All the Necessary Permits to Go to Galapagos: A Checklist
Overwhelmed by all the logistics of planning a trip and arriving in the Galapagos? No need to worry – all the necessary fees and permits to go to Galapagos as a tourist are easy to get and can be sorted out the same day you travel!
The only annoying part is keeping track of all the little forms, safety procedures, and having enough cash on hand. This posts breaks all the Galapagos entry requirements down into a simple 7-step checklist!
TL;DR: What Permits and Fees Do You Need to Enter the Galapagos?
✅ Transit Control Card: USD 20, buy online
✅ Sworn Declaration Form: Free, fill out online up to 48h before arrival
✅ National Park Entrance Fee: USD 15 to 200 per person depending on age & nationality (check the different rates!)
✅ Extra cash: Bring at least USD 10–30 for buses, boats, and taxis
❌ No fresh food: Only bring sealed, dry snacks if you must!
Step 1: Buy the Transit Control Card (USD 20)
Before being able to board a plane to the Galapagos, you’ll need to buy a Transit Control Card (Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito) for USD 20. This is basically your permit to enter the islands and you can buy it online.
Though getting the transit card last minute is an option, I recommend getting it as soon as possible as the website is very slow, the purchasing process includes a lot of steps, and internet in the airport isn’t always reliable!
This QR code is one of the most important permits you’ll need to go to Galapagos — you’ll be asked to show it prior to boarding your flight, so keep it safe!
Step 2: Fill Out the Sworn Declaration Form Online
Previously this short form used to be exclusively filled out in person with pen and paper, but now it can be submitted online up to 48h before your scheduled arrival in the Galapagos!
It is a short form to input basic information, such as travel details and what you’re bringing into the islands.
Once you complete the form, you’ll receive a QR code – keep that handy too, as it is one of the entry requirements for the Galapagos.
Step 3: Visit the CGREG Counter to Present Your Documentation
In the Quito or Guayaquil airport, head to the booth marked “Consejo de Gobierno del Régimen Especial de Galápagos” (also known as CGREG) to present your passport, Transit Control Card, and round-trip flight tickets to the Galapagos.
Pro Tip: Make sure to be in the Quito or Guayaquil airport at least 2 hours before your Galapagos flight is scheduled to go through all the necessary procedures! Though these do not include anything complex, lines can be long and slow.
Step 4: Get Your Bags X-Rayed at the Quarantine Counter
Once you have your little migration pass, take ALL your luggage (checked and carry on) to the quarantine inspection area in the Quito or Guayaquil Airport. They’ll do a quick X-ray to make sure you’re not bringing anything illegal into the islands (no fresh fruit, seeds, or other organic material).
Step 5: Drop Your Checked Bags and Board the Plane
Once you’re cleared, hand over your checked luggage to the airline (yes, after the inspection) and get ready to board.
Step 6: Pay the Galapagos Entry Fee Upon Arrival (up to USD 200)
Welcome to the Galapagos! As soon as you deboard the plane, the first stop is a immigration-style booth to pay the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee.
Have cash (up to USD 200 per person), your passport,the Transit Control Card QR code, and the Sworn Declaration Form QR code ready as you’ll be asked to present them!
What is the Galapagos Entry Fee?
The exact cash value that must be paid to enter the Galapagos (on top of the USD 20 Transit Control Card) depends on age and nationality:
| Nationality | Age | Fee |
| Ecuadorians | 12-64 years | USD 30 |
| Ecuadorians | 2-12 or 65+ years | USD 15 |
| Ecuadorians | Under 2 years | Free |
| Andean and Mercosur countries | 12+ years | USD 100 |
| Andean and Mercosur countries | Under 12 years | USD 50 |
| Other international visitors | 12+ years | USD 200 |
| Other international visitors | Under 12 years | USD 100 |
Check the official website of the Government of the Galapagos for all information regarding the entrance fee to the archipelago!
This is the most expensive permit to go to Galapagos, and the fee might sound like a lot, especially for international travelers doing the Galapagos on a budget (like myself). But in all honesty, it is a small price to pay if you consider all the free activities you can access in the Galapagos!
Step 7: Wait For the Luggage Check (With Service Dogs)
Before you grab your bags, there will be a dog doing a sniff check to make sure no fresh products are being brought into the fragile Galapagos ecosystem.
The Galapagos entry requirements are strict on what can come in, so don’t bring any fruits, vegetables, meats or other fresh products even if you plan to eat them on the plane!
Once the inspection is done, you’re good to step outside and start enjoying the Galapagos!
Bonus: Get From the Airport to Your Acommodation
The cash needed to get to your hotel depends on whether you land in Seymour Airport (GPS) or San Cristobal Island Airport (SCY).
If you arrive at Seymour Airport (GPS) on Santa Cruz, budget at least $13–30 USD per person for the bus (or taxi) and boat rides to Puerto Ayora — that’s the main town on the island where most accommodations are.
The Wrap-Up: All the Needed Permits to Go to Galápagos
Now you know the basic two admnistrative required permits to go to Galapagos (Transit Control Card & National Park Entrance Fee) and all the other little details necessary for a smooth arrival in the archipelago!
For more help planning your trip to the Galapagos, check out our other helpful guides:
✅ How to do the Galapagos on a budget (for real)
✅ Is Bartolome Island Worth It? An honest day tour review
✅ Is Scuba Diving At Kicker Rock Worth It? My Experience
