No visa — but real fees. The Galápagos Islands are an Ecuadorian province, so Ecuador's entry rules apply : citizens of 100+ countries, including the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia, enter visa-free for up to 90 days per 12-month period. What surprises most visitors is the cost of the islands themselves.
The Two Galápagos Fees (Budget USD 220)
- INGALA Transit Control Card (TCT) — USD 20 : issued at the special Galápagos counter at Quito or Guayaquil airport before you board; it tracks visitor movement between the mainland and the islands.
- Galápagos National Park entrance — USD 200 for foreign adults, USD 100 for children aged 2-11 (reduced rates for Ecuadorians and Andean Community nationals). Paid in cash on arrival at Baltra or San Cristóbal.
Getting There : Mainland Ecuador Only
There are no international flights to the Galápagos. Every visitor connects through Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), where luggage passes a biosecurity inspection (no fresh food, seeds or plants) before the two-hour flight to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristóbal (SCY).
Documents Checked
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival
- Return or onward flight out of the islands (airlines enforce this at check-in)
- Proof of accommodation or cruise booking
- Transit Control Card from the mainland airport
Longer Stays and Cruises
The 90-day visa-free allowance covers the islands and the mainland combined. Live-aboard cruises count as normal tourist stays. Extensions beyond 90 days are handled by Ecuadorian immigration on the mainland — see our Ecuador visa guide for the details.