What Travelers Should Know About the Galápagos Floods—and the Ongoing Impact of El Ñino

On October 30 and 31, 2026, torrential rainfall on the Galápagos's Santa Cruz island caused waterways to overflow, flooding neighborhoods, damaging homes, and disrupting essential infrastructure. The local government declared an emergency, with over 2,000 people affected by the damage. This places the Galápagos among several beloved tourism destinations that are already grappling with the effects of El Ñino.The news has also left many travelers wondering: Is it safe to travel to the Galápagos right now? And how should those with upcoming cruises and hotel stays proceed?Rodrigo Jácome, who runs La K-leta Guest House and a small coffee farm on Santa Cruz, which is the archipelago's main inhabited island and a central hub for tourism, says the flooding has not damaged key tourism infrastructure—though it devastated other local livelihoods. “The flooding affected residential neighborhoods that are not particularly close to the main hotel areas,” says Jácome, who lost most of his coffee harvest in the rains. For those with upcoming travel, and locals who rely on travelers to make a living, however, “tourism operations resumed within days.”Authorities have reopened most visitor sites in the Galápagos National Park, and transportation has resumed, though conditions remain subject to change. Below, we report on all of the impacted areas across the Galápagos, which tours may be rerouted, and how to stay up on the news as future weather develops, according to those on the ground. Plus, local tour operators share advice on planning accordingly for trips in the months ahead.Which areas of the Galápagos were affected by the flooding?Santa Cruz is where you'll find many hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and transportation connections, and the area that experienced the most significant damage. Santa Cruz serves as a major base for day trips and cruises to other islands. Most visitors arriving by air fly in via neighboring Baltra, where the airport is located.Puerto Ayora, the island's main town, and the highland parish of Bellavista, were among the affected areas. Floodwaters damaged homes and roads, disrupted water and electricity services, and forced families to evacuate. The flooding also affected transportation infrastructure connecting Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport, the main gateway for visitors arriving by air to Santa Cruz. The road reopened on November 5 and reconstruction work is being carried out in parallel, allowing travelers to continue arriving to the island as planned.Although the emergency was concentrated in Santa Cruz, other islands also experienced heavy rainfall and localized flooding. Whitman Cox, a Galápagos National Park naturalist guide based in San Cristóbal, which is known for its sea lion colonies, volcanic landscapes, and popular snorkeling and diving sites, says there was no such damage in San Cristobal, but access to some of the beaches around the island has been restricted as weather conditions change.Travelers should therefore check conditions for all destinations on their itinerary, across the archipelago, rather than assuming all islands have been affected equally. Constant communication with tour guides, your hotel, or cruise line is the best way to get up-to-date information.While the Galápagos National Park has progressively reopened, the Los Humedales sector in Isabela (above) remains closed. GettyIs it safe to visit the Galápagos right now?As of November 9, flights to Baltra and San Cristóbal were operating on their regular schedules, according to local reporting. Tourism activities have also continued, although some visitor sites remain temporarily closed.The Galápagos National Park has progressively reopened areas following safety assessments: As of November 9, Playa El Garrapatero in Santa Cruz was accessible again, while popular visitor sites Las Grietas, El Chato, and El Puntudo remained restricted. In San Cristóbal, La Lobería and Punta Carola had reopened, while surfing spots Puerto Chino and Playa Baquerizo remained closed. The Los Humedales sector in Isabela also remained closed. From November 9-18, Tortuga Bay, a beach in Santa Cruz, will be closed as a preventative measure due to tide changes.Plus: how long to stay, and whether you should go on a land- or sea-based tour.The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its Ecuador travel advisory on November 1 to include the flooding on Santa Cruz. It advises travelers to follow local authorities' instructions, avoid flooded areas, and confirm travel arrangements with airlines and tour operators.Cox emphasizes that travelers shouldn't panic—El Niño is a natural weather cycle. “People can still come. We shouldn't frighten them," says Cox. His main guidance is to be patient. “They may encounter transportation difficulties between certain points, which could take additional time.” He adds that the park has done its best in the interest of safety by closing the above sites as a precautionary measure.What is El Niño, and how else could it affect your trip?The flooding comes as Ecuador experiences an El Niño event, a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures across the equatorial Pacific, which can alter atmospheric circulation and rainfall patterns. In Ecuador, El Niño is often associated with heavier rainfall, particularly along the coast and in the Galápagos. However, its effects vary by region and over time.According to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI), the El Niño event remained active and was strengthening for the upcoming months with weather reports suggesting that heavy rainfall may last until February 2027.The potential implications for travelers include heavy rain, temporary road closures, changes to boat excursions, and restricted access to natural visitor sites. Weather conditions can also affect marine activities and inter-island transportation.However, this is not the first time El Niño has impacted the islands, and tour guides understand how to prepare. “It is a cyclical part of nature that we have seen every 10-15 years,” says Charles Wittmer, president of the Association of Boat Operators in the Galápagos, ADATUR. “Nature is unpredictable and if anything, this is a chance to see the adaptations of animals to changing weather conditions,” he says. “Remember: this is a natural laboratory of evolution.” On the wildlife front, Wittmer mentions that Galápagos penguins and cormorants adapt to warming ocean waters. And there's a plus: These shifts in marine ecosystem activity may increase the variety of species spotted while snorkeling.How should travelers prepare for a trip to the Galápagos during El Ñino?If you have an upcoming trip, local tourism specialists recommend staying informed and remaining flexible. It’s best to ask about excursion alternatives when booking a tour in the islands, should weather create the need to pivot.Before departure, confirm your flights and accommodation directly with your airline and tour operator. Ask whether your planned excursions are operating as anticipated and whether alternative activities are available if certain visitor sites are closed. Ask your tour guide for updates daily.It's also a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers weather-related disruptions, medical emergencies, and unexpected accommodation or transportation expenses. Travelers can monitor official updates from INAMHI and the Galápagos National Park social media and from their website with forecasts, and plan smart by allowing extra flexibility in travel connections and excursions. Remember to also pack lightweight rain protection and waterproof bags for electronics and important documents.Like Cox, Wittmer emphasizes that nature is out of our control. “People should bring clothing and be ready for heavier rainfall and be flexible in their expectations.”Though travelers come to the Galápagos for the nature, local guides are the greatest resource in appreciating this place—and navigating it in uncertain times. GettyHow can travelers support local communities in the Galápagos?Whether staying in local communities, visiting for a few hours on cruise excursions, or simply passing through in transit, travelers contribute to the livelihoods of local businesses and workers, many of whom are also dealing with the consequences of the flooding, simply by visiting. As Jácome puts it, “Tourism is needed now more than ever to help rebuild the communities that lost everything.”Consider booking locally owned accommodation, hiring licensed local guides, eating at independent restaurants, and purchasing goods from small businesses.As always, travelers should also be mindful that affected neighborhoods are not tourist attractions. Avoid visiting damaged homes or taking photographs of residents dealing with the aftermath of the flooding without their permission.How to help with recovery effortsIf you are traveling to Galápagos right now, consider packing water purification tablets, basic first-aid supplies, and hygiene kits to done to affected families (your guide or hotel can assist with routing these to the right place). You can also check with local emergency centers or your tour operator upon arrival to donate pet food or clean clothes directly to the most impacted neighborhoods.If you want to contribute to recovery efforts from afar, several organizations and initiatives have mobilized support:Fundación Charles Darwin: The foundation is part of an emergency fundraising initiative, with proceeds directed to the Santa Cruz emergency response committee (COE) to support urgent community needs.San Francisco de Quito University: The University has established a SOS Galapagos fund, collecting donations on their campus in Quito. They also have a donations link.Fundación Torraja: This local organization is administering a Community Kitchen and providing meals and donations directly to families who lost their belongings in the floods.