Galápagos Islands

⚠️ Timetables, opening hours, prices and access conditions may change without notice, for reasons beyond our control (season, weather, decisions by operators, venues or local authorities). Before every trip, check the information with the relevant authorities and service providers. Entry requirements and local rules (reserves, quotas) are subject to the same caveat.

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago belonging to Ecuador, straddling the equator some 1,000 km off the South American coast. UNESCO counts 127 islands, islets and rocks, including 19 large islands, inscribed in 1978 as the very first property on the World Heritage List. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and Darwin's finches can be seen here under strict rules: protected areas are visited with a licensed naturalist guide. The archipelago is explored either on a cruise or on a land-based trip from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela.

A volcanic archipelago 1,000 km from the mainland

The Galápagos lie in the Pacific Ocean, some 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador, of which they form a province. UNESCO describes 127 islands, islets and rocks, including 19 large islands, all volcanic in origin. Isabela, the largest, is crossed by the equator and dominated by several volcanoes. The scenery ranges from black lava flows and beaches to greener, wetter highlands, partly covered in cloud forest. The national park has 85 land visitor sites, with access set by the Park Directorate.

Only four islands are inhabited. Santa Cruz, in the centre, is home to Puerto Ayora, the main base for land-based stays; San Cristóbal has Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital; Isabela has the village of Puerto Villamil. Floreana is inhabited but sparsely populated, with limited accommodation. Around the islands, the Galápagos Marine Reserve, created in 1986 over 70,000 km², was extended in 1998 to 133,000 km². The rest of the archipelago is uninhabited and can only be explored on guided excursions or cruises.

From Berlanga to Darwin, a story of evolution

The archipelago was discovered by chance in 1535 by the Bishop of Panama, Tomás de Berlanga, whose ship had drifted out to sea. Long frequented by pirates and whalers, the islands were annexed by Ecuador in 1832. In 1835, the young naturalist Charles Darwin called here aboard HMS Beagle. His observations of tortoises, birds and iguanas that differed from one island to the next fed the thinking that led, in 1859, to ‘On the Origin of Species’.

Protection took shape in the 20th century: in 1959, Ecuador created the national park and the Charles Darwin Foundation was set up, with its research station in Puerto Ayora. In 1978, the Galápagos became the first property inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, with its boundaries significantly modified in 2001. The site was later on the List of World Heritage in Danger from 2007 to 2010. Today, life on these Spanish-speaking islands revolves around conservation, scientific research and carefully regulated tourism.

Puerto Ayora, the Santa Cruz highlands and Isabela

In Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz, the Charles Darwin Research Station presents the Foundation's work; according to the Foundation, it is free to visit every day from 8 am to 6 pm. The greener Santa Cruz highlands are the domain of giant tortoises, which roam freely, even onto the grounds of some lodges. Day dive trips also leave Puerto Ayora for sites such as Gordon Rocks, Champion, Bartolomé and Daphne. Opening hours and visiting conditions may change: check them with the sites and operators before you go.

On Isabela, Puerto Villamil stretches along the seafront with volcanoes as a backdrop, and the highland slopes shelter cloud forest. San Cristóbal has the advantage of an airport just 1 km from the centre of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, making it a convenient gateway. Elsewhere, the park's 85 land sites are explored with a licensed naturalist guide, on day excursions or on a cruise, the only way to reach the uninhabited islands. Access conditions for each site are set by the National Park.

Endemic wildlife, black lava and the underwater world

Wildlife is the main reason to come: giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and Darwin's finches live here with little fear of people. That closeness comes with strict rules. Under the National Park's resolution of January 2024, you must stay at least 2 m from animals, never touch or feed them and take photos without flash; drones require authorisation. According to the press, new visitor rules have been announced: check with the National Park before your trip.

Underwater, the 133,000 km² marine reserve can be explored by snorkelling or diving, with dive centres in Puerto Ayora and specialist cruises. Water temperature follows the seasons: around 25 °C on average from December to May and around 22 °C from June to November, when the Humboldt Current cools the water and the sea is rougher. On the beaches, whether sand or volcanic rock, you will often share the space with sea lions and iguanas. Always follow your guide's instructions and respect marked areas.

Flights from Quito and Guayaquil, boats between islands

The archipelago is reached by air from Quito or Guayaquil, with daily flights to the islands' two airports: Baltra (GPS), north of Santa Cruz, and San Cristóbal (SCY). LATAM and Avianca are among the airlines selling these routes. Non-residents cannot buy one-way tickets: a named return ticket is required. Before boarding, you must obtain the Transit Control Card (TCT) and go through the baggage biosecurity check; the park entrance fee is collected on arrival. Schedules, fares and conditions may change, independently of Dem-Tukki: check them with the airlines and the relevant authorities before every departure.

From Baltra, you cross the Itabaca Channel to reach Santa Cruz and Puerto Ayora; some hotels offer a meet-and-greet at the channel. Between the inhabited islands, people travel by speedboat or public transport, and the regional airline Emetebe runs inter-island flights to San Cristóbal, Isabela and Baltra. Several passenger boats have sunk, the most recent in February 2026 according to the Ecuadorian press: choose reputable operators and wear a life jacket. For taxis or bike hire, ask your accommodation.

Warm season or garúa season, and budget

The archipelago can be visited all year round. From December to May, the warm, humid season generally brings 25 to 30 °C, with brief showers and water averaging 25 °C. From June to November, the cool, dry season, known as the garúa season, sees daytime temperatures of around 23 °C; August is the coolest month and the sea, chilled by the Humboldt Current, is rougher. Peak periods run from mid-June to early September and from mid-December to mid-January: book well in advance.

The currency is the US dollar (USD). On top of flights and accommodation come two official charges: the TCT card at $20 per trip, and the park entrance fee, set at $200 for foreign visitors over 12 by the ordinance of 30 June 2025 (rates in force at the time of writing, to be checked). The entrance fee is paid in cash on arrival. Accommodation ranges from upmarket lodges to simple guesthouses, and the choice between a cruise and a land-based trip largely determines the budget. Tourist stays are limited to 60 days per year.

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Nearby islands: Easter Island, Tahiti & its Islands and Fiji.

Photo : Pete from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons