablo from Smart Galapagos. Our main interest was seeing birds and other wildlife, and we saw so many incredible species of birds (especially the famed blue-footed booby), land and marine iguanas, sea lions, the iconic Galapagos tortoises, and marine turtles. It was just beautiful, and I appreciated being in touch before our trip and daily on the trip. The personalized attention from the planning stages, during the trip -- from changing a meal venue to touching base about a tsunami warning -- made it feel like we had a cousin helping us plan our trip. The places we stayed were run by very kind and helpful people, the food was excellent (I have celiac disease and ate safely and very well!), and the walking and snorkeling tours were just phenomenal.

We saved for 10 years for this dream trip. Smart Galapagos took care of everything at a great price!! They customized our adventures to best suit our desires and provided special dinners at top quality restaurants. We plan to return to the Galapagos and will definitely use them again.

Wonderful 8 days in the Galapagos Islands! Juan Pablo was friendly and helpful, having lived on the islands for many years. We spread our time across Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal. The Tortoise ranch was a great start and we learned quite a bit from the guide. On Isabela, the snorkel at Cabo Rosas was very cool, but a bit rough with swells and open water. We swam right next to several sea turtles! An afternoon kayaking was fun and a sea lion swam along with us. Our favorite snorkel was the last full day, at Kicker Rock off San Cristobal. The guide was excellent, we felt very safe and the equipment was top notch. We usually plan all of our own travel but with all the intricacies and options in the Galapagos we're very glad we had Juan Pablo and Smart Travel take care of it, and we still had plenty of time on our own to wander the towns and explore other centers and wildlife areas. Highly rec working with Juan Pablo, a great value overall.

Unforgettable Galapagos Adventure with Smart Galapagos I just returned from an 8-day “Galapagos 360 Tour A” with Smart Galapagos, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed, and I felt completely taken care of from the moment I arrived. Pre-Trip & Planning: Booking was smooth, and the communication leading up to the trip was excellent. Juan Pablo, my Galapagos travel assistant, was incredibly attentive throughout the entire trip. I was traveling solo, so I leaned on him more than I normally would—and he always came through. He even had a Gatorade delivered to me one morning when I woke up not feeling well. That level of care and thoughtfulness really stayed with me. Trip Highlights: Each day brought new adventures and incredible wildlife encounters: • Day 1: I was warmly welcomed and started off with a visit to Los Gemelos volcanic craters and a walk through a lava tunnel. Seeing giant tortoises in the wild was surreal. • Day 2: We explored North Seymour, where we took a scenic hike and saw so much stunning wildlife—frigate birds with their puffed-up red chests, bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs, and learned about the spiritual and aromatic palo santo trees. Then came the snorkeling—my second time snorkeling ever, the first being almost 25 years ago—and what a reintroduction it was! The water was crystal clear, and one of the first things I passed underwater was a large shark. • Day 3: A peaceful morning walk to Tortuga Bay was followed by a ferry ride to Isabela Island, where I spotted flying fish skimming the waves! • Day 4: This was an incredible wildlife day! We kayaked around Tintoreras, where I saw blue-footed boobies and Galápagos penguins up close. The kayaking ended with a fun little surf into shore—such a cool way to land! Snorkeling there brought me face-to-face with reef sharks and sea turtles, and the water was full of life. • Day 5: Snorkeling the lava tunnels at Cabo Rosas was jaw-dropping: I saw manta rays, seahorses, a curious octopus, and vibrant schools of fish. • Day 6: After a final snorkel at La Calera, I flew to San Cristobal, soaking in gorgeous views from the air. • Day 7: The 360° tour was the perfect way to wrap up. We snorkeled near Kicker Rock, and I even saw a giant clam—my first ever. • Day 8: A smooth transfer to the airport and one last moment to soak up the island vibes. Other Personal Favorites: I really enjoyed Galápagos beer—a refreshing treat after full days in the sun and sea. And I’ll never forget the flamingos at Bachas Beach, peacefully feeding as if right out of a dream. Accommodations & Overall Experience: All the hotels were clean and well-located. The ocean-view rooms on Isabela were especially peaceful. The guides were knowledgeable, kind, and clearly passionate about protecting the islands. The restaurants included on the tour were also amazing. Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for an immersive, well-curated, and unforgettable Galapagos experience, I highly recommend Smart Galapagos. Traveling solo can sometimes feel intimidating, but I felt incredibly supported every step of the way. There were always people on the ground where I was staying to help me if I needed it although I usually forgot and ended up contacting him and he would contact the local people for me and take care of everything . I am very grateful to him because I didn’t feel alone. I left feeling the Galápagos awe-struck, and grateful. I am planning on returning in December to try to see the Albatross birds and do some more kayaking and hopefully paddle boarding too (with Smart Galapagos)!😌😃🥳