General recommendations to visit Ecuador
Documents required for travel
Foreigners or residents
Valid and current passport with its visa.
CAN Y MERCOSUR: passport or identification.
Andean card.
Citizens who require a visa to enter Ecuador
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Senegal and Cuba.
It is very likely that the country’s immigration office will request the return ticket in order to verify that the stay does not exceed the 90 days allowed for tourists.
Vaccines
If visiting the Amazon, it is recommendable to have the yellow fever vaccine.
Asset entry control
In compliance with the provisions of the Organic Law on Prevention, Detection and Eradication of the Crime of Money Laundering and Crime Financing, every passenger who enters or leaves the country with cash, for an amount equal to or greater than 10 thousand dollars of the United States of North America or its equivalent in other currencies, has the obligation to declare it before the corresponding authorities.
Public safety
For emergencies
When traveling with a Smartphone, you can install the free application ‘ECU 911’ of the Integrated Security Service to be attended immediately.
Dial 911 and report any emergency or illegal act.
Transportation Security
Ecuador has a Safe Transport System, with vehicles registered and recognized by the National Transit Agency.
Recommendations for taking a taxi:
Request the taxi service in your hotel or restaurant.
If you are going to take a taxi on the street you should consider the following things:
The taxi has to be yellow with orange plate.
That the safe transportation logo is visible.
That the registration number is displayed on the doors.
That they have a security camera and an emergency button.
That they work with a tariff meter (taximeter)
Recommendations for traveling by bus:
For interprovincial or inter-cantonal trips, take the transport only in the bus terminals of each city.
You should try not to sleep during the time you are in the bus. If you are going to do it, put your belongings close to you.
If a large backpack and / or suitcase is left in the baggage hold of the bus, demand a voucher, ticket or receipt for your checked luggage.
Check that the luggage in the upper compartments is safe.
When putting the backpack on the floor place it in front of your feet.
Recommendation to travel by rental car:
Remember that the speed limits in Ecuador are:
50km per hour in the city
90km per hour on vía perimetral (highway)
100km per hour on highways
Do not exceed the speed limits to avoid paying fines.
Recommendation for sailing:
When sailing, either on sea or in rivers, do it with the help of a travel agency and / or tour operator, who has its operating permits updated.
In banks and ATMs:
If you need to exchange money you must do it exclusively in banks and exchange houses. Where possible, carry out transactions in a bank branch that is inside a Shopping Center.
When going to a bank or to the ATM, you should be accompanied by someone.
Use ATMs in well-lit public places.
Do not accept the help or company of strangers.
In Protected Areas:
All-Natural Protected Areas of Ecuador are free, except for the Galapagos National Park. (Consider that the Ministry of the Environment can change this policy at any time).
To visit Protected Areas, you must do it with the help of a Travel Agency and / or Tour Operator, which provides the guidance service with professionals certified by the tourism authority.
Other recommendations:
Always leave valuable objects in the hotel safe.
Be cautious when visiting crowded places or when going to bars or clubs.
When requesting information, you must request it at the hotel reception, tourist operators or friends residing in the destination you are visiting. If possible, do not consult strangers.
Health
To fully enjoy your trip, keep these recommendations in mind:
If you suffer from any illness, it’s necessary that you carry the medicines that you should take in case of emergency during the entire trip.
The Public Health Network in the country is activated. In case of an emergency or if you need personalized attention, you can go to the nearest health center.
In the web portal called GeoSalud, the State Medical Network is available to you in a georeferenced manner. Search for the nearest health facility at: https://geosalud.msp.gob.ec/
To avoid other types of diseases it is important to consider the following recommendations:
Wear protective clothing with sleeves and long pants, especially at dawn and dusk to avoid stings.
In high density mosquito zones use mosquito nets or screens in the windows.
Use mosquito repellent according to your skin type.
Use sunscreen.
Requirements to Enter Galapagos
In June of 2017, the government Ecuador announced that all national or foreign tourists must show the below documents prior to entering the province of Galapagos — however, these requirements have yet to be implemented. We will update this page when those changes take place; the necessary documents that will be required are listed below for information purposes:
- Return airline ticket.
- Reservation in a hotel or with a cruise tour, that matches the dates of your return airline ticket, OR
A letter of invitation to enter as a guest of a permanent or temporary resident in the Galapagos Islands for no more than 60 days per year (a limit outlined in the Special Law for Galapagos). The letter must come from the resident – not from the visitor. Download a sample letter here (in Spanish). - Transit Control card issued by the Galapagos Governing Council which can be acquired at the Governing Council counters in the airports in Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Traveling to Galapagos
Many visitors will travel to Galapagos by air from mainland Ecuador. Flights depart daily from the principal cities of Guayaquil or Quito (direct or via Guayaquil). Three companies currently offer flights: TAME, LAN-Ecuador, and Avianca. Airfares are similar between the companies, but you may get lucky and find a promotional offer. In general, you should expect to pay between $380 and $500 for a round-trip ticket (as of 2016). Non-residents cannot buy a one-way ticket to Galapagos.
There are two main airports in Galapagos, one on Baltra Island and the other on San Cristóbal. At the airport in mainland Ecuador before checking in, you will be required to have your bags inspected by the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency quarantine staff and obtain a mandatory $20 tourist transit card. Upon arrival in Galapagos, you will have to pay an entrance fee in cash to the Galapagos National Park (currently $100 for non-Ecuadorian adults and $50 for children). Returning to the US or other international destination from Galapagos generally requires an overnight stay in either Quito or Guayaquil.
Choosing a Time of Year
Galapagos is a terrific place to visit anytime of the year. Because of the Islands’ location on the equator, the air and water temperatures remain relatively stable all year long. During peak seasons (mid-June through early September, and mid-December through mid-January), it is particularly important to make your travel arrangements well in advance.
From December through May, the water temperature (avg. 76°F/25°C) and air temperature (avg. low/high 72-86°F/22-30°C) are slightly warmer. Seas tend to be calmer. Rainfalls are common for a short period of time each day, but the remainder of the day tends to be very sunny resulting in high humidity. Flowers come into bloom and vegetation is more colorful. This is a good time to observe birds mating or sea turtles nesting on the beaches.
From June through November, the Humboldt Current brings colder water (avg. 72°F/22°C) and cooler land temperatures (avg. low/high 66-79°F/19-26°C) It also brings nutrient-rich water that attracts fish and sea birds: albatross arrive on Española and penguins are easier to encounter. This is the mating season for blue-footed boobies. During this time of year clouds fill the sky and a misty rain called Garua is common. Winds tend to be stronger and seas a bit rougher. The abundant marine life makes this the preferred time of year for experienced divers.
Cruises vs. Hotels and Day Trips
One can visit Galapagos on a live-aboard experience lasting from 4 days/3 nights to 12 days/11 nights. Boats range from 12–110 passengers and are divided into four categories of service: economy, tourist, first class, and luxury. Cruise itineraries take advantage of night hours to travel long distances between islands in order to arrive at the next visitor site refreshed and ready to explore. Groups of 12 or more might want to consider chartering an entire boat. This approach can actually be less expensive per person than joining an organized tour, and can provide opportunities for customization of the tour.
Another option, which is becoming more popular, is to stay ashore in a hotel on one of the larger populated islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, or Isabela) and take day trips to nearby uninhabited islands. While this option can be more economical and provides an interesting perspective for travelers, the range of islands that can be visited is limited by distance. Also, there are several animal species that likely will not be encountered on day trips.
Island-hopping tours, designed to experience Galapagos without having to be onboard for the entire trip, are becoming more popular. Visitors take speed boats or public transportation between inhabited islands, staying overnight at hotels and exploring local sites and enjoying activities near the towns. Day trips can be arranged from San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz, whereas island-hopping is mainly based from San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz, with lodging also available on the less populated islands of Floreana and Isabela.
Visitor Sites and Guides
Ninety-five percent of the land area of Galapagos is designated as protected by the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), and tourists are permitted to explore specific visitor sites only with Park-certified naturalist guides (refer to the Park rules). The GNPD coordinates group visits to these 60+ sites and carefully monitors ecological conditions. Different sites are known for their specific scenery, vegetation, and wildlife. However, many species, such as sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and a variety of coastal birds such as herons, tattlers, plovers, turnstones, and whimbrels, are commonly seen at most locations.
Each visitor site has a marked trail, most of which are less than a mile long — often passing over rough lava or uneven boulders. Some sites have “wet landings” (visitors wade to shore from rafts or dinghies) and others have “dry landings” (passengers step foot directly onto dry land). All live-aboard cruises and reputable day-tour outfitters employ licensed guides who must accompany travelers to these sites.
Diving in Galapagos
Galapagos is a world-class destination for scuba divers because of the abundance of sharks, sea lions, fur seals, marine turtles, rays, mantas, marine iguanas, and reef fishes. The GNPD has granted permission to a select number of tour providers. If you plan to dive on your trip, check with your provider to make sure the company is authorized to offer this activity.
Galapagos National Park Rules
«Visitors are respectfully reminded that the indigenous wildlife of these islands is strictly protected by law.»
When visiting the Galapagos Islands, a National Park and World Heritage Site, all visitors are expected to act responsibly and to treat the environment with respect. Below are 14 rules of the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) that all visitors are expected to abide by while in the Islands:
- Visitors to any protected areas within the Galapagos National Park must be accompanied by a naturalist guide authorized by the GNPD.
- Travel only with tour operators and/or boats authorized to work in the protected areas of Galapagos.
- Remain on marked trails at visitor sites and respect signs at all times for the protection of wildlife, and for your safety.
- Maintain a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from wildlife to avoid disturbing them, even if they approach you.
- Never feed wildlife, as this can cause health problems.
- Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife. Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the GNPD.
- Camping is only allowed in a few authorized areas in the Islands. Request authorization to camp at the Galapagos National Park’s offices at least 48 hours in advance.
- It is your responsibility not to introduce food, animals, or plants into the Archipelago. Cooperate fully with all environmental inspection and quarantine officials during your visit.
- Do not take or buy any products or souvenirs made from banned substances, including black coral, shells, lava rock, animal parts, or any native wood or vegetation prior to leaving Galapagos. This is illegal and must be reported.
- Practice “leave-no-trace” principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment.
- Pack out all trash and dispose of or recycle it in the populated areas or on your tour boat.
- Smoking and/or campfires are strictly prohibited within the Galapagos National Park, as fires poses a serious risk to the flora and fauna of Galapagos.
- Fishing is only permitted on recreational tour boats authorized by the GNPD.
- Motorized aquatic sports, mini-subs, and aerial tourism activities are not permitted in the Galapagos National Park or Marine Reserve.