COVID-19 Update for Travel to Ecuador & Galapagos
International flights to Ecuador are currently operating as normal although schedules are still limited.
On arrival in Ecuador, international travelers must sign a declaration form provided by the authorities which will request details of their travel itinerary and local contact information.
Travelers must also present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19, taken up to 10 days before their arrival date.
Travelers who present a negative PCR test on arrival will not be required to go into quarantine and are free to travel in Ecuador without restriction (special conditions apply for Galapagos – see below).
If travelers do not present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 on arrival in Ecuador, they will be required to take this test on arrival. The cost of this test will need to be covered by the traveler.
Travelers will need to self-isolate in a local hotel until they receive their negative PCR test result. Test results take on average 48 hours to process.
If travelers receive a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 they will need to self-isolate in a hotel or private accommodation at their own expense for 10 days.
Galapagos Travel Conditions
The Ecuadorian Authorities have put in place a “Corridor for Safe Tourism to Galapagos” in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. The corridor came into effect on 1st August 2020 and commercial flights to the Galapagos Islands began again on 3rd August 2020.
To visit the Galapagos Islands, international travelers will need to conform to the following conditions:
To travel to Galapagos tourists must present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result for COVID-19, taken maximum 96 hours before their travel date to the islands.
They will also need the following documentation:
A “Safe Passage” document issued by the Ministry of Tourism which will exempt travelers from having to quarantine on arrival on the islands. The local tour operator or hotel is responsible for arranging this safe passage document.
Obligatory medical travel insurance.
Transit Control Card, a valid passport (6 months or more) and return airline tickets to the islands
Travelers should also be aware that the use of face coverings is obligatory in Ecuador. When travelling it will be common for them to have to pass through shoe sanitizing trays, have their temperature checked and they will be asked to disinfect their hands with hand sanitizer regularly.
Is Galapagos on your travel wish list? Check out our 5 day Galapagos Island Hopping Tour.
