Tips
Visiting the Galápagos Islands is a journey that should be planned ahead of time. The Islands are filled with wonder and greatness, breakthroughs usually surprise guests on a daily basis. Here you’ll find some tips that could help you prepare for this dream trip! Also, check our FAQs for more useful information.
- Customs restrictions
If you are only visiting the Galápagos for a short period of time, Ecuadorian law exempts you from paying any customs duties on items you bring into the country. This includes both new and used portable electronics such as cameras, laptop computers, music players, and so on. Visitors are not permitted to bring any agricultural or plant materials, or unprocessed food products, to the islands. Furthermore, in order to prevent issues at customs and bag check, we recommend only bringing pre-wrapped snack items such as chocolate bars, etc. to the Islands.
- Important info
When entering Ecuador, you must give evidence that you will be leaving the country, such as a bus or flight ticket, as well as hotel or cruise reservations for your entire stay in the Galapagos and Ecuador. Unless visitors stay at a friend’s house, they must provide proof of your stay.
- Immigration Control
Also there is a 20 Dollars border control card payable in cash to INGALA at the Quito or Guayaquil airports. The reason for this is that the Ecuadorian immigration department requires to sign up the number of tourists and wants to control undocumented immigration. This Transit Control Card must be kept until the outcome of your Galapagos stay, because it will be checked upon departure.
- Currency used in Galápagos
The US dollar has been the official currency of the Galápagos since 2000. Because traveler checks are not widely accepted, the best option is to use cash and credit cards. It’s also a good idea to carry smaller amounts of currency notes, as anything larger than a $20 bill will be rejected. On Santa Cruz Island, there are two banks with ATMs, as well as one at the Proinsular supermarket.
- National Park entrance fee
All visitors to the islands must pay the Galápagos National Park Entrance Fee. The current entry fee to the Galapagos Islands is $100 USD per person except for children under 12 years old which should only pay 50 USD. Visitors are not allowed to leave the terminal if they do not pay the Galápagos entrance fee. Nevertheless, if you are a citizen of a South American country, you may pay less.
- Health insurance
To visit the Galapagos Islands, you must have health insurance. At the airport, immigration officers frequently check insurance certificates and may deny travel if you do not have a valid policy. A specific health policy or a travel insurance policy that includes hospitalization could be considered insurance. If you’re going on a diving cruise, you’ll need specialized insurance and shouldn’t rely on a standard travel policy.
- Transport available
Speedboat ferries are the least expensive and most dependable mode of transportation between islands. Ferries pass daily between Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela islands. EMETEBE airline also operates small aircraft flights on the main islands. Day tours to islands besides the main three can be arranged through agencies in Puerto Ayora. However, it is best for you to cautiously check local information in Galápagos.
