The Galapagos:

Life aboard the vessels cruising the Galapagos ranges from informal to very informal. Dress is casual - shorts, tee shirts, swim suits; jeans/slacks, and a windbreaker or sweater. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and ample protection from the Equatorial sun (including a hat). It is highly recommended that you bring a lightweight backpack to carry your camera, excess film, and a towel (for drying off after wet landings). Do not over pack. There are weight restrictions on the flights (30 pounds per passenger) and you need only a minimum of casual clothing. Your excess luggage may be left at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil in storage.

Suggested items to pack:

Khaki pants and Bermuda shorts
Cotton shirts and T-shirts
Windbreaker or sweater
Good walking shoes (tennis shoes will do)
Rubber-soled shoes or thongs (Tevas are popular)
Small backpack or knapsack
Camera with lots of extra film
Bathing suits (2)
Sunscreen
Snorkeling equipment
Hat or scarf
Underwater camera
Sunglasses/strap
Sea sickness medication
Wet suit (July-November)

The Amazon:

Please Note: There is a baggage limit of 44 lbs. (20 kg) per person on the aircraft for passengers traveling to the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin plus a carry-on bag per passenger. If you are going to be checking in more weight than the regulations allow, you will be charged directly by the local airline or may not be allowed to take it aboard the local airline. This limit should not pose a problem to most Amazon bound travelers, and most of the hotels in Quito will store your extra baggage or dress clothes and heavy jackets for you while you are traveling to the different destinations within Ecuador.

Suggested items to pack for the Ecuadorian Amazon

Good set of binoculars for wildlife / bird-watching
Your camera and personal video gear
3 pairs of lightweight comfortable long pants
2 or 3 long-sleeved lightweight shirts
3 lightweight T-shirts
Lightweight sweater or windbreaker
Rain gear or lightweight poncho
3 or 4 pairs of athletic socks
1 pair of cross-trainer shoes and/or sturdy hiking boots and sandals
Small waterproof day pack for daily excursions
A canteen to carry water on your hikes
Plastic bags to cover glasses and other eye gears
Strong insect repellent product
Small umbrella to avoid the common light rains
A hat for sun protection and that will stay on during windy boat rides.
Personal toiletries and prescription medications
Extra batteries, film and video tapes

Suggested Reading Field Guides:

Darwin's Islands, A Natural History of the Galapagos, by Ian Thornton Galapagos
A Natural History Guide, by M.H. Jackson
A Field Guide to the Fishes of Galapagos, by Godfrey Merlen
Plants of the Galapagos Islands, by Eileen K. Schfield
A Field Guide to the Birds of Galapagos, by Michael Harris

Highly Recommended:

Galapagos, Islands Lost In Time, by Tui de Roy Galapagos
Discovery on Darwin's Islands, by Steadman and Zousmer
Galapagos, a Terrestrial and Marine Phenomenon, by Paul Human Key Environments
Galapagos, by R. Perry
The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin

Visit the Galapagos Islands book section at:

Language

English and Spanish are spoken aboard the vessels by guides and officers.

Time Zone

GMT-6 in the islands and GMT-5 on the mainland. Ecuador does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Currency

Ecuador has adopted the U.S. Dollar as its currency.