Galapagos packing list

We recommend you to wear comfortable clothes such as beach shirts, shirts, shorts, shoes, hiking shoes, light coats (windbreakers), hat, glasses. Also, do not forget your sunscreen, mosquito repellent and sunburn creams (the sun is deceptive).

Having a unique ecosystem, you must be very careful with the food that enters the islands. Check the following link for more information: List of products allowed in Galapagos.

In Galapagos there are two seasons of the year: 

• Season 1 (June - November): This season is dry, cold, cloudy; there is a maximum temperature of approximately 20 ° C. There is the presence of garúa-drizzle.
• Season 2 (December - May): This season is wet, sunny and warm; there is a maximum temperature of approximately 28 ° C. 

It is worth mentioning that all the islands of the archipelago have their charm, but over time, Santa Cruz Island has become a strategic place for tourists when they want to know Galapagos. This is because the island is located in the middle of the archipelago, a location that makes it attractive and strategic in relation to costs and mobilization times to other islands.

If you have no idea how to start to know Galapagos, in the following link you will find a very useful guide to organize your trip to the islands: What can you do in the Galapagos Islands? 

Any tourist who wishes to enter the archipelago must pay an entrance tax to the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The value to be paid is set in the Special Regime Law for Conservation and Sustainable Development of the province of Galapagos. Keep in mind that this tax must be paid in cash. The following values ​​are values ​​that may be subject to change:

Note: National or foreign tourists under 2 years of age are exempt from the payment of this tax. (Source: Income tax)

Likewise, we also tell you APPROXIMATE prices of some services you will find on the islands:

• Lunch, breakfast and dinner: $ 6 and up.
• Bay Tours: $ 30 and up.
• Tours to the top of Santa Cruz: $45 en adelante.
• Daily Tours: $90-$220
• The price of the tours will depend on the destination, type and season in which you are.

On the other hand, if you want more information about visit sites and their costs, in the following link you will find a very useful guide to organize your trip to the islands: «What can be done in the Galapagos Islands?»

To enter the Galapagos Islands you must consider the following documents:

• If you are foreigner: Your passport valid for at least 6 months before your arrival in Ecuador and the traffic control card (immigration card) which you must acquire (pay) at the airports of Quito and Guayaquil.
• If you are national: Your identity card and the traffic control card (immigration card) which you must acquire (pay) at the airports of Quito and Guayaquil.
• If you are a resident: Your identity card and your residence card issued by the Galapagos Governing Council.

Being a unique place in the world, this archipelago has many conservation rules that must be followed to avoid any type of sanction (Source: Galapagos National Park).

1. Visits to the protected areas of Galapagos can only be carried out in the company of a naturalist guide authorized by the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park.
2. Contract the services of tour operators and vessels authorized to work in the protected areas of Galapagos.
3. Stay inside the trails and respect the signage. Do not destroy your infrastructure.
4. Keep a distance of not less than two meters from the animals so as not to affect their behavior.
5. Avoid feeding Galapagos animals.
6. Avoid taking flash photographs to alter normal wildlife behavior. Filming, professional photographs for commercial purposes and the use of drones need authorization from the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park.
7. To camp use the spaces allowed. Ask the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park, in the different populated islands, an authorization 48 hours in advance.
8. Check the list of products allowed for entry to the islands. Collaborate with the inspection and quarantine systems located at the airports and docks of the islands.
9. Do not purchase souvenirs made with black coral, shells, volcanic stones, parts of animals and endemic woods, or consume species in closed seasons.
10. Write sentences on trees, rocks and walls alter the natural landscape of the islands.
11. If you generate garbage, keep it ; Take it with you to the populated centers and collaborate with the recycling programs. Garbage generates negative impacts on the landscape and life of humans and animals.
12. Fire is a danger for the flora and fauna of the islands, smoking or making bonfires within the protected area is prohibited.
13. Fishing on board of tourism vessels is prohibited, collaborate by denouncing this irregularity to the authorities of the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park and National Navy of Ecuador.
14. Motorized water sports, use of submarines and air tourism are not allowed.

If you have no idea how to start to get to know Galapagos, in the following link you will find a very useful guide to organize your trip to the islands: What can you do in the Galapagos Islands?

Yes! On the Santa Cruz Island you can find the following banks: Banco del Pacífico, Banco del Pichincha, National Development Bank. Even so, we recommend you always carry cash (small denominations), since the number of ATMs is very small.

It depends a lot on the season and the promotions that airlines usually offer in low seasons and with limited time. But more or less the price of a ticket for a foreigner could range from $ 350 and for a national to $ 200 . Do not forget that these are approximate prices, for more exact values ​​consult your preferred airline.

The only currency that is handled on the islands is the US dollar.

The archipelago has a total of 13 major islands, 9 minor islands and 107 rocks and islets. Within which only 4 islands are populated: Santa Cruz Island, San Cristobal Island, Isabela Island and Floreana Island. 

Yes, totally! Galapagos is very safe, yet we recommend you always pay attention to your belongings.

There are 2 ways to travel between the populated islands of Galapagos. The first one is through a small plane with ticket prices close to $ 200. And the second way is through seaboats with ticket prices approximate to $ 30. These are approximate prices, for more exact values ​​once on the island you can approach to any travel agency and request such information.