Galapagos National Park

In 1967 a park service was set up in the islands and 5 years later the first park superintendent arrived. The Galapagos National Park Service works hand in hand with the Charles Darwin Research Station implementing their common goals of conservation and preservations of the natural resources with the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve. The park service approves all itineraries of boats visiting the islands making sure that the tourism is distributed evenly throughout the islands. They also work as the licensing board for guides in the islands.

The park was established on 14 May 1936 by Executive Decree No. 31 and ratified on 4 July 1959 by Decree No. 17. At that time the boundary of the national park was fixed to include all Galapagos Islands, except those which had already been colonised as of 20 July 1959. After final establishment of the boundaries in 1968, 96% of the land area of the archipelago was included in the park.

In 1967 a park service was set up in the islands and 5 years later the first park superintendent arrived. The Galapagos National Park Service works hand in hand with the Charles Darwin Research Station implementing their common goals of conservation and preservations of the natural resources with the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve. The park service approves all itineraries of boats visiting the islands making sure that the tourism is distributed evenly throughout the islands. They also work as the licensing board for guides in the islands.

The Directorate of the Galapagos National Park is responsible for the conservation of the ecological integrity and biodiversity of island and marine ecosystems of the protected areas of the archipelago, as well as the rational use of goods and services they generate for the community.

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most magical places on earth. Here animals live without fear and do not run away from visitors. To maintain the uniqueness of the Galapagos Islands the national park service has developed rules to aid in the preservation. Your naturalist-guide will explain and enforce these rules making sure that all visitors stay together on marked paths and respect the follow the other park service regulations.

• No plant, animal, or remains of such (including shells, bones, and pieces of wood), or other natural objects should not be removed or disturbed.
• Be careful not to transport any live material to the islands, or from island to island.
• Do not take any food to the uninhabited islands, for the same reason.
• Do not touch or handle the animals.
• Do not feed the animals. It can be dangerous to you, and in the long run would destroy the animals' social structure and breeding habits.
• Do not startle or chase any animal from its resting or nesting spot.
• Stay within the areas designated as visiting sites.
• Do not leave any litter on the islands, or throw any off your boat.
• Do not deface the rocks.
• Do not buy souvenirs or objects made of plants or animals from the islands.
• Do not visit the islands unless accompanied by a licensed National Park Guide.
• Restrict your visits to officially approved areas.

The Galapagos National Park contributes to the development of the insular region in accordance with the characteristics and capacity of the unique Galapagos ecosystems.