Galapagos Islands to double entry fees: What is the reason

Starting August 1, 2024, the entry fee to the Galapagos Islands for tourists from most countries will be doubled. This decision was made by the Ecuadorian government to protect the island's ecosystem, which is under considerable pressure due to the growing number of visitors.

The entry fee for citizens of most countries will increase from $100 to $200. Members of the South American trade bloc MERCOSUR will pay $100. The previous price was $50, CNN reports.

Children under two years old can visit the islands for free, as before. This is the first increase in the entry fee to the Galapagos Islands since 1998.

Ecuadorian Tourism Minister Niels Olsen emphasised that the additional funds will be used to preserve the ecosystem of the islands, which suffer from excessive tourism.

The Galapagos Islands, located 1000 kilometres off the coast of mainland Ecuador, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They consist of more than 100 islands and are home to many rare or endangered species of plants and animals.

Although the region is home to about 30,000 people, approximately 170,000 tourists pass through the islands each year. Obviously, the infrastructure of the resorts is simply not adapted to the growing flow of visitors from other countries.

Earlier, TravelWise wrote about the timeless charm of the Galapagos Islands, which can be explored with Metropolitan Touring.