Connectivity & Internet in Galápagos

Good to Know

• Mobile coverage is strictly limited to main inhabited islands' port towns (Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Villamil, Puerto Velazco Ibarra); expect no coverage at sea or on uninhabited islands during cruises.
• Claro has the widest coverage across multiple islands and is generally considered more reliable than Movistar in the Galapagos.
• Purchase a physical SIM card or activate an e-SIM before arriving on the islands, as no mobile shops operate on the archipelago.
• e-SIM is more convenient than physical SIM: instant activation, no passport registration, no need to swap cards; install your plan before flying out.
• Internet connectivity is intermittent primarily due to satellite coverage and climate factors; communication apps like Zoom and Skype may be affected by network saturation or weather.
• Most Galapagos cruises now offer WiFi onboard, though service is generally intermittent and slow due to satellite limitations.
• Free WiFi exists in hotels, restaurants, and some public squares in main towns, but speeds are often slow; internet cafes still operate in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo at approximately $2 USD/hour.
• Ecuador's official currency is the USD; prices quoted for e-SIM and SIM plans are in USD and do not require currency conversion.
• Recent satellite infrastructure upgrades (O3b mPOWER) and subsea fiber cable projects are expanding capacity, but full improvements are ongoing as of 2026.
• Download offline maps and guides before leaving the mainland; do not rely solely on mobile data for navigation in remote areas.