Product info
Galapagos eSIM plans
| 2GB prepaid eSIM · 7 days | $11.79$5.89 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 3GB prepaid eSIM · 14 days | $17.49$5.83 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| Ohayu recommends5GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $27.49$5.50 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 10GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $42.99$4.30 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 15GB prepaid eSIM · 60 days | $52.99$3.53 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 20GB prepaid eSIM · 90 days | $62.99$3.15 / GB | Buy eSIM |
Plan details
How much mobile data you need
What's the best eSIM for Galapagos?
Island-hopping week – 2 GB
Messaging and photos from the towns.
Islands and mainland – 5 GB
Quito or Guayaquil plus the islands.
Longer Ecuador trip – 15 GB
Andes, Amazon and the coast too.
Working from Puerto Ayora – 20 GB
Tethering, on the understanding it is 4G at best.
Coverage and network
Where there is actually signal
Ecuador mobile networks
Be realistic about this one. Ecuador averages 63 Mbps at 70th globally and 5G is only just starting, so expect 4G. In the Galápagos, coverage exists in four places and essentially nowhere else - the archipelago is a national park of mostly uninhabited islands, and there is no infrastructure on them. (Speedtest by Ookla, June 2026)
Speedtest Global Index · Mobile · Ecuador · June 2026
Download
63.22 Mbps
Upload
20.01 Mbps
Latency
23 ms
Global rank
#70 of 98
The four places with service
- Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz: The main town and the most reliable connection on the islands. Fine for messaging, maps and uploading photos in the evening.
- Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal: Workable in town and around the harbour.
- Puerto Villamil, Isabela: Weaker again, but usable in the village. Claro generally has the best reach of the three carriers here.
- Baltra airport, and then nothing: Outside those settlements - the visitor sites, the highlands, the uninhabited islands, and the water between them - there is no mobile coverage at all. That is most of what you came to see.
Islands and mainland
The plan covers all of Ecuador. The Galápagos are domestic Ecuador rather than roaming, so the same plan works in Quito, Guayaquil and on the islands - where there is signal to find.
How to install eSIM
Connected in 3 steps
- 01
Buy before you fly
Choose your data plan before your trip.
- 02
Download & install
Log in to your account, tap your eSIM, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 03
Land & activate
Activate when you arrive in Ecuador. Turn on roaming for the eSIM and it connects to a local network.
Before you buy, make sure your phone supports eSIM — see Ohayu compatible devices list or dial *#06#. It's a free request to your phone's settings. If you see the EID number — your phone is eSIM-compatible.
Arriving in the Galápagos
Airport Wi-Fi at Baltra
There is Wi-Fi in the Baltra terminal, in both the public and boarding areas, though no network name is published. Install before you leave the mainland rather than relying on it.
Side by side
Galapagos eSIM Comparison
Indicative comparison based on publicly listed Ecuador plans as of August 2026. Competitor pricing and policies change - check their sites for current terms.
Frequently asked questions
Where to buy a SIM card in the Galápagos?
Barely anywhere - there are a few outlets in Puerto Ayora and almost nothing on the smaller islands. Sorting connectivity on the mainland or before you travel is the sensible route. Claro has the best island coverage of the three carriers.
Do I need ID to buy a prepaid SIM in Ecuador?
Yes - operators are required to register the line against an ID document, and a passport is accepted for foreigners. Some stores also want a photo of the passport plus the SIM serial and your handset IMEI.
You may read that only Ecuadorian citizens can buy a SIM. That is not the law, but it does reflect how some shops behave, so use an official Claro, Movistar or CNT store. Ohayu plans are data-only with no Ecuadorian number and skip the process.
Will I have signal on a Galápagos cruise?
Almost certainly not. Cell coverage generally stops as soon as you leave port, and there is nothing at sea or around the uninhabited islands - which is where a cruise itinerary spends most of its time. Many boats now carry satellite internet instead, but it varies vessel by vessel and is sometimes chargeable, so check your specific boat rather than assuming. Plan on being out of contact and tell people at home before you sail.
Is there anything else I need to enter the Galápagos?
Yes, and it is separate from anything to do with phones. You need a Transit Control Card, registered before travel, plus the national park entry fee, and your passport should have at least six months validity. That is an entry requirement rather than a connectivity one, but it catches people out at Quito and Guayaquil check-in.
No signal in the Galápagos?
Outside Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Villamil and Baltra there is usually no coverage to connect to - that is the islands, not a fault. In one of those towns, check the Ohayu eSIM is your data line and roaming is on, then cycle Airplane mode. Chat and support@ohayu.com are open 24/7.
