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Detailed information about expenses, air travel, housing arrangements, visas, immunizations, etc., is available in our Volunteer Orientation Handbook . Please also check Life in the Galapagos  for some more information.

How do I get there?
Read our Guide to Getting Here for all the information you need.

Is there a limitation on how long I can stay in the Islands?

Are any vaccinations/immunizations required or suggested?

Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, and Antimalarial drugs. Yellow Fever is only required if you are coming from a Yellow Fever country. Please consult your local GP or healthcare provider for more information. Note: The actual risk of contracting Yellow Fever or Malaria in the Galapagos Islands is extremely low.

Are there any governmental advisories about travel to the Galapagos Islands? The United States State Department has issued the following statements about travel to Ecuador (of which the Galapagos Islands are territories).

Will Galapagos ICE handle my travel plans and expenses? Once volunteers have secured their international flights to either Quito or Guayaquil on the Ecuadorian mainland, Galapagos ICE can help secure your flight to the Islands. These flights should be booked six weeks ahead of time so we can process your waiver paperwork. Please email volunteer@galapagosice.org for more information.

Are there any fees upon arrival to the Galapagos? At the airport on the Ecuadoran mainland, before you depart for the Islands, you must purchase a transit card from the Consejo del Gobierno counter, which costs $10 USD per person, and is payable in cash. Galapagos ICE has the Galapagos National Park entry fee of $100 USD waived for all volunteers.

How do I communicate with friends and family back home when I’m on the Islands? Internet cafes are plentiful in Puerto Ayora. Many volunteers also bring cell phones to the Islands. (Be sure to check with your cell phone service provider about international coverage from the Islands.) Alternatively, you can subscribe to an international cell phone service in advance of your trip (again, check the coverage), buy cell phone while in the Islands, or you can purchase a phone card to use at public phones.

If you require a laptop, we suggest bringing your personal laptop from home. We have a limited number of cell phones and laptops available for rent at the Galapagos ICE office. Please email volunteer@galapagosice.org to check availability prior to your arrival. More information on terms and conditions can be found in out Cell Phone Policy and Laptop Policy.

If I forget something at home, can it be sent to me?

The mail system can take anywhere from two weeks up to more than a month to find its way to the island, so more modern communication techniques are preferred! Customs in Ecuador can be really difficult releasing packages, keep this in mind in case your family wants to send any care packages over.  Packages should not weigh more than 4kgs and the contents should not cost more than $300.  If you do not go by these parameters you may be charged a heavy fee to get your package.

Do I need travel insurance? Galapagos ICE highly recommends travel insurance for volunteers. Please contact your insurance carrier or consult the web to find a provider.

What is Galapagos ICE’s position on diversity? Galapagos ICE strives to pursue its mission by providing an inclusive volunteer environment, and selects its volunteers without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, or age.

What kinds of project supplies are available in the Galapagos? There are many hardware stores, small groceries, pharmacies, and some larger businesses in Puerto Ayora, and so volunteers can expect to find standard items like pens, pencils, paper, paint, basic hardware supplies, etc. But volunteers are often surprised to find how difficult it is to find basic items, and how expensive they are; the Galapagos Islands are after all a remote oceanic archipelago, and the cost of importation influences the price of everything. If a volunteer project requires specialty items of any kind, it is best if volunteers can bring these items themselves.

Can I send project supplies or donations in kind through the mail service?
You can send items to the Galapagos ICE office only if they are under 4kgs and are worth less than $300. Items above these restrictions will be withheld by customs and it is a long, slow and expensive process to get them released and delivered. It is much better to donate the money to the Galapagos ICE and buy the items locally. Not only will this save a lot of time and money, you will also be supporting the local community, which is what it is all about!

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?
As opposed to most volunteer organizations we only charge a modest program fee to cover our administrative expenses (i.e. processing you waiver documents, housing etc.) and overhead expenses (i.e. rent of our offices, electricity etc.). The rest of the money goes towards funding the various volunteer projects and buys the necessary project supplies.

Traveling to the Galapagos is expensive! How can I raise the necessary funds to come over here?
You do not need to cover the expenses alone. There are many ways for you to raise funds for your trip here and to cover project costs and supplies. Please check our Fundraising page for more information!

Do I need to speak Spanish to volunteer at Galapagos ICE?

Some Spanish is required for all volunteers to enable you to integrate with the community and to do your work effectively. For some projects a basic level is sufficient but for others Advanced Spanish is required. Please check the Project page for more information.

If you have any other questions about travel to the Islands, relating to a volunteer opportunity, please e-mail us at volunteer@galapagosice.org.