Allyson plans your islands and travels with you as tour leader and interpreter; inside the national park, certified Galápagos naturalist guides lead. You get the islands’ experts and a friend who handles everything in between.
The story
The Galápagos reward good planning: flights, boats, paperwork, and islands that each show you something different. Allyson doesn’t replace the islands’ naturalist guides, and wouldn’t want to. What she does is design the trip, travel with you, translate whenever you need it, and make everything between the wildlife feel easy.
Your trip starts in Guayaquil, Allyson’s home city. Arrive a day early and see it in two hours; leave your big suitcase with us and fly light. At the airport she helps with the islands’ paperwork and boards with you. Out over the Pacific, and then the plane drops towards a landscape of dark lava, cactus and impossible blue water.
Up in the green highlands of Santa Cruz, mist drifts over the pasture and giant tortoises graze like slow, mossy boulders. At Rancho Primicias you walk among them at a respectful distance, close enough to hear the grass tear as they eat. Allyson has led photography travellers here: she helps you find the light and keeps time so nobody feels rushed.
A trimaran day to Isla Rábida: sand the colour of brick, sea lions sprawled at the waterline, a lagoon tucked behind the beach, and snorkelling off the rocks. The naturalist guide leads ashore and in the water, explaining what lives where. Allyson makes sure every question gets asked and answered in your language, and that the rest of the day runs smoothly.
Dinner by the harbour, a pharmacy run, a change of plan when the sea is rough, the right boat for a grandmother or a teenager who wants to dive. That is the tour leader’s work, and it is what makes a family trip feel easy. And on the way home, if your suitcase waited in Guayaquil, it is there at arrivals.
Your day
Every experience is shaped around your group, so we talk first and then send you a proposal made for you. No fixed packages.
Real reviews
3 reviews mention this experience; all are quoted as written, from the platform where they were left.
Thank you Allyson! My wife and I had a day in Guayaquil before heading to the Galapagos. Allyson gave us a fun and informative time. She made us want to come back and see more of her beautiful country. See you next time!
Wayne D. · United States
We have been on a number of Tours by Locals outings. Before going into specifics, we’ll start by saying that the tour we had with Allyson Aleman on Guayaquil, Ecuador was easily the most enjoyable, informative, and rewarding tour we’ve ever had. Guayaquil is one of the two main jumping-off points for the Galapagos Islands, the other being Quito. Guayaquil may be less well known, but as far as we are concerned, it is absolutely not to be missed. And Allyson is the guide you want to have. She has lived here her entire life, loves the city and its environs, and is incredibly well-connected. We spent an entire day roaming around, and we lost count of how many times people on the street greeted her or were greeted by her, waved to her, shouted out to her: she seems to know everybody in this city of 3 million! This personal connection played great dividends, because she was easily able to get us into any place she wanted to show us because, well, she knows everybody! Our day began with a tour of Guayaquil’s beautiful Municipal Cathedral. We were able to get a rare inside look of a gallery hidden in the walls that encircles the structure high up above the floor, on the back side of stained glass windows depicting over 100 saints. Afterwards we strolled through parks and other sites where Allyson pointed out statues of important figures and gave a us a great overview of Ecuador’s history. We ended up at the waterfront (on the Malecon) and had a look into the fascinating Museum of Archeology and Modern Art, before sitting down for a wonderful lunch at a fine restaurant right by the river. A stop for some of Ecuador’s excellent coffee followed. After strolling through some older neighborhoods we took a cable car ride across the water to have a look at the communities on the other side. We finished our day back at our hotel. Even though the tour was described as 6 hours, Allyson spent well over 7 hours with us. While she offered us rides from place to place, we are walkers and were happy to do all of our exploring on foot. Ecuador is reknowned for its Cacao farms and the chocolate that they produce, and Allyson mentioned that she was available the following day if we were interested in an excursion to one. We immediately agreed, and we were treated to a ride out of the city to Finca Cumanda, a small farm run by Roddy and Alexandra, a couple who are justly proud of what they have built. They showed us the entire chocolate making process (and they let us help!), from hacking open the cacao fruit, extracting and drying the beans, separating and roasting the nuts inside, and finally processing all the way to amazing bars with complex flavors—nothing like the Nestle’s back home! We always thought that Belgian chocolate was the best in the world. The fact is, the Belgians have come here to learn how it’s done! Afterwards Roddy and Alexandra treated us to a delicious traditional lunch, entirely from the farm’s produce. Then back to our hotel, after another amazing day with Allyson Aleman.
Carrie Schore
We had such a great experience with Allison from Local Friend Tours. She took care of everything and provided us with such care in the planning. The excursions were wonderful! We started with our grandson’s wedding- a love story in itself and then on to our tour of 5 days Guayaquil, Salinas, Banos and so much more! Plan your tour with Allison and know you will be well taken care of and given the best tour from a local who now feels like family to us! Thanks for a great experience in. Ecuador ❤️ 🦜
Renae R
On time pick up from our hotel. Tour around the highlights of the city. Guide was very knowledgeable and personable but the city itself is just not that scenic.
Trevor R. · United States
Wir hatten einen sehr schönen Tag mit Allyson. Bereits im Vorfeld war Allyson sehr kommunikativ und der Ausflug selbst war bestens organisiert. Vielen Dank Allyson gerne wieder.
Klaus W. · Germany
This was a great day! I was the only one on the tour and my guide Alison, and her friend Mikela, did a superb job. For the dry forest we visited the Cerro Blanco private reserve where Alison had engaged a wonderful local guide who's knowledge of all things was exceptional. Later a visit to various parts of Guayaquil gave me a good incite into this city's "vibe". A truly enjoyable day with two charming and knowledgeable young ladies. Highly recommended!
Roger · Australia
Alyson is an excellent guide. Her English is top notch & knowledge of the city & the country’s history is masterful. In addition she is a very nice person that we enjoyed interacting with.
Stephen E. · United States
We really enjoyed the food and city walk tour presented by Allyson. Her passion for the local product is first class. The market experience was genuine as this is the market where she normally shops. We would highly recommend this tour.
David S. · United States
Mix and match
A combination
Land in Guayaquil, see the city while your bags wait with us, fly to the islands light, and come back to a cacao farm before you go home.
Tell Allyson your dates and who’s coming. She replies personally, usually the same day, with ideas and questions; the proposal comes after.