We’ve made it to the end of the series!
What I finally want to address is exactly as the title says – Can I travel to the Galápagos Islands if I have a medical condition?
Medical conditions like heart problems, migraines, cancer, and everything in between can be daunting to travel with. I have spoken with several patients with chronic conditions, and sometimes it can be hard to manage these conditions and while having to feel like you have to hold back from experiencing what your trip has to offer. Even everyday activities like walking can sometimes be too much.
While I won’t be able to touch on every single condition, I would like to talk about the risks that are present in the Galápagos and how they can exacerbate some medical conditions.
The Risks That Matter
1. Long active days
I’ve touched on this before, but depending on the tour you select you can be in for some surprisingly long and active days. While activities can be broken up to provide opportunities for rest, it is important to honestly evaluate your activity level because a trek in the Galápagos can differ from a weekend hike back home.
The activities you’ll be participating in will add up and cause strain to your body. Think, walking through uneven terrain early morning, going back to your boat, heading back out to snorkel, followed by another trek, then back to the boat, and then finally some rest. On their own each activity isn’t too strenuous, but combined it can provide extra stress to your heart and lungs if they aren’t used to it.
Medical conditions like heart failure, chronic pain, asthma/COPD, or any condition that limits mobility can often be exacerbated when you are participating in activities that you usually don’t engage in. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! It does mean, however, that you should choose the tour with the itinerary that works best with your health needs. Don’t push yourself beyond your limits, but rather find a balance that will allow you to explore the Galápagos without fear.
2. Heat and Dehydration
While you’re in awe of all the wild animals that you’ll see in the Galápagos, you can wind up forgetting to drink water and stay hydrated. Because the UV index in the Galápagos Island can be quite high, being outside in the sun for most of the day can lead to dehydration and trigger conditions such as migraines, dehydration from sweating, which in turn affects conditions that affect your heart and kidneys. While this is something even healthy people need to be mindful of, pre-existing conditions that require you to take water pills (diuretics) can further increase your dehydration and is something you should be mindful of.
If you have a medical condition that causes you to exhaust quicker, my advice is to carry a water bottle in your day bag and take regular sips while exploring, even if you don’t feel thirsty. In addition, take breaks where you can and wear sun-protective clothing to minimize your exposure and reduce any risk of UV damage.
3. Limited Healthcare
As isolated as the animals are, you too will also be isolated (or at least limited) from access to healthcare. Reaching a medical facility on the islands or trying to get medical evacuation can be quite challenging if you reach a point where your condition becomes too unstable to continue your travels. Hopefully it doesn’t get there, but this is why I recommend you speak to your healthcare professional at least 6-8 weeks before you travel. This time period will allow them to assess your health, what vaccines you may need, and prepare any medications and equipment that you may need while travelling.
The tour boats you are taking will likely not have an onboard doctor. This isn’t a Carnival Cruise or Disney Cruise. It’s small and intimate so supplies can be limited. The crew should be trained in emergency first-aid, but this does not replace proper medical care. Make sure you pack appropriate medications and take care of your health before and during the trip.
While there are healthcare facilities on the inhabited islands, access to specialized medical care is limited. If your condition becomes unstable or requires treatment beyond what is available locally, you may need to be evacuated to mainland Ecuador. Depending on where you are, that can take valuable time. Travel insurance is essential if this happens and I will touch on this later.
Questions I’d Ask Before Booking
- Do I have enough time to get all my medications and vaccines?
- Is my condition stable enough with my current medications?
- Does this tour have any accommodations for my health needs?
- Could I comfortably keep up with this tour’s itinerary?
- What would I do or what would I need if I had a medical emergency there?
- Does my travel insurance cover my medical condition and emergency evacuations?
These questions capture what it takes to travel around the Galápagos Islands with a chronic medical condition. Try to answer them honestly or direct them to the right professionals (i.e. your doctor, tour provider, etc)
Travel Insurance
I know travel insurance isn’t the most fun thing to think of but I think it is important for anyone with a serious medical condition to have when travelling abroad, especially for the Galápagos Islands. As mentioned, in the case of an emergency you may need to be medically evacuated back to mainland Ecuador, which can be quite costly.
The important thing to note about choosing your travel insurance is making sure that they cover your specific medical condition. This is often determined at the time you apply for it through a pre-screening questionnaire. Some policies require that your condition has been stable for a certain period before departure, while others may exclude coverage altogether if you don’t meet their requirements. It’s worth reading the fine print before you travel rather than discovering a limitation when you need help the most.
Before You Fly
Now this section is optional but can be helpful for some of the patients I’ve spoken to. I think it is important that you always let someone know where you are travelling to, whether it be a friend or family member. There are also free services your country provides to register with to let them know you are going abroad:
Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
United States: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step
These services exist as a good way to get updated information on emergencies that are occurring at your destination.
Additionally if you have an iPhone or the equivalent of the iPhone’s Medical ID, I would make sure that is updated with all pertinent information before you travel. This can include:
- Emergency contacts
- Allergies
- Medications
- Medical conditions
- Travel insurance policy number
It only takes a few minutes to put together, but can provide so much value in the case of an emergency.
Planning for the Galápagos has been quite interesting. I had come into this thinking I would be looking at exotic diseases and vaccines but it was quite the opposite. It had me thinking more about the small practical things that a lot of people might overlook when it comes to their health. In many ways, that’s what travel health is usually about. We shouldn’t be expecting the worst, but rather being prepared so that you can worry less and actually enjoy your trip. And if there’s one thing I hope you’ve taken away from this Galápagos series, it’s this: good travel health isn’t about packing more. It’s about planning smarter.
Thank you so much for following along,
You can read the rest of the series here:
