Travel to Galapagos in Times of Covid-19

The governing authorities of Galápagos have undertaken a mass vaccine program. They determined the best way to keep both visitors and residents as safe as possible against Covid-19 is by using testing and vaccination. The program to vaccinate 100% of the adult population with Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has been underway since March of 2021 and is planned to be completed by the end of June 2021. This will make Galápagos the first fully vaccinated island community in South America. All of our staff has participated and received the Pfizer vaccine. The goal is to keep both residences and visitors safe. COVID-19 testing is available in Galapagos on Santa Cruz Island. Local authorities have added an extra layer of security for visitors to the islands, over and above that required for visitors to continental Ecuador. We provide this guide as a courtesy to our guests, but we are not the authority and you should still contact your local embassy for updated requirements or restrictions. In addition, local authorities have issued a set of guidelines, for the tourist industry, to minimize the risk of transmission while hosting, transporting, and guiding guests. This is to enhance the protection of guests and residents. The face masks and social distancing are encouraged by local authorities.As with the underlying protocols, the Guide and Covid-19 Policy will change as protocols are updated.

Requirements for Travel to Ecuador

• All travelers (including minors over 2) arriving in Ecuador must provide proof of a negative COVID RT-PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than three (3) days before entering the country or present a vaccination card showing the traveler received a complete series of the COVID vaccine 14 days or more. Minors two years of age and younger are exempt. 
• Regardless of whether a negative COVID RT-PCR test is provided, passengers that present symptoms of COVID-19 will be evaluated by Ministry of Health personnel.  Rapid antigen testing may also be conducted.  If the rapid antigen test is positive, the traveler must isolate for ten (10) days.  The isolation may take place at a private residency or hotel of the traveler’s choosing.  If the rapid antigen test is negative, no isolation is required.

Documentation required for Visitors to Ecuador:

• A passport with at least 6 months of validity.
• Documentation of being fully vaccinated, rapid antigen test, or of a negative RT-PCR test, from your country of origin, taken within 3 days of arrival in Ecuador.
• You must complete the Traveler Health Declaration form with contact information, details of recent travel, and current health upon arrival in Ecuador.

Requirements for Travel to Galapagos:

Guidelines for the entry of tourists to the Galapagos Islands. As of Sept 1, 2021, international visitors who wish to travel to the Islands and traveling from the Quito and Guayaquil airports must present the following:

• Identification (National I.D. or passport).
• A round trip air ticket to the Galapagos province.
• Documentation of being fully vaccinated for a minimum of 14 days and RT-PCR negative test result performed up to 72 hours before entering the Galapagos.  International visitors 2 years to 15 years are required to have a RT-PCR negative test. This can be the same test as the test used to get into Ecuador, assuming it was taken within 72 hours of arrival to the Galapagos.  If the initial test was not taken within 3 days of arrival to the Galapagos, the traveler will need to take a second test in Ecuador at a laboratory recognized by the Quality Assurance Agency of the Services of Health and Prepaid Medicine (ACESS), at their own expense. The RT-PCR tests will not be compulsory for minors under 2.
• Ecuadoreans age 2 and older are required to have RT-PCR negative test result performed up to 72 hours before entering the Galapagos.
• Migration control card issued by the Government Council of the Galapagos Special Regime and purchased at the airport.
• Traveler Health Declaration Form in order to identify the place of stay, for tourists who start the trip in Ecuador. For tourists starting the trip abroad, this form will be completed upon arrival in the country.
• Mandatory health insurance. This applies only to international tourists (Art. 49 of the Organic Law of the Special Regime for the Province of Galapagos).
• All tourists must pay in cash the the Galapagos National Park entrance fee for national and foreign tourists upon arrival in the Galapagos province.
• For more information, please refer to the Special Regimen of the Galapagos Government Council, Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Public Health.

COVID-19 testing is available in Galapagos on Santa Cruz Island if a negative Covid-19 test is required for entry at your next destination.

Also Recommended

We strongly advise all guests to obtain travel interruption and cancellation insurance that includes disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Definitions

RT-PCR Test for Covid-19 infection: The only type of rapid test recognized by Ecuadorian health authorities. (RT-PCR = Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction).

Mandatory Isolation: If travelers or service providers are identified as Suspect Cases or Confirmed Cases that do not require hospitalization, you must stay in your current accommodation for 10 days.

A Positive test result – Mandatory Isolation 

Recommendations for Guests

Traveling – Extras to Bring

Bring face masks, gloves, alcohol gel, and other protective products during your travels. We strongly recommend you travel with a good supply of:

• Protective Masks –Preferably washable\reusable
• Gloves
• Alcohol-gel

We further recommend the following:

Mask & Snorkel \ Scuba Gear

While operators clean equipment between trips, having your own equipment, including short wetsuits, will provide more peace of mind. You will also be able to take advantage of snorkeling opportunities at the beaches.