Will my mobile phone work in the Galapagos Islands?

If you're travelling to somewhere as beautiful and picturesque as the Galapagos Islands, then disconnecting from the outside world probably isn't a bad thing. However, in case of emergencies, your mobile phone should work when moving around the archipelago, especially in well-populated areas such as Baltra Island, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz.

You can either activate your mobile phone provider's global roaming option (which is usually an extra fee on top of your monthly plan), chance your luck and connect to the internet when local wifi is available, or buy a local SIM card (in which case your phone must be unlocked in order for it to work).

Buying a SIM card in the Galapagos Islands

The best place to purchase a SIM card to use in the Galapagos is in Ecuador's capital, Quito. Several different Ecuadorian mobile phone providers have stores at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito.

While all Ecuadorian mobile phone providers should offer good coverage around the islands, the most popular providers are CLARA and Movistar. 

If you're spending some extra time in Quito before your cruise to the Galapagos, you can also buy a SIM card from any convenience store or other phone stores you come across in the city.

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