The Galapagos

Capital:  Puerto Baquverizo Moreno (Mainland, Ecuador – Quito)
Population: 25,000
Currency:  US Dollar
Languages:  Spanish
Drives on the:  Right (Ecuador)
Time zone: UTC -6 (Mainland, Ecuador UTC -5)

In addition to the entry requirements for Ecuador, all visitors to the Galapagos must obtain a INGALA Tourist Control Card (TCT), which allows for tourist stays up to 90 days. This card is $20 and purchased upon arrival, then turned in upon departure. All tourists must also pay a Galapagos National Park entrance fee, which is $100 for most foreign tourists, or $50 for children under 12.

We will obtain your Tourist Control Card (TCT), and the TCT fee and park entry fee are both included in your package price.

If you do not hold a U.S. passport, you are responsible for determining all entry requirements and obtaining any necessary visas. Consider using an expedited visa service.

More information about passport, visa & entry requirements.

There are no official vaccination requirements for entry into Ecuador, however, inoculations against yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, polio, tetanus, and hepatitis and malaria suppressants (for the Galapagos islands) might be recommended. Consult your physician.

Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization

The Galapagos Islands are located on the equator. The tropical heat, however, is tempered by Pacific breezes.

There are two seasons in the islands: the rainy, hot season from December to June when humidity is high and average temperatures are in the 80s F (26°-30° C). There may be occasional showers, but the days are generally hot and sunny.  From June to November, you can expect cool winds, occasionally bringing with them a light misty-type drizzle called "garúa." Temperatures average in the 70s F (20°-24° C) during the day and lower at night.

For travel in the Galapagos, clothing ranges from informal to very informal. Essentials include sneakers, shorts, long- and short-sleeve lightweight shirts, bathing suit, a wide-brimmed hat, long pants, and a wind breaker or light jacket for evenings. Be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and lots of film.

Most walking ashore is over rocky lava terrain. Tennis shoes, sneakers, or walking shoes with rubber soles are strongly recommended.

Tip 10% of the bill unless a service fee is included, additional small amounts are appreciated. Round up fare for taxi drivers. It is customary to tip the crew and guides on boat tours separately and depends on your experience with the service. A general guideline is $10/$15 USD per day, per traveler.

Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.

Shopping is limited in the Galapagos Islands. The best place to purchase the quintessential “Galapagos Island” souvenir gear is at the Charles Darwin Research Station which offers high quality items and proceeds benefit the preservation efforts.

110 volts. We recommend that you bring an adapter/converter along with you as not all hotels will have 110 volt (A&B plugs) outlets.

Learn more about electrical standards around the world.

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? See our blog posts on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.

• In 1873 British Captain James Colnett set up a post office barrel in the Galapagos Islands! Originally whalers would drop their letters in the barrel on their way out to sea and the mail was relayed to their families back home. Today, tourists often leave notes in the barrel!
  
  
• The penguins who live in The Galapagos are the only ones that make their home north of the equator – making them the only tropical penguins on Earth!
  
  
• There were once up to 15 different subspecies of giant tortoises on the island, of which 10 still remain today. These giant tortoises may live up to 150 years.
  
  
• The islands were originally known as the Enchanted Islands due to the strong, shifting currents that made navigation difficult.