What is the name of the time zone used in the Galápagos Islands?

The time zone used in the Galápagos Islands is Galápagos Time. Its standard abbreviation is GALT, and it operates at UTC−06:00 year-round.

The Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador, but they do not use the same clock as Ecuador’s mainland. Mainland Ecuador uses Ecuador Time at UTC−05:00, while the island province is one hour farther behind Coordinated Universal Time. The difference reflects the islands’ position west of the South American mainland in the Pacific Ocean.

Galápagos Time does not observe daylight saving time. That means clocks in places such as Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Ayora, and Puerto Villamil remain on the same offset throughout the year. The islands’ distinctive time zone is also a useful reminder that a country can legally contain more than one time zone.

A common mix-up is answering “Ecuador Time.” That name correctly describes the mainland, but not the Galápagos. “Colombia Time” and “Peru Time” are also misleading: both countries use UTC−05:00 in their principal mainland zones, matching Ecuador’s mainland rather than the islands.