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If you are coming to the Galapagos and have used equipment you would like to sell or are willing to bring in extra gear when you come, please get in touch with us. In January 2009, Ecuador's president imposed a 300% luxury tax on most imported items...certainly all considered non-essential. What this has meant is that gear is not at all common and very expensive when you do find it. eg: I was recently thrilled to even find a pair of booties in my size. 3 mm soft soled booties in Galapagos $68.32.
Recently, I ended up offering to buy some used (but in excellent condition) equipment from divers in the Galapagos. You name the local and they wanted to do the same. Divers were happy not to pay excess luggage on return and to get more than they could for the same used equipment in the US. Granted, donations are gladly accepted and in several cases, you can receive a trade or discount on services provided...like land-based diving or tours.
Also, if you are coming here to dive on a live-aboard and will need to rent equipment, we definitely want to connect with you. We are more than happy to buy gear in the US for you to bring with you and use in Galapagos. You will get a great discount for doing so, have far superior equipment than what you normally can rent and we have good equipment for the next diver. Everyone is happy.
You can contact us through our website if you're interested in bringing, selling, donating or trading gear for services.
Last edited by DiveTheGalapagos; October 13th, 2009 at 11:48 AM.
Reason: additional info
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Just a reminder that we still need equipment in the Galapagos. If you are coming this way, please consider bringing an extra wetsuit, regulator, maintanence kit for tanks or regs, booties, etc. Certain needs barely take any extra space.
We will order it and have it delivered to you if you would consider bringing it. I stay in touch with dm's, etc on Santa Cruz and Isabela and try to help out if possible. Prices are 2-3 times for items 2 years old when you can even find them down here. Selection is very limited even in Quito and Guayaquil. You literally cannot buy a LP hose for alt air source in Ecuador. Most locals had never even seen alt air sources. Right now, so many people need/want so many things.
If you're coming to dive a live-aboard and need rental gear, we'll buy it, you bring it and use it at about 50% savings to you compared to what gear rents for here.
We could use the help if anyone is willing. Reach me via PM or through divethegalapagos.com. Thanks in advance.
Ah, socialism: just when we thought it had been completely repudiated it comes back into vogue. And it worked so well for Eastern Europe in the prior century, why not give it a shot in South America (not to mention North America )? Thanks to their oil reserves, it will probably take a while before Chavez can completely run the Venezuelan economy into the ground, but he's certainly made an impressive go of it so far. Correa, his lapdog, will probably be hot on his heels, but he does have some catching up to do. Good luck down there!
......and now I'd be scared to brave/chance routing my expensive/nice dive gear through the airports of Equador......there are likely criminal theft gangs working overtime looting dive gear transiting to and fro......given the super high premiums on gear now!
Politics aside... are either of you headed this way? PS... I've had no problems with equipment via airports here. I had a friend bring in 6 wetsuits...sin problemas. They traveled US to Quito to Cuenca (passenger baggage) then Quito to Guayaquil to Galapagos (cargo)...and arrived.
I live on the mainland and go to Galapagos once a month and have never had anything stolen from my luggage. On the other hand, I'd certainly be careful on the streets of Quito when walking around. I have never had a problem there, either, but many tourists sure do.
We just returned from 2 weeks in Ecuador - Quito and Galapagos - we had no problems with our dive gear/personal luggage - everything made it back safe and sound!!!
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)? Thanks to their oil reserves, it will probably take a while before Chavez can completely run the Venezuelan economy into the ground, but he's certainly made an impressive go of it so far. Correa, his lapdog, will probably be hot on his heels, but he does have some catching up to do. Good luck down there!
