Is Galapagos Islands Safe in December 2026?

Arriving travelers must purchase a Transit Control Card for USD 20. Unofficial individuals outside the payment area offer to process the card for a higher fee, keeping the difference.

How to avoid: Purchase the Transit Control Card only at the official booth inside the arrival area before reaching immigration. The fee is always USD 20 per person and no processing agent is needed.

Unlicensed drivers near the ferry dock at Puerto Ayora offer transfers to the Baltra airport ferry crossing and charge two to three times the going rate, particularly for travelers with luggage running close to flight departure times. The legitimate route involves a public bus from Puerto Ayora to the ferry terminal at Itabaca Channel for a fixed low fare, but drivers target confused or time-pressured visitors before they reach the bus stop. Some drivers misrepresent the bus as unreliable or fully booked to steer passengers toward their private vehicle.

How to avoid: Use the public CITEG bus service from the Puerto Ayora bus terminal on Avenida Baltra, which runs regularly to the Itabaca Channel ferry crossing at a fixed government rate. Confirm the schedule the day before your flight. Ignore drivers who approach you outside your accommodation or near the dock claiming the bus is unavailable.

Restaurants in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal) maintain dual informal pricing, presenting tourists with menus that charge 30–60% more than what locals pay, especially for seafood dishes and set lunches. The remote island setting and captive tourist audience — most visitors have limited dining options near the docks — reduces competitive pressure to keep prices transparent. Bills sometimes include service charges not shown on the menu.

How to avoid: Ask to see the current written menu with prices before sitting down. Seek out restaurants one or two blocks away from the main waterfront strip in Puerto Ayora, where local clientele keeps prices lower. Confirm whether service charges (recargo) are included before ordering, and verify your bill itemization before paying.

Unlicensed boat operators at the inter-island ferry docks in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno approach tourists with offers to take them to Santa Fé, Española, or other non-ferry-served islands at prices far above the regulated rate. In practice, these are often uninsured vessels without proper safety equipment. The official inter-island ferry between Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, and Isabela costs $30–35; unofficial operators may charge $80–150 for similar routes.

How to avoid: Use only the official inter-island ferry services (INGALA-regulated operators) that depart from the main dock at fixed scheduled times. Ticket booths are clearly marked near the Puerto Ayora waterfront. Decline approaches from individuals offering private speedboats on the dock.

Day trip operators in Puerto Ayora sell spots on small boats visiting Tortuga Bay or Bartolomé Island beyond the vessel's safe and legal capacity. In rough Pacific conditions, overloaded small boats are a safety hazard.

How to avoid: Book day trips with operators who clearly state their capacity and safety equipment. Avoid any operator whose vessel appears overcrowded at the dock.