Dom@DiveAdvice
Contributor
Dear Wanderlass, your question was very valid and the answers above seem to cover most of what you asked but I will add the following. When we arrange trips for clients, we recommend that they arrive in mainland Ecuador at least one but preferable two or more days before their flight to Galapagos. It means that if your dive bags/cameras don't arrive on the flight with you, there is a more than probable chance they will arrive on the next flight and therefore accompany you to Galapagos. Most tell me that they cannot afford an additional day, but when you weigh the costs of an additional night against the risk of not having your camera, most people agree.
It would also cover events such as happened in Ecuador that Thursay, as to my knowledge, all boats adapeted their itinerariues to deal with this. When I had pax call me on Thursday to ask if they should go ahead and fly to Quito, I advised them that should go ahead and that if the airport was closed or if the air crew perceived there was a genuine threat, they would not land. I also spoke to the owners of the dive boat in Galapagos and they promised to personally go to the airport to meet all passengers at the airport and escort them to their hotels, and then take them back to the airport to put them on their flights to Galapagos. No one knew exactly what was happening but I assure you that everyone in Quito and Guayaquil was aware of the potential for problems and were doing everything in their power to ensure that their guests were not alarmed by the events in their cities. It blew over very quickly and next day things were calm. I agree insurance is highly important but in this case it may not have done any good. Enjoy yoru trip to Galapagos - its very special.
It would also cover events such as happened in Ecuador that Thursay, as to my knowledge, all boats adapeted their itinerariues to deal with this. When I had pax call me on Thursday to ask if they should go ahead and fly to Quito, I advised them that should go ahead and that if the airport was closed or if the air crew perceived there was a genuine threat, they would not land. I also spoke to the owners of the dive boat in Galapagos and they promised to personally go to the airport to meet all passengers at the airport and escort them to their hotels, and then take them back to the airport to put them on their flights to Galapagos. No one knew exactly what was happening but I assure you that everyone in Quito and Guayaquil was aware of the potential for problems and were doing everything in their power to ensure that their guests were not alarmed by the events in their cities. It blew over very quickly and next day things were calm. I agree insurance is highly important but in this case it may not have done any good. Enjoy yoru trip to Galapagos - its very special.
