BEFORE YOU GO TO GALAPAGOS

Baltra airport, claim luggage area, before the last check up.

tttt  tFlying to the islands means several steps at the airport either Guayaquil or Quito. Usually I see visitors that are travelling on their own  not  being  accepted  at the airline counter, after being on the line for a few minutes or a longer, just because there are  a couple of steps   you needed to do before checking in and no one got the right info.

 The purpose of this article is that you do not waste your time.

When visiting Galàpagos, there are a few steps we have to follow at any domestic airport ,before checking in with the airline you fly with.

First of all once entering the airport, either Guayaquil or Quito, the only two entrances to the islands, lead your way to the following counters.

Since Galápagos has a special migration regime, you have to buy a Control Card, at the Consejo de Gobierno de Galápagos kiosk, ( almost always located next to ....or near the domestic flicght counters. Today  the value of this card  is 20 US dollars ( this might vary), once done this there is   a next counter where luggage will be checked. 

The second counter (ABG - CONROL DE BIOSEGURIDAD DE GALAPAGOS) is looking for potencial introductions of anything organic, which may turn into a plague or pest, so therefore  the suitcases should be controlled.  Items like fresh cheese, meat, seeds are not allowed to bring, and if fruits, is better to eat them while flying over there, otherwise this items will be confiscated

During the flight or before you will be given a form to fill out regarding the bio control, and hand it over to the agents of control once arriving, just at the moment you leave the security terminal.

Just upon arrival, and entering the airport, the first stop is to have the passport checked and pay the National Park entrance fee, still for the time being it costs 100 US dollars, only if you  come from any of the countries belonging to the Southamerican Andean Union you pay 50 US dollars, and or if native to ecuador or resident the fee is 6  US dollars.

Children under 12 years in any of this categories will pay half of the fee established.

Because of all of this is better to be at the airport about two and a half hours before your flight, unless you are escorted to the airport, and or travelling with an organized trip.

The most important your ticket must be a return ticket, otherwise you will not be checked in.

Once done all this, pick up luggage, and go to look for ........guide, transfer agent, any service you have had  requested or booked, will be waiting for you.