Foreign tourists need
to contract a private medical insurance before entering to the Galapagos
Islands
From November
1st 2018 tourists visiting Ecuador will need health insurance according to the
Ecuadorian Government and Galapagos rules.
According
to authorities, foreign tourists need to contract a private medical insurance
before entering to the enchanted islands. In addition, foreign tourists will
need to present hotel reservation in one or more tourist accommodation
establishments legally authorized, to spend the night in the islands; or have
an invitation letter from a permanent or temporary resident. National tourists
also have new rules to enter to the archipelago. Ecuadorians do not need
private insurance but they should present the hotel reservation or the
invitation letter from a resident.
Private
health insurance can be purchased by tourists from insurance companies that
have the authorization, authorized companies will be published in the Technical
Secretary website at the end of August 2018. The article 258 of the Ecuador Constitution,
establishes that the Galapagos province will have a special government and its
planning and development are organized in accordance with a strict adherence to
the principles of conservation of the State´s natural heritage and good living,
in accordance with what the law determines.
The
administration of this special regime is in charge of a Government Council
chaired by the representative of the Presidency of the Republic and composed by
the mayors of the municipalities of the Galapagos province, representative of
the parish boards and representatives of the agencies that determine the law. On
its charge is the planning, management of the resources and the organization of
activities carried out in the province.
According
to this Government Council, the new regulations are supported by paragraph 11
of Article 11 of the Organic Law of Special Regime of the Galapagos, which
empowers the Plenary of the Governing Council a regular procedure to control
the flow of migration and residence in the province of Galápagos. Art. 49 of
the Organic Law of Special Regime requires Health Insurance.
Foreign
tourists, before entering the province of Galapagos, claim to have private
health insurance, without prejudice to international agreements that are held
on the matter of free mobility. Due to the special conditions of visit in the
insular region (active tourism), the health insurance acquired by foreign
tourists, to enter the islands, will need the authorization of the Galápagos
Government Council.
