Galápagos Islands
Giant tortoises, marine iguanas and sea lions on volcanic islands about 972 km off Ecuador, many of them found nowhere else.
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The Galápagos are a volcanic archipelago in the Eastern Pacific, straddling the equator about 972 km off Ecuador, which governs it as Galápagos Province. Its endemic species were central to the observations that shaped Charles Darwin's theory of evolution after he arrived on HMS Beagle on 15 September 1835. Most of the land lies inside Galápagos National Park, declared in 1959, and the marine reserve around it is one of the largest in the world.
Most visitors fly in and then join boat tours, since about 85 yachts and ships provide overnight stays. Land-based hotels operate on San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela. Visits to the visitor sites run in small groups for 2 to 4 hours and must be led by a licensed guide. The warm season runs from December to May, and the cool garúa season from June to November brings drizzle and fog. Check the permit and stay limits before you book.
Galápagos Islands in five
- Get the Transit Control Card before your flightEvery visitor buys the Transit Control Card (TCT), US$20, at the Quito or Guayaquil airport before check-in. Your bags also pass a biosecurity check.Entry fee and rules
- Carry cash for the park feeForeign adults pay a US$200 national park fee on arrival, children under 12 pay US$100. Have US dollars in cash ready.Entry fee and rules
- Choose a cruise or land-based tripSmall cruises reach remote islands and outer sites. Island-hopping from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela costs less but sees fewer species.
- Keep 2 m from wildlifeDo not touch, feed or crowd animals, and follow the park rules. Use authorized operators and accredited guides.Galápagos National Park
Things to do in Galápagos Islands
See all attractions in Galápagos Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- Baltra (GPS) for Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal (SCY)
- Getting there
- Flights from Quito and Guayaquil
- Getting around
- Cruises, or public speedboats between the main islands
- Best base
- Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz for land-based trips
- Time needed
- 5–8 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Warm, calm seasJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm seas
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Warm, rain showersFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, rain showers
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°HottestMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Warm, clearAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- MayPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Warm, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JunePartly cloudy1 rainy dayHigh26°Low22°Cooler, garúaJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, garúa
- JulyPartly cloudy1 rainy dayHigh25°Low21°Cool, rich seasJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rich seas
- AugustPartly cloudy0 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Cool, rough seasAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rough seas
- SeptemberPartly cloudy0 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Cool, choppySeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, choppy
- OctoberPartly cloudy0 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°CoolOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Sea lion pupsNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Sea lion pups
- DecemberPartly cloudy1 rainy dayHigh26°Low22°Warming, busyDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warming, busy
Average daily high and low in Puerto Ayora, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Galápagos Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Galápagos Islands
03:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°25°100%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue31°25°92%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed32°23°32%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Thu31°22°61%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Fri31°23°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat31°25°52%Saturday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sun31°24°78%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 03:05 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bahía Tortugaabout 20 min walk from Puerto AyoraA mangrove bay on Santa Cruz used by mating sea turtles and small sharks.
- La Loberíaabout 10 min by bus from Puerto Baquerizo MorenoA sea lion colony on San Cristóbal, a short bus ride from town.
- Las TintorerasBoat from Puerto VillamilA group of islets south of the bay at Puerto Villamil, reached by boat.
Before you go to Galápagos Islands
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Rules for Galápagos Islands, checked
- Foreign adults pay the national park entrance fee of US$200 on arrival; under 12 pay US$100Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Buy the Transit Control Card (US$20) at Quito or Guayaquil airport before flying to the islandsChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Stay at least 2 m from wildlife, never feed or touch it, and use authorized operators and accredited guidesChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
All Galápagos Islands guides
Plan around Galápagos Islands
The usual departure city, with altitude to plan for
Read the guideCuencaA calmer Andean stop before flying from the coast
Read the guideAll of EcuadorEntry, money and the regions
Read the guideInsurance for island tripsCover for boats, flights and medical care
Read the guideTours and ticketsHow to compare cruises and day tours
Read the guideGalápagos Islands FAQ
How much is the Galápagos entry fee?
US$200 for foreign adults and US$100 for children under 12, paid in cash on arrival. You also buy a US$20 Transit Control Card before your flight.
Is a cruise or island-hopping better in the Galápagos?
A cruise reaches more islands and wildlife sites and is best if you can afford it. Island-hopping is cheaper and suits people who get seasick.
When is the best time to visit the Galápagos?
Any month works. December to May is warmer with calmer seas; June to November is cooler, with richer marine life and rougher crossings.
How many days do I need in the Galápagos?
Five days is a minimum for two islands. Seven or eight days on a cruise or across three islands is better.
Can I visit the Galápagos on a budget?
Land-based island-hopping from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela costs far less than a cruise, though the park fee and transit card apply either way. Day tours replace some cruise visits.