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Galapagos National Park certified naturalist guides

Galapagos,
the local way

Personalized land-based Galapagos travel packages, designed by local naturalist guides and coordinated from arrival to departure.

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Locally founded and operated

The first land-based Galapagos tour company founded and run by local naturalist guides who know the islands best.

We are local naturalist guides, permanent residents, parents, explorers, and conservation-minded travelers ourselves. These islands are not simply the destination where we work. They are our home.

About us

  • Galapagos National Park certified guides
  • Founder guiding for 20+ years
  • Private, tailor-made journeys
  • Locally owned in Puerto Ayora

Experiences

Travel like a guest, not a tourist.

Every itinerary we craft is personal, built around your passions, pace, and travel style. Whether it’s birding with an expert eye, snorkeling alongside sea lions, hiking volcanic landscapes, or sharing family adventures that bring you closer together, we make sure your journey feels uniquely yours.

At Galapagos by Local Guides, you won’t just see the islands, you’ll experience them through the knowledge, stories, and traditions of those who grew up here. Authentic, sustainable, and deeply personal, our tours let you discover the Galapagos the way locals live and love them.

Naturalist guide explaining Galapagos wildlife to a small group of travelers on a coastal trail Santa Cruz

Hiking & Nature Walking Tours

Explore the landscapes and wildlife of Galapagos on guided walks selected as part of your personalized travel package.

Snorkeler free-diving beside a Galapagos penguin in clear blue water Isabela

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Discover the remarkable underwater world of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, one of the largest and most significant protected marine areas on the planet.

A smiling traveler holds up a freshly caught tuna on a fishing outing in Galapagos Santa Cruz

Experiential & Sport Fishing

Experience a more authentic side of the Galapagos with a day on the water alongside experienced local fishermen.

Smiling travelers kayaking through a quiet mangrove channel in the Galapagos Santa Cruz

Kayaking & Paddle Boarding

Explore the quieter side of the Galapagos from the water: sheltered bays, volcanic formations, and opportunities to observe wildlife.

Quiet street in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island with colorful local shops at dusk Santa Cruz

Agricultural Tourism

Discover a different side of the Galapagos through its farms, local producers, and traditional flavors.

Two travelers cycling along a shaded trail on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Santa Cruz

Biking Tours

Discover Galapagos on two wheels, with cycling routes selected to suit your interests, riding experience, and preferred level of activity.

Why travel with us?

Local knowledge. Personal attention. Exceptional experience.

We are permanent island residents and certified Galapagos National Park naturalist guides. Galapagos is our home, and we bring our local knowledge, professional experience, and personal attention to every journey we organize.

A naturalist guide talks with travelers during a boat outing in Galapagos

With us, you get the best of both worlds: the warmth and insight of locals who know the hidden corners, traditions, and stories that most visitors never see, and the professionalism of guides trained to deliver safe, seamless, and unforgettable experiences.

At Galapagos by Local Guides, we don’t just show you the islands. We help you feel them, the way only locals can.

20+ Years guiding the islands
85 Land visitor sites in the archipelago
100% Locally owned and guided

Filmed by our guides

What a day with us actually looks like

Our guides shot these on a phone, on real outings. No filters, no stock footage and no sound: just the islands as they were that day.

  • Galapagos penguins Swimming all around us
  • Dolphins Leaping beside the boat
  • Galapagos sea lion Playing among the snorkelers
  • Spiny lobster Walking over the rocks
  • Spotted eagle rays Gliding in formation
  • Yellowtail surgeonfish A school working the rock

Every day in the Galapagos brings different wildlife encounters, shaped by the tides, natural conditions, and the animals themselves. No two experiences are ever quite the same.

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A naturalist guide crouches near a giant tortoise in the Galapagos highlands

Local economy & sustainable development

Travel with purpose. Leave a legacy.

By traveling with us, you support local guides, operators, and businesses in Galapagos. We bring you closer to the people who call these islands home, while encouraging respect for wildlife and a deeper understanding of the natural environment.

  • Local People

    By working with local guides, operators, and tourism businesses, we help keep the benefits of tourism within the Galapagos community and support a stronger, more sustainable local economy.

  • Agricultural Tourism

    By visiting local farms, breweries, and family-run businesses, travelers gain a deeper understanding of how these products are made while supporting the people who keep local traditions and small-scale production alive.

  • Local expertise, firsthand knowledge

    Our naturalist guides are certified by Galapagos National Park and are permanent residents of the islands. That local connection gives us a deeper understanding of the wildlife, landscapes, communities, and experiences that make Galapagos unique.

Transforming travel into life-changing experiences. Inspiring better people for a better natural world.

Verified reviews

Travelers tell it better than we do.

Every review is published from the account of the traveler who wrote it. We do not write them and we do not edit them: you are reading them exactly as they were left.

Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2026 badge 2024 · 2025 · 2026 Proudly recognized with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for three consecutive years. See us on Tripadvisor
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Vincenzo Abbinante profile picture
Vincenzo Abbinante
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L’esperienza alle Galapagos è stata impeccabile. Dal primo momento Xavier ci ha accolto per spiegare come si sarebbero svolte le giornate, dandoci anche consigli aggiuntivi su come fare a vedere alcuni animali e godere a pieno della vita sull’isola. Ogni sera ci ha inviato il piano del giorno successivo e tutti i transfer sono stati puntuali e gentili. Inutile dire che la natura incontaminata ci ha colpito. Ci siamo sentiti a casa anche molto distanti dall’Italia. Grazie mille
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amy lum profile picture
amy lum
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Xavier is friendly and super responsive. He tailored an interesting programme for us that tries to match what we would like to see and what Galapagos has to offer during this Sep season. Navigating Galapagos as a foreigner and as a non-Spanish speaker can be challenging. Thanks to Xavier, he made the journey across the various islands and tours hassle-free, and gave us detailed heads-up on what to expect for the next day. Indeed, it felt like a tour by local guides!
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Miwa Fukumoto
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After two years of planning and navigating a number of logistical challenges, our family was ready to explore the Galapagos Islands. Initially, we considered booking with Intrepid Tours, but we ultimately decided to go with Galapagos by Local Guides, led by Xavier Suarez, and it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. If you're considering a trip to the Galapagos, I highly recommend booking with Xavier! We recently completed a 10-day trip with a small, private group of 7, ranging in age from 9 to 70+. From the moment we arrived, Xavier greeted us at the airport entrance and, to our surprise, knew all of our names. That personal touch, especially in a foreign country, was incredibly reassuring and set the tone for the rest of our trip. Xavier's warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for the Galapagos were evident throughout the entire tour. He made sure everyone in the group was engaged, answering questions and providing interesting insights about the islands’ wildlife, history, and culture. His charismatic personality truly stood out, and we felt like we were exploring the Galapagos with a friend who genuinely cared about our experience. We explored some of the most iconic spots in the Galapagos, including Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal. Each adventure was tailored to the weather and time of day, ensuring we had the best possible experience. Xavier was always punctual in the mornings, ensuring that our family was ready to make the most of each day’s adventure. Xavier kept us informed and connected through daily updates on WhatsApp, sharing local recommendations and making sure we had everything we needed. Thanks to his insider knowledge, we were able to enjoy several local and/or nice dining experience during our downtime in each town. Some of the highlights of our tour was EVERYTHING. We were just amazed of all the wildlife and how warm and crystal clear the water was.He took us snorkeling almost every day (as the family loves water) and showed us all the sea life; birds and even got photos of us underwater, while we enjoyed just being in the moment. Everyday is different and Xavier made sure we got to see the best of what the Galapagos had to offer. He always made us feel at ease in the ocean, as we swam with baby sharks. To be honest, I'm afraid of the open sea and what's always below me, but he always reassured all of us that everything was good. We also went to the Sierra Negra Volcano which was beautiful hike. Another aspect that truly impressed us was the local food. Every meal, prepared by the local community, was delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. By booking with Xavier, we felt like we were directly supporting the local economy, which is something that’s important to us as travelers and as part of the tourism industry. If you’re looking for a personalized, in-depth experience of the Galapagos, book with Galapagos by Local Guides!
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Lars Bergeson
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This exploration of the Galápagos for a week with Xavier Suarez, tailored for our family of 16 with ages from 3 years to 76 years, could not have been better planned nor executed. Xavi was the key to this smooth experience for all of us, as he anticipated our varied needs, communicated our options clearly, and kept us on task with up-to-date information about the flora, fauna, ecology, history, and politics of the islands. I cannot recommend Galápagos by Local Guides more fervently.
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Janet Radford
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Wow! We just returned from spending a week in the Galápagos Islands with naturalist and Galapagos native Xavier Suarez of Galapagos by Local Guides. What a life-changing experience and I’ve been around for 70 years! We had a group of 16 family members: 9 adults and 5 children (my grandchildren, ages 3-14). We had been planning this trip for months and found Xavi to be a great communicator who anticipated our every need, from meeting us at the airport upon our arrival to getting us safely back to our departure plane. Everything was meticulously planned with shuttles, ferries, boats, snorkeling (my first time), exquisite meals (accommodating some dietary restrictions of some in our group), to a little down time so we could explore the town of Puerto Ayora where we were staying. By choosing a land-based tour over a cruise, I feel that we had the added bonus of more fully experiencing the local culture and cuisine. Xavi’s knowledge base and experience is vast. His delivery of info is passionate and entertaining, just perfect for our group of geography, history and birding geeks. He’s an incredible photographer as well, including underwater videos and still shots of our adventures. I would rate our experience above 5 stars if I could. We were truly sad to leave our new friend Xavi and our wonderful week in the Galápagos Islands.
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Marc Meyer
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If you've ever thought about going to the Galapagos; going with Xavi will make your trip the trip of a lifetime. As someone who worked in tourism, Xavi is everything and more you could ask for in a guide, planner, and trip partner. -He is the most responsive vendor I've ever worked with -We worked with Xavi to plan our entire trip and took the time to craft a custom trip that accommodated everyone from 30-60 years old without making anyone feel bored or a burden -When planning he took our requests into account while gently steering us away from things that wouldn't be worth it -He helped with other planning not in his package, such as packing lists, lodging, flights, and other sites and dining -On the ground he provided first class service. The days and tours we were with him were the best we had by far. On snorkel trips he always got in the water and guided (and was the only guide that did), valued and sought feedback and adapted accordingly, and he was patient and knowledgeable for all our questions. His cheery attitude every morning always set the tone for a great day to come. -For example, while on my trip I decided I wanted to try scuba, which was not part of the itinerary. I texted Xavi at noon; by 3 he had a experience booked for me and at 7 he was at the scuba shop working me through all the prep for the next day and transactions. All this at no cost above the scuba shop's price. There were so many other stories like this as well. I can't explain how rare Xavi's level of customer service is. Truly worth every penny and more.
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Jacqueline Lopour profile picture
Jacqueline Lopour
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WOW - Xavi provided the the absolute trip of a lifetime. Galapagos has been on my bucket list for 30+ years, and I had extremely high expectations. Xavi blew them away. If you're planning a trip to Galapagos, do yourself a favor and book your trip with Xavi. You will not regret it. Xavi guided us through a spectacular 4 day itinerary through Isabella island. Everything was top notch, from the moment he met us at the airport to the moment he dropped us off at the end. Xavi was so funny, engaging, and educational - we learned a ton about the island's history, geology, wildlife, and culture. We saw so many amazing animals. And we laughed the entire time. I recommend Xavi to everyone I meet who is even thinking about going to Galapagos, while also trying to figure out how I can go back. Thank you Xavi for making our time absolutely perfect.
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Sneha Kishnani
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We had the most wonderful time experiencing the Galapagos with Xavi at Galapagos by Local Guides. Stop your search for the perfect tour guide and book your trip with them because he is the one! From the start, Xavi showed his keen attention to detail and in-depth knowledge of the islands flora and fauna with sharing little facts about the islands as soon as we started our bus ride to Puerto Ayora as well as he quickly impressed us when he recited our names by memory (all 15 of us!) and easily remembered all of us without any confusion the rest of the trip. Xavi worked with us to build a custom land tour and was super organized and transparent about each days’ activities, what attire to wear, when all the appropriate pick up / drop off times were - without giving too many details away - so that we were prepared but still awestruck by the absolute beauty and experience of each excursion. He provided these details in a Word document at the start of our tour as well as reminded us each evening before we broke for the night. Xavi is a charismatic, genuine, and gracious guide who seems to truly love what he does every single day and this shows through his shared excitement for all of the sites we got to experience each day with him. He snorkeled with us each time, offering to film sea lions and sea turtles with our GoPros to get the best footage for us and also took a ton of group photos that he was prompt to share over AirDrop as our tour concluded. He was full of “pro tips” also, letting us know where to sit in the water taxis and ferry ride to Isabela Island to be able to disembark quickly or have the best experience. He was proactive in purchasing bus and ferry tickets on our behalf to make our trip to Isabela Island more efficient so that we could get to our destination quickly. He seems to know everyone on the islands so we had great experiences with the tour guides that accompanies us as well - Luis, Pablo, etc. from the snorkeling shop were also full of amazing knowledge. We were a big group but he did a great job in making sure everyone was engaged through his unique style of asking a lot of questions to us which made the tour very interactive and fun for all of us! Some friendly competition among our group kept things light and funny. Xavi really made our trip to the Galápagos Islands so memorable and he really is a pro with both his deep knowledge and also unique approach as a naturalist. His 20+ years of experience is showcased naturally through this approach. We feel like we have made a friend in the Galapagos and would not hesitate to book our next trip to the Galapagos through Galapagos by Local Guides with Xavi once again.
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Matthew Paul profile picture
Matthew Paul
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Pro tip: if you are planning a trip to the Galápagos Islands, book with Xavier. After we reached out to him and answered some of his questions, he quickly put together a full itinerary that we will never forget. He coordinated each day based on crowds, the Sun, the tide, etc. He truly loves his native home and understands it. He is a great photographer, tour guide, teacher, and after our 5 days with him, a good friend. We would recommend him to friends, family and anyone visiting the Galápagos Islands! Thank you Xavi, for a great lifetime experience we will never forget!
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Emily S profile picture
Emily S
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10/10 Experience Utilizing the services provided by GBL enhanced our trip planning with some expertise we needed. They took our itinerary and planned out transfers and activities that were just right for the amount of time we had. Xavier was our contact and he was very thorough and communicated throughout the entire trip. He reminded us the day before each activity and was there for any questions I had. I would definitely use them again.
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Heather H profile picture
Heather H
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Don't Hesitate, Just Book It!! Where do we even start?! When we first thought of heading to the Galapagos Islands we had literally no idea where to start, we looked at how we would plan ourselves to looking at the big international tours. We agreed there must be another way and we went on a hunt for a more 'local' experience and we came across your website, purely by luck! From the moment we first emailed, Xavier has been attentive, helpful and so informative, giving us all the confidence that we were making the right choice! We were a bit nervous sending money by bank transfer as we had not done this before, always paying on credit card for anything like this, but he helped us through this stage and we really appreciated his advice around how best to do this. A week or so before our trip Xavier sent us a packing list which was so unbelievably comprehensive, and it was at this moment we just knew that we were in for the best time and we were going to get the best guidance throughout our trip! Fast forward to our arrival and as soon as we met Xavier at the airport, he promised us a stress free holiday and that is exactly what we received, every step of the way! We thoroughly enjoyed our walk with the tortoises on day one and he took some great photos of us and the tortoises that we will hold close and he gave us all the recommendations on what to eat for lunch at the reserve - the cheese and sugar empanada - simply the best food experience of my trip haha! Although we didn't see him day to day we felt like he were with us, a friend, guiding us each day with our daily itinerary updates via watsapp, these were really great and totally unexpected by us originally! Such a great addition! We met a few people along the way who told us about their experiences and none came close to how we felt about our tour guide experience, Xavier is truly unique ❤️ The tours themselves were great and we feel like we have experienced what the Galapgos Islands have to offer. Xavier tailored the itinerary to what we wanted, including lots of snorkeling and some nature walks and hikes and each day we were collected and dropped off at our tour meeting point. We loved the yacht experience we had on one of our days and the hike on Bartolomé the most, our first Blue Footed Boobie sighting and penguin sightings as well as stunning views from our hike. My boyfriend in particular loved this day for the experience of swimming with a penguin in the water 🐧 We enjoyed our time on both islands, we would go say hello to the sealions on the pier every evening in Santa Cruz and we loved Isabela when we arrived, the whole vibe of the island was super chill and laid back, we really felt like we were on a beachy vacation at this point what was a great way to finish up! The Galapagos Islands is definitely worth a visit and our recommendation is to have Xavier plan it for you, you will certainly get the most out of your trip this way and be able to actually relax knowing everything has been organised! We ticked off so many wildlife sightings including, Giant Tortoises, Blue Footed Boobies, swimming with Sealions, Sharks, Penguins, Tropical Fish, Sting Rays, Sea Turtles! Thank you Xavier for sharing your love of the Galapgos with us, we had the absolute best time and please if you are reading this review, do not hesitate, get it booked you won't regret it! 😀
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Graham B
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If you are staying on the island, use Galápagos by Local Guides! I can’t speak highly enough of this company and Xavier. He took what we wanted to do with how much time we had on Santa Cruz and built us the most amazing itinerary. Two of the days we were there, we didn’t do any tours, but Xavier was always quick with responses when we wanted recommendations from restaurants to cool things to explore on our own. Galápagos by Local Guides is like your very own concierge service. If you can’t find what you need, they will. Just amazing! Can’t wait to come back and will 1000% use them when we do!
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ronswanson79 profile picture
ronswanson79
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Go Local! Just enjoyed a few days in the Galapagos and used Galapagos by Local Guides to make our itinerary. I must admit I was overwhelmed trying to plan this vacation knowing that things should be more organized in advance than with other types of vacations. I stumbled across this small, local company and was so grateful. Xavier responded to my initial inquiry very promptly and then he just took it from there. First, he really preps you for what to expect, what to bring, forms that must be filled out to enter the islands, etc. Second, he greeted us warmly as we exited the airport and got us going immediately on our adventure. We were with him 2/4 days and the other 2 days we were on excursions he had booked for us (snorkeling days). He was so easy to be with - very informative, interesting, likes questions, listens to you and knows what you might be interested in. He is also just available if you have specific needs during your stay. If you are going to the Galapagos, try to make sure you are using a local company (this one!) that supports the local economy. This company will take great care of you and give you an excellent visit. Bonus, he took some great shots of me and my husband on our last day. Perhaps I should say we saw lots of giant tortoises, kayaked with huge sea turtles, had a bird watching/nature walk to Tortuga Bay (beautiful place!), ate at 2 nice restaurants with Xavier, had 2 day excursions out on nice boats with snacks and a meal, guided snorkeling, and guided nature walks on other islands. Even though our visit was short, we felt like we did a lot!
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Trip64659832378
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Amazing Galapagos Experience. Highly Recommend! Xavier made our entire Galápagos trip absolutely incredible from start to finish. He handled all of the planning and booking, and everything was seamless. Every detail was taken care of, and it was obvious throughout the trip that he genuinely cared about making sure we had an amazing experience. What really stood out was how thoughtful and attentive he was. He made sure our drivers welcomed us warmly and even had us stop to see land iguanas first thing, which was such a great way to start the trip. Every day, he also sent us a WhatsApp message with the plan for the next day along with helpful pro tips, which made everything easy, stress-free, and fun. On top of that, Xavier was our guide for one of the tours, and I can honestly say he is probably the best guide I have ever had on any trip. He was knowledgeable, professional, engaging, and clearly passionate about the Galápagos. He went above and beyond to make sure we were happy, taken care of, and having the best possible experience at all times. A++ all around. I would highly recommend Xavier to anyone going to the Galápagos. If you want someone who will make your trip seamless, memorable, and truly special, Xavier is the person to use.
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brenda g
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Unforgettable My husband and I just wrapped up a truly mind blowing and soul altering trip to the Galapagos working exclusively with Xavier Suarez with Galapagos by Local Guides. We wanted a land based adventure focusing on maximizing wildlife viewing and photography. We had specific ambitions of animal encounters and Xavier's coordination, planning, and guiding exceeded our expectations. Xavier planned a 9 day itinerary with end to end activities crafted 100% with our interests in mind. Having a local guide and travel coordinator proved indispensable and significantly elevated our trip enjoyment. A to Z, By Local Guides delivers. Unforgettable
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Mikaila W
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Best way to plan your Galapagos experience! If you are planning a trip to the Galapagos, I cannot recommend this company enough. Xavier and his friends and family, all locals of the Galapagos for generations, own and run it. They have a deep knowledge of the area and expertise in creating a fun, beautiful, and seamless experience - regardless of what you want to see and do! Xavier was so communicative from the very first email, and helped create and curate the perfect trip for me and my dad. He helped us select all the best places to go and things to see, and made sure we had the best accommodations, boats, and guides. He even helped us create itineraries for days when we wanted to do different activities from one another. Xavier was kind, funny, and made us feel right at home. He was there to help with everything from restaurant recommendations to help finding a pharmacy when I got a terrible sunburn. I’m already planning my next trip to the Galapagos, and I will 100% be using Xavier again.
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Joey1419
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Incredible experience because of our Tour Guide My five-day Galápagos experience was nothing short of extraordinary, and that is entirely because we hired Xavier Suarez from Galápagos by Local Guides. Because we had a private tour, Xavier (Xavi) took us far from the crowds to experience swimming with sea turtles, enormous numbers of sea lions, hiking Bartolomé, and even finding penguins. His communication started six months before our trip—prompt, detailed, and reassuring. He answered every question and recommended our hotel, Hotel Barranco, which was perfect. Each day was filled with unforgettable encounters: giant tortoises, lava tunnels, snorkeling with marine turtles, sea lions, penguins, fascinating birdlife, and land iguanas. Xavier’s depth of knowledge—geology, wildlife, and the history of the islands—is remarkable, and his storytelling kept us mesmerized. We are in our 70s and move a bit more slowly, and Xavier matched our pace with patience, kindness, and genuine care. By the end of the trip, we felt we had fallen in love with him as much as with the Galápagos. Private guiding is absolutely worth it, especially with someone who truly loves these islands.
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Bob H profile picture
Bob H
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An Exceptional Galápagos Guide My trip to the Galápagos Islands was truly the trip of a lifetime—a long-held dream come true. Xavier Suarez (Xavi) from Galápagos by Local Guides was our private guide for five days, and he was exceptional—both as a guide and as a person. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye on our final day. Xavi’s communication was outstanding from the very beginning, starting more than six months before our arrival. Once we were in the Galápagos, it was clear how thoughtfully planned and well organized each day was. Everything ran seamlessly, with no glitches at all. Xavi has an incredible depth of knowledge and is a gifted communicator who truly loves to teach. He is also highly attuned to his clients’ needs, making every experience feel both safe and personal. The tours themselves were wonderful, the lunches on the boats were gourmet, and the local support was first-class throughout. On one snorkeling trip, I became tired while swimming against the current. Xavi noticed immediately and called over a zodiac (dinghy). We later learned that the zodiac driver had been discreetly shadowing us the entire time—just in case. That level of care and preparation speaks volumes. Getting to the Galápagos isn’t easy, but once you arrive, Xavi and Galápagos by Local Guides show you exactly why this is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
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Elle profile picture
Elle
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Best tour in Galápagos We had the most amazing time on our snorkeling tour at Pinzón with Javier as our guide! The boat was way better than expected, & included a whole crew with a chef. The food was definitely not standard tour fare- fresh fruit, ceviche, fresh fish & salad greens. They also easily accommodated my vegetarian diet. We even got banana bread afterward! As for the snorkeling, it was the best I've done in Galapagos. We saw numerous sea turtles, many many colorful fish, white tip sharks, & sea lions who played around us while we swam. Javier took videos & is sharing them because I didn't have a gopro with me. The crew really cares about the environment here & are proud & protective of the animals. Definitely book these guys!!

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