FAQs about Galapagos: What forms of payment do you accept?

In Ecuador Mainland and the Galapagos Archipelago, U.S. Dollar has been established and used as main and only currency since the year 2000. When making payments for your trip, you may do so in your local currency at up-to-date conversion.

Galapagos is a top-destination for travelers, therefore cruises and tours are on very high demand year-around. It is recommended to arrange your trip at least with 6 months in advance to secure and guarantee your spots on the preferred trip.

Now, if you find the opportunity to visit the Galapagos before 6 months in advance, there is also the possibility to find cruise deals that may fill your expectations. However, if you leave your decision for the last-minute, you may not find what you were looking for a tour that will fulfill your expectations.

For cruises and tours, we have flexible payment policies:

• Tours booked from 91 days or more, small 30% deposit is requested to pre-confirm, 70% balance is needed 90 days before tour dates.
• Tours booked 90 days or less, complete payment is needed to confirm your trip.

Some cruises do not allow small children on board, mainly for safety reasons as small yachts/catamarans have many open spaces and steep stairs that are not suitable for children to run around. Other cruises, especially the large vessels do accept small children on board and even have qualified guides and staff on board to make a magical experience for small children.

Most yachts/catamarans accept children over 8 years-old on board and offer special rates to children up to 11 years-old for cruises and flights as per availability and feasibility to accommodate a Family on board; with all cruises, it is required as pre-requisite to have parents sign a release form if travelling with children.

The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean about 1000 kilometers (563 miles) from Ecuador, South America. The 19 Islands are distributed on both sides of the Equator surrounding the Western Hemisphere to the west of Continental Ecuador.

Land visits are, just as cruises, subject to National Park regulations for all departures; this means that all the day-visits are subject to a pre-determined schedule for the day’s activities and visits to one or more sites in one Island and they cannot be modified in any way.

During your free time in one of the populated Islands, you can stroll within the Town and enjoy many local attractions, good restaurants and bars, visit Darwin Research Center (Santa Cruz) or Interpretation Center (San Cristobal) and, of course, feel surrounded by many birds and playful Sea lions, especially at the Town’s Docks