GENERAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

 

Step into the past in Puerto Villamil where the streets are made of sand. Puerto Villamil is Puerto Ayora twenty years ago, and now is the time to visit before it's overrun with tourism. Isabela, being the largest island in the Archipelago, is not often visited because most animal life is on the western side - too far for most cruise ships. It looks as if this is going to change in the next few years.

Here, you can see the second largest volcanic crater in the world - Santo Tomas. On the western side are the penguin and flightless cormorant colonies, the only flightless cormorant in the world. Again, the only way to get to these colonies is via a bigger, more expensive cruise, or a longer, two-week cruise.

Even though you can't make it to the western side of the island, Puerto Villamil is worth a week. You can rent a cabin on the beach for about $24.00/day in low season. Split amongst friends, it turns out to be pretty inexpensive. You can hire horses to get to Santo Tomas or trek over to the Muro de las Lagrimas, a historical visitor site reportedly built by convicts. There are countless marine turtles as well as nests. Oftentimes, during nesting season, The Charles Darwin Foundation is looking for volunteers to help them mark nests. If you've got the time, sign up to get an up close and hands on experience with these amazing animals. Snorkeling is fantastic as well as the ambiance.

Bus

There are trips twice/day to the highlands (7:00 and 12:00). Buses leave from the market to Marianitas, Sto. Tomas, La Cura and La Esperanza.

In la Cura you can hire a truck for excursions around the village or rent horses. It is a 20 minute hike from La Cura to the Sierra Negra volcano.

Satellital Images courtesy of NASA

 

There are restaurants and a small store to buy food. Always check on prices and taxes before ordering.

Visitor Sites:

Punta Moreno
Tangus Cove
Punta Tortuga
Urvina Bay
Villamil
Sierra Negra Volcano
Alcedo Volcano
Punta Albemarle
Elizabeth Bay
Punta Garcia

FAUNA

 

Batfish
Frogfish
Octopus
Sharks
Sponges
Flightless Cormorants
Galapagos penguins
Marine Iguanas
Rays
Sea Turtles
Flamingos
Blue herons
Marine Iguanas
Alcedo Tortoise
Pelicans

FLORA

 

Mangroves
Saltbrushes
Palo Santo
Shrub bushes

ACTIVITIES

 

Walking		Satellital Images courtesy of NASA
Snorkling
Scuba diving
Birdwatching
Cycling
Sea Kayaks
Sun and beach
Bars, restaurants and discos
Tours
Surfing
Horse riding

LINKS