Galápagos: put the TCT and biosecurity check before the island itinerary

Galápagos planning starts before the flight. The official arrival guidance from Ecuador’s Galápagos authorities requires visitors to obtain a Transit Control Card (TCT) before airline check-in, keep it until departure and undergo biosecurity inspection. The same guidance lists the TCT cost as US$20 and says the stay under this control is limited to two months.

Pack with the inspection in mind. The arrival page says baggage is checked at the mainland airport to prevent invasive organisms entering the islands, and that checks also happen before transport between inhabited islands. Read the linked authorised/prohibited-products list before packing food, plants, soil-covered footwear or equipment. A clean kit is easier to inspect than a last-minute bag of snacks.

Budget the conservation entry fee by status#

The official fee sheet currently lists US$200 for foreign tourists over 12 and US$100 for foreign tourists under 12. Nationals of CAN or MERCOSUR countries have a different tariff, as do Ecuadorian nationals and residents, students and children under two. Do not infer your category from nationality alone: use the current official table and carry the documents that prove age, residence or student status.

The entry fee is separate from the TCT and from flights, boats, guides and accommodation. Keep the TCT, fee receipt and passport details together offline. If a ferry or internal flight moves you between inhabited islands, leave time for another biosecurity check and do not assume a mainland inspection covers every transfer.

Treat every visitor site as protected habitat#

The park’s visitor campaign reminds travellers to return their waste, hire authorised services, keep distance from wildlife, avoid touching or feeding animals, stay on trails and leave sand, rocks and other natural material in place. These are conservation rules for Ecuador’s protected area, not general Bulgarian travel advice. A guide, hotel or social post cannot authorise a shortcut or wildlife interaction.

Choose a named site and an authorised operator for each day. Current access, landing conditions and guide requirements vary by site and can change for conservation or safety. Do not advertise a species sighting as guaranteed. Follow the naturalist’s route, keep food secured, and carry small waste until staff identify the correct disposal point.

This Galápagos guidance was checked on 5 September 2026. Fees, product lists, inspection procedures and site access are time-sensitive; Ecuadorian authorities and the Galápagos National Park control on the date of travel.