Yes, I definitely recommend bringing cash with you when traveling to the Galapagos. Having cash on hand is incredibly convenient during the trip. Since Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar, American travelers find it especially easy. And with no currency restrictions for entry or exit, you can bring as much as you feel comfortable carrying.
ATMs are few and far between on the islands—Santa Cruz has a few, San Cristobal only has two, and there’s only one on Isabela, which isn’t always reliable. Most restaurants and shops only accept cash, so it’s essential to have enough cash on hand.
Additionally, carrying cash helps avoid those pesky international bank fees that can sneak up when withdrawing abroad. No one wants to spend extra on fees that could otherwise go toward enjoying the trip!
Benefits of Carrying and Using Cash in Galapagos
Whether you’re on a cruise or a land traveler, you will still need to spend some extra money at some point, like a drink in a bar, souvenirs, tips, snacks, or anything else you might need. Here are the benefits for using cash in the Galapagos;
You can give a tip for good service.
On our Galapagos trip, we noticed it’s customary—and really appreciated—to tip the naturalist guides, restaurant servers, and boat staff who make the experience so memorable. While there’s no obligation to tip, we often left around 10% or just a few dollars when we received great service, and it felt like a nice way to show our appreciation.
This small gesture goes a long way in expressing gratitude for those who make the trip even more enjoyable. It’s just a little something we could do to give back to the people who work hard to make visitors feel welcome.
You can save a lot.
For our Galapagos trip, we definitely leaned toward smaller, budget-friendly hotels and hostels, which often don’t accept cards. Plus, many of the local restaurants off the main tourist spots are cash-only too. Having cash on hand kept us mindful of our budget since we couldn’t just swipe a card and let the bank cover our stay. It made us more intentional with our spending, and honestly, it’s nice to know we were supporting local businesses in the way they operate best.
Save time.
While there are a few ATMs in the Galapagos, we found that relying on them could become a hassle. Instead of fully immersing ourselves in our itinerary, we’d have to carve out time to find an ATM to withdraw cash. Plus, both the ATM and our bank have daily withdrawal limits, so we couldn’t always get a large enough amount for the rest of our stay. Each transaction also comes with a small fee, which can add up quickly. It made having cash on hand from the start seem like the way to go.
Bottom Line
Having cash on hand really simplified our Galapagos trip. Each of us kept a bit of money handy, which helped with any sudden expenses that popped up. Instead of searching for ATMs or dealing with card fees, we could focus on the stunning landscapes and family time—a rare reunion with family spread across different countries. Using cash was not only quicker but allowed us to dive right into experiences without waiting around.
Our trip was a one-of-a-kind adventure, and the simplicity of cash kept things easy and stress-free. Whether you’re cruising or staying on land, having some dollars with you is just practical—saving time, fees, and a lot of hassle.
