Best Travel Insurance for Ecuador 2026: Galápagos Diving, Cotopaxi & Amazon
Best travel insurance for Ecuador in 2026. SafetyWing's 4,000m limit excludes Cotopaxi (5,897m). Galápagos liveaboard diving and Amazon evacuation need World Nomads.
Cotopaxi sits at 5,897m. SafetyWing covers to 4,000m. Even the acclimatization refuge on Cotopaxi (4,800m) is outside SafetyWing’s coverage. The standard approach hike, the summit attempt, the altitude sickness risk — none of it is covered. For Ecuador’s volcanoes, SafetyWing is not travel insurance. It’s insurance for a different trip.
Ecuador packs more adventure-travel complexity into a small geography than almost any other destination. Galápagos liveaboard diving. Amazon jungle treks. High-altitude volcanic climbing on peaks above 6,000m. Colonial Quito with an excellent private hospital. The Pacific coast surf scene. No other country in this guide demands as much altitude-specific attention from its insurance coverage.
The pattern will feel familiar to Nepal readers: SafetyWing’s 4,000m altitude limit disqualifies it for Ecuador’s most iconic experiences. Cotopaxi at 5,897m. Chimborazo at 6,268m. Even the acclimatization day hike to the Cotopaxi refuge at 4,800m exceeds SafetyWing’s limit. For anyone planning Ecuador’s Andes, SafetyWing is the wrong product — not a compromise, but a categorical mismatch.
World Nomads is the right call for Ecuador — altitude coverage to 6,000m, Galápagos liveaboard diving, Amazon evacuation, and unlimited emergency extraction. For Quito city stays and low-altitude travel only, SafetyWing is adequate.
Quick Picks: Best Travel Insurance for Ecuador
🏆 Quick Picks
World Nomads
Covers Cotopaxi (5,897m) and Chimborazo near-summit, Galápagos liveaboard diving, Amazon evacuation, and unlimited emergency extraction. The definitive Ecuador adventure policy.
From ~$75-130/month
SafetyWing
~$45/month for Quito city stays and coastal Ecuador. Hospital Metropolitano handles urban emergencies well. NOT suitable for Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, or Galápagos diving.
From ~$45/month
Heymondo
Covers Galápagos diving, Amazon trekking, and high-altitude climbing (verify altitude limit for Cotopaxi). Fast claims processing.
From ~$55-100/month
Genki
Explorer plan covers adventures on monthly subscription. Good for researchers, volunteers, and long-stay travelers doing repeated Andes or Galápagos expeditions.
From ~€52/month
What Travel Insurance Must Cover in Ecuador
Ecuador’s adventure geography creates three distinct risk zones, each with different insurance requirements.
Quito and the Highlands: Altitude Baseline
Quito itself sits at 2,850m — well within SafetyWing’s 4,000m limit and well within any standard policy’s coverage. Hospital Metropolitano in Quito is an excellent private hospital: JCI-accredited, specialist staffed, English-speaking, and capable of handling complex cases. It is the reference destination for serious medical emergencies in Ecuador.
Quito altitude note: Even at 2,850m, some travelers experience mild altitude symptoms on arrival — headache, fatigue, shortness of breath. This is not an insurance issue; it’s acclimatization. Genuine altitude sickness requiring medical intervention at Quito’s altitude is uncommon. All four providers cover medical treatment in Quito.
Cotopaxi and the Volcanic Andes: Where SafetyWing Stops Working
Ecuador’s Andes offer some of the world’s most accessible high-altitude mountaineering — peaks that can be summited by fit non-technical climbers with proper acclimatization and a guide. This accessibility brings large numbers of travelers to altitudes where SafetyWing provides no coverage.
Ecuador’s key volcanic peaks and SafetyWing’s coverage:
| Peak | Altitude | SafetyWing Covered? | World Nomads Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quilotoa (crater rim) | 3,914m | Yes (barely) | Yes |
| Iliniza Norte | 5,126m | No | Yes |
| Iliniza Sur | 5,248m | No | Yes |
| Antisana | 5,758m | No | Yes |
| Cayambe | 5,790m | No | Yes |
| Cotopaxi | 5,897m | No | Yes |
| Chimborazo | 6,268m | No | Yes (verify Explorer for summit) |
| Cotopaxi Refugio (approach) | 4,800m | No | Yes |
The Cotopaxi refugio approach — a non-technical hike that’s part of standard summit preparation — already sits above SafetyWing’s limit. Any traveler on a standard Cotopaxi day trip who reaches the refuge level is uninsured under SafetyWing.
Altitude sickness on Ecuador’s volcanoes: AMS risk on Cotopaxi and Chimborazo is real. HACE and HAPE can develop rapidly above 5,000m, particularly if the standard 2-3 day Quito acclimatization isn’t completed. Emergency descent plus evacuation from high on Cotopaxi to Hospital Metropolitano in Quito — by vehicle, typically — costs $1,000–$3,000+ depending on severity.
The Galápagos: Diving and Ocean Evacuation
The Galápagos Islands are 400km off Ecuador’s coast — a remote archipelago where medical infrastructure is deliberately limited to protect the ecosystem. Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz has the best facilities: a small hospital and a recompression (hyperbaric) chamber installed in 2019 (verify current operational status before diving). Isabela Island and other islands have basic medical posts only.
Why Galápagos diving insurance matters:
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DCS risk from repetitive diving. Liveaboard itineraries involve 3-4 dives per day for 7-8 days. The cumulative nitrogen loading from this diving schedule creates meaningful DCS risk — experienced divers who push profiles on Galápagos dives develop DCS.
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Challenging dive conditions. Sites like Gordon Rocks, Wolf, and Darwin involve cold water (around 22°C with thermoclines to 15°C), strong currents, and significant depths. These conditions increase risk compared to tropical resort diving.
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Evacuation from remote island locations. An injury or DCS incident on a liveaboard at Wolf Island (the northernmost site) requires return to the main island, then potential flight to Guayaquil for treatment. The evacuation logistics add cost and delay treatment.
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Liveaboard investment. A Galápagos liveaboard typically costs $3,000–$6,000+ per person. Trip interruption coverage protecting this investment is a separate reason to carry proper insurance.
SafetyWing excludes scuba diving. If you’re diving the Galápagos — day trips or liveaboard — SafetyWing is not functional insurance for that activity.
The Amazon: Remote Evacuation
Ecuador’s Amazon region (Oriente) — the Napo River basin, areas around Coca and Tena, and the deep jungle lodge networks — has limited medical infrastructure by design: the jungle is the destination.
Serious medical emergencies in the Amazon require evacuation. The form depends on location:
- Near Tena or Coca: Road transport plus hospital; 4-6 hours to Quito
- Deep jungle lodges on the Napo: Motorized canoe to airstrip + small aircraft to Quito; or helicopter direct
- Very remote community tourism areas: Helicopter only
Helicopter evacuation from remote Amazon to Quito: $3,000–$8,000+. Small aircraft from jungle airstrip: $1,500–$4,000. All four providers include emergency evacuation, but the caps vary — and the Amazon is where an unlimited evacuation provision (World Nomads) versus a capped one makes a concrete difference.
Tropical diseases — malaria (in some areas), dengue fever, leishmaniasis — are covered as illnesses under all standard policies. They are not adventure-activity exclusions; they are standard medical emergencies.
1. World Nomads — The Definitive Ecuador Adventure Policy
Plan Type: Trip-based | Medical Coverage: $100,000–$250,000+ | Emergency Evacuation: Unlimited | Altitude: Up to 6,000m | Adventures: 200+ covered
World Nomads is the benchmark for Ecuador’s adventure travel insurance, and it earned that status by covering the activities that define Ecuador travel: high-altitude Andes climbing, Galápagos diving, and Amazon jungle trekking.
6,000m altitude coverage on Standard plan. Cotopaxi (5,897m) and the approaches to Chimborazo (6,268m — verify Explorer plan for the summit itself) are covered. The refugio on Cotopaxi at 4,800m — where acclimatization parties stop and many summit attempts begin — is covered with over 1,000m of headroom below the Standard plan’s limit. All acclimatization hikes, intermediate peaks, and the standard volcanic circuit are covered.
Galápagos liveaboard diving covered. World Nomads explicitly covers liveaboard diving, DCS treatment, and emergency evacuation from the Galápagos. If a DCS incident on a Wolf Island dive requires evacuation to Guayaquil for hyperbaric treatment, the transport and treatment are covered.
Unlimited emergency evacuation. No cap. A helicopter from a remote Amazon lodge to Quito — potentially $6,000–$8,000 — is covered without a dollar ceiling. This is the provision that separates World Nomads from capped providers for Ecuador’s most remote scenarios.
200+ activities. Beyond the headline risks: white-water rafting on the Toachi River (Grade IV–V, one of South America’s best), paragliding from Quito, zip-lining in the Cloud Forest, and mountain biking the Avenue of the Volcanoes are all covered.
Trip cancellation. Non-refundable Galápagos liveaboard bookings ($3,000–$6,000+) are covered up to $10,000 on World Nomads Explorer — meaningful given the investment level.
Ecuador Volcanic Climbing: The Policy Reality
For Cotopaxi and Chimborazo climbing:
- Standard plan (6,000m): Covers all Cotopaxi climbing including summit (5,897m). Covers Chimborazo acclimatization hikes and approaches up to 6,000m — contact World Nomads about summit coverage at 6,268m.
- Explorer plan: Covers technical mountaineering and may extend above 6,000m for Chimborazo summit — verify before purchasing.
Most guided Ecuador volcanic climbs are organized through licensed Ecuadorian guiding companies (ASEGUIM-certified guides). This organized, licensed structure is the context in which World Nomads’ adventure coverage applies.
World Nomads Ecuador Pricing
| Trip Length | Standard Plan | Explorer Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $40-65 | $65-100 |
| 2 weeks | $65-110 | $105-165 |
| 1 month | $85-145 | $140-225 |
| 3 months | $220-390 | $380-610 |
Pros
- 6,000m altitude coverage — Cotopaxi, Chimborazo approach, all Ecuador volcanic peaks
- Galápagos liveaboard diving covered including DCS treatment
- Unlimited emergency evacuation — Amazon lodge to Quito with no cap
- 200+ activities including Ecuador's full adventure portfolio
- Trip cancellation protects Galápagos liveaboard investment
- Recognized 24/7 emergency assistance with Latin America experience
Cons
- Trip-based — expensive for stays over 2-3 months
- Claims processing 3-6 weeks (slower than Heymondo)
- Chimborazo summit (6,268m) may require Explorer plan — verify
- Pre-existing conditions excluded
2. SafetyWing — Quito City Stays and Coastal Ecuador Only
Plan Type: Monthly subscription | Base Price: ~$45/month | Medical Coverage: $250,000 | Altitude Limit: 4,000m | UNSUITABLE FOR COTOPAXI OR CHIMBORAZO
SafetyWing in Ecuador operates exactly as it does in Nepal: useful for urban stays, disqualified for high-altitude adventures.
SafetyWing’s valid Ecuador use case: Quito (2,850m — well within limit), Guayaquil (sea level), the Pacific coast surf and beach destinations (Montañita, Salinas, Puerto López), and urban colonial city tours. Hospital Metropolitano in Quito is a genuine quality facility; SafetyWing handles standard urban emergencies there without issue.
Where SafetyWing fails in Ecuador:
- Every volcanic peak above 4,000m: Excluded
- Cotopaxi Refugio day hike (4,800m): Excluded
- Scuba diving (Galápagos, coastal): Excluded
- Surfing (Montañita, Puerto López): Excluded
- Amazon jungle trekking: Evacuation cap ($100,000) may be insufficient for remote scenarios
The specific warning for Cotopaxi day trippers: Cotopaxi tours from Quito are commonly sold as “day trips” — drive to the national park, acclimatize, hike to the refugio. The refugio is at 4,800m. A tour sold as a “day trip from Quito” takes you 800m above SafetyWing’s coverage limit. Acclimatization hikes on Cotopaxi, not just summit attempts, are outside SafetyWing’s coverage.
SafetyWing Ecuador Pricing
| Age Group | Price per 4 Weeks |
|---|---|
| Under 40 | ~$45 |
| 40-49 | ~$69 |
| 50-59 | ~$104 |
| 60-69 | ~$161 |
Pros
- Most affordable at ~$45/month
- Rolling subscription — good for Quito digital nomad base
- Hospital Metropolitano Quito is excellent — urban emergencies covered
- Can purchase after departure
Cons
- 4,000m altitude limit — excludes Cotopaxi (5,897m) and every major Ecuador peak
- Even Cotopaxi Refugio day hike (4,800m) is outside coverage
- Excludes Galápagos diving and all scuba
- Excludes surfing at Montañita
- $100,000 evacuation cap potentially insufficient for Amazon scenarios
- No trip cancellation
3. Heymondo — Strong Alternative for Ecuador Adventures
Plan Type: Trip-based | Medical Coverage: Up to €10 million | Key Feature: 24/7 in-app medical chat | Altitude: Verify for Ecuador’s peaks
Heymondo is a genuine World Nomads alternative for Ecuador — and its faster claims processing and higher medical coverage ceiling are real advantages. The key verification step: confirm that your specific Heymondo plan tier covers trekking and climbing to at least 5,900m for Cotopaxi, and ideally higher for Chimborazo.
Before purchasing for Ecuador volcanic climbing: Contact Heymondo directly and confirm altitude coverage for Cotopaxi (5,897m) and Chimborazo (6,268m). Heymondo’s altitude limits vary by plan tier, and the difference between a plan that covers 4,000m and one that covers 6,000m+ is the difference between having valid insurance on Cotopaxi and not.
If altitude coverage is confirmed:
€10 million medical coverage. Higher than World Nomads’ ceiling. For complex multi-stage emergencies — altitude illness requiring ICU on descent to Quito, or DCS treatment from Galápagos diving — the higher ceiling provides security.
Galápagos diving covered. Including liveaboard operations and DCS treatment.
24/7 in-app medical chat. At high altitude on Cotopaxi with a severe headache, being able to assess AMS severity with a physician before committing to descent (or summit) is useful. The same feature applies at a jungle lodge with a fever of unknown origin.
Fastest claims. 1–2 weeks vs. World Nomads’ 3–6 weeks.
Heymondo Ecuador Pricing (Estimates)
| Age | 2-Week Trip | 1-Month Trip |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | $55-85 | $90-145 |
| 35 | $65-100 | $105-165 |
| 45 | $85-130 | $135-210 |
Pros
- €10 million medical ceiling — highest in this comparison
- Galápagos liveaboard diving covered
- Fastest claims — 1-2 weeks
- 24/7 medical chat for altitude and jungle triage
- Amazon evacuation covered
Cons
- Must verify altitude coverage for Cotopaxi (5,897m) and Chimborazo (6,268m) before purchasing
- Trip-based — not ideal for long-stay Ecuador travelers
- Evacuation may be capped — confirm vs. World Nomads' unlimited for Amazon
4. Genki — Best for Long-Stay Ecuador Travelers
Plan Type: Monthly subscription | Base Price: ~€52.50/month | Medical Coverage: Up to €5 million | Adventure: Explorer plan
Genki suits the long-stay Ecuador profile: researchers at the Galápagos field stations, NGO workers, conservation volunteers doing repeated Amazon expeditions, and long-term travelers doing multiple volcanic climbs across a season.
Verify altitude coverage on Genki Explorer for Cotopaxi and Chimborazo — the same verification step required for Heymondo. The monthly subscription model means you can maintain continuous coverage across a 3-month Andes climbing season without managing multiple trip-based renewals.
€5 million coverage and routine health care coverage (routine doctor visits, prescriptions) are the advantages over World Nomads’ emergency-only model for long-stay travelers.
Pros
- Monthly subscription — ideal for multi-month Ecuador research or volunteer stays
- €5 million medical coverage
- Explorer plan covers diving, trekking, and high-altitude activities (verify peaks)
- Covers routine care for long stays
Cons
- Must verify altitude limit for Cotopaxi/Chimborazo on Explorer plan
- No trip cancellation
- Less cost-efficient than World Nomads for single short Ecuador expeditions
Ecuador Travel Insurance Comparison Table
| Feature | World Nomads | SafetyWing | Heymondo | Genki Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Coverage | $100,000–$250,000+ | $250,000 | Up to €10,000,000 | Up to €5,000,000 |
| Emergency Evacuation | Unlimited | $100,000 | Covered (verify limit) | Covered |
| Cotopaxi (5,897m) | Yes — to 6,000m | NO — 4,000m limit | Verify plan altitude | Verify plan altitude |
| Chimborazo (6,268m) | Verify Explorer plan | NO — 4,000m limit | Verify plan altitude | Verify plan altitude |
| Galápagos Liveaboard Diving | Yes (DCS covered) | No | Yes | Yes (Explorer) |
| Amazon Evacuation | Unlimited — no cap | $100,000 cap | Covered (verify limit) | Covered |
| Surfing (Montañita) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (Explorer) |
| Trip Cancellation | Yes (up to $10,000) | No | Yes (varies by plan) | No |
| Monthly Price (28yo) | ~$75-130/month | ~$45/month | ~$55-100/month | ~€52/month |
| Subscription Model | No (trip-based) | Yes | No (trip-based) | Yes |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 3.3/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
How to Choose Your Ecuador Travel Insurance
You’re climbing Cotopaxi or Chimborazo
Get World Nomads. The 6,000m altitude coverage on the Standard plan covers Cotopaxi (5,897m) definitively. For Chimborazo summit (6,268m), use Explorer plan or confirm with World Nomads. Do not take SafetyWing anywhere near the Cotopaxi national park if you plan to ascend above 4,000m.
You’re doing a Galápagos liveaboard
Get World Nomads. Liveaboard diving, DCS treatment, trip interruption for a $4,000+ booking — all covered. The Galápagos is also where the unlimited evacuation provision has practical meaning given the archipelago’s distance from mainland medical facilities.
You’re doing Amazon jungle trekking from a lodge
Get World Nomads for the unlimited evacuation. Amazon helicopter evacuation costs can approach or exceed the $100,000 cap that SafetyWing and some other providers set — World Nomads’ unlimited provision removes that ceiling risk.
You’re exploring Quito, Cuenca, and the Pacific coast — no high-altitude or diving
SafetyWing at $45/month is adequate. Hospital Metropolitano handles urban emergencies well. The coastal surf at Montañita would be excluded, but for a low-activity cultural trip, SafetyWing handles the risk profile.
You want fast claims and high medical coverage for adventures (not Cotopaxi summit)
Heymondo — after verifying altitude coverage for your specific Ecuador peaks. The €10 million ceiling and 1-2 week claims processing are real advantages over World Nomads.
You’re staying in Ecuador 2-3+ months doing multiple expeditions
Genki Explorer on monthly subscription — verify altitude limits match your Andes itinerary.
Final Verdict
Ecuador’s altitude numbers are not negotiable. Either your policy covers 5,897m for Cotopaxi, or it doesn’t cover the core Ecuadorian Andes experience. SafetyWing’s 4,000m limit is 1,897m short of Cotopaxi.
Get World Nomads for Ecuador → SafetyWing — Quito/Coast Only →For Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Galápagos, and Amazon: World Nomads. Period. 6,000m altitude coverage, unlimited evacuation, Galápagos liveaboard diving, and 200+ activities cover every major Ecuador adventure scenario.
For fast claims and high medical ceiling (verify altitude): Heymondo. The €10 million coverage and 1-2 week claims resolution are genuine advantages for travelers whose altitude needs are confirmed by plan tier.
For Quito city stays and coastal travel only: SafetyWing. Hospital Metropolitano is excellent, and $45/month is hard to beat for urban medical coverage.
For long-stay Ecuador travelers: Genki Explorer on subscription — after verifying altitude coverage for your Andes routes.
Ecuador is the country that proves why altitude limits matter. Don’t let a $40 difference in monthly premiums leave you uninsured on Cotopaxi.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Ecuador-specific insurance questions are answered in the FAQ section rendered from the frontmatter above. For deeper reading: best travel insurance for adventure sports covers altitude limits and diving coverage in detail. Best travel insurance for digital nomads covers long-stay subscription options. Do I need travel insurance covers the fundamentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does travel insurance cover Galápagos diving?
Yes — with the right policy. World Nomads covers recreational scuba diving in the Galápagos on both Standard and Explorer plans, including liveaboard diving. This matters because Galápagos liveaboard diving is among the world's most spectacular but also involves multi-day repetitive diving with decompression obligations, creating real DCS risk. World Nomads covers DCS treatment including the cost of a hyperbaric chamber — important because the Galápagos Islands have limited hyperbaric capability. A DCS incident on a liveaboard may require evacuation to mainland Ecuador (Guayaquil) for treatment. Heymondo also covers diving. SafetyWing excludes scuba diving. Galápagos liveaboards are expensive ($3,000–$6,000+ per week); a diving injury that ends your trip also triggers trip interruption coverage under World Nomads.
Does SafetyWing cover Cotopaxi altitude?
No — and this is a hard no. SafetyWing covers activities and emergencies up to 4,000m altitude. Cotopaxi volcano is 5,897m — nearly 1,900m above SafetyWing's cutoff. Chimborazo is 6,268m — 2,268m above SafetyWing's cutoff. Even the standard acclimatization hike to Refugio José Rivas on Cotopaxi sits at 4,800m — 800m above SafetyWing's limit. If you develop altitude sickness at Refugio level on Cotopaxi, or sustain a fall above 4,000m, SafetyWing denies the claim. This is not a technicality or edge case — it is the defining limitation of SafetyWing for Ecuador's Andes. For any Ecuadorian volcanic climbing, SafetyWing is the wrong product.
What does evacuation from the Amazon cost?
Ecuador's Amazon basin (Oriente) — the areas around Napo River, Tena, Coca, and the deep jungle lodges — has very limited medical infrastructure. Jungle lodges operate in areas where road access may be seasonal or nonexistent, and medical emergencies require evacuation by boat, small aircraft, or helicopter to the nearest town with a hospital. A helicopter evacuation from a remote jungle lodge to Quito can cost $3,000–$8,000+. Fixed-wing aircraft from jungle airstrips to Quito: $1,500–$4,000 depending on aircraft and distance. Quito's Hospital Metropolitano is the quality destination for complex cases from the Amazon. The combination of remote location, limited local care, and significant evacuation cost makes the Amazon one of Ecuador's highest-stakes insurance scenarios.
Does travel insurance cover Galápagos liveaboard diving?
Yes — World Nomads specifically covers liveaboard diving. A Galápagos liveaboard is a multi-day boat itinerary with 3-4 dives per day across remote sites including Wolf and Darwin Islands (the top big-animal sites), Gordon Rocks, Cousins Rock, and others. The diving is at depth, with significant current at sites like Gordon Rocks, and the cumulative nitrogen load from repetitive multi-day diving creates real DCS risk. World Nomads' liveaboard diving coverage includes DCS treatment, emergency evacuation from the liveaboard, and trip interruption if an injury ends your liveaboard early. For a $4,000+ liveaboard booking, having this coverage is essential.
What altitude does World Nomads cover in Ecuador?
World Nomads Standard and Explorer plans cover trekking and mountaineering up to 6,000m. This covers: Cotopaxi (5,897m), Chimborazo (6,268m — barely below the Standard plan's 6,000m limit; verify Explorer plan for the summit), Cayambe (5,790m), Antisana (5,758m), Iliniza Norte (5,126m), and Iliniza Sur (5,248m). For Ecuador's major volcanic peaks, World Nomads Standard covers all but the absolute summit of Chimborazo — for Chimborazo summit attempts, confirm with World Nomads whether Explorer plan is required. All acclimatization activities and non-summit approaches on Ecuador's volcanoes are covered under Standard.
Is travel insurance required for the Galápagos?
Ecuador does not require travel insurance for entry to the Galápagos as a condition of the Galápagos Transit Control Card, which is required for all visitors. The $20 entry fee is separate. However, the practical case for Galápagos travel insurance is overwhelming: liveaboard diving DCS risk, boat tours in open ocean conditions, and the significant evacuation cost from the archipelago (400km off the Ecuador coast) all create scenarios where insurance pays for itself immediately. Medical facilities in the Galápagos are limited — Puerto Ayora has a basic hospital, but serious cases evacuate to mainland Ecuador. A medical evacuation from the Galápagos to Guayaquil runs $2,000–$6,000 before any hospital costs.