Good to know
Good to Know
- Ecuador's official currency is the US dollar (USD), so all prices are in USD with no exchange conversion needed.
- The islands receive 2-meter distance rules and mandatory guide requirements to protect endemic species that are unusually tame and vulnerable to disturbance.
- Most visitor sites are small, managed landing areas with marked trails; activities are strictly regulated to prevent overcrowding and ecosystem damage.
- Biosecurity inspection on arrival is rigorous: do not bring fruits, seeds, flowers, or live plants, as past introductions have caused serious ecological damage.
- The TCT card must be presented upon departure from the islands; keep it safe with your passport.
- Penal colonies were established on San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Floreana in the colonial era, and tourism expanded significantly from the 1970s onward.
- The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz is a working conservation center, not a traditional museum—exhibits focus on endemic species and research.
Practical Tips
- Tct Timing
- Purchase TCT online before travel at least one week in advance; available through Ecuador government website (ECU911 portal).
- Cash Requirement
- Bring exact amounts in clean small US dollar bills; change availability at airport is inconsistent.
- Fee Justification
- Entry fees fund conservation programs, biodiversity protection, and local community services. First increase in over 25 years (doubled August 2024).
- Receipt Retention
- Keep your park entrance receipt; guides and certain visitor sites may request proof of payment.
- Tour Operator Inclusion
- Most reputable tour operators include the $200 park entrance fee in their package pricing as a line item.
- Fee Total For Foreign Adult
- Expect to pay $220 total ($200 park fee + $20 TCT) per foreign adult in cash.
Must See Sites And Attractions
Charles Darwin Research Station
- Location
- Santa Cruz Island
- Description
- Center for conservation research and education on Santa Cruz Island, featuring endemic species and historical exhibits related to Darwin's 1835 visit.
Galapagos National Park Protected Areas
- Location
- Multiple islands throughout archipelago
- Description
- Strictly regulated visitor sites across the archipelago accessible only with certified guides. Includes landing sites with marked trails on islands like San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Floreana.
Visitor Rules And Requirements
- Biosecurity
- All bags subject to inspection on arrival to prevent introduction of invasive species and organic material that could damage fragile ecosystems.
- Trail Access
- Must stay on officially approved areas and marked trails at all times.
- Guide Requirement
- All activities on the islands are strictly regulated; visitors must be accompanied by a licensed Galápagos National Park certified guide.
- Collection Prohibition
- No plants, animals, shells, bones, wood, or natural objects may be removed or disturbed on land or in water.
- Wildlife Distance Rule
- Maintain a minimum 2-meter distance from all wildlife.
- Photography Restrictions
- No flash photography allowed.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Galápagos
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.