Your Complete Guide to Ecuador & Galápagos Entry Requirements
There's a moment every Galápagos traveler has — staring at a photo of a blue-footed booby or a giant tortoise lumbering across a lava field — when the trip stops being a "someday" and becomes a "let's actually do this." Good news: the paperwork between you and that moment is refreshingly light. Ecuador has built one of the most traveler-friendly entry processes in South America, and the islands themselves, while a little more particular, are easy to navigate once you know the steps.
Here at Touring Galapagos, we'd rather you spend your planning time picking snorkel gear than digging through government websites. So we've laid out exactly what you need — nothing more, nothing less.
Getting Into Ecuador: The Basics
Mainland Ecuador keeps things simple. There's no maze of forms standing between you and your flight to Quito or Guayaquil.
Your passport. It needs to be valid for at least six months past your arrival date, and you'll want at least one blank page free for entry and exit stamps. This is the one document every single traveler must have sorted before they leave home.
Visas. Most travelers from North America and Europe can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days — no advance application required. If you're coming from elsewhere, or planning to stay longer or for non-tourist purposes, check with your nearest Ecuadorian embassy or consulate before you book flights.
COVID-19 and entry rules. The pandemic-era requirements that once complicated travel have been lifted. It's still smart to glance at your airline's current policies before departure, since individual carriers occasionally have their own documentation steps.
Health Prep: What to Know Before You Go
Ecuador doesn't impose a long list of mandatory vaccinations, but a little health prep pays off — especially if your itinerary stretches beyond the islands.
Yellow fever. Ecuador no longer requires a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate across the board. That said, if you're arriving from or have recently passed through a country where yellow fever is present, be ready to show proof of vaccination. And if the Amazon rainforest is on your itinerary, the vaccine is strongly recommended regardless of where you're flying in from.
Everything else. Standard travel-health housekeeping applies: make sure you're current on routine vaccines like measles, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. This matters most if you're planning an extended stay or venturing into rural areas on the mainland.
Landing in the Galápagos: A Few Extra Steps
The islands operate under their own set of protections — and for good reason. This is one of the most ecologically intact places left on Earth, and every rule exists to keep it that way. You'll need a round-trip ticket plus three things in order before you touch down:
1. The Transit Control Card (TCT). This is your migration record for the archipelago — $20 per person, purchased at the counter in the Quito or Guayaquil airport before you check in for your Galápagos flight. Don't skip this one; without it, you won't be allowed to board.
2. The Biosafety Declaration. Galápagos biosecurity has gone digital. Instead of filling out a paper form mid-flight, you'll now complete a short online declaration in advance, confirming you're not carrying in any plants, seeds, or untreated food items that could threaten the islands' delicate ecosystems. It only takes a few minutes — just don't leave it for the morning of your flight.
3. The Galápagos National Park Entrance Fee. This is the big one: $200 USD for adults and children 12 and up, $100 USD for younger children, paid in cash USD upon arrival at the islands. Bring clean, undamaged bills — worn or torn currency is sometimes turned away at the counter.
That fee might be the largest line item on your packing checklist, but it's also the most meaningful. It funds the conservation work that keeps the giant tortoises wandering, the marine iguanas sunning themselves on volcanic rock, and the islands looking essentially the way they did when Darwin first stepped ashore. You're not just paying to enter — you're investing in what makes the Galápagos worth visiting in the first place.
Your Pre-Flight Checklist
Passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival, with a blank page
Confirmed visa status (most North American/European travelers: visa-free, 90 days)
Round-trip flight booked to the Galápagos
Transit Control Card purchased at the mainland airport ($20)
Online Biosafety Declaration completed before departure
Cash USD on hand for the Park Entrance Fee ($200 adults / $100 children)
Routine vaccines up to date; yellow fever vaccine if heading to the Amazon
The Hard Part Is Over
That's it — that's the entire list standing between you and a place where wildlife has never learned to be afraid of people. No dense bureaucracy, no surprise hoops. Just a handful of straightforward steps, and then the islands take over from there.
Browse our blog for packing lists, itinerary ideas, and more on what to expect once you land — and let's get your Galápagos adventure on the calendar.
Contact Maite our Trip Designer today at (404) 971-8113 or email maite@touringgalapagos.com to start planning your unforgettable Ecuador experience!