So many of the really cool places high on my wish list are just a tad dangerous right now

The Galapagos Islands have been high on my wish list for quite some time, and I’m thinking about heading there in September. Actually, right now I’m OBSSESSED with the idea. I don’t know if Id go with a tour or not, but I found a 21 day for under $3000 US and airfares from Miami ranging from $450-550 (The connection through Bogota is cheapest…I dunno about that…..)

Has anyone here been to either Ecuador (Quito, Guayaquil, the fabulous hiking possibilities, etc) of the Galapagos?

Any comments? Anyone been there in September?