Galapagos Islands FAQs

Thinking of travelling to the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are famous as the islands that led to the theory of evolution. Today, visiting the islands and swimming in the surrounding waters, you can see the same wildlife that Charles Darwin saw on the HMS Beagle in the 19th century. As there are no natural predators on the islands, the animals are not afraid of humans, so you can walk right up to them. This way, you have the opportunity to observe different land and marine creatures, as well as birds, at incredibly close quarters.

At Llama Travel, we offer a range of Galapagos holidays and extensions, including both island stays and cruises. If you are ready to plan your holiday to the Galapagos, you can enquire here or call Llama Travel on 020 7263 3000. We have sold holidays since 2002, and many of our in-house Travel Experts have visited the Galapagos Islands themselves and are more than happy to share that expertise and help build your dream holiday.

Before You Go

Q: Do I need a visa to travel to the Galapagos Islands from the UK?

A: To visit the Galapagos Islands, you must transit through Ecuador. To enter Ecuador, UK citizens do not require a visa. All foreign visitors to the Galapagos Islands require valid health insurance for their visit, and immigration officials can request to see proof of valid insurance upon entry to the islands. Please have your insurance details available when you arrive in the Galapagos.

If you are travelling to Ecuador from Brazil, you will require proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your return home.

Q: What vaccinations do I need to visit the Galapagos Islands?

A: There are no specific vaccinations required to enter Ecuador or the Galapagos Islands, but travellers in the UK are always recommended to be up-to-date with routine vaccination courses. Certain areas of Ecuador are at risk of yellow fever transmission, so if you are visiting those areas en route to the Galapagos Islands, it is recommended to have a yellow fever vaccination.

Most travellers visiting the Galapagos Islands are recommended to have Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid vaccinations, but guidance depends on individual traveller circumstances. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)’s TravelHealthPro collates wider travel health guidance. You can visit their page on Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands) guidance here.

Your GP or a travel health professional will be able to provide more specific guidance for your specific scenario.

Q: What should I pack for a holiday to the Galapagos Islands?

A: We have prepared a full packing list for a visit to the Galapagos Islands here.

Many boats have small cabins with restricted luggage storage space, and there is usually no space to store a hard suitcase. Therefore, we recommend you take soft bags, which are easiest to store.

To avoid harsh chemicals potentially harming marine life, biodegradable soap and shampoo are provided on board the Galapagos boats. If you would prefer to use your own, please ensure this is biodegradable.

ation when in Argentina and Brazil (when visiting Iguau Falls). Therefore, having a copy of your passport with you at all times is recommended.

Q: What plug sockets do I need for the Galapagos Islands?

A: The Galapagos Islands (which are part of Ecuador) use Type A and Type B plug sockets.

Practical Information

Q: Where are the Galapagos Islands, and which islands will I be visiting?

A: The Galapagos Islands are in the eastern Pacific Ocean, around 1,000km west of mainland Ecuador. The archipelago straddles the equator.

The islands that you visit on Llama Travel tours of the Galapagos depend on your choice of itinerary. Our ‘Galapagos Island Stay’ tour includes four nights on Santa Cruz Island, and the tour includes visits to Bartolome Island, Tortuga Bay, and North Seymour Island. During free time, you may have the option to visit other nearby islands.

On our Galapagos Island cruises, a variety of islands are included, depending on your choice of boat and itinerary. Some include the central islands like Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, and Rabida, while longer cruises venture further out to Espanola Island in the southwest and to Marchena Island in the north. We recommend exploring all of our Galapagos Island cruises to see how each itinerary differs based on your choice of boat, route and length.

Q: What is the population of the Galapagos Islands?

A: The Galapagos Islands are sparsely populated, estimated to be between 32,000 and 35,000 permanent residents, mostly dispersed among the Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela islands.

Q: What is the capital city of the Galapagos Islands?

A: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the administrative capital of the wider Galapagos regional. The city is close to San Cristobal Airport, one of two major commercial airports on the Galapagos Islands.

Q: What is the time difference between the UK and the Galapagos Islands?

A: During British Summer Time (from late March to late October), the Galapagos Islands are 7 hours behind the UK.

During Greenwich Mean Time from late October to late March, the Galapagos Islands are 6 hours behind the UK.

Q: How long does it take to fly from the UK to the Galapagos Islands?

A: There are currently no direct flights from the UK to the Galapagos Islands, so the journey time will depend on how long and where your layover is.

On most Llama Travel tours of the Galapagos Islands, you will fly to Quito on an indirect flight, taking between 13 and 15 hours, with a stay in the city to acclimatise before your onward journey to the Galapagos Islands. Flying from Quito onwards to the Galapagos Islands takes around 2.5 hours.

Q: What language is spoken in the Galapagos Islands?

A: The primary language spoken by locals in the Galapagos Islands is Spanish. Tour guides, hotel staff, boat crews and many working in hospitality are proficient (or in the case of boat guides, fluent) in English.

Q: What is the currency in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Ecuador dollarised its economy in 2000, and as a province of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands uses the same currency as the mainland, the US Dollar. Other currencies are not widely accepted.

When travelling between islands, we recommend carrying cash to cover any expenses, as the availability of cash machines is incredibly limited.

Q: What’s the weather like in the Galapagos Islands?

A: The hottest months in the Galapagos Islands are usually December – May, when temperatures can rise above 30°C, although it tends to be wettest then. Sea temperatures are also at their warmest, around 25°C (although the temperature can vary significantly between different islands).

From June to December, temperatures are usually cooler (around 25°C), but it rains less. It is often misty at this time of year. Sea temperatures also tend to be cooler, around 20°C. Dress on board the cruise boats is informal, so formal dress is not required.

Q: What should I know about local customs and etiquette in the Galapagos Islands?

A: The most important etiquette considerations to make in the Galapagos Islands relate to the treatment of, and behaviour around, the incredible wildlife and landscapes. While creatures on the islands have no natural fear of humans, laws dictate that you must keep at least 6 feet away from all wildlife, even if animals approach you, and not touch or feed them to avoid disrupting their diet or potentially spreading harmful bacteria or scents. You must stick to marked trails and back away slowly if an animal approaches you to maintain the 6-foot distance rule.

Due to the complex ecosystem and strong conservation efforts across the Galapagos Islands, a ‘leave no trace’ policy is in place. You cannot bring any fresh produce like fruits, vegetables or seeds to any of the islands, single-use plastics are strictly regulated, and littering is unacceptable. If swimming or snorkelling, biodegradable & reef-safe sun cream must be used.

Custom is relatively relaxed in the islands; the dress code is casual and laidback, and greetings are informal (‘Buenos dias’ for good morning or ‘Buenos tardes’ for good afternoon may go a long way!).  

Q: Do people speak English in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Most residents of the Galapagos Islands speak Spanish, and may not speak English to a high level. Our guides, most of the staff aboard boats in the Galapagos Islands, and many staff working in hospitality or in tourist-heavy areas speak a high level of English.

Some staff, like transfer drivers, may not speak English, but a guide or rep should be on hand to translate if needed.

Q: What is the tipping culture in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Tipping your Galapagos boat crew and guides on board is expected and is usually well deserved. The following are the suggested tipping levels per passenger per day: Galapagos Island Stay, $15 - 20; Galapagos Archipel, Galapagos Solaris and Treasure of Galapagos, $30 - 40. Tips are divided between the crew and guide, usually with around two-thirds of the total for the crew. Sometimes, the onboard booklet may suggest a higher amount, but after discussion with the boat operators, we suggest the above amounts.

Health & Safety

Q: Are the Galapagos Islands safe to travel to?

A: The Galapagos Islands are widely considered one of the safest travel destinations in the world. Each island is relatively isolated from the others, and all are heavily regulated by National Park staff.

Standard precautions (such as not leaving items unattended on the beach and locking your passports in your room or hotel safe) are still recommended as petty crime may occur on occasion.

Most species on the Islands have evolved for millions of years without natural land predators and never developed a fear of humans, so harm from any of the animals is incredibly unlikely. If you keep your distance from the animals and follow the general wildlife etiquette rules in place, you will likely

Q: What happens if I get ill while in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Larger ships (48 passengers and above) usually have a medical officer on board, although facilities and treatments are quite simple. Smaller boats have basic first aid. If you require more serious medical attention, there are hospitals on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

Some Galapagos boats may ask you to state your blood group when completing the check-in information when you board the boat. Please complete this if you know your blood group, but it is not obligatory to give this information.

Q: Do I need travel insurance for Galapagos?

A: Yes. Travel insurance protects you from the unpredictable costs of illness, accidents, or emergency repatriation. Travelling without coverage can result in significant financial expense.

TravelHealthPro, the up-to-date travel advice resource run by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, also recommends that travellers secure adequate health insurance before departure. You can read their full guidance on travelling to the Galapagos Islands here.

If you book a package or ‘Flight-Plus’ holiday (flights combined with accommodation or transport) with a UK operator, your booking should be ATOL protected. This covers you financially if an airline or tour operator ceases trading, while your travel insurance provides additional protection against trip cancellations and other unforeseen disruptions.

Connectivity & Communication

Q: What are the options for mobile data and SIM cards in the Galapagos Islands?

A: It is worth noting that phone connectivity is incredibly limited in the Galapagos Islands. While sailing, or on smaller uninhabited islands, expect zero coverage.

Opting for a physical SIM card is ideal if you are looking for a straightforward pay-as-you-go plan or a specific bundle of data, minutes, and texts. Ecuador’s main network operators—Claro, Movistar and CNT—all provide prepaid SIM cards, which can be purchased at official network stores, local kiosks, and convenience shops. Keep in mind that you will need to present your passport to verify your identity and register the line when setting it up. Availability of these in the Galapagos Islands themselves is limited, so if you do want to purchase one, we recommend doing so in mainland Ecuador, prior to your departure to the Islands.

Alternatively, an eSIM may be a good choice if you want to connect to the internet the moment you land, bypassing the need for a physical SIM card. Digital providers such as Holafly and Maya Mobile offer Ecuador-specific data packages. While these eliminate the hassle of a physical swap, they do require an eSIM-compatible smartphone, so it is best to verify your device's capabilities before buying.

Q: How do I call the Galapagos Islands from the UK?

A: To phone the Galapagos Islands (or elsewhere in Ecuador) from the UK, dial the international dialling code for Ecuador (+593) and then the Ecuadorian telephone number, leaving out the ‘0’ in the area code.

Q: How do I call the UK from Bolivia?

A: To phone the UK from the Galapagos Islands (or anywhere in Ecuador), dial the international dialing code (+44 for the UK) and then the UK telephone number, leaving out the ‘0’ in the area code.

Getting Around

Q: How do I get around the Galapagos Islands?

A: On Llama Travel’s small group tours of the Galapagos Islands, boat transfers for day trips or cruises are all included in the fare.

If you opt for a Galapagos Island Stay, boat trips are organised by local operators.

On our Galapagos cruises, the boat will travel between the islands as per the itinerary. Sometimes this will be overnight, but for shorter journeys, this may be during the day.

Most islands in the Galapagos are walkable and have designated walkways to navigate around them.

To reach the islands, it is necessary to go from your boat in a panga, a small dinghy. On a dry landing, you will step out of the panga onto a jetty. On a wet landing, you will step out of the panga into about a foot of water, from where you will wade to the beach.

Food & Drink

Q: What’s the food like in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Food in the Galapagos Islands is very similar to that on mainland Ecuador. Traditional Andean and coastal food is widely available. Expect lots of fresh seafood, comforting stews, hearty vegetables and tropical fruits.

On Galapagos Island cruises, all meals are included, and most are served buffet-style to cater for a range of dietary needs and tastes.

Q: Can I drink tap water in the Galapagos Islands?

A: No. Tap water in the Galapagos Islands is often salty and may contain harmful bacteria, so it is not safe to drink.

Ensure to pack a reusable water bottle on a visit, as single-use plastic is heavily regulated. Many hotels, restaurants, and boats will have filtered water to refill your bottle.

Q: Is alcohol available in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Yes. Most bars & restaurants, hotels and small supermarkets on inhabited islands sell alcohol.

Q: What drinks are available in the Galapagos Islands?

A: Ecuadorian beers like Pilsener and Club are likely to be available and affordable in most venues.

Wines imported from Chile and Argentina and international labels and spirits may be available, but the cost of these is known to vary due to the cost of importing them to the islands.

What to See

Q: What are the highlights of the Galapagos Islands?

A: The wildlife and geography of the Galapagos Islands is the archipelago’s defining trait and an absolute highlight.

Even the islands themselves are a natural marvel; each is volcanic and unique, with species endemic to specific islands.

Birds

There are 3 species of boobies on the Galapagos Islands, although none are unique to the islands. The blue-footed booby has bright blue feet. These are well known for their comical courtship dance. The red-footed booby has red feet and blue bills. It is found most commonly on Genovesa Island. The Nazca booby is the largest of the boobies and has a black patch over its eyes.

The waved albatross is the largest bird in the Galapagos, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres and weighing up to 5kg. It is endemic to the island of Española. It breeds from April to December on the island, and spends the rest of the year gliding over the Pacific Ocean.

The frigate bird is represented by two species on the islands: the magnificent frigate bird and the great frigate bird. They have a wingspan almost as wide as the albatross, although they are much lighter. The male frigate bird has a red flap of skin under its neck which it inflates to attract females.

The flightless cormorant is the only flightless seabird in the world apart from the penguin, and it is endemic to the Galapagos Islands. There are estimated to be only 800 pairs and are found on Fernandina and the west coast of Isabela.

The Galapagos penguin is the most northerly of the world’s penguins and are found mainly on Isabela and Fernandina, as well as on Bartolome.

Additionally, there are a number of other sea birds, shore birds and land birds found on the islands including the famous Darwin finches.

Reptiles

Possibly the best-known animal on the Galapagos is the giant tortoise. There are currently 10 surviving subspecies, with 4 species extinct. Lonesome George was the last surviving member of the Pinta tortoise subspecies, but he died in 2012 without producing any descendants. The giant tortoise can weigh up to a quarter of a tonne and live to over 170 years old.

Marine turtles are also found on the islands. The Pacific green sea turtle can weigh up to 150kg, and can sometimes be seen when snorkelling.

Land iguanas are found on many of the islands, and can be over a metre in length. The marine iguanas on the Galapagos Islands are the only seagoing lizards in the world and can dive to depths of up to 20 metres and can stay underwater for up to an hour at a time.

Mammals

The Galapagos sea lion is one of most frequently seen animals on the islands. The bulls weigh 250kg and can be aggressive. Females and young, however, are very playful, and will often swim around you when you are snorkelling. Fur seals are less common, but can be seen on Santiago Island. There are also two species of bats and two of rats on the islands.

Marine life

Several species of whales and dolphins are seen around the islands, with bottle-nosed dolphins often seen surfing the waves at the bow of boats. There are also 400 species of fish in the Galapagos Islands, of which 50 are endemic. Sharks are often seen when snorkelling (these are very rarely known to attack humans), with the most common species being the white-tipped reef shark and the Galapagos shark. Hammerheads are sometimes seen when diving. Rays are also common and often seen, including the giant manta ray, which can be 6 metres from tip to tip.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling with the wildlife is one of the highlights of a visit to the Galapagos Islands. At some sites this is done from the beach, and in other cases it is done from the panga into deep water. Flotation devices are available on the yacht, along with the mask, tube and fins. A shorty wetsuit also provides some additional buoyancy. Your naturalist guide should enter the water with you when snorkelling and the support panga should be in the vicinity in case you require assistance. Please do not swim off to snorkel on your own and always obey the instructions of your guide.

When snorkelling, most of the wildlife is not aggressive, but you should avoid snorkelling too close to animals, in particular to bull sea lions, which can be aggressive, especially if there are sea lion pups nearby. Viewing sharks is a particular attraction, and most sharks are not hostile, but the national park recommends not chasing or swimming behind sharks, which could be seen by them as a threat. Be careful in murky waters and avoid bright or shiny swimwear, jewellery, selfie sticks and flash photography, as sharks’ vision captures contrast and reflections.

Still have questions about travelling to the Galapagos Islands?

Our team is happy to help. Call us on 020 7263 3000 or explore our Galapagos Islands holidays to start planning your trip.