	FAQ
	Organizational and Program FAQ Volunteer FAQ San Cristobal FAQ Travel FAQ

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Travel FAQ

Are there options to travel between the islands within the Galapagos?

Do I need to get a special visa?

I understand that there is a $100 National Park entrance fee to be paid upon arrival in the Galapagos, but that as a volunteer, I can get it waived. How do I go about doing this?

Are there options to travel between the islands within the Galapagos?

There are two options, a daily boat, and a daily (normally) small plane, between San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.

Boat:

INGALA, the organization that provides all the infrastructure on San Cristobal, operates a boat between San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. The schedule is typically a daily boat that leaves from the pier at 7:00am. Arrival in Santa Cruz is around 9:00am (arrival depends on weather and the seas). Tickets are sold the day prior to departure and often on the morning of departure as well.

Approximately once a month, boat travels from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz on Thurs., travels from Santa Cruz to Isabela and Floreana on Fri., and returns to Santa Cruz and San Cristobal on Sat. There does not appear to be a published schedule for this exception. You need to check with the INGALA agent on one of the departure days.

The cost for the boat is $50 one way.

Plane:

Emetebe Airline flies a small plane daily (as long as there are passengers), usually in the morning, between San Cristobal and Baltra and sometimes goes to Isabela as well. The office is located at the airport in San Cristobal. The cost for the plane is a lot higher than the boat.

Day tours and cruises can be easily arranged for travel to the other islands, but it is recommended to do so after arriving in person at one of the many tourist agencies here.

Do I need to get a special visa?

Although the Ecuadorian law says that if you will be in the country for more than 90 days, you need to get a special visa, we do not recommend that you do this. Previous volunteers have had considerable difficulty when they have gotten a special visa...information is inconsistent among consulates, not infrequently the wrong visa is issued, paperwork required is extensive, to change or renew a special visa requires traveling back to Quito, and it is costly to obtain a special visa.

We recommend that you come to Ecuador without a visa. You will be issued a tourist visa upon your arrival in the country. When passing through customs, it is best to simply say that you are a tourist and not to mention that you will be doing volunteer work. If you plan to stay more than 90 days, you can easily get your visa renewed in the local police station/immigration office in San Cristobal.

I understand that there is a $100 National Park entrance fee to be paid upon arrival in the Galapagos, but that as a volunteer, I can get it waived. How do I go about doing this?

Someone from New Era, either William Puga, the Program Director, or another volunteer, should meet you at the airport. A letter from William should have been sent to the National Park, and they should have it in hand. It is best to have William email you a copy to carry with you in your possession as well. If they cannot locate that paperwork, tell them that they should have received such a letter from William.

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