Blog
Galápagos, explained.
Longer reads for when the travel guide is not enough: the animals and where to find them, how things work on the islands, and what people ask us most.
Practical · 5 min read
Galápagos entry requirements: the TCT card and the park fee, explained
Two things stand between you and the islands: the Transit Control Card you buy online before the flight, and the national park fee you pay in cash when you land. Here is exactly what each costs, who pays what, and how the arrival works.
Food · 4 min read
What to eat in Galápagos: the fish market, the kiosks and the $5 lunch
Fresh tuna off the boat, lobster in season, a set lunch for the price of a coffee back home, and a street that turns into one long grill every evening. Where to eat on the islands, what it costs, and what to order.
May 2, 2026
Practical · 4 min read
Money in Galápagos: cash, ATMs and cards, island by island
Ecuador uses the US dollar, and on the islands cash still does most of the work. Where the ATMs are, what only takes cash, where cards work, and how much to land with.
May 2, 2026
Transport · 3 min read
Taxis in Galápagos: how the white pickups work, and the app that orders one
There is no Uber on the islands and no meter in the cabs. What a ride costs, how to hail one, the water taxis at the pier, and CarapachoGO, the local app that books the same taxis and lets you pay by card.
May 2, 2026
Safety · 4 min read
Is Galápagos safe? What to watch on the islands, and on the way there
The islands are among the safest places in South America, and the real risks there are the sun and the sea, not other people. The mainland cities you pass through on the way deserve more care. What to watch, in that order.
May 1, 2026