Everything I wish I knew before going to the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. However, being most often frequented by cruise trips and organized tours, I find there’s a lack of information on how to navigate the islands as a solo-traveller or without a group.

Last May, I spent one month living on San Cristobal and volunteering in a local school. On my weekends and time off, I spent my days navigating the islands and exploring the beauty, wildlife, and culture that the archipelago has to offer. Along the way, I discovered that there are things I wish I had known prior to arriving. Read along for my recommendations and things I wish I had known prior to travelling to the Galápagos Islands.

Buy and set up your sim card in Quito or Guayaquil

Be sure to get ahold of a sim card prior to flying in to Galápagos. While sim cards can be purchased on the islands, they are very hard to come by and even more difficult to set up. By getting your sim card installed on the Ecuadorian mainland, you’re ensuring that you’ll have access to your phone and maps from the get-go.

Note that the majority of e-sims do not work in Galápagos and that sim cards can be recharged at various local stores on the islands.

Bring cash with you, and have extra available on a debit card

The currency used in Ecuador & the Galápagos is the US Dollar.

Very few shops accept cards on the islands, so be sure to bring a lot of cash with you. On San Cristobal, only a couple of the higher-end, tourist-geared restaurants accepted cards. While there are a few ATMs on the island (one situated on the Malécon near the tourist centre, the others outside of the bank) there are only those ATMs, so they tend to be very busy as they are used by tourists and locals, alike.

Learn basic Spanish or download an offline translation app

Very few locals speak English on San Cristobal (Santa Cruz is a bigger tourist hub, so more locals speak English), so be prepared and learn some basic Spanish phrases before your trip. This will come in handy when checking in to your accommodation, buying ferry tickets, or booking day trips. It’s also a great way to connect with locals and have a more authentic experience - travel is more interesting when you engage with local culture!

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent

While the islands have very well-stocked pharmacies, products aimed at tourists tend to be on the pricier side, so be sure to buy them at home or on the mainland, before making your way to the islands.

Be sure to buy reef-safe. While it tends to be more expensive, it will help protect Galápagos’ natural environment and wildlife - which is the main reason people travel there! Be respectful and mindful, and help preserve the ecosystem. Reef-safe brands include Attitude, Badger, and ThinkSport.

Bring a reusable water bottle

Single-use plastics have been banned in Galápagos since 2015, so a reusable water bottle will come in handy. Most accommodations have water-refill stations you can use during your stay. As all drinking water is comes to the islands in jugs by cargo ship, you may have to pay but it is widely available and inexpensive.

Since it gets very warm during the day, you may benefit from bringing a stainless steel or insulated drinking bottle, to avoid your water getting warm in the sun.

Book your excursions and ferry tickets in advance

Slots for day trips and ferry tickets fill-up very quickly, especially on weekends, when most excursions run. Be sure to book in advance. Most payments are made at the time of booking and in cash.

Larger water vehicles have to anchor far from land in Galápagos so all transfers are made via water taxi. Water taxis cost $1.00 USD each way and are paid to the skipper in cash at embarkation.

To date, the Galápagos Islands have been my favourite travel destination. With a remarkable amount of wildlife and endemic species, lovely locals, and a vibrant culture, there is always something to do and experience. Arriving prepared will only just make your trip more enjoyable - with less time to stress, there is more time to explore.