Current entry regulations for Ecuador and Galapagos

Maria vom Soleq.travel Team

Maria S.

Last Uptdate: 11.02.2022

As in the whole world, the regulations for entering Ecuador and Galapagos are currently changing very frequently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With this article we want to give you an overview of current regulations and measures for your trip to Ecuador and Galapagos. Please note that the situation can change at any time.

Therefore, we recommend you to get information from the respective authorities before you start your trip.

Helpful is the page of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health (in Spanish). Also, on the homepage of the airport of Quito the current regulations are very well summarized (in Spanish and in English).

plane at the airport

Throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, masks are mandatory in public areas and the authorities recommend that you always carry disinfectant. One should keep a minimum distance of 1.5 to 2 meters and avoid crowds as much as possible. When entering places and establishments, and also at the airport, the temperature is usually measured. Disinfectant is almost always available at the entrance or distributed by the staff.

Current regulations for entering Ecuador

All passengers entering the country, over 3 years of age, must present the vaccination card containing the QR code or a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with at least 14 days of validity after completing the scheme, or the negative result of the qualitative real-time RT-PCR test performed up to 72 hours prior to boarding to Ecuador. Passengers under 3 years of age do not have to present these requirements.

(Persons whose journey started, stayed or transited in one of the following countries are not allowed to enter: South Africa, Namibia, Lesoto, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique and Egypt. However, persons with Ecuadorian residency who have been in any of the above countries within the last 14 days may enter. They must also prove the negative result of an RT-PCR test, which must have been performed within the last 72 hours before entry. Upon arrival in Ecuador, these individuals must undergo a 14-day quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status.)

distance measurements covid

Health declaration

Each person entering the country must complete a health declaration. This can be done online at the following link https://declaracionsalud-viajero.msp.gob.ec/. After entering all the data and confirming, a document with QR code will be generated that can be saved or printed. Another option is to print the form and fill it out manually. Sometimes you have to show the document or the QR code already at the departure airport during check-in. At the latest, however, it is required upon entry into Ecuador, which can lead to longer waiting times.

Persons who have symptoms such as fever, cough, general malaise, loss of smell or taste upon entry are observed by the staff of the Ministry of Health and a rapid antigen test is carried out. If this is positive, the person must immediately go into quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.

Explanation

Only the RT-PCR test, which must have been performed by a laboratory certified in the respective country of origin, will be accepted as proof of testing. If a person does not have RT-PCR test proof upon entry for special reasons, a test will be performed immediately upon arrival in Ecuador. The costs of this test are to be borne by the person entering the country.

Persons who have tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 6 months, and therefore could not be vaccinated in their country of origin, must provide proof of this. They must also provide a negative RT-PCR test result.

Individuals who are not allowed to be vaccinated for health reasons must provide proof of this with an appropriate medical certificate. They also need the negative result of the RT-PCR test.

Current entry requirements for Galapagos

All persons, regardless of their migratory category, must comply with the following when entering the province of Galapagos:

Foreign tourists, national tourists and/or residents in Galapagos:

All passengers over 3 years of age entering Galapagos must present a vaccination card containing the QR or a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with at least 14 days of validity after completing the scheme, or the negative result of a real-time RT-PCR qualitative test performed up to 72 hours prior to bording to Ecuador. Passengers under 3 years of age do not have to present these requirements.

General entry regulations

In addition to pandemic-related regulations, you must meet the following requirements to enter Ecuador and Galapagos:

 

Travelers from the US only need a passport for Ecuador if they are staying in the country for less than 90 days. A visa is not required. The passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.

Since 2017, foreign travelers must have health insurance for the duration of their stay in Ecuador.

To enter Galapagos, you have to buy the Ingala Migration Card at the airport of Quito or Guayaquil. It costs 20 USD. On arrival in Galapagos you have to pay the 100 USD national park entrance fee in cash.

Yellow fever

If you are entering directly from the US, you do not need a yellow fever vaccination. However, if you have been in Brazil, Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo before entering Ecuador, you must have a yellow fever vaccination. This applies to people 12 months of age and older. If you are traveling to the provinces of the Ecuadorian Amazon region, the yellow fever vaccination is recommended.

cockpit of a plane
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