Galapagos - Money

Sucre (S) of 100 centavos. US$ are accepted.

Bring plenty of cash to Galapagos. Many places don't accept credit cards, only US$.

All official expenses have to be paid in “cash” on the islands, paying with a credit card is not an option. Shops rarely take credit cards and they will add an extra % for using one - up to 14 %! Fuel and excursions also have to paid for in cash. Bring plenty of one-dollar and five-dollars bills to pay taxis and small purchases.

There are ATMs available on all of the larger islands, except for Floreana. The maximum you can take out at any one time tends to be US$200 with a 4.5% charge (some may allow 3 withdrawls per card per day).

On Isla Santa Cruz, in Academy Bay, the ATM machines near the ferry terminal, restaurants, and shops charge a transaction fee of $4.95 and you can only withdraw $100 at a time. However, on the other side of town, in an area not visited by tourists, the ATMs at the local bank charge $4.95 per transaction and you can withdraw $500 in each transaction. Just ask one of the National Park Tour Guides which bank they use and they will direct you.

Note that it is not possible for foreigners to get cash on Isla Isabela. While there are two banks here, they do not have ATMs and it's not possible to get cash from the counter using a credit card. If this is your last stop for re-provisioning prior to the Pacific crossing, go prepared.

Last updated: February 2024