Galapagos National Park Rules: How to Keep Paradise Wild

Ninety-seven percent of the Galápagos is protected National Park — and the rules that keep it wild are simpler than you think. Here's every rule, fee, and habit that makes you a great visitor.

Here in the Galápagos, sea lions nap on park benches, marine iguanas cross the sidewalk, and blue-footed boobies nest right beside the trail. That everyday magic isn't an accident — it exists because 97% of the archipelago is protected as the Galápagos National Park, and because visitors like you follow a short list of rules that keep wildlife wild.

If you're planning your trip, don't worry: none of these rules make your visit harder. They just ask you to travel the way locals do — with curiosity, patience, and respect. Here's everything you need to know before you land.

Why the Rules Exist

The Galápagos evolved in isolation for millions of years, which is exactly why the animals here have no fear of humans — and why the ecosystem is so fragile. A single introduced seed, an abandoned snack, or one touched sea lion pup can have consequences that ripple for decades. The Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) maintains 14 visitor rules, and every one of them protects something you came here to see.

Before You Arrive: Fees and Paperwork

A few things happen before you even reach the trails. You'll complete a digital biosecurity declaration online before your flight, confirming you're not carrying seeds, plants, or animal products (we cover it all in our guide to Galápagos entry requirements). At the mainland airport you'll buy your Transit Control Card ($20, cash), and on arrival you'll pay the National Park entrance fee — $200 for foreign adults, $100 for children under 12 (less for Ecuadorians and CAN/Mercosur nationals). That fee isn't just a ticket: it directly funds conservation and the local communities that care for these islands.

The Golden Rules on Every Trail

Keep 2 meters (6 feet) from all wildlife. This is the rule you'll use every single day. The animals don't know it, though — sea lions and finches will happily approach you. When they do, calmly step back. Distance keeps them healthy, natural, and unafraid.

Never feed or touch the animals. Human food makes wildlife sick and changes their behavior. A mother sea lion can even abandon her pup if it carries human scent.

Stay on marked trails and respect all signs. Trails are routed to protect nesting sites and fragile lava terrain — and to keep you safe.

No flash photography. Natural light only. Flash stresses wildlife, especially nesting birds. Drones and commercial filming require special GNPD permits, so leave the drone at home.

Inside Protected Areas: Guides and Operators

Visits to protected visitor sites require a GNPD-authorized naturalist guide, traveling with licensed operators and certified boats. Honestly, this is the best rule of all — a good local guide will show you a camouflaged octopus or a finch behavior you'd never spot on your own. Camping is possible in a few designated areas, but you'll need authorization from the Park at least 48 hours in advance.

What Stays, What Goes

Everything natural stays on the islands: no shells, lava rocks, sand, black coral, or animal parts — not even as souvenirs, and shops selling them are breaking the law too. Everything you bring in goes out with you: pack out your trash and separate it properly back in town (we wrote a whole guide on how Santa Cruz recycles).

A few more things to know: smoking, campfires, and alcohol are prohibited in the Park; play music only through headphones; fishing is allowed only aboard authorized recreational boats; and motorized water sports like jet skis and aerial tourism aren't permitted anywhere in the Park or Marine Reserve. One local tip that isn't an official rule yet but should be: choose mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen — what washes off your skin ends up in the sea.

Visiting Well Is the Best Souvenir

The rules of the Galápagos aren't about restriction — they're an invitation to slow down and experience one of the last places on Earth where wildlife doesn't fear us. Follow them, and you're not just a tourist; you're part of the conservation story.

Protecting the Galápagos starts with how each of us chooses to visit.

Planning your trip? Start with our guide to the best time to visit the Galápagos, and let us help you organize day tours with licensed naturalist guides, ferry reservations between islands, and a comfortable home base in Santa Cruz. And if you want more local tips, subscribe to our newsletter — we share what we learn living here, every week.