Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Hear Me Now? Technology in Galapagos
There is technology throughout most of Galapagos, but communication via any electronic device is, at best, unreliable and sketchy. To the extent we have cell phone service, internet access or even cable t.v. it is found only in the cities, primarily in wifi cafes and some restaurants and hotels. And even where internet service is advertised, be aware: 21st Century technology in Galapagos is a world away from what you expect at home.
For those coming to Galapagos who live in large cities and take their connectivity for granted, a visit to the Galapagos Islands can be eye-opening; somewhat like when Dorothy was in Oz and told, “You aren’t in Kansas anymore.” Here, you are at the frontier of technology, not the cutting edge.
I’ve been told about a commercial in which the actor repeats, “Can you hear me now?” Always he is heard. Cell towers are everywhere in the U.S. and Europe. I understand too that there’s a television show called Crisis based on the absurd presumption that somewhere not far from the U.S. Capitol there is a mansion where cell phone signals cannot be followed. In your world, the premise that you could be totally out of touch is preposterous. In our world, though, it’s reality.
In the Galapagos Islands, until just 15 years ago, we didn’t even have electricity 24 hours a day. Imagine — after 10 at night, we had no electricity until the following morning. We didn’t have enough power generation to support more electrical usage.
We’ve come a very long way. Not only do we have electricity (though it’s still carefully rationed, very expensive and subject to principles of environmental conservation), we also have the internet. But wifi development occurred just about four years ago. When the Galapagos Islands went “wireless” in January 2011, it was a major news story — breaking news. This break-though was hailed as a milestone and, indeed, it is. We saw it as a miracle and we certainly don’t take it for granted. It was the technology that finally connected us to the mainland. It helped our schools, hospitals and our children.
Here’s the good and the bad news about communicating while you are in Galapagos:
- Good news: most hotels offer wifi. Bad news: anticipate inconsistency.
- Good news: there are cyber cafes on the main islands where you can get on line. Bad news: typical cruises dock only for a few hours a week at a major city like Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal.
- Good news: a few cruise ships offer wifi. Bad news: it’s really expensive and available only when you are docked at a major port. (A mobile hotspot might work when you are docked as well.)
- Good news: cells phones work in Galapagos. Bad news: You need to make arrangements with your provider before you come to Ecuador. Moreover, they don’t work everywhere. For example, while Santa Cruz is our most populated island, if you are near the highlands, the cell tower is blocked. If you are on Isabela, Fernandina or Genovesa — forget about phone service.
- Good New: With services such as Facetime and WhatsApp, you don’t need to pay to arrange special phone service. Bad news: these free services work only where there is internet access — see above.
- Good news: while you can be in touch with your families and loved ones, you don’t have to respond to your office emails. In case of emergency, your ship captain always has communications access directly to the Navy, Coast Guard and your cruise company.
I do use my ipad tablet constantly when I am on a cruise ship. I draft emails and save them to send later. I load my photos from my camera to my ipad using a wired connection. I keep my notes on my ipad and my guests keep journals on theirs. Then, when I get to a cyber-cafe, I upload everything to the internet and send the saved emails.
As I recently shared with my guests when they posted a five-star review for the Galapagos Eco-Lodge onTripAdvisor, “If wifi in Galapagos is a little ‘iffy’ from time to time, that’s just part of the charm of being in this remote living museum we know as paradise!” Welcome to the 21st Century in Galapagos!
Sure, I’d certainly like to have more consistent internet, telephone and wifi service. I’m glad that Google maps is continuing to map our islands. I like the idea that drones can perform research and go to places that people can’t and that by using drones above the terrain, humans can avoid disturbing the ground cover and animals. Still, I have to admit feeling a bit of nostalgia for the “olden days”when, like the sea lions and iguanas, I was left undisturbed with my thoughts and nature. Technology means change to the Galapagos Islands, the most prized real estate in the world for maintaining and preserving natural history.
Even with the advances in technology that we feel here, I can be frustrated sometimes. Though I’m more than accustomed to it, it never fails to be exasperating to be on a boat and talking on the phone when suddenly, in the middle of the sentence, I am behind a volcano and lose the connection. I call again; I’m done talking until the next day without ever having said “goodnight”. Depending upon where I am going, it quite literally may be days before I get to use the phone again. There are few cell phone towers here. It really can be hit or miss.
As for the internet, I can’t say enough about the fact that on a boat there is no internet and even on land we usually have to wait for the internet to connect. I know that your Google search may take .23 seconds for millions of results; it’s not the same for me. We, of course, have no fiber optic cable running 600 miles out to the middle of the Pacific Ocean. So, even though we do have wifi, it’s availability may be quite sketchy. It’s even influenced by how cloudy it is or whether rain or wind interferes with the signal. It’s no one’s fault. It’s just a fact of life.
Because of my own frustrations with technology, I understand how Galapagos visitors from around the world get exasperated too. If you’re used to immediate gratification and can’t get your email, it can be tough.
Technology exists. But, you may have to use your imagination and delay gratification a little bit. And, in any case, this is always faster than sending a post card from Post Office Bay on Floreana.
I tell all of those who come to Galapagos to do what I do: take a breath and relax. After all, Galapagos time is slow and meant to be enjoyed. This is a fundamental truth here and one that I hope all of our guests will understand when they come to visit our paradise. Whether on land or sea; in an internet cafe or a hotel; wherever you are, you have to be prepared to experience communications differently from the way you experience them at home.
Harry Jiménez, Owner and General Manager
Galapagos Eco Friendly
Av. 12 de Febrero y Av. J Roldo
San Cristobal Island
Galapagos, Ecuador SCY
Reservations: 593 052 520 124
Email: info@galapagosecolodge.net
A version of this article was previously posted at http://blog.galapagosecolodge.net/2015/01/technology-will-galapagos-islands-ever.html.
