Galápagos Health & Safety

By Karey Fuhs

Touring the Galápagos will be a mentally and physically exhausting vacation if done right. The potentially long flights, extended periods of time on a moving boat, and drastic changes between land and sea temperatures can all take their toll on the body. Plus, cruise boats have very close quarters, which allow for the ultra-rapid spread of viruses. As such, it is a good idea to bring a variety of over-the-counter medicines, especially a nasal decongestant, cough drops, and pain-killers. You may also want to bring a muscle reliever and an Ace-bandage, since few passengers (and crew members, for that matter) make it out of a head-to-head beach soccer match uninjured.

If you know you get seasick, you should get a prescription for a motion-sickness patch or bring plenty of non-drowsy Dramamine, especially if you are visiting during the wet season, when the seas are roughest. You can also purchase an inexpensive sea-sickness medication on the continent or in Puerto Ayora, called Mareol. Some boats may have Mareol reserves if you need them, since it is everyone’s best interest that you do not get sick. Although there are mosquitoes in Galápagos, none of them are carriers of malaria or dengue fever, so you don’t have to worry about getting any vaccinations for tropical diseases.

Medical facilities and pharmacies on Puerto Ayora are decent, if you are close to them. The town’s hospital offers basic medical services, but it is not very modern or well-stocked. The hyperbaric chamber/clinic offers 24-hour care for diving emergencies and serious burns. Although Dr. Gabriel Idrovo and Dr. Ramiro Lopez specialize in hyperbaric medicine, they also provide general medical consultations during their regular office hours (9:30-13:30 and 15:30-19:30). Since it is a private facility that counts on only a small percentage of its funding from local scuba-diving operators, they may ask tourists that use the clinic to give a small contribution in addition to the $20-30 consultation fee.