If you plan on traveling to the Galápagos Islands, this article contains what you need to know to visit the volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.
Galápagos Islands: What You Need to Know to Visit
Most of the Galápagos Islands is part of Galápagos National Park in Ecuador and contains many species of plants and animals that are generally not found elsewhere in the world; and the requirements that are listed below are to ensure that this unique ecosystem is protected while simultaneously allowing visitors to enjoy all of what the islands have to offer.
Completing two forms — as well as paying a total of $220.00 in fees per person — is required. All monetary amounts are in United States dollars.
Transit Control Card
The Governing Council of Galápagos uses the Transit Control Card System to monitor the time that visitors spend on the Galápagos Islands.
The information that is entered will be stored in a database that is accessible by the technical secretary and institutional members of the Governing Council — such as the Ecuadorian Ministries of Environment and Tourism.
The Governing Council classifies the information collected as confidential and will not be available to the general public.
The cost to complete the Transit Control Card form is $20.00; and it can be done from the comfort of your home prior to travel to the Galápagos Islands. Simply follow the instructions step by step at the official Internet web site of the Governing Council of Galápagos.
Declaración Juramentada
You are required to complete this Declaration of Goods form at least 48 hours prior to your flight as part of the ongoing control measures of Galápagos National Park to protect the unique ecosystem of the islands — as well as to streamline the processing of visitors, strengthen biosecurity measures, and reduce environmental impacts by eliminating traditional paperwork.
Although this form can either be completed aboard the airplane prior to arrival or via the quick-response code — which is more popularly known as the QR code — that is available at the airports in Guayaquil or Quito before boarding the flight to an airport in the Galápagos Islands, completing it electronically and saving it to your portable electronic device can potentially save you time.
Information which needs to be declared on the Declaración Juramentada includes:
- Name
- Passport number
- Flight information and details
- Declaration of items that are being transported — such as food, plants, and camping gear as only three of numerous examples
- Information on visits to areas with domestic animals or wild animals within the last 72 hours
- A correct e-mail address
A confirmation code will be sent to your e-mail address almost immediately. This confirmation code must be shown to representatives of Galápagos National Park upon arrival — either printed on paper or via a portable electronic device.
Galápagos National Park Entrance Fee
The entry fee for visitors allows financing the conservation and management of the protected area under the administration of the Galápagos National Park office — as well as contributes to the sustainable development of the population of the four populated islands which are managed by the Municipality Governments, such as the improvement of:
- Basic services
- Education projects
- Sports
- Health
- Environmental sanitation
- Provision of environmental services
- Tourism services
Your visit will not only allow you to enjoy the natural beautyof the Galápagos Islands, but also support the preservation and progress of these unique islands in the world.
The fee for international visitors who are:
- Older than 12 years of age is $200.00
- Younger than 12 years of age is $100.00
Only United States currency is accepted when paying the fee upon arrival at Seymour Galápagos Ecological Airport on the island of Baltra.
Click here for a complete official list of entrance fees to Galápagos National Park, which can change at any time.
Financial Information
The United States dollar is the official currency of Ecuador — so if you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need to be concerned with exchange rates.
Although credit cards are accepted at some places on the Galápagos Islands, many smaller companies and businesses do not accept credit cards; so be sure to carry enough cash with you to pay for goods and services which cannot be purchased with credit cards — such as souvenirs, transportation, or gratuities.
Speaking of gratuities, they are voluntary. A service charge of ten percent is usually added to the final cost of a bill; along with the standard IVA rate, which is the Impuesto al Valor Agregado or Value Added Tax of 15 percent in Ecuador. A gratuity may be accepted and appreciated; but it is not mandatory.
Transportation Information
Note that vehicles generally cannot be rented on the Galápagos Islands. You must travel either via taxi cab, ferry, or bus — or a combination thereof.
If you are arriving at Seymour Galápagos Ecological Airport on the island of Baltra, your lodging is likely located on the island of Santa Cruz. You must pay:
- $5.00 for transportation via bus from the airport to Itabaca Channel, which must be paid at an official booth prior to boarding the bus. Tickets are given, which the driver of the bus takes and keeps. Some passengers — such as young children or senior citizens — may pay a reduced rate.
- $1.00 for transportation via ferry to cross Itabaca Channel from Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island. Payment is collected aboard the vessel.
- Either:
- $5.00 for transportation via bus from the ferry at the northern end of Santa Cruz Island to Puerto Ayora, which is a city located at the southern end of Santa Cruz Island.
- $30.00 for a taxi cab one way to Puerto Ayora.
- A variable amount for transportation that is arranged in advance with the lodging establishment with which you booked your reservations.
Keep in mind that for most of the aforementioned transportation options, credit cards are not accepted as a form of payment; so cash must be paid.
Follow the aforementioned list in reverse for returning to the airport.
Environmental Information
Environmental information which you need to know include but is not limited to:
- Electric Power — If you are a citizen in most countries and territories in North America and South America — including the United States — you do not need to bring electricity converters or adapters to plug in and power your electronic devices on the Galápagos Islands.
- Toilets — The septic systems typically cannot handle more than urine and feces — and perhaps some toilet paper. Please do not flush anything else down the toilet.
- Water — Use bottled water instead of tap water for consumption and for health rituals such as brushing your teeth.
- No Free Natural Souvenirs — Do not try to pick up and take any shells, rocks, or other natural items as souvenirs, as that is not allowed. You will likely be caught at the airport when leaving the Galápagos Islands and be forced to relinquish your treasures to security personnel.
Final Boarding Call
Expect to be treated well by the people of the Galápagos Islands, which is an amazing place to visit. I recently returned from there; and this trip was one of the best trips I have ever taken in all my years of traveling. I have taken thousands of photographs — some of which I intend to share in future articles.
If you have the chance to travel to the Galápagos Islands, do so. Do not pass up on any opportunity to visit one of the most unique environments in the world. You will not regret visiting the Galápagos Islands — and you will likely return with a smile on your face and a lifetime of memories.
All photographs ©2016 and ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
