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Travelers with proof of vaccination can now visit Ecuador — including the Galapagos

Victoria M. Walker
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Victoria M. Walker is a former TPG senior travel reporter. She previously taught multimedia journalism at Howard University and was the breaking news video editor at The Washington Post.
March 18, 2021
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3 min read
Idyllic Old Town In Ecuador
Travelers with proof of vaccination can now visit Ecuador — including the Galapagos
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Travelers visiting Ecuador who show proof of vaccination can enter the country, according to one of the largest daily newspapers in Ecuador, El Universo.

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In October 2020, Ecuador's National Emergency Operations Committee announced that travelers arriving by air to Quito or Guayaquil must carry a negative PCR test. Travelers visiting the remote Galapagos Islands, which reopened to travelers in July, were also required to have a negative PCR test to enter taken no more than 96 hours prior to arrival. According to Travel Daily News, quick tests are not accepted.

Related: Where you can go once you are vaccinated: A country-by-country guide

Ecuadorian authorities have released some guidelines for tourists, including:

  • Comply with social distancing, at least two meters (2 yards approx.)
  • Use of face masks/masks
  • Hygiene measures (constant hand washing and disinfection, covering the nose and mouth when yawning or sneezing with the inside of the elbow flexed)
  • Extreme precautions for people over 60 years and for vulnerable groups
  • Public events are prohibited, as well as crowds.
Ecuador's Galápagos Islands have been drawing visitors since Darwin landed there. Image credit: Getty Images.

As of Jan. 26, 2021, everyone age two and older traveling to the U.S. from Ecuador must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights; documented proof from a licensed healthcare provider of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days will also be accepted.

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As of June 4, Quito and Guayaquil airports resumed operations. American and United resumed services to both cities, while Eastern, JetBlue and Spirit only operate out of Guayaquil.

Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

The U.S. State Department removed Ecuador from the Global Health Advisory Level 4. Ecuador is now listed as Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Ecuador has reported over 307,000 cases of the novel coronavirus and over 16,000 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker.

Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.