Can I use a domestic fare to fly to the Galapagos from mainland Ecuador?

October 5, 2020 2:11 PM

I am a U.S. citizen living in Ecuador on a standard 90-day tourist entry stamp. I have always dreamed of visiting the Galapagos Islands. When I try to book a plane ticket to the islands online, there are always two results -- a domestic fare for official residents of Ecuador, and a fare for foreigners (which is more than twice the price of the domestic fare). Is there any way for this budget traveler to secure the domestic fare without being noticed as a foreigner and having to pay the difference at the airport?

I have researched this. It is simple to book the domestic fare online. However, it appears that if the airline spots a foreigner trying to travel with a domestic fare to the Galapagos at either airport, the traveler has to pay a fee of at least $150 USD each way.

However, what is unclear from my research is how often this is enforced. If I carry my luggage on the plane and check in online, negating the need to check in at the ticket counter, will they ever know? Since it's a domestic flight, will I even need to show my passport? Do any of you have any experience as a foreigner traveling to the Galapagos on a domestic fare? Any insight would be appreciated!

posted by fenwaydirtdog to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

Please think about the reasons for the existence of a domestic fare for Ecuadorians and consider the ethics of what you are thinking about doing.

In my experience all airports and/or airlines have a procedure for verifying that the name on your ticket matches the name on your government-issued photo ID, even if you check in online. Which ID will you be showing to prove your identity when you arrive at the airport?

[Caveat: I have never been to Ecuador.]
posted by heatherlogan at 2:28 PM on October 5, 2020 [19 favorites]

I did this flight years ago, and my memory of it is very hazy.

What I do think I remember, though, is that the Galapagos flights are not treated as normal domestic flights - there's a more elaborate check-in / security procedure, for biosecurity purposes. I think I may even have a separate "Galapagos" stamp in my passport (which is probably mostly a kind of tourist thing, but it is a sign that passports were being checked in a Galapagos-specific way).
posted by kickingtheground at 2:31 PM on October 5, 2020

I agree that this is unethical, but ethics notwithstanding, here's at least one example of it not working:

Earlier this year we found a good deal on a flight to the Galápagos Islands using Google Flights. I speak Spanish, but also had our Ecuadorian travel agent look through the booking to make sure I wasn’t missing anything in the fine print. We made it to the Galapagos without a problem, but on our return home, the LATAM ticket agent stopped us and said that we had purchased a ticket for Ecuadorian nationals instead of foreigners. As a result, we would have to pay a fee of $168 per person.

posted by caek at 2:50 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I have been able to get such tickets, but only when I was living in those countries as a resident, with a resident visa, not a tourist visa. I believe I showed my passport and visa even when flying domestically on those citizen/resident tickets.

Please stop trying to do this. Those prices aren't for you.
posted by bluedaisy at 3:21 PM on October 5, 2020 [18 favorites]

Response by poster: OK, I read you all loud and clear. I won't try using these domestic fares and I understand your reasons. I like Metafilter because it speaks the truth to me and I appreciate it! Thank you for your perspectives, everyone :-)
posted by fenwaydirtdog at 3:38 PM on October 5, 2020 [9 favorites]

Also, immigration authorities get really antsy when you say you are "living" in a country on a tourist visa. Unless you're planning to overstay and become an undocumented immigrant, I'm almost certain you are "visiting" Perú.
posted by wnissen at 4:14 PM on October 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

The Galapagos is worth it to visit at the higher price!

When you arrive, you’ll need cash for the visitors visa.
posted by thenormshow at 5:56 PM on October 5, 2020

I’m a US citizen living in Argentina on a renewable tourist visa. Well, I was till COVID happened and I got stuck out-of-country during their lockdown. Unfortunately, unlike in Ecuador, it seems that so often Argentine citizens have to pay more than foreigners but that’s a different story for a different post. I’m writing to say that, even for Latin American citizens, flying between or within countries is super expensive. In fact, in some cases it’s more expensive to fly from Buenos Aires to Lima than it is to fly from Lima to Miami! Bus travel is very reasonable and taking a bus journey for 24 hours or more is totally normal and something even people who can afford the flight choose. I’ve done it and is actually totally fine, nicer than in the US actually and I like taking Greyhound. Taking a bus on your route is impossible so the flight is unavoidable but do keep in mind for the future that buses are a great option when you’re looking to travel long distances and save money.
posted by smorgasbord at 4:45 PM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]