The iconic Darwin's Arch rock formation in the Galapagos has collapsed
One of the most famous and photographed sights in the Galapagos Islands, Darwin's Arch, has collapsed and fallen into the Pacific Ocean. Officials in Ecuador, which the remote islands are a province of, say natural erosion caused the natural archway to fall on Monday.
The official Twitter handle of Ecuador's Ministry of Environment shared a photo taken shortly after the arch collapsed.
Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news!
Darwin's Arch was located less than a mile from the uninhabited Darwin Island. Both spots are named after scientist Charles Darwin, whose visit to the Galapagos in 1835 had a great influence on his theory of evolution and natural selection.
The waters around the arch were popular with divers and tour boats due to its plethora of sea life that includes turtles, dolphins and sharks.
Natural erosion is a problem many natural and long-standing landmarks face, but according to UNESCO (U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the Galapagos are one of the most vulnerable places on the planet because of climate change.
The archipelago, which is made up of dozens of islands of various sizes, is located at a crossing of three ocean currents and are vulnerable to the El Niño weather system, which can cause Pacific Ocean waters to warm up quickly. Those warming waters pose a major threat to the incredibly varied species on the islands.
The allure of the Galapagos may also threaten its future. Before the pandemic, conservationists worried the increase in visitors was putting undue stress on the islands' fragile eco-system.
Related: How to visit the Galapagos using miles and points
Travellers can actually visit the Galapagos right now, despite the CDC placing Ecuador on a Level 4 Travel Health Notice in April due to high COVID-19 activity in the country.
There are specific travel requirements for traveling to Galapagos Islands that you can read in detail here. Anyone flying in to Quito or Guayaquil International Airport, which provide flights to the Galapagos' two main airports, must present a vaccination card showing the passenger is fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 96 hours before arriving in the Galapagos. The negative test results mean travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival.
Keep in mind there are no direct flights to the Galapagos from the United States. You must first fly in to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador's two biggest cities, and then hop on one of the daily flights to either Seymour Airport (GPS), on the island of Baltra, or San Cristobal (SCY), which is on San Cristobal Island. Three airlines offer flights to the Galapagos: Avianca, LATAM and Ecuador's biggest carrier, TAME.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.