WTTC Safe Travels
Aves Travels is proud to carry the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp of approval through its chosen affiliates. As the borders in Europe are slowly opening we are preparing ...
On 13 October, EU Member States adopted a Council Recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to find a common ground to travel measures within the EU, to the EU and travel outside the EU. With this comes the big question for many of our travellers: when can we return to Latin America? In this blog we will keep you informed about the current situation related to the Galápagos Islands.
The Galápagos Islands belong to Ecuador and can only be reached by plane via the Ecuadorian airports of Quito and Guayaquil. For a complete picture of the current situation it is therefore also important to follow our update on Ecuador. click here
On March 17, Ecuador went into full lockdown and with it the Galápagos Islands. Only a few necessary flights to the Archipelago were possible, in particular to allow repatriation of Galapagueños who were on the mainland during the lockdown.
Although the number of infections on the islands was fortunately low (19 on the island of Isabela, 21 on Santa Cruz and 13 on San Cristóbal among about 30,000 inhabitants in total), the lockdown on the islands was just as severe as in mainland Ecuador: inhabitants were only allowed to go outside from 07:00 to 14:00 while keeping a distance and wearing face masks. These measures prevented the virus from spreading within the community and containment is well under control on the islands.
During the lockdown, medical facilities on the islands were improved with the addition of various intensive care units in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal Island).
The National Park was officially reopened on 1 July, and flights from Quito and Guayaquil to the Galápagos Islands resumed on August 3rd. Please find below the new protocols and requirements for entering the Islands, allowing a safe corridor for guests:
When flying to the Galápagos, all travelers pass through temperature checks, disinfection matts, have to clean their hands with sanitizers, and wear facemasks at all times. Luggage is sanitized before and after its inspection by the Galápagos biosecurity and quarantine control agency.
Hotels, restaurants, expedition ships etc follow a strict protocol, so that visitors can be received in a safe manner, both to protect the visitors as well as the local inhabitants of the islands. The hotels and the expedition yachts we work with have taken important measures in the field of hygiene & disinfection, rules to keep an appropriate distance, regular testing of crews and guides, protection including the use of gloves and face masks, etc.
We think it is important to pay special attention to traveling by ship along the Galápagos Islands. Many of us will still recall pictures of travellers stuck on board cruise ships; holiday-makers who weren’t allowed to disembark because one or many passengers had been infected by the novel coronavirus. It is important to realize that this involved ships with thousands of passengers.
Are you considering a holiday to the Galápagos Islands? We are here and ready to give you advice. Our friendly partners, guides and crews are eager to receive you with open arms and a big smile. Even if this will be at an appropriate distance.
Aves Travels aims to keep this page up-to-date with the latest information and requirements, but changes can occur at any time. For the most recent information, always check with your airline, the Ecuadorian consulate or the Dutch embassy for Ecuador based in Peru.