Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting the Galápagos Islands 🐢
Visiting the Galápagos is like stepping into a real-life nature documentary—where wildlife and humans coexist in a way that feels almost surreal! But even paradise comes with a few surprises. The Galápagos is one of the most magical places on Earth—where sea lions nap on park benches, marine iguanas cross the road like they own it, and blue-footed boobies put on a show. But even with all our research, there were plenty of things that caught us by surprise. Here’s what we wish we knew before heading to this once-in-a-lifetime destination.
Bartolomé Island, Galápagos Islands
1.Before You Fly: Airport Fees & Paperwork
Before flying to the Galápagos, there are a couple of key fees and logistical steps to be aware of:
✅Transit Control Card: (TCT in Spanish) You will need to purchase the TCT at the Quito airport before your flight ($20 USD per person, cash only). The process took about 30 minutes and there is a line you will have to wait in to purchase the TCT. Make sure to leave plenty of time at the airport to purchase your TCT and pass through an agricultural inspection. Make sure to have screenshots or printed copies of your round trip airfare and lodging as you will need to show this information. The WIFI was a bit spotty for us at the airport, making it a challenge to pull up emails. Come prepared!
✅National Park Entrance Fee: The National Park Entrance Fee is required for everyone visiting the Galapagos Islands. The entire Island chain is a protected national park and the fee helps to protect and conserve this unique environment. You will be required to pay upon arrival in the Galápagos ($200 USD per person, cash).
2. The Sun Can Be Brutal—Do not underestimate the power of the sun!
We expected the equatorial sun to be strong, but nothing prepared us for just how intense it was. Even with SPF 30+, we both felt like we were baking. What saved us? A rash guard, a neck gaiter, and a hat (we recommend a wide-brimmed hat). If you’re planning to snorkel, a rash guard is a must—not just for sun protection, but also to keep warm in the chilly waters.
Be sure to bring:
✅Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30 as a minimum) – Chemical sunscreens harm reefs and marine life - these aren’t allowed. If in doubt, plenty of places sell sunscreen on the islands but it might be a little more expensive than you are used to. Zinc oxide sunscreens are a great choice or in the very least ones without oxybenzone and octinoxate.
✅A rash guard – You’ll be in the water a lot, and this prevents sunburn (bonus: it keeps you warm while snorkeling!). Rash guards (or loose SPF clothing) are also great for hiking around the islands and for riding in the open boats, such as zodiacs. Trust us, that sunburn can creep up on you fast. We found this wonderful local shop, Darwin and Wolf in Santa Cruz on our first day and were able to purchase a rash guard and neck gaiters here.
✅A neck gaiter or UPF-rated clothing – The sun gets you from every angle! Neck gaiters help with keeping the sun off of your neck and face and in some cases keeping the dust out of your mouth and nose on some of the dusty trails.
3. If Traveling Between the Inhabited Islands, Just Know the Ferry Ride Can Be a Wild Roller Coaster—Fly if You Can!
We spent a few days in Santa Cruz to start our journey before transferring to San Cristóbal to pick up our Ecoventura cruise. While there are a few options to get between the islands, just know that the Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal fast ferry is not a scenic cruise—it’s a two-hour stomach-churning adventure over choppy open waters. The ferry is really a speedboat with two decks. Before you go, understand that the point of these ferries is to transfer people as fast as possible (not necessarily as comfortable as possible) between the islands. Our butts left our seats numerous times as we bounced over the choppy waters. Two other things to note: first, be sure to buy your tickets in advance, second, the boarding process is a bit hectic, so be sure to pay attention to the instructions to make sure you get on the correct ferry boat. Although, they give you lanyards while you wait in line, we still ended up on the wrong ferry. Boat names are Andy I, Andy II, etc - learn from our mistake and ask which number is boarding before you hop on. The lines are right next to each other. A dingy had to pick us up and take us to the correct boat or we would have been taken to the wrong island. The ferry is certainly a much cheaper option than flying to get between the islands (about $30 one way), but just be prepared.
Some quick tips:
✅ Consider flying between islands instead
✅ If you take the ferry, take Meclizine (Bonine) or Dramamine before your ride if you are prone to sea sickness (the ferries do provide sick bags)
✅ Sit in the back of the boat and keep your eyes on the horizon
4. Close Encounters With Wildlife—Bring a GoPro!
Imagine snorkeling and a baby sea lion starts playing with your fins 🦭 or a marine iguana swims past like a tiny dinosaur. The wildlife here is fearless and curious. We have never experienced snorkeling quite like this! The animals and marine life have no real predators so they’re all super relaxed. This was the best snorkeling we’ve ever encountered by a long shot!
✅ A GoPro or underwater camera is a must—you’ll want to capture sea lions twirling in front of you, penguins torpedoing past, and turtles feeding below.
✅ A dry bag is great for protecting your camera, phone, and gear during wet landings
✅ Respect the wildlife—do not touch or feed the animals (but do say “hello” from a distance!). If you do, you may face expensive fines!
5. You Cannot Take Anything Home—Not Even a Pebble!
Want a cool volcanic rock for your shelf? Think again. The Galápagos National Park strictly prohibits taking rocks, sand, shells, or plants (or marine iguanas - yes this actually happened!) off the islands. This is even the case for going in between the islands - our boat staff promptly rinsed us and our shoes off once coming on board to prevent the transfer of sand/contamination to other islands.
✅ Instead, take epic photos or buy a locally made souvenir
✅ Follow the park’s "leave no trace" guidelines to help preserve the ecosystem
6. Avoid Bright Colors—They Attract Unwanted Guests
Bright colors attract insects, especially pesky horseflies. Leave your bright and loud colors at home, otherwise you may end up with more than a few extra bug bites as souvenirs to take home.
✅ Stick to earth tones (beige, khaki, olive, blue) for hiking and exploring
✅ Neutral swimwear and rash guards are also a good idea
7. Pack Light—Make Your Life a Little Easier
With ferry rides, small cruise cabins, and hotel switches, less is more. Unless you are planning on staying put in one spot in the Galapagos, lugging giant suitcases around is not fun. The ferry transfers can be tight and some of the rooms a bit small. Especially if you are planning on taking a cruise, your cabin may be pretty close quarters. Meaning a giant suitcase may take up a ton of room and make it difficult to travel from place to place.
✅ Backpacks are the way to go - especially if you plan on traveling around a lot.
✅ We split one checked bag between the two of us—and it was perfect! We were able to pack all of our snorkels, clothes, shoes, etc. into one checked bag. We also brought water resistant backpacks and dry bags.
8. Expect Wet Landings—Water Shoes are a Game-Changer
Many excursions involve wet landings—meaning you’ll step out of a zodiac boat straight into water before heading onto shore. Some will require you to walk through water up to your knees and you may not see the terrain underneath.
✅ Closed-toe water shoes (like Keens or Tevas) are the best choice or adventure sandals that strap around your feet and won’t fall off easily. We would recommend finding a pair that also has good arch support and good firm tread grip so you can also use them to hike the trails on the islands.
✅ Most hikes are designated paths and are short (1 mile or less), so comfy, breathable footwear is key.
9. Where Are the Mosquitoes?! (Hint: Not Here)
We packed natural bug spray but fortunately did not need to use it at all— We didn’t see a single mosquito the entire trip! The coastal breezes keep them away, and standing water is limited.
✅ You can leave the bug spray at home (but DO bring reef-safe sunscreen!) If you are nervous, you can always bring citronella soap to shower with to keep the bugs away.
✅ Harsh chemicals aren’t allowed here anyway—protect the environment for future generations!
10. Dressing for the Galápagos = Easy & Breezy
You’ll spend your days living in shorts, swimsuits, and sandals—comfort is king! You will be active on this trip, so be prepared to bring active clothes that may get wet and dirty.
✅ Pack light, breathable clothing
✅ If you’re on an upscale cruise, bring a couple of dressier outfits for dinner (khakis/button-up or a sundress)
✅ Don’t forget a hat! It’s a lifesaver in the sun
For more tips on packing, check out our full packing guide blog!
Final Thoughts: Is the Galápagos Worth It?
This is an adventure you must have on your bucket list. It’s one of the most untouched, awe-inspiring places on Earth. Just come prepared—pack smart, embrace the journey, and get ready to fall in love with nature like never before.