Update!! New requirements to enter Ecuador and Galapagos

Tourism has been greatly affected by Covid, but Ecuador has done a great job in handling the pandemic. This started as something very scary for the country, as no one knew how to treat it at first. But doctors and authorities learnt fast and good safety measures were implemented quickly. Ecuadorians have been very respectful of the regulations they had to follow, which created a very empathic community dealing with a new virus and trying to be as careful as possible to avoid the spread of it.

By July 2020, Ecuador opened its doors to tourism. The rest of 2020 was very slow when it came to foreign travelers, but surprisingly, locals decided to get to know their country, as travelling abroad was complicated. This helped Ecuador’s airports, hotels, restaurants, and Galapagos cruises to test the protocols they were implementing and see if they were safe or not. We learned from a few mistakes, but this only made us better, to prove to the world that we were ready for our international visitors.

We were hit by the Omicron wave in December 2021, same as many other countries in the world. Fortunately, there were only a small number of fatalities, because most population is already fully vaccinated. And right now, we are starting to feel safer, as we see regulations to enter Ecuador and the Galapagos being recently updated.

Ecuador has taken measures for international inbound travelers to prevent the virus from spreading as much as possible. These measures have been changing according to the current situation of Covid in the country. The new regulations, as of February 11th to enter mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, are the following for guests 3 years and older:

·        Proof of vaccination (2 shots) with at least 14 days of validity from the date of completion, whether as a QR code or as a certificate.  Or

·        Laboratory-certified negative result of an RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before your flight departure.

Ecuador is a small country with a lot to offer. It is not a massive destination. Just so you get an idea, the Galapagos can welcome a total of 75,000 visitors in one year, while this same number can be at a sport’s stadium at the same time in one event. It is a destination for nature and culture lovers who are seeking for exclusive service, delicious food and mesmerizing landscapes. Let us know how we can make your dreams come true when planning your trip to this beautiful country.

If you’re planning on visiting the Galapagos Islands and are looking for a tour provider that promises an exceptional and meaningful experience of this unique part of the world, get in touch with us at Touring Galapagos and find out more about the cruises and holiday packages we offer.