When you visit Galapagos leave only footprints

A visit to Galapagos is an experience you will never forget. Most visitors know that they will never in their lives see another place of such extraordinary beauty and fascination.

Each visitor to Galapagos has the opportunity to protect the islands – or to damage them. To make your contribution positive, and to help conserve Galapagos, the National Park asks you to respect their rules.

1. Because of its unique nature, the plants, animals and rocks should stay on site so that there is no alteration. Nothing may be taken from the islands except photos.
2. Each island in the archipelago is a unique place because of its flora, fauna and scenery. Introduction of foreign organisms such as animals, seeds, plants and insects causes serious problems.  Your cooperation is very important in avoiding that this occurs.
3. Galapagos animals should not be touched or petted for your safety and because they can quickly lose their tameness and change their behavior.
4. The endemic and native fauna of Galapagos has its natural way of feeding.  Therefore, do not give them any type of food because it could harm them.
5. Each year tens of thousands of people visit the Galapagos Islands. Imagine what would happen if each of them took a shell, plant or disturbed an animal?
6. The Galapagos marine birds leave their nests if you disturb or follow them. They let their eggs or chicks fall on the ground or leave them exposed to the sun. Therefore you may watch the birds at a distance of no less than two meters.
7. To keep the islands in their best possible natural state, bringing any live organism from the continent or even relocating one from the islands is prohibited.  Plants, seeds, insects, plagues and illnesses are dangerous for the fragile island ecosystem.
8. Visitors' sites at the Galapagos National Park are marked and indicated to guarantee your safety. You cannot leave the paths.
9. Fishing on board tourist ships is not permitted.
10. Garbage of any type interferes with natural processes and takes away the enchantment of the unique island scenery. Do not throw away garbage at visitors' sites, in the ocean or near the islands. Sea lions take cans deposited at the bottom of the sea and play with them hurting their noises. Plastic can be eaten by marine turtles and they can die from an intestinal blockage. Do not leave anything on the islands except for your footprints.
11. On the inhabited islands you can buy objects with Galapagos themes made of wood, ceramics, etc.  Purchasing souvenirs made of black coral, marine turtle shells, sea lion teeth, shells goes against the principles of conservation.
12. Writing names and phrases of any type on rocks, walls, etc. is a sign of bad manners and rudeness and damages the scenery.  Remember:  “Your immortality is not more important than the nature of the islands.”
13. Fire or smoking within the areas of the Park is not allowed.  Remember than a fire could start with a match or a cigarette that is not put out completely.  Through negligence in 1985 and 1994 Isabela Island suffered great fires.
14. If you want to camp at authorized tourist sites you must request a permit from the Park Director.
15. Professional filming requires special authorizations from the Director of the Galapagos National Park.
16. Before doing anything that might endanger a visitor’s safety or that of the National Park, please advise a Park Ranger, Police authorities, Ecuadorian Navy or CAPTURGAL.

When you visit Galapagos, be sure to stop by the CDRS Gift Shop. When you buy there you help to support CDF.