Galapagos Entry Requirements 2027: TCT, Park Fee & Documents (San Cristobal Guide)

 

Galapagos Entry Requirements 2027 before you can set foot on the sea-lion-covered docks of San Cristobal, there’s one thing standing between you and the Galapagos: the entry requirements. This guide covers everything you need for your 2027 trip — the TCT card, the national park entry fee, passport rules, and the items you’re not allowed to bring — so you can check in for your flight without a single surprise.

1. Passport and Identification Requirements

You don’t need a visa to visit the Galapagos (unless you’re from a small list of restricted countries). What you do need:

• Foreign tourists: a passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date
• Ecuadorian residents: a valid national ID (cédula) is sufficient.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Double-check your passport expiration date well before booking flights. Passport validity is the single most common reason travelers get turned away at check-in.

2. Galapagos TCT Card Requirements 2027

The TCT is mandatory for every visitor to the Galapagos province, with no exceptions. It’s used for migration control.

Cost and Where to Get It

• Cost: USD 20 per person
• Online (recommended): pre-register through the official Galapagos Government website before you fly — this skips the airport line
• At the airport: available at the CONSEJO DE GOBIERNO counter in Quito or Guayaquil, before your flight check-in

Keep It Safe

You’ll need to show your TCT card when you land in San Cristobal — and again when you leave the islands. If it gets lost or damaged, it becomes a real problem.
Traveling with a group? Split the tasks: one person queues for the TCT while another checks in luggage — it saves significant time at busy airports.

3. Galapagos National Park Entry Fee 2027

This is separate from the TCT and is paid on arrival at the San Cristobal (or Baltra) airport.

2026 Pricing

• Foreign adults: USD 200 per person
• Foreign children (under 12): USD 100
• Children under 2: free
• Ecuadorian nationals/residents: discounted rate (confirm current amount, as it’s periodically adjusted)

Payment Method

Cash only, in USD. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are not accepted for this fee. ATMs on San Cristobal are limited, so bring exact cash with you.

4. Biosecurity Inspection (ABG)

Before boarding your flight in Quito or Guayaquil, your luggage goes through inspection by the Galapagos Biosecurity Agency, designed to prevent invasive species from reaching the islands.

What You Cannot Bring

• Fresh fruit, seeds, flowers, or live plants
• Soil or unprocessed plant material
• Pets or any live animals

This same inspection repeats if you travel between inhabited islands (for example, San Cristobal to Santa Cruz).

5. Is Travel Insurance Required?

It’s not a legal requirement to enter the Galapagos. That said, we strongly recommend it — many San Cristobal activities involve uneven terrain, diving, snorkeling, and boat transfers. Some cruise operators do require proof of insurance as a boarding condition, so check with your operator if a cruise is part of your plan.

6. How Long Can You Stay?

As a tourist, you can stay in the Galapagos province for up to 60 days per calendar year, whether in one trip or across multiple visits. Overstaying is treated as an immigration violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit the Galapagos?
No, most nationalities don’t need a visa — just a passport valid for at least 6 months.

How much does it cost to enter the Galapagos in 2027?

Budget USD 220 per adult foreign traveler total: USD 20 for the TCT card plus USD 200 for the national park entry fee.

Can I pay the Galapagos entry fee by card?

No. The national park entry fee must be paid in cash, in US dollars, on arrival.

Do I need travel insurance for Galapagos?

It’s not legally required, but strongly recommended, and some cruise operators mandate it.

Quick Checklist Before You Fly to San Cristobal

• Valid passport (6+ months) or cédula for residentsÇ
• TCT card paid (USD 20, online or at the airport)
• Cash in USD for the park entry fee (USD 200 adults / USD 100 children)
•  Luggage free of plants, seeds, or soil
• Travel insurance (optional but recommended)
•  Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight

Planning your San Cristobal trip and don’t want to deal with the paperwork yourself?

Your Agency Name], we make sure your TCT and entry fees are handled and up to date, and we guide you from booking through landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Contact us on WhatsAppand plan your Galapagos trip stress-free.