Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands FAQs

Visas

There are currently no visa requirements for EU, US or Canadian citizens. Other nationalities who do need to apply for a visa should make sure they have enough time to complete the process before travel.

Please note that requirements can change and we recommend that our guests contact the local embassy in the country where you live for the most recent and up to date information.

Passports

All passports must be valid for at least six months after your intended departure and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes their name in their passport after booking (for example, through marriage or adoption) this could mean having to reissue important parts of the trip at an extra cost and subject to availability. 

There are some biosecurity restrictions when entering the Galapagos to protect the archipelago from foreign species that could damage its sensitive ecosystems and native species. All luggage will be inspected by local authorities to make sure certain, potentially harmful products are not being brought onto the islands. The list of banned products is quite extensive; most things aren’t typically carried by tourists on vacation (such as animal vaccines). However there are some items you could have with you and you must be sure to leave them on the mainland. These include:

• Any food products including snack bars, crisps, nuts, seeds, etc
• Fresh vegetables and fruits
• Animal products or any of their derivatives such as dairy products. 
• Dry coffee beans
• Fresh flowers
• Medicinal plants (for example banana tree leaves)

You could be requested to show your travel insurance certificate on entry to the Galapagos so please make sure you have these documents printed out in a hard copy, as well saved onto phones/devices (you can read more about this in the Do I need travel insurance section below).

Visitors to the Galapagos are required to pay for a Transit Control Card and the National Park Entrance Fee. These are typically included in the overall price of your trip but please do check with your travel designer or concierge.

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens. 

Ecuador does have entry requirements surrounding travel insurance making it even more important to arrange the correct type of insurance cover for your vacation. The rules state that any person who enters Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands) must have public or private health insurance for the duration of their stay. You may be asked to show proof of your insurance coverage (documents should be printed out as hard copies as well saved onto phones or devices) upon arrival. If you cannot provide proof of insurance you could be denied entry. If you are not asked to show these documents don’t worry, showing proof isn’t always enforced but you must be prepared just in case.   

We always recommend that our guests get the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

Yes, you should visit a travel doctor before your trip as they may recommend certain vaccinations or medications before or during travel. 

Some vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Latin America include: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Meningitis.

A yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory for those visiting the Amazon. However, there is still a risk of the disease in this region and other remote areas so you should discuss the vaccination with your travel doctor. If you’re travelling from a country with a yellow fever outbreak, you will need to provide your yellow fever certificate, particularly if travelling from Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

There is a malaria risk in some areas of Ecuador so you should discuss anti-malarial medications with your travel doctor, you can use your itinerary to explain where you’re going. We recommend bringing good quality mosquito spray and be careful to keep arms and legs covered during dusk and dawn. You should seek medical advice before applying strong mosquito spray onto young children.

Travelling at altitude

Altitude sickness can affect everyone and to different degrees. It’s best to take it easy for the first few days and keep hydrated. Being dehydrated can make you feel unwell when at altitude, particularly after a long flight. We strongly recommend you stay well hydrated, have meals which are easy to digest and avoid alcohol while you acclimatise. There are some medications available to help with travel at altitude and it’s important to discuss this with your travel doctor.

Typically regional flights in Ecuador will be on local carriers and for the Galapagos you will usually fly with LATAM. The luggage restriction is 23kg/55lbs and a hand luggage allowance of 8kg/17lbs per person in economy class. 

Please let us know if you have seat assignment preferences and we will notify the airlines. Please note that seat assignment is subject to change and always at the discretion of the airline. 

Our team on the ground will be able to check you in online 24 hours prior to your flight.

Travel pack

Before you head off on your adventure you will be sent a travel pack. The travel pack is full of great information and is also a beautiful keepsake. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip but we do recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive into Ecuador.

Bon Voyage email

Around 2 weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel pack including your domestic flight tickets. Once you’ve received this email your Travel Designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

Conveniently the currency in Ecuador is the US dollar. ATMs are always nearby in big cities but you must look out for the relevant symbol (VISA, MAESTRO etc) to ensure it is an international machine. 

Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and larger shops. Some restaurants and shops may ask to see your passport (or a photocopy) as a precaution against fraud when you use your credit card. When in small shops, cafes or local markets you will need to use cash to make your purchases. 

Travellers cheques are accepted in some hotels in Ecuador. However we don’t usually suggest bringing them as they can be troublesome and time consuming to change.

Tipping in Ecuador is more of a choice than an expected obligation. However, many places now include service charges as standard and it is increasingly common for tourists to leave tips.  

In Ecuador 10% is usually included in the bill at restaurants, but you can tip over if you feel the service was worth it (an extra 10% maximum).

Porters and housekeeping should get US$ 1 per bag/per day, paid at the end of your stay. You can leave doormen US$ 1 or US$ 2 if they get you a taxi. Guides are typically tipped around US$ 6 to US$ 10 per person per day, and US$ 3 to US$ 6 to drivers per person per day. You can tip taxi drivers if they’ve been helpful (about 10%) or simply round up your fare to the nearest round figure amount.

On Galapagos cruises:

Crew: USD 20 to  USD 30 per day/per person.
Naturalis Guide: USD 10 to USD 15 per day/per person.

You can tip the barman at your discretion. Bring cash as credit card tips are not always accepted.

Ettiquette 

It’s important to be respectful when taking photographs of strangers when in Ecuador, particularly in rural areas. It’s best to ask your guide before starting to take pictures to make sure it’s appropriate and you may need to leave a small tip, your guide will be able to explain this to you. When visiting churches and some villages in rural areas it’s polite to cover your shoulders and wear longer pants to cover your knees.

What you pack for your trip can change depending on the time of year and what you’ll be doing. Being so close to the equator means the sun will be strong throughout the year, often making day time temperatures quite warm. However, while at altitude, trekking or camping you will find temperatures much cooler at night and in the early mornings.

Below you’ll find our essentials list, we recommend chatting with your travel designer or concierge for more personalised suggestions based on time of year and activities for your trip:

• Layers – it can be cold in the mornings while at altitude but get very warm in the middle of the day.
• Lightweight rain jackets for showers and to act as a windbreaker. Again, depending on the time of year you travel you may need more heavy duty rain wear. In the Amazon you will be provided with rain ponchos and rubber boots for some activities
• Polarised sunglasses
• Swimming costume (there are often a few water activities during the day and costumes/shorts can’t always dry in time so bring a few sets with you can be more comfortable)
• Trousers and shirts with adjustable arm and leg lengths in lightweight, quick dry fabrics in subtle colours, to avoid startling wildlife
• Camera/Smartphone with all the necessary charging leads, plugs and batteries
• Earplugs
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Sun hat
• Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes
• Day bag for carrying your all daily essentials
• Wet shoes for the Galapagos
• Small waterproof bag for the Galapagos when taking boat trips to keep valuables safe

Most properties in Ecuador will offer a laundry service at an extra cost. Very remote hotels, Amazon and Galapagos cruises might not be able to do your laundry. Some laundry pricing can be quite expensive so please do check the costs with reception before sending your items to be washed.

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you in not only making the reservations but also  making  recommendations based on your preferences.

We only recommend taking transfers arranged by Jacada travel, the team on the ground, your hotel or a restaurant we’ve reserved for you. Although there are metered taxis and even uber in the major cities it shouldn’t be necessary on your trip.

Plugs and power

For Ecuador the plug type has two flat parallel pins. Ecuador operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

Wifi and internet connection

Wifi is common in all larger city hotels. Smaller, remote properties do usually have wifi but the connection can be patchy and is not always available throughout the entire property, sometimes only being available in the common areas or in the rooms. 

Galapagos Cruises can sometimes offer a limited wifi service, often at an extra cost. There are some exceptions where wifi is included but the service cannot be guaranteed at all times. If you require a regular, reliable source of wifi it is important to discuss this with your travel designer or concierge before departure so that you can be prepared for what’s available on your itinerary.