What Every Traveler Should Know
Planning my trips to the Galapagos Islands has been one of the most exciting experiences, for there . But with all this excitement also come many challenges, since this an unique destination that requires following specific rules, logistics, and conditions. Whether you are exploring Santa Cruz, San Cristbal, Isabela, Floreana, or any other island of the Archipelago, these 10 essential Galapagos travel tips will help you enjoy a smooth, responsible, and unforgettable adventure.
1. Understand the Entry Requirements
Before boarding your flight from Quito or Guayaquil, travelers must:
- Register online on https://siig-registro.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/app/. Do it at least 48 hours prior to your trip. This step must be completed before acquiring your Transit Control Card.
- Purchase the Transit Control Card (TCT). In the past, the TCT could only be paid in counter at the Airport. Now, you can also buy it online. The current cost is USD 20.
- Present a valid passport, or your DNI if you are national to one of the CAN or MERCOSUR countries.
- Pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee upon arrival. The current cost was updated in 2024. Each adult foreigner visitor will have to pay USD 200, and every less-than-12-year person USD 100. Adult Ecuadorians pay USD 30 and children USD 15. CAN and MERCOSUR nationals have preferential prices.
Although tedious, all these steps help protect the Galapagos’ fragile ecosystems; skipping them is not an option.
Pro tip: You must have your round-trip booked (you can stay no longer than 60 days per year in the Galapagos) and your lodging reservations. This information will be asked for in the form of your online registration.
2. Choose the Right Island for Your Trip
Each inhabited island offers a different experience:
- Santa Cruz — central hub, best for day tours and for nightlife.
- San Cristobal — top snorkeling and sea lion encounters.
- Isabela — volcano hikes, beaches, nearby snorkeling locations.
- Floreana — ideal for an escape, the least crowded of all the inhabited islands, with interesting natural and historical spots.
Pro tip: If you are aiming at visiting as many islands as possible in just one trip, booking a cruise that cover various islands might be the most efficient idea. If your time is limited (5 days or less), focus on just 1 island, or 2 maximum. If you will spend more days in the Galapagos and are not on a tight itinerary, consider visiting at least the four inhabited islands in depth. Distances are long, so plan your itinerary around the islands you truly want to explore.
3. Book Tours in Advance
Make your research with anticipation of the places you would like to visit. Popular excursions like Bartolome, Los Tuneles, or the Kicker Rock fill up quickly.
Booking ahead ensures you will have more options available and the opportunity to compare and pick the best choice, better prices, and availability in high season.
Pro tip: If you book more that one tour or service with the same agent, you might obtain reduced prices.
4. Expect Guided Experiences
Many areas require a licensed naturalist guide; one example, is the famous “Las Grietas”, natural crystal clear water pools formed by volcanic fissures. This is part of the conservation model that keeps the Galapagos well conserved, and that allows travelers to learn more during every tour.
5. Follow Wildlife Rules
The Galapagos is one of the world’s best and most protected wildlife destinations. Therefore, respecting the environment and regulations is non‑negotiable:
- Keep the minimum distance from animals (2 meters at least), even for photos. If you want to take a picture, do it respecting this distance.
- Never touch, feed, or interact with wildlife.
- Stay on marked trails. Do not move forward if you see a stop sign on a trail. This might result on damage of the ecosystems or on safety risks for yourself.
Keep tuned for part 2 of these 10 tips. In the meantime, please leave your comments, and share this post with a person you know that is about to visit the Galapagos!
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