EcuadoryGalapagos is happy to help you with all your questions before and during your trip in Ecuador and Galapagos Islands. Here you will find the most common questions:
What is Ecuador main currency?
Ecuador has been using the US Dollar since 2000. It is suggested to bring small nominations ($1-20s). Coins are well accepted in local markets, stores or souvenir shops. Make sure you change local coins before you leave, as this will not be accepted outside Ecuador.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is always wise to carry comprehensive travel insurance in international travel.
Since 2018, Ecuador requests all travellers to have an insurance to visit Ecuador and Galapagos Islands. In case you need assistance with this, we can help you.
Where are the International airports in Ecuador?
Ecuador offers two options for visiting the country: Guayaquil in the coast region or Quito in the central highlands. The airport you choose, will depend on the itinerary you will have:
For visiting Galapagos and or the Coast regions, Guayaquil would be the best option.
For visiting Highlands, the Amazon, the northern coast or Galapagos, Quito would be the best option.
What kind of vaccinations should I get for visiting Ecuador?
There is no need to have any special vaccination to visit Ecuador, however, for the Amazon and Coast regions, we suggest to get Yellow Fever.
Please check with a tropical doctor for better information on what is suggested to take along on your trip.
How do I actually get to the Galapagos Islands?
All travellers must depart from one of two Ecuadorian cities – Guayaquil on the coast or Quito in the central highlands of the Andes.
How long is the Galapagos flight?
Flights starting in Quito typically take on more passengers in Guayaquil, therefore the flight takes around 180 minutes, with a 45 minute stop over in Guayaquil.
Guests stay at the plane, waiting for other guests to get in.
Flights starting in Guayaquil air time is about 90 minutes.
What are luggage restrictions for the islands?
The flight is considered as a national flight, therefore passengers are allowed one piece per person for checked luggage, weighing 23kg or 50.7 lb, cost included in the ticket. (More can be carried for a modest fee.)
Carry on/overhead luggage maximum is 8kg or 17.6 lb, with maximum size of 55cm, 35cm, 25cm ( 21” x 14” x10”)
Personal items can be placed store under the seat with a maximum size of 45cm x 35cm x 20cm (17”x14”x8”)
What are luggage restrictions for diving equipment?
Diving programs usually offer special rates for diving gear if needed. Please check with us for further details.
Which airlines fly to the Galapagos Islands?
Tame, Avianca and Latam are the only airlines allowed to fly in the Galapagos Islands
Where do I arrive in Galapagos?
There are two main airports in Galapagos:
Baltra airport, next to Santa Cruz Island
San Cristobal Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno town
The destination is arranged as part of your travel itinerary, when booking cruises and hotel programs in advance.
What happens when I arrive to the airport in Galapagos?
Once you arrive in the Galapagos Islands (you will pass through customs, and pay the Galapagos Entrance fee ($100 per person / $50 per child as of 2018) Your guide from your boat or hotel will be waiting for you and your group, to take you to a bus ride ($5 per person / $2,5 per child) that leads to the shoreline of Baltra Island.
If you take a cruise, your guide will take you on a zodiac to board the cruise and your amazing expedition really begins!
If you take a hotel program, your guide takes you to a ferry ride to cross Itabaca Channel and arrive to Santa Cruz Island ($2 per person / $1 per child). Once here, a car is waiting for you to take you to Puerto Ayora town, this ride takes around 45 minutes, and depending on your itinerary, you may do some visits on the way. Here is where your amazing adventure begins!
What does Ecuador y Galapagos include in its comprehensive travel service?
When you book a Galapagos program with us, our total trip fees include: Galapagos flights*, transfers to and from the airport in Galapagos, The Galapagos Transit Control Card ($20), all accommodation (boat and/or land segments), all meals, drinking water (some cruises offer unlimited soft drinks), snorkelling equipment (mask, fins and snorkel), on-going guided tours to all visitor sites with a certified naturalist guide.
What is not included: Galapagos entrance fee ($100 per person / $50 per child as of 2018), alcoholic drinks or any of the gifts or souvenirs you may acquire along the way. Travel insurance, that now is mandatory for visiting the Islands.
You also may want to tip those providing you the excellent services you will experience.
*Quoted separately but included in the program once you book.
What is the Galapagos Transit Control Card and what does it cost?
This is a migration fee guests must pay in Quito or Guayaquil, before boarding the flight. You will receive a document that will be requested upon arrival to Galapagos (Baltra or San Cristobal) that confirms your visitor status. You will want to keep this document until you leave the Islands, as it will be requested on your departure flight as well.
The cost for this card is USD 20.00 per person (adult or child). Our team will ensure that this is issued to you on your way to the airport to take your plane to the Islands.
What is the cost for the Galapagos National Park fee?
The Galapagos National Park requires an entrance fee that should be paid upon arrival to the Islands:
International travellers:
Adults $100 / Children $50
Pacto Andino and Mercosur citizens:
Adults $50 / Children $25
Ecuador residents carrying Ecuador ID:
Adults $6 / Children $3
International students living in Ecuador and studying in a local school:
Adults $25
All paypments have to be made in cash.
Can I take my own fruits or goods to Galapagos?
You are not allowed to take any fruits, vegetables, plants, or animals to the Islands, because of the importance of ensuring that no invasive plants, animals, or bacteria are introduced into these very special Islands.
There is a thorough luggage check at the airport, where they will xray your lugage, before checking with the airline.
How do I pay for things in the Islands (gift shops, meals, local market goods, etc.), on “free” days in Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, tips . Galapagos?
Credit cards are generally accepted but be sure to let your bank know your travel plans.
Please enquire with us, regarding your cruise or program, so we can confirm you if this specific property accept credit cards.
How is internet service in the Galapagos Islands?
You will find WI-Fi connection at hotels and cafes.
Cruises offer WI-FI service with an additional cost and low band-width, some cruises offer satelite connection, also with an additional cost.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador?
Can we do diving from the cruise ship?
We can also arrange a multi-day diving expedition in the Islands before you join your cruise ship.
Just let us know and we’ll get to work on it!
Can we do diving from the cruise ship?
From which city do I take the flight to the Amazon?
Guests departing to the Amazon must take the flight from Quito airport, usually your lodge program will include this arrangement for you.
Which are the airports in the Amazon?
Depending on the program you take, you can arrive to the following airports:
Coca airport, for guests travelling to Yasuni area
Lago Agrio airport, for guests travelling to Cuyabeno area
Shell airport, for guests travelling to Kapawi
How long is the flight from Quito to the Amazon?
Since Ecuador is a small country, flights are very short, you have a 30 minute flight to Coca and Lago Agrio airports.
How do I get to the Amazon by car?
You can travel by car from Quito to the Amazon, to the following cities:
Quito-Tena: 4 hours
Quito-Puyo: 4,5 hours
Quito-Lago Agrio: 6 hours
Quito-Coca: 6 hours
These are approximate and time may depend on traffic, weather conditions and stops you make on the way.
When is the best time to travel to the Amazon?
All year is possible to visit the Amazon Rain Forest, there are some months when rain is less and other months when it rains more hours a days. This will depend on the where in the Amazon you go.
Make sure you take your rain coat!!
What is included on Amazon programs?
The Ecuador y Galapagos team includes in the program you book:
The flight ticket* and/or transportation to the lodge, accommodation, all meals, drinking water, excursions with naturalist and native guides, transfers to and from the lodge and for the excursions, use of rubber boots and ponchos for the rain.
Additional: Personal expenses, additional tours and excursions, meals that are not part of the program, soft and alcoholic drinks, all that is not mentioned, entrance fees, travel insurance and tips for guides and lodge staff.
*This is quoted separately, but booked with the final program.
What are the main cities in the Pacific Coast?
Guayaquil, which is the main port of Ecuador and the biggest city of the country.
Manta, which also has an important port and is one big city of the coast
Bahia de Caraquez, one of the main cities of the coast as well
Esmeraldas, in the northern part of the coast
How do I get to Machalilla National Park?
Machalilla National Park is located in Manabi province. You can take a flight to Manta city and from there travel by car to the reserve.
How do I visit Salinas beach?
Salinas is located 2 hour from Guayaquil, so if you are arriving from abroad, you can take your flight to Guayaquil and then take a car or transportation to Salinas city.
What is the Sponylus Route?
Spondylus Route is the road that gos along the coastline from north to south and that you can enjoy in several days, visiting different towns and villages of the Pacific Coast.
Here you have the oportunity to visit Esmeraldas province, continue through Manabi province and finalize in Guayas Province.
How do I get to Cuenca city?
Cuenca is a beautiful city to visit and stay for a few days!
You can either travel by road from Quito (8 hours) or Guayaquil (4 hours). Also, you can take a 50 minute flight from Quito or Guayaquil.
When is the best time to visit the Andes of Ecuador?
The Andes or highlands of Ecuador have the ideal weather all year round!
You can visit this area any time of the year, it depends when and where you go:
Rainy season: September to November, March to May
Dry season: June-August
Transitional months: December and May
Dry season does not mean that it never rains, but short showers should be expected.
Do you have more questions?
