While many destinations remain off limits to travelers right now, the awe-inspiring Galapagos Islands are open to visitors and setting a high bar for COVID safety. That bar is about to go up a notch: new entry requirements go into effect at the end of August.

New Entry Requirements

As of August 31, 2021, international travelers 16 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have a negative PT-PCR performed no more than 72 hours before boarding the flight to the islands. While the new requirements may be a little more work, they will benefit visitors and locals alike.  

Strong Protocols & Vaccination Rates

Safety measures aren’t new to the Galapagos. Soon after the pandemic began, the islands put in place protocols—like wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing surfaces—and the islands reopened to visitors in July 2020. Once COVID tests were developed, testing was also required for Ecuador visitors.

And when the vaccine came out, an archipelago-wide initiative was launched to get every eligible adult vaccinated. Right now, 100% of the eligible population 16 and older is vaccinated. All this, along with the destination’s focus on outdoor activities, makes the Galapagos one of the safest travel destinations around. The new rules for entry should only help keep it that way.

Choosing Your Trip: What to Consider

Even with high-level safety standards in place, it’s important to choose your trip carefully. In addition to finding a trip that will be as immersive, active, and fun as you’d like, you want to be sure the group size is kept small, there is limited contact with others, and the people taking care of you are reputable and responsible. Do they follow the safety protocols during (and between) the trips they handle? Are they fully vaccinated? How well do they know the Galapagos and park regulations?

We’re proud to say that the luxury yacht Integrity checks all the boxes. It is outfitted for COVID safety with sanitizing stations, frequent deep cleaning of common areas, shoe disinfection trays, and other bio-safety measures. All crew members are fully vaccinated, tested before each sailing, and closely monitored for symptoms, including having temperature checks each day while aboard.

The yacht’s itineraries already keep guests away from populated areas, a plus for safety. Even before the pandemic, we designed the routings to maximize time in remote islands that teem with wildlife, not people; there is no backtracking to busy ports to collect or drop off guests.

And while Integrity can accommodate up to 16 guests, you and your group of 4–10 friends and family can have the yacht all to yourselves with Exclusive Use. This is a great way to stay in your bubble while experiencing wonderous wildlife in this UNESCO-acclaimed realm.

Rely on Galapagos Experts

COVID-19 has added to the complexity of Galapagos trip planning. That’s why it’s especially important to have experts on hand to set you up for success. We at International Nature & Cultural Adventures (INCA) have been leading adventures in the Galapagos for 45 years. We know the islands inside and out, understand the changing requirements, and know whom to trust. There’s no better partner for mapping out the best timing, sites, and approach to your trip, whether thinking about weather, wildlife, or the pandemic. We handpick exceptional guides and yachts to be sure that you have the best, safest, most personalized experience possible. We also have trusted colleagues on the ground in mainland Ecuador to assist you en route to and from your trip.

Our team is here to answer your questions about the new Galapagos entry requirements, about COVID concerns, and about Galapagos travel in general. Give us a call at 510-420-1550.