Isabela Island is the largest and most visited of the Galapagos Islands. Additionally, the island is teeming with varied bird and animal breeds and marine life, and it is dotted with rare and unique flora. And the merging of six volcanoes formed this beautifully untamed spot in the Pacific Ocean.
The island has such a mainland atmosphere with a rough edge.
So, in this travel blog, I will guide you on the best things to see and experience when visiting the Island.
Make a point of staying for several days because the Galapagos Islands have plenty to offer and will keep you on your toes for an entire week! I certainly enjoyed my stay there for about three weeks.
How to Enter Isabela Island/Isla Isabela
You can only reach Isla Isabela from Santa Cruz Island. Unfortunately, a ferry from Cristobal does not exist.
This trip takes about two hours and gets bumpy. Therefore, I took sea sickness pills like Dramamine before I departed (essential throughout your Galapagos trip).
Alternatively, you can get a small aircraft with eight seats for $200.
To purchase an Isabela ferry ticket, Bookaways offers online booking. And booking online guarantees you peace of mind on your trip! And you can also ask your local tour company if they sell the same ticket.
Places to Visit in the Isabela Island (Isla Isabela) Galapagos
The Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lágrimas)
It took 45 minutes to reach the Wall of Tears from Puerto Vilamil. This historic and unique building, known by the Spanish term “Muro de las Lagrimas” is a stark reminder of Isabel’s dark times.
This large wall was constructed by prisoners from the prisons at the time and is about 50 meters tall. It is situated about 3 kilometers from Puerto Villamil city center.
The walls were designed to punish prisoners, but the authorities claimed they did not commission them.
Due to its dubious past, this relic does spark a mythos around it, and residents believe the unfortunate souls are haunting them.
So if you like dark history and spiritualism or want to pay your respects, check out the wall of tears.
Puerto Villamil
Puerto Villamil is a small port community in the Galapagos Islands, located on the southeastern tip of Isla Isabela. It would be best if you visited Puerto Chino beach when visiting the town.
It’s just the most beautiful beach on the Island. Consequently, I took my best Instagram holiday picture and made everyone jealous. And the cherry on the top is clear blue water, small white waves, and white sand with sea lions.
La Playa de Amor (The Love Beach)
This place has its name for all good reasons! La Playa de amor is the perfect spot for couples and newlyweds. In addition, the beach has a nature-friendly environment.
It is an extensive numerous bay coastline with a beautiful blue ocean and golden sand and rock cover. I’ll suggest you bring special shoes when visiting Love Beach.
The beach has a nature-friendly vibe. And this beach is the perfect place for privacy, solitude, a romantic spot, or even a place to meditate. That is because it is virtually empty even during the busiest tourist seasons. The coast of Playa del Amor is open to anyone. However, there are no amenities, simply nature.
San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal is well worth a visit, even if you are traveling thousands of kilometers away, because of its endemic species.
Visiting San Cristobal Island is a must! And it offers one-of-a-kind scenery in a highly safe atmosphere.
Lava Bridges
I had a wonderful underwater landscape snorkeling experience at Lava tunnels. The water was pleasurably cold, and I had a front-row seat to a wide array of marine life. I loved seeing colorful reef fish, giant seahorses, starfish, and a decade-old sea turtle.
Additionally, there were whitetip reef sharks in sight, too, underwater! So being an enthusiastic marine animal lover, I had an unforgettable adventure here.
Things to Do
Here are things you can do when visiting Isabela island.
Snorkeling Island Concha Perlas
The path to Concha Perla begins directly next to one of the dockside snack cabanas.
Concha Perlas has a massive rock formation in the vanguard of the lagoon. And I have observed that the waters here are unusually tranquil.
This place is a good area for youngsters and snorkeling newbies. And because of the clean water, I could easily view marine life, such as sea lions, sharks, various fish types, turtles, and more.
Also, even when Concha Perla was full of snorkelers and tour groups, I was surprised to see sea lions on the promenade. Mostly, they looked blissfully unconscious of our presence, though we did startle a few.
Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano
The Sierra Negra Volcano tour is a full-day hike that will get you to the top of the Sierra Negra and Volcan Chico volcanoes. From there, you’ll see its crater and have a fantastic panoramic view of the Islands.
This tour is around 8 hours and 16 kilometers and is not hard. However, because this is a famous hiking region, you will most likely come across other people while exploring.
The route is available all year and is a great place to go at any time. But dogs are not permitted on this trail, so leave them at home.
Cruise Tours on Isabela Island
Isabela Island Cruises offer passengers the opportunity to discover the natural splendor of the largest island. An adventure cruise in the Galapagos Islands provided me with various unique and exciting experiences that kept me intrigued and enthralled.
In addition, some boats include islands of the East and the North in their travel itinerary, and you can only reach these places through sailing with cruises departing from Santa Cruz Island.
Snorkeling in Concha Perlas
Concha Perlas is a lagoon in a nearby dock at Puerto Villamil. I highly enjoyed the free-standing snorkels and swimming with no guides required.
After a hectic and packed schedule, I wanted to try some DIY snorkeling on my own time. And this was the perfect place. Concha Perla is incredibly ideal for snorkeling, with excellent visibility, plenty to do, and many species of birds!
I swam with several sea turtles, a considerable manta-ray (6 foot and black) – the biggest manta. So it’s safe to say this was my most memorable self-guided day trip through the Galapagos Islands.
Snorkeling in Punta Vicente Roca
It took me about two hours by boat to reach here from Puerto Villamil. I’ll rate it as a diverse marine animal site in the Galapagos archipelago. If I had to rate the top Isabela Island attractions, I’d rate it in my first five.
Snorkeling in Los Tuneles
Los Tuneles was one of my favorite snorkeling tours. And it may become your number-one place too. That’s because you can snorkel or have a good walk around the area. Also, if you are lucky enough, you’ll see blue-footed boobies doing their mating dance.
Where to Stay on Isabela Island Galapagos
There are many good hotels, beach houses, and inns around the Galapagos islands. Here I’m mentioning the top three on my list.
Iguana Crossing
If you want good beach views, you should book Iguana Crossing. You would love seeing marine iguanas strolling across the beach from your room. Moreover, they offer free internet, breakfast, diving, and baggage storage. Also, the hotel has a minibar.
Cormorant Beach House
This place lies near many restaurants. Plus, the owners are one of the oldest families on the island in the Galapagos, meaning you may get some cool historical tidbits.
Cormorant Beach House places your comfort over everything. Plus, they have the best relaxing rooms and magnificent ocean views.
Hotel La Casa De Marita
Marita’s House is a first-class hotel where you may appreciate the natural attractions of Isabela Island. Marita’s residence harmoniously combines the standards of top-quality hotels with cozy, familiar hospitality to provide a pleasant and pleasurable stay.
Overall, their quality and kindness distinguish Marita’s house’s hotel, restaurant, and amusement facilities from the others.
Peak Tourist Season
If you are looking to travel to this island during peak times, June, July, August, and December 20 through January 5 are popular tourist seasons for Galapagos. However, if you want a less crowded experience, you may avoid the peak tourist season.
Places to Eat on Isabela Island
There are numerous options for dining and drinking on Isabela Island. I did not have any trouble finding fantastic places to get a drink on a hot day or to dine in the evening. Some of the options I loved are:
The Seashore
Head to The Beach for coastal views with your dinner. Ecuadorian cuisine and ice-cold drinks give tourists a taste of paradise at this family-owned restaurant!
The Cafetal
El Cafetal is modern yet casual, with a creative flair and well-cooked food. So drop by this welcoming spot in Puerto Villamil’s center area for excellent cuisine or a coffee to keep you going throughout the day.
Summary
Today, travelers adore Isabela Islands for its small-town atmosphere, surreal vistas, and abundant animals. You will spot Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, pink flamingos, penguins, and many sea lions.
The wildlife outnumbers the 2,200 residents here, but that’s precisely what makes it feel like paradise. Nature reigns supreme on Isabela Island.
Personally, I love marine animals, and snorkeling or diving gives me great joy. I’m an ocean-over-the-mountains kind of person. Therefore, you’d love to stay in the Isabela Islands if you’re like me.
