FAQs

It is absolutely safe to visit the Galapagos Islands, Quito and the Amazon now. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to the Coastal Region provinces of: Esmeraldas Manabí Santa Elena Guayas El Oro Los Ríos Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas This does not apply to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province. Please check with your own government before traveling to those places

With effect from 12 May 2025 the below entry requirements are in place for International tourists.

Ecuador - International tourists

- Valid passport or travel document

- Return air ticket to/from Ecuador

- International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if you have travelled to Ecuador from Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil and have spent more than 10 days in those countries. Those of 60 years old or above are exempt from this requirement when presenting a valid passport on entry to Ecuador. If for health reasons you cannot receive the yellow fever vaccine, you must present a doctor’s certificate indicating this.

- Completion of an online Traveler's Health Declaration Form (one per person) prior to boarding a flight to Ecuador only if you have any covid symptoms like a high temperature.

- Travel insurance certificate with medical cover (recommended)

Galapagos - International tourists

- Valid passport or travel document

- Return air ticket to/from the Galapagos Islands

- Electronic boarding pass

- Completion of online ABG goods declaration form

- Travel insurance certificate with medical cover (recommended)

- Payment of Galapagos entry fees for the Transit Control Card (TCT) (online or at Quito or Guayaquil airports) and Galapagos National Park fee in cash (on arrival at Baltra or San Cristobal airports).

To travel to the Galapagos, you will need to take a flight from mainland Ecuador. You can fly either from the capital city Quito or the coastal city of Guayaquil.

You will need a domestic flight to either Seymour Airport in Baltra (just north of Santa Cruz Island) or San Cristobal Airport using one of the following airlines: Avianca, Equair or LATAM. These all operate daily flights from Quito and Guayaquil with return flights costing around $500.

The Galapagos Islands are a great place to visit all year around as they lie on the equator line so the climate is subtropical. In terms of wildlife highlights, January is a great time to see nesting green turtles, with land birds and sea lions breeding or nesting between February and April and giant tortoises hatching between October and December.

There are only 2 seasons here, the warm season which runs from December to June and ‘the Garua’ season which runs from July to November.

During the warm season air temperatures can vary from the high 70’s F to the low 90’s F with up to 90% humidity and brilliant sunshine, this can be broken by periods of rain. The peak tourist season for southern hemisphere summer holidays is December to February so flights and accommodation are higher then.

The Garua season is cooler and more overcast with air temperatures rarely exceeding 75 F. The peak tourist season for northern hemisphere summer holidays is June to September so flights and accommodation are higher then.

Products, by-products and derivatives of animal and plant origin that are transported to the Galápagos province must comply with the general rules and specific requirements established by the Agencia de la Bioseguridad y Cuarantena para Galapagos (ABG).

Prohibited items include certain fruits like oranges, certain animal and dairy products.

Restricted items include fruits like peaches, some dried fruits and vegetables like garlic, seeds and plants and other animal and dairy products.

Permitted items include fruits like strawberries, certain seafood and dairy products and a number of herbs, spices, cereal and grains such as chick peas and rosemary.

We will send you the full list when you book your experience.

Uniquely Galapagos was set up in April 2019 in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos by Brett Peters and Maria Augusta. It is registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Galapagos and is 100% owned and based on the Islands.

Our team also includes our two main bilingual naturalists guides specialising in the Galapagos, Jessica Cornejo and Stefy Schreyer who are from the islands.

Other members of our team include Bibi Jordan, a wildlife photographer and Galapagos expert based in New York who assists with US sales and Lenin Ampudia a national guide and a tour director based in Quito, Ecuador.

Melodie Peters joined our team most recently. Based in Manchester, UK she is our Sustainability and B2B Director focusing on our environmental strategy and corporate sales.

1) Local Expertise and Quality: Local tour operators have an in depth knowledge of the Galapagos Islands and continuously monitor quality, so only recommend the best activities to guests including community and transformational travel experiences.

2) Support the Circular Economy: Using a registered Galapagos tour operator supports the circular economy here better than booking with a national or international tour operator, with 70% of all jobs on the Galapagos in tourism. The revenue generated from tourism here is reinvested in sustainable tourism development creating ‘green jobs’ as locals transition from agriculture and fishing into tourism.

3) Tailor Made and Personal Service: Being based on the islands, local operators can provide tailor made options, handpicking activities and guides and suggest self- explore activities and dinner venues for a unique, personal guest experience.

4) Corporate Social Responsibility: Many local operators have a strong commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices. They often partner with NGO’s based on the islands to support conservation and animal welfare.

5) Pricing: Local tour operators often offer more competitive pricing than national and international tour companies, as they have lower overhead costs and sometimes are able to pass on favourable rates from preferred local providers.

6) Responsiveness: Local tour operators are often more responsive as they can answer most queries directly and can help with any pre visit concerns i.e. on food allergies or mobility.

7) Cultural Immersion: Local operators can provide genuine opportunities for cultural immersion by enabling you to meet Galapagos residents by taking painting classes or an eco-farm to table cooking class, enriching your experience of the islands.

8) Emergencies: If something does go wrong like your luggage doesn’t arrive or you fall ill, local tour operators are on spot to help you directly instead of waiting for national or international tour operators for guidance and approval to act.

9) Ministry of Tourism, Galapagos Registration: All local tour operators have had to go through a rigorous annual registration process. Requirements include having a physical office address on the islands, an operating tax number, civil liability insurance (accident also for adventure tours), Companies House registration, a working website and annual local government operating permission.

10) Stress Free Trip: Local tour operators can curate your trip to your preference and work closely with local preferred suppliers on logistics to ensure that you have a stress free trip and are able to solely focus on enjoying your experience of a lifetime instead of worrying about logistics.