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 some cruise ships.
Here, you can see the second largest volcanic crater in the world - Sierra Negra. 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. Anyway, in 2008 there is a colony of more than 40 Galapagos penguins just in Puerto Villamil. Now you have a great opportunity to snorkel with them !.
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
$35.00/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
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.
You also can visit walking Concha Perla, the Centro de Crianza and Los humedales, with the Flamingo lagoon
If posible, take a boat to Los Tuneles in cabo rosas, it is amazing place where you will enjoy snorkeling. The entry it is a little bit scary. Be sure that the boat has all security items and life jackets.
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.
atellital 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
Snorkling
Scuba diving
Birdwatching
Cycling
Sea Kayaks
Sun and beach
Bars, restaurants and discos
Tours
Surfing
Horse riding
For more information and reservations
contact us
Telephone: +57 1 7456019
Our Low-Price Guarantee Policy
If you find any on-line price for less than what we have to offer, service-for-service, we will match that price, unconditionally.
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