15/08/2026
🚩🚩🚩Important Update: New Inter-Island Boat Fares in Galápagos 🚤🚤
A new fare structure for public maritime transport between the inhabited islands of Galápagos came into effect on August 11, 2026, under Resolution MIT-SPTM-2026-0126-R.
For regular inter-island service, the new per-passenger, one-way fares are:
Tourists (Ecuadorian and foreign): $50
Residents and transients: $35
For special service:
Tourists: $65
Residents and transients: $50
For tourists, this represents a significant increase in regular inter-island boat fares, rising from $30 to $50 per trip.
However, there is a very important detail that travelers should keep in mind:
Vessels are not automatically allowed to charge the new fare.
According to the resolution, the new rates can only be applied by boats that fully comply with the required technical and documentation standards. Vessels operating under extensions, deferred compliance periods, or other transitional arrangements are not authorized to charge these new fares.
And this raises a critical question:
How can a traveler verify whether the boat charging them $50 is actually authorized to do so?
At the time of writing, I have been unable to find an official, publicly available list identifying which inter-island vessels are authorized to charge the new rates and which are not.
The resolution states that compliance and fare coverage must be monitored by the Department of Maritime Transport together with local port authorities.
Hopefully, an official list of authorized vessels will be made available soon.
Until now, there has been a considerable price difference between traveling by public boat and flying between the islands. With the fare increase to $50 per trip, that gap is narrowing.
This becomes particularly relevant for journeys requiring more than one boat ride. A traveler choosing between several hours at sea and an inter-island flight might now be more willing to pay the additional cost to fly.
If more travelers make that choice, demand for inter-island flight seats could rise. This does not automatically mean airfares will go up, as airline prices and operations are also subject to aviation regulations and operational limits in Galápagos. However, if demand surges while seat capacity remains limited, it could impact availability and potentially pricing down the line.
Therefore, it is something travelers may want to consider when planning ahead, especially during peak travel periods.
And what improvements will passengers actually see?
With a significant price hike in maritime transport, it is reasonable to ask whether passengers will experience better safety standards, comfort, reliability, or overall service quality.
If you are currently in Galápagos or have traveled between Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristóbal, or Floreana since August 11, it would be extremely helpful to hear what is happening on the ground:
How much were you charged?
Which route did you take?
Do you know the name of the boat?
Please share your experience below. It can help other travelers understand how this new system is actually being implemented.
Source: Resolution MIT-SPTM-2026-0126-R – Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport of Ecuador.
