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Ecuador and Galapagos Tours Ecuador is open for tourism!
Ecuador is a small country that offers a great variety of nature and cultural options for tours. From the fascinating Galapagos Islands to the mighty Andes and the mysterious Amazon, Ecuador tours can be quite rewarding. To the left are links to some of the options that we can offer.
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NEW ENTRY PROTOCOLS to visit ECUADOR, approved by the National Government :
Elimination of Covid-19 requirements (vaccination card and PCR test) to enter Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
We would like to inform you about the resolution presented by the National EOC, discussed on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
Based on the reduction of incidence recorded in the main indicators in care, as well as the analysis and review of the relevance of maintaining the requirements for entry into the country; in this regard it is provided:
- As of October 20, 2022 no traveler shall be required to present a vaccination card with complete scheme, negative antigen test 72 hours in advance, nor negative PCR test.
- A declaration of traveler health and insurance is still required. You can download it
- To enter the Galapagos, travelers still need the transit control card issued by the Government Council of the Galapagos
- In the event of an alert regarding an increase in cases of COVID-19 in any country, the Ministry of Health will have to inform the National EOC, in order to analyze the pertinence of requesting entry requirements to the country exclusively for those who present these indicators.
Important: Passengers must abide by the regulations of the Galapagos National Park, the Galapagos Government
Council, the Ministry of Health of Ecuador, and the Airports.
We are pleased to announce that in addition to testing options in Quito and Guayaquil, effective immediately, COVID testing is available for passengers leaving the Galapagos Islands to return to their home countries. Here we outline the various options for travelers:
MEDICAL VIP AT QUITO'S AIRPORT
The lab is located in the commercial center in front of the arrivals and departures building and is open 24 /7. Antigen test results are delivered in 1 hour and PCR results within 36 hours. The lab is proximate to the Layover Stay lounge which I highly recommend using for comfort and social distancing. It is run by a friend and colleague and I am confident in his health and safety practices. Should you prefer hotel services, PCR and antigen tests are also available at some hotels.
GALAPAGOS LAB (Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island)
Antigen testing is available during specific times (see below). PCR tests are also available. There is an additional cost for the test to be administered at a hotel.
* In the lab: Tuesdays & Thurdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am
* Santa Cruz Hotels: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
* Santa Cruz Hotels: Saturdays, Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Antigen test results are delivered in 24 hours and PCR results within 72 hours. It is necessary to pay in advance to reserve the service.
GUAYAQUIL LAB
Testing is available 7 days/week. Note Sunday restrictions.
* PCR test - if samples are taken before 9:00 a.m., the results are delivered by email around 8:00 p.m.
* Antigen test - if samples are taken before 3:00 p.m., the results are delivered in 4 hours. If samples need to be taken after 3:00 p.m. guests must be transferred to the laboratory for the test. Results are delivered in 3 hours.
* Sundays: Samples need to be taken in the laboratory. The results Will be delivered in 3 hours.
MEDICAL VIP AT QUITO'S AIRPORT
The lab is located in the commercial center in front of the arrivals and departures building and is open 24 /7. Antigen test results are delivered in 1 hour and PCR results within 36 hours. The lab is proximate to the Layover Stay lounge which I highly recommend using for comfort and social distancing. It is run by a friend and colleague and I am confident in his health and safety practices. Should you prefer hotel services, PCR and antigen tests are also available at some hotels.
GALAPAGOS LAB (Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island)
Antigen testing is available during specific times (see below). PCR tests are also available. There is an additional cost for the test to be administered at a hotel.
* In the lab: Tuesdays & Thurdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am
* Santa Cruz Hotels: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
* Santa Cruz Hotels: Saturdays, Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Antigen test results are delivered in 24 hours and PCR results within 72 hours. It is necessary to pay in advance to reserve the service.
GUAYAQUIL LAB
Testing is available 7 days/week. Note Sunday restrictions.
* PCR test - if samples are taken before 9:00 a.m., the results are delivered by email around 8:00 p.m.
* Antigen test - if samples are taken before 3:00 p.m., the results are delivered in 4 hours. If samples need to be taken after 3:00 p.m. guests must be transferred to the laboratory for the test. Results are delivered in 3 hours.
* Sundays: Samples need to be taken in the laboratory. The results Will be delivered in 3 hours.
The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador now requires that passengers arriving from countries with active yellow fever outbreaks (Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda) present their International Yellow Fever Vaccination Card upon entry. This requirement is effective immediately.
1) Visitors to Ecuador arriving from a country with an active yellow fever outbreak must be vaccinated at least 10 days prior to entering Ecuador.
2) Travelers to Ecuador arriving from a country with an active yellow fever outbreak must carry their International Yellow Fever Vaccination Card and present it to immigration authorities upon request.
1) Visitors to Ecuador arriving from a country with an active yellow fever outbreak must be vaccinated at least 10 days prior to entering Ecuador.
2) Travelers to Ecuador arriving from a country with an active yellow fever outbreak must carry their International Yellow Fever Vaccination Card and present it to immigration authorities upon request.
As you may have heard, the formerly complimentary bus service at the Baltra Island Airport in Galapagos is now under the direction of “Lobito”. This new company is aiming to improve the bus services provided from Baltra Airport to the docks or to the Itabaca Channel and back. The company has announced that this service will now have a cost of 5 dollars each way, per passenger. This will be a total of 10 dollars per passenger for a round trip to the Baltra docks or the Itabaca Channel and back to the airport. This new fare was implemented and made active July 30th, 2018. This was communicated to all the Galapagos operators with very little notice. Some operators will add that cost to their quotes, others will have clients pay directly.
"It was a great trip, without any problems whatsoever, and I very much appreciate your promptness and responsiveness during the planning and immediate post-planning process. I definitely felt that we did all that I had hoped with great service and smooth transitions among the different components of the trip. And all of this at a reasonable price. So, in general, I am a very satisfied customer, and would gladly work with you again on a future South American trip for my family and myself (which I think is likely). Thanks very much for your help again." David "We arrived back in Chicago last night safely. The trip overall was amazing and an unforgettable experience. We really enjoyed all of the different locations, activities, and guides. Thank you for helping us organize everything and for your recommendations. I will recommend your services to friends and family and will also be in touch for future travel. If you need any other feedback from me, please let me know and I will be happy to share. " Kunal |
The geographical diversity of Ecuador means that there are a number of different climates and microclimates in the country's four regions. Temperatures vary according to elevation and the location of the cities and towns. Due to geographic differences in altitude, longitude and latitude, and the climatic effects of the Pacific Ocean, the Amazon, and the Andes, the various regions and sub regions of Ecuador have very different climates and microclimates.
Ecuador is home to 8 percent of the world's animal species and 18 percent of the planet's birds. Around 3,800 species of vertebrates have been identified in Ecuador as well as 1,550 species of mammals, 350 reptile species, 375 species of amphibians, 800 fresh water fish species, and 450 salt water fish species. Ecuador is also home to 15 percent of the world's endemic bird species. Moreover, there are more than a million species of insects and 4,500 species of butterflies that live in Ecuador. The ecosystems which exist in the country go from sea level to an altitude of around 6400 metres. Its total area is 14,583,227 hectares, including the highlands, the coast and the Amazon region. There are 46 ecosystems which are made up of paramo, woods, valleys and the Pacific Ocean, located in different climate zones. One of the ecosystems which is richest in biodiversity is the tropical rain forest, which large trees of different and numerous species and an abundance of plants, flowers, mammals, reptiles, birds, invertebrates, fish and amphibians.
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