Leaving home on a trip to any destination, be it to the corner store or to a far away land incurs risks that you would not normally be exposed to by just staying at home.   It is incumbent on any person considering such trips to be as fully aware as possible on those risks so that they may decide, with as much foreknowledge as possible, whether or not to embark on that trip.  

While the vast majority of us were comfortable with the usual risks related to international travel, the onset of COVID-19 presents us all with an additional risk.   However, since it first affected international travel earlier in 2020, we have learned a lot about who is most at risk and how the virus affects us.   We have learned how it is usually transmitted and how to best reduce the chances of contracting it. 

With this additional knowledge, a growing number of more risk-tolerant people have decided that they can assume that risk and are embarking on international travel.  By early 2023, tourist arrivals into Ecuador and Galapagos were back to near pre-pandemic levels.  

It's important to know that those people willing to travel in the time of COVID-19 will be asked to explicitly recognize such risks and agree to assume full responsibility for the repercussions they may have on their trip by signing our CNH Tours Covid-19 Travel Waiver, as well as either directly in terms of their health, or indirectly in terms of trip logistics challenges.  

The adult population of Galapagos has been fully vaccinated (including a booster since January 2022). 

CNH Tours recommends that you travel only if your feel comfortable doing so.   

Like so many other places, travel to the Galapagos Islands has changed dramatically in light of the pandemic. CNH Tours advises all of our current and potential guests to: 

• Monitor current travel advisories related to Covid-19 that may impact your decision to travel,
• Evaluate travel planning considerations,
• Take proactive steps to minimize risks prior to travel such as acquiring your full complement of Covid-19 vaccine, and self-isolate prior to travel,
• Anticipate what to expect upon entry to the Country of Ecuador,
• Understand the current requirements for travel to Galapagos, and that these may change without notice at any time,
• Familiarize yourself with the health, safety, and biosecurity protocols you can expect onboard your Galapagos cruise ship (we take the Samba as an example in this document),
• Take proactive steps to minimize risks upon return home.

Travelers at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consider postponing all travel, including non-essential travel, to Ecuador.

As you consider when would be best for you to travel to Galapagos, it is worth doing your due diligence as travel conditions fluctuate in response to the evolving Coronavirus 19 pandemic.  Examples of Covid-19 related challenges you could encounter include (this list is not exhaustive): 

• In-country movement may be restricted,
• International, national and evacuation flight options may be limited/unavailable, unreliable and pricey,
• Travel restrictions may change at any time,
• Travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance may be null and void during a pandemic, 
• Quarantine measures may be imposed with a little or no notice,
• Availability of medical attention may be limited,
• Borders may close with little or no notice (stranding travelers in a foreign country). 

Only you can assess your risk tolerance. 

For those who are ready to travel, please plan your airport arrival time for your International Departure to take into consideration potential delays, as travel ramps up with a vengeance at airports still dealing with understaffing problems and legacy COVID-19 requirements. It is very important to arrive at the airport even earlier than usual these days, or risk missing your flight.

The following protocols are mandatory for entry to the Country of Ecuador for all travelers over 3 years: 

• Original passport (valid for a minimum of 6 months after your expected departure from Ecuador)

Additionally, all passengers must demonstrate proof of the following: 

• Passenger's Health Declaration: As of February 16, 2023, the Health Declaration is required only if you have any of the following symptoms: 

- High temperature

- Cough

- General malaise

- Loss of smell

- Loss of taste

- Rash 

If you have symptoms, please complete this document, submit it electronically, and bring a printed copy with you. 

The Emergency Operations Committee of Ecuador recommends wearing a mask during your flights and while travelling on public transportation. 

Presently, travellers entering Ecuador do not need to show proof of vaccination nor a PCR test or antigen test with a negative test result. 

Please note procedures may change without notice.  

As of February 16, 2023, for travel to the Galápagos Islands the rules for entry are as follows:

• A valid passport 
• The Galápagos Transit Control Card - depending how you booked your trip, it may be arranged for you and given to you at the airport, or you may have to obtain it directly prior to check-in on the day of your flight to Galapagos
• A return national air ticket (continent - Galapagos - continent)

These requirements have been standard for several years and are not likely to change anytime soon - but they may, one never knows.  

On arrival in Galapagos, if this has not been pre-payed, you will be asked to pay the $100 Galapagos National Park Entrance fee. 

There are currently no COVID-19 related entry requirements for Galapagos.  

Protocol for Safe Travel to Galapagos from the Mainland

CNH Tours, the Samba (Active Galapagos), the Integrity (Ocean Safari) as well as the many other ships plying the waters of Ecuador adhere to the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travel Protocols to help safeguard your health and safety. The Safe Travel protocols take into account current WHO and CDC guidelines and may be updated as new information becomes available about COVID-19.

Provincial and National authorities in Ecuador have established a complementary set of guiding principles designed to permit ship owners/operators, their guides, and crew to implement a COVID-19 Protocol for Galapagos with your safety and security in mind. CNH Tours and its partners in Ecuador and Galapagos are applying these combined biosecurity protocols with a view to ensuring your health and safety during the new Galapagos experience that awaits you.

A return to travel requires the restoration of traveler confidence.

Your well-being and safety is our top priority. Small ship travel in Galapagos is unlike a cruise in most other destinations:

1. Your crew is fully vaccinated and tested regularly. 

2. The crew is based in Galapagos or mainland Ecuador only.

3. Our guests come from a small number of countries; typically 2 – 3 nationalities are onboard at any one time.

4. Most ships carry 20 or fewer passengers.

5. CNH Tours recommends that all travelers bring N95 masks for their health and safety, and that of those around them.

Should you exhibit symptoms of Covid-19 during your cruise, please be respectful of your fellow travellers and wear a mask, take your snacks and meals individually (not collectively), and minimize contact with your guests. 

Hotels and ships in Galapagos adhere to the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travel Protocols to help safeguard your health and safety. The Safe Travel protocols take into account current WHO and CDC guidelines and may be updated as new information becomes available about COVID-19. Provincial and National authorities in Ecuador have established a complementary set of guiding principles designed to permit ship owners/operators, their guides, and crew to implement a COVID-19 Protocol for Galapagos with your safety and security in mind.  Ships are applying these combined biosecurity protocols with a view to ensuring your health and safety during the new Galapagos experience that awaits you.

Covid-19 Pre-Cruise Ship Boarding Screening

While most ships rely on the COVID protocols in place for travel to Galapagos as the only screening required for boarding (i.e. if you can make it to Galapagos, then you can board), some ships continue to require proof of full vaccination for boarding.    

Please confirm vaccinations requirements with us, if any, for boarding the ship on which you will be travelling.

To leave the country, the Government of Ecuador does not request any type of requirement or test for COVID 19, however, the passenger must inquire about the requirements for entering the country of destination and even for the countries through which a passenger may be transiting on the way home. The information is available with the respective airline.

Should you be required to obtain a COVID-19 antigen or PCR test (with a negative result) prior to boarding your international departure flight, please be aware that should you return a positive test result the Government of Ecuador recommends that you enter a volungary quarantine for 5 days. 

It is the responsibility of the traveler to make all arrangements (both logistically and financially). Once the quarantine is complete, you may to return home with a proof of recovery of a prior covid-19 infection (assuming you are no longer symptomatic) and a letter issued by a health authority stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel.