From jaguars in the amazon to the only penguins north of the equator in the Galapagos, it’s no wonder many people visit Ecuador. It’s known for being one of the top five countries in the world for biodiversity.
And personally, the Galapagos Islands are the best place in the world.
With such beauty, many travelers want to stay in Ecuador for an extended period, especially backpackers and digital nomads — more so after the pandemic. When you can visit the Galapagos Islands, do it.
But many visitors question, when you fly into Ecuador and the Galapagos, do you need a return flight ticket out of the Galapagos and Ecuador? In this guide, we’ll cover exactly.
Related:
Do You Need a Return Flight from Ecuador?
When you fly into Ecuador, all tourists and non-residents will need an onward travel flight out of Ecuador.
The majority of the time, it will be the airline that checks your return flight when you fly internationally into Ecuador.
However, not all airlines enforce this rule of requiring an outbound flight for Ecuador, and it also depends on the departure airport or country.
Avianca and LATAM airlines often check for a return flight from Ecuador, more so Avianca than LATAM. I’ve been checked by both when flying from Colombia to Ecuador, and LATAM seems more lenient when flying into Ecuador from the United States.
Instead of an outbound flight, you may also have the option of buying a bus ticket out of Ecuador in advance, but it’s not guaranteed the airline will accept it.
The outbound flight or bus ticket rule also holds true when crossing the border from Colombia or Peru into Ecuador by land. However, immigration officials are usually more lenient and often don’t verify.
How Long Can You Stay in Ecuador?
Most foreign nationals are allowed to stay in Ecuador for up to 90 days for every rolling 365 days.
In other words, if you stay your full 90 days in Ecuador, you must wait 365 or a full year until you can return.
The day you arrive and depart Ecuador will count as one day each.
Do you need a return flight from the Galapagos?
Yes, you will need a return airline flight from the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. This rule applies not only to tourists but also to Ecuadorian citizens who are not official residents of the Galapagos archipelago.
When you purchase your transit control card for the Galapagos at Guayaquil (GYE) or Quito (UIO) airport, they will verify your return flight ticket (usually only visually). You should be able to create and use a fake return flight if you don’t know your return date.
How long can you stay in the Galapagos?
Tourists can stay up to 60 days in the Galapagos Islands every 365 days. Before the 60-day rule was introduced in 2017, tourists could stay up to 90 days in the Galapagos, the same amount as for all of Ecuador.
In 2016, I stayed for three months in the Galapagos Islands. In 2023, I was only able to stay for 60 days. My friend, who is a naturalist guide in the Galapagos, confirmed the 60-day rule, as well as the employee in Quito airport when I bought by transit control card for $20.
Conclusion
I would love to stay in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for longer than the allotted time. However, Ecuador must protect its citizens from whatever economic or social impacts foreigners may bring.
Furthermore, the Galapagos is a fragile ecosystem, so I can understand the 60-day rule imposed for tourists.
In the end, you will need an outbound flight from Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, but it depends on whether immigration officials or the airline will verify it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a return flight ticket from the Galapagos?
This rule is in place because the Galapagos Islands are a fragile ecosystem, and the number of visitors on the islands at any given time must be controlled.
In addition, the archipelago is vulnerable to invasive species, which have caused some endemic species in the Galapagos to become extinct, including Lonesome George.
When do you need a return flight ticket from the Galapagos?
You always need a return flight from the Galapagos. However, you may be lucky if park officials don’t check for a return flight.
How do you get to the Galapagos?
Visitors can travel to the Galapagos via Ecuador and its Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) airports.
On the other hand, private sailboats and crews have visited the archipelago from mainland Central or South America. But flights are still the most common and straightforward way to travel to the Galapagos Islands.
Can I enter Ecuador with a one-way ticket?
Yes, it’s possible to enter Ecuador with a one-way ticket if immigration officials and the airline do not verify it. However, it is not recommended, and it’s best to have a return flight out of Ecuador.
How do I get a Galapagos transit control card?
You can purchase a Galapagos transit control card for $20 at the Quito or Guayaquil airports. The office is located inside the airport before security and before you check in for your flight. These airports are not large compared to other international airports, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding the office inside, but any airport employee will be able to point you in the right direction.
Make sure to pre-register for the Galapagos.
Hola Parceros,
I’m the founder of Aperlust. I enjoy web development and SEO and am into snowboarding and linguistics. In my spare time, you can find me destroying my opponents in chess across the globe.
