The Galápagos Islands in Ecuador is one of those rare adventure travel destinations where you become accustomed to being surprised. Nothing quite compares to the joy of observing the unusual and friendly Galapagos animals in the wild here, and the sense of wonder and privilege felt while spending time with creatures that don’t run or fly away when humans approach. The Galápagos Island archipelago is home to many endemic animals, most of which are fearless because of their lack of natural predators. From the world’s only seagoing lizards to flightless cormorants and penguins, flamingos, inflatable frigate birds, wave albatrosses, clownish boobies, patriarchal giant tortoises, and 13 species of Darwin finches, you can enjoy thrilling encounters with many varieties of Galapagos animals—up close and in large numbers—who are completely at ease among human visitors.