Galápagos FAQ
Short answers to the questions guests actually ask us, with links to the deep dives. All figures verified September 2026.
Planning and logistics
How many days do I need in Galápagos? Five is the honest minimum; seven is where the trip starts to breathe. A 4-day cruise gives you only two full touring days once flights eat the ends. Details in how many days.
Cruise or land-based: which is better? Neither, universally. Cruises reach remote islands and handle logistics; land trips cost less at the low end and give you freedom. We sell both and break it down honestly in cruise vs land.
What is the best month to visit? There is no bad month. December-May is warm with calm seas; June-November is cooler but richer in marine life. Crowds peak at Christmas and in July-August; September-October are quietest. Full table in best time to visit.
How do I get to Galápagos? Fly from Quito or Guayaquil on Avianca or LATAM, the only two airlines flying the route in 2026. There are no international flights. Round trip runs $400-550 for foreign visitors. See how to get to Galápagos.
Which airport should I fly into? Baltra (GPS) for Santa Cruz and most cruises; San Cristóbal (SCY) for a quieter start. Many one-week trips fly into one and out of the other. Comparison in Baltra vs San Cristóbal.
Do I need a visa? That depends on your nationality for Ecuador itself (many countries get 90 days visa-free). For Galápagos specifically, every visitor needs the TCT transit card; see below.
Can I fly my drone there? Only with prior authorisation from the Galápagos National Park Directorate. Drone use is regulated under the visitor rules, and confiscation at the airport is a real risk without it.
Is Galápagos safe? For travellers, yes: crime against visitors is rare, towns are small and walkable at night, and the main risks are environmental (sun, currents, choppy ferry crossings) rather than human.
Fees and paperwork
What documents do I need to enter Galápagos? Passport, the $20 TCT transit card (obtained online or at the airport on the mainland), and proof of a return flight plus your hotel or cruise booking.
How much is the Galápagos National Park entrance fee? $200 per foreign adult and $100 per child under 12, paid in cash on arrival. Andean Community and Mercosur nationals pay $100/$50; Ecuadorian nationals and residents pay $30/$15. Full table in entry fees.
What is the TCT card? The Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito, a $20 transit control card issued by the Galápagos government. Register online 24-48 hours before your flight or pay at the counter in Quito/Guayaquil. Keep it until you leave the islands.
What is the “INGALA card” or “ISABENA fee” I keep reading about? INGALA is the old name of the government body that issues the TCT; “ISABENA” is a garbled version with no official existence. Both refer to the $20 TCT. The park fee is separate.
Do children pay the same fees? No. The park fee for foreign children under 12 is $100 (adults $200), and inter-island ferry fares are half price for children under 12. Children under 2 are exempt from the park fee.
How much cash should I bring? The park fee ($200/adult) is cash, water taxis run about $1, Isabela charges a $10 arrival fee, and some businesses are cash-only. There are no ATMs on Isabela. Bring more small bills than you think you need.
On the islands
How do I get between the islands? Public speedboats run twice daily between Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela and Floreana, 2 to 2.5 hours per leg. Tourists pay $50 per leg since August 2026. Schedules and tips in ferries.
Do I need a guide for everything? All official national park visitor sites require a licensed naturalist guide. Some town-adjacent sites (certain beaches, the Darwin Station area) are free access. Your operator sorts guides for day tours and cruises.
Can I visit Galápagos without a tour? Yes. Land-based travel is fully viable: you book hotels, ferries and day tours yourself. But free-roaming is limited to designated sites; the park’s trails, and especially the remote islands, require a guide and an authorised vessel.
Can I drink the water? No. Tap water on the islands is not treated for drinking; use bottled or filtered water. The single-use plastic ban means you should carry a refillable bottle and use hotel refill stations.
What currency is used? The US dollar. Ecuador has used it since 2000. Cards work in mid-range and up businesses, but ferries, water taxis and small eateries run on cash.
Is there good Wi-Fi and phone signal? Signal exists in the three port towns, but it is slower and patchier than the mainland, and hotels vary widely. Boats have limited or no connectivity; plan on being offline at sea.
Do I need travel insurance? Strongly recommended. Medical facilities on the islands are basic, evacuations are expensive, and activities include boats and currents. Dive operators typically require dive-specific cover.
Is it safe for kids? Very, with the usual sea-and-sun precautions. Wildlife is gentle and close, beaches are swimmable in the warm season, and many day tours take children. Note wetsuits for kids on cool-season snorkels.
What about seasickness? The inter-island ferries are the worst offenders, especially afternoon crossings in the dry season. Morning boats are calmer; take medication 30 minutes before departure. On cruises, mid-deck cabins in the ship’s centre feel the least motion.
Can I use my drone or flash photography? Drone: only with prior park authorisation. Flash: prohibited at visitor sites. Both are enforced by your guide.
What food can I bring to the islands? Almost none that is fresh or unprocessed. Fruit, seeds, raw meat, unprocessed dairy and plants are confiscated at biosecurity inspections at airports and docks. Packaged snacks generally pass.
Do I need to tip? Customary, more than on the mainland: on cruises roughly $10-15 per guest per day for the guide plus $20-50 per guest per day for the crew; on land tours $5-10 per person per day. Voluntary, but expected.
Next steps
Last verified: September 2026