Home
Ecuador
PLAN MY VISIT
Ecuador Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Ecuador
  3. Destinations
  4. Galapagos

Isabela, Ecuador

As the largest island in the Galápagos, Isabela offers the widest range of terrain and visitor sites in the archipelago. Isabela hosts impressive wildlife, white-sand beaches, and barren lava fields. This island has the largest population of wild tortoises, which can be seen roaming in the highlands near the rims of craters. Isabela is the closest island to the Galápagos volcanic hotspot and is thus the most volcanically active island in the archipelago. It has six shield volcanos dispersed across its 1,790 square mile (4,640 square km) landscape.

HOTELS
Similar places: Beach  Island  Nature  Rest and Relaxation 
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
Isabela Ecuador
←→

The sleepy town of Puerto Villamil welcomes visitors with a large white-sand beach, palm trees, and quiet dirt roads. This town is a great place if you’re looking to slow the pace of your travels. Visitor sites on either end of the town are easily accessed by foot. Just outside of Puerto Villamil lies a large network of saltwater lagoons. These are a feeding ground for a variety of bird species and are often frequented by flamingos. Winding, well-marked paths lead you from lagoon to lagoon.

The paths to the Villamil Lagoons will also lead you to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. While the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island has a similar program, Isabela’s allows visitors to observe the rehabilitation and breeding process in a bit more detail. Stroll from pen to pen and see giant tortoises in every stage of life—hatchlings, adolescents and adults. Many of the tortoises’ here will later be released across Isabela to help the recovering population.

A 10-mile (16-km) round-trip hike takes travelers to the crater rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano. From here you can look out over a vast, 6-mile (10-km) caldera. Traversing the crater rim, you will cross barren lava fields and head toward the Chico Volcano, a “fissure” or adjacent lava vent. In clear weather, the vista from Chico gives hikers a chance to see the other volcanoes and lava flows that cover the entire island. The weather can often be rainy, making for muddy trail conditions. Come prepared with extra clothes or shoes.

The submerged lava tunnels of Las Tintoreras lie just off the coast of Isabela near Puerto Villamil. These tunnels are a popular place to go snorkeling. The shallow pools attract white-tip reef sharks along with a host of other marine life, including sea lions and sea turtles.

Isabela Personalized Trips

Andes Highlands to Galapagos , Ecuador
Ecuador
Andes Highlands to Galapagos

Expert Choice Have it all! Rest, relaxation, adventure, and nature are yours when you book this Signature Trip to Ecuador. From Quito to the Galapagos, Ecuador will enchant you…

11 days $$$View Trip
The Best of The Galapagos—for You, Ecuador
Ecuador
The Best of The Galapagos—for You

Expert Choice Go on a grand adventure for one. Enjoy the flora and fauna of the world famous Galapagos Islands; witness the magic of a world where nature is left to her own devices.

9 days $$$View Trip
Everything We Had Hoped For, Ecuador
Ecuador
Everything We Had Hoped For

Customer Reviewed I loved using Anywhere Ecuador for this trip! We had a fantastic time. I gave a four out of five because we had some logistical challenges with our day trips and getting back to the airport.

7 days $$$View Trip
We Journeyed Together—Ecuador Bound, Ecuador
Ecuador
We Journeyed Together—Ecuador Bound

Customer Reviewed It's the first time in a while that our whole family got to experience new things and nature together. We’re blown away by what Ecuador has to offer.

10 days $$$View Trip
See More Trips


Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
Fantastic Trip to Ecuador!
Percy was incredibly helpful with the planning of our itinerary and our guides Diana and Ricardo were amazing.
Aug 08, 2022
– Natasha L.
Trustpilot Rating
Awesome Anywhere
We were a group of 22 people visiting Ecuador from Dec 23 to Dec 31. We worked with Percy to get thru the reservations. ...
Feb 06, 2022
– Vas Laksh.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
Thank you anywhere.com for giving my family an extraordinary, epic trip to the Galapagos / Ecuador. If I could give a 10...
Dec 02, 2021
– Dorianne .
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't Use Anyone Else!
We have used Anywhere for several trips in Latin America and they have been wonderful every time. The most recent trip t...
Aug 02, 2021
– Marlene H.
Trustpilot Rating
Above & Beyond!
Percy created the perfect vacation for us, and was professional and helpful every step of the way, even through the pand...
Jul 29, 2021
– Kara V.
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere did a great job helping me…
Anywhere did a great job helping me with my 2020 land-based trip to the Galapagos!
Mar 11, 2020
– Megan Tol.
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere. Percy Coll knows Ecuador well and was extremely helpful and easy to communicate with
Excellent advance planning, helpful and knowledgeable driver/guides . All tours well organised. We felt very well looke...
Feb 21, 2020
– Tricia Cr.
Trustpilot Rating
Totally would recommend Anywhere.com
For me, Perry from Anywhere Travel was incredible! He planned our trip to Ecuador to the end. I could contact him ANYTI...
Nov 15, 2019
– Chantal B.
Trustpilot Rating
Stress free solo traveler.
As a solo traveler, anywhere travel and Percy took all the stress out of traveling. Percy was there every step of the w...
Jun 30, 2019
– Richard
Trustpilot Rating
Percy coordinated a perfect vacation in…
Percy coordinated a perfect vacation in Ecuador for our family! Ricardo and Jose were excellent, knowledgeable guides fo...
Jun 15, 2019
– Pam
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
Great company
Great company! They’re more than helpful and they make your trip a time to remember. The customer service is in a class ...
Apr 26, 2019
– Johnny
Trustpilot Rating
Exceeded our expectations
Exceeded our expectations! The entire trip went smoothly, no worries! Every tour was exceptional! Every accommodation be...
Apr 11, 2019
– Judy
Trustpilot Rating
The planning process and the actual…
The planning process and the actual vacation accommodations and tours went flawlessly. I highly recommend and trust thi...
Apr 02, 2019
– DEE GENTR.
Trustpilot Rating
The trip was a once in a lifetime…
The trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Anywhere.com did an exceptional job of planning this trip. It couldn't h...
Mar 30, 2019
– Vickie B.
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Ecuador Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Beach
  • Bird-watching
  • Community
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Nature
  • Rainforest
  • Romantic
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Beaches
  • Colonial
  • Rainforests
  • Islands
  • Volcanoes
  • Surfing
PLACES TO GO
  • Quito
  • Santa Cruz
  • San Cristobal
  • Guayaquil
  • Banos
  • Galapagos
  • Amazon
  • Cuenca
THINGS TO DO
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Get a Guide
  • Nature Walks
  • Snorkeling
  • Sea Creatures
  • Hiking
  • Historic
  • Scuba Diving
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy