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Ecuador has opened its doors to travelers, but if you intend to take advantage of it, there are some things you need to remember. As of August 6th, 2020, because of the global COVID-19 situation, the US State Department has Ecuador from Level 4: Do Not Fly to Level 3: Rethink Fly. Traveling to Galapagos and Ecuador without a quarantine could be a choice if you are safe, have a high-risk tolerance, and feel prepared to get back on a plane. If you’re thinking of taking the tour, here’s what you need to know (this information is updated as of 28 August 2020. For the most recent information available, search the US Embassy in Ecuador website.):

International flights have been arriving in Ecuador since June 1st. A negative COVID-19 PCR (molecular diagnostic) test must be shown within 10 days of arriving in Quito or Guayaquil in order to be allowed to enter the country. You’ll be free to travel around continental Ecuador, no problem, as long as you don’t display any COVID-19 symptoms when you arrive. If you show any signs of COVID-19, you will be forced to take the airport RT-PCR test at your expense, and to quarantine at an approved hotel until the results of your test come back.

You will be forced to take a test upon arrival at the airport, at your own cost, if you turn up at the airport without getting a negative PCR test result. Then you’re going to be forced to quarantine yourself in an Approved hotel before the results of the experiment come back. You will be free to go on your merry journey if the result is negative. You’ll have to remain in isolation at the hotel if the test comes back positive, and any health care you may need will be covered.

You must also have evidence of protection covering charges associated with COVID-19. Be sure to select the ‘cancel for any reason’ option when you look for insurance and read the fine print to ensure that COVID-19 is clearly protected. With the fine print, some insurance firms get sly.

If you want to explore the Islands of the Galapagos,

Since the Galapagos Islands are very remote, there are certainly unique, special conditions for those wishing to fly there. First, with a negative PCR test, you have to arrive in Ecuador, just as though you were just heading to Ecuador. Then you will need to take a second PCR test at the airport once you arrive and then quarantine at a nearby, licenced hotel while waiting for the results of the test. Before going to the Galapagos, if you are traveling within continental Ecuador, you will need to be sure to have a PCR test within 96 hours or 4 days of travel to the archipelago. All in all, in order to be permitted to fly to the Galapagos, you will need two negative PCR checks, one before your arrival in Ecuador and one before heading to the islands.

You will also need to have a Galapagos itinerary and bookings in hand, which can be a cruise or island-hopping option. The Ministry of Tourism just needs to make sure it is possible to account for anyone going to the Galapagos.

You may want to take the appropriate precautions to avoid the spread of disease-wear your mask while you’re around other people, stay away from other people whenever you can, don’t touch your face, and wash your hands regularly, as with traveling everywhere in the world right now, including the store down the street from your home. You’ll want to follow the CDC guidelines when you return home and be extra cautious when around others, particularly someone who is at higher risk. This involves staying home for 14 days after you get back as much as possible, and you may want to take one more PCR exam, just in case.

Some places are ready and ready to greet you if you are ready and ready to fly now. A trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos could be on the cards sooner rather than later by taking the right precautions and respecting anyone you come across during your travels. Hopefully, the rest of the planet will follow suit, enabling us to explore our planet again carefully, thoughtfully, and respectfully!

Ecuador has now reopened its airports, allowing visitors to enter again, but with a few restrictions and laws.

Technically, Ecuador was open for a little while, but upon arrival, it needed BOTH a 14-day quarantine and a PCR examination. We couldn’t really consider Ecuador to be ‘open to tourists’ until now, combined with very limited air traffic and strict curfews.

As of 15 August, Ecuador is no longer pursuing a 14-day quarantine issued with results not more than 10 days before arrival for all travelers who bring a negative PCR test with them.

Andrew O’Brian, Quito Airport President and CEO, stated:

This decision would enable the reactivation of tourism in the country to begin and increase the number of passengers and air transport services in the country. The sanitary measures introduced at airports have proved their efficacy and, with a negative outcome, have proven to be successful.PCR exam, individuals entering the nation would be able to conduct their operations without inconvenience. It is certainly a significant move forward in continuing to work to solve the economic crisis.

Now that it is much easier to comply with entry requirements, and several flights have already resumed to the country, Ecuador can now be considered open to tourism.

Countries Allowed for Ecuador to Fly All.

We did not see any countries listed in our research as banned under the entry criteria associated with Covid. Using their usual pre-covid immigration laws, Ecuador reopened to all nations.

Visas: Most countries can enter Ecuador without a visa since only 30 countries need to apply for a visa in advance at the moment.

Are there conditions for testing/quarantine in Ecuador?

Testing = Yes Testing = Yes

Quarantine = No Quarantine

PCR testing has replaced the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Ecuador’s Entry Criteria

While Ecuador has reopened for visits to all nations, there are still some entry conditions that you need to comply with. They are the following:

Health Form,

All travelers are expected to fill out a pre-arrival Health Declaration Form (one per family)

PCR Review

All passengers (including Ecuadorians returning home) are required to have a negative PCR test taken no more than 10 days before their arrival in the country. They will be checked on arrival and required to quarantine before results are available if a traveler does not have this exam.

Rapid tests are not accepted, just PCR tests.

Screening for Fitness

All passengers can expect airport health screening, including border control problems and temperature/symptom controls.

Have flights to Ecuador resumed?

Yes! Yes! Many regular flight routes to Ecuador have already resumed. Here is a list of flights that are operating at present or will be operating very soon..

In Quito

  • Madrid has already resumed with Air Europa and Ibera,
  • Copa, Panama City, has already resumed
  • Aeromexico, Mexico City, has already resumed
  • Houston on United has resumed now
  • JetBlue and American in Miami, have already resumed
  • Delta’s Atlanta, expected to restart in October
  • Avianca to San Salvador, scheduled to restart in December

 

Guayaquil Guayaquil

  • New York on JetBlue, restarted already
  • Miami on Spirit resumed already
  • Copa, Panama City, has already resumed