Top Things to do in Isabela
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What to do and see in Isabela, Galapagos Islands: The Best Free Things to do
The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places in the world. Whether this is thrilling or terrifying is up to you. It doesn’t seem to bother the iguanas and penguins of Las Tintoreras, a nearby island cluster and popular snorkeling site. Walk from Puerto Villamil through mangrove forests and saltwater lagoons to reach the Tortoise Breeding Center. Isabela was once used as an exile for prisoners, who built the devastating Wall of Tears as part of their punishment.
Restaurants in Isabela
1. Concha de Perla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
Reviewed By StorkRN1 - Roseville, United States
Our tour group of 3 went snorkeling here late morning and it was fantastic! You have to walk over marine iguanas and sea lions on the boardwalk to the cove! Not super clear water like in Hawaii, but once I got used to it, I saw more and more! We saw sea turtles, bat rays, tons of fish, chocolate chip sea stars, a sleeping marble ray, about 60 black-tipped reef sharks, hundreds of sardines/mackerels(?), marine iguanas swimming (which is really cool to watch), and sea lions swimming with us! Amazing! I had a free afternoon the next day and went back. It was a little choppier, but still saw quite a bit! Didn't see nearly as much in the other 3 spots I snorkeled in the Galapagos as I did here!
2. Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 485 reviews
Reviewed By Caramw - London, United Kingdom
A little path takes you past enclosures of adult tortoises (50-120yrs) - the breeding groups which are helping to repopulate Isabela island. They all hang out quite close to the path, so you can see them relatively close up, and if you visit on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings (feeding days), you can see them munching away on giant ‘Elephant Ear’ leaves! It’s great to see the conservation efforts up close for this endangered and critically endangered species, and a quick chat to the park rangers gave us the information we needed (the signage could do with improvement!) There are 2 species at the centre; some of them were rescued when a volcano erupted, others rescued from farms where humans tied them up by their back legs as ‘pets’ - their legs subsequently got gangrene and sadly had to be cut off. The centre does a good job of providing a safe and healthy living environment for these gentle giants while they get the population back up to where it needs to be. We also saw the juveniles 3–5 years in the middle, which are getting ready for release in the wild. Unfortunately you can’t see the babies up close due to security measures (you can see these better in the Darwin Centre in Santa Cruz). The museum area is a little tired, though I hear they have plans to renovate. Also loved the walkway to get here, past flamingoes and marine iguanas swimming in the wetlands. A great (and free) way to spend a few hours on Isabela.
3. Tagus Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
This location provided a lovely hike up to Darwin Lake as well as close up views from the panga of dramatic rock formations. Lots of blue-footed boobies embedded in the rocks. Rich in wildlife along with a calm anchorage, this was one of my favorite stops on Isabella Island.
4. Isabela Island Wetlands Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By DwjTay - Niagara Falls, Canada
This is a great walk over to the tortoise sanctuary and on the way you will see iguanas, flamingos, and lots of other birds.
5. Playa Puerto Villamil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By ruthandvern - Wilton, United States
After whatever activity we plan for the day, we plan to have a nice swim here following. The clear water slapping on the white sandy beach is totally restful. Any sweat worked up is set free. The iguanas come and go along the edges of the volcanic rocks. At the East end in the sea grasses the area is roped off for the breeding season. We have many super videos of mano y mano arguments and the courtship (however brief) of these wonderful aquatic beauties. Nearer the Iguana Crossing end of the beach hundreds do hang out on the rocks and across the street on the sea walls. As you swim you get scooped by from the pelicans looking for their next meal while the frigate birds hope for a steal. Outstanding place.
6. Volcan Chico
7. Posada de flamengos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By ruthandvern - Wilton, United States
We made a right at the Iguana Crossing off Avenida Gill (the main drag behind the beach) and came to a raised wooden walkway that leads through system of lagoons populated by wonderful exotic Flamingos. I'm sure that the females are the more subdued colors as is the case in most of the aviary world. The males are strongly colored with great highlights. We walked through on the walkway viewing various pods of birds. Never a large population in one location, rather maximum of six together loosely. Continuing on and passing the flamingos you get a wonderful tree lined trail which becomes a gravel path for awhile before returning to the wooden raised walkway ultimately leading to the Tortoise Conservation Center. Great walk round trip. Mornings are better as they feed the tortoises about 10:30. Coordinating the two special locations.
8. The Wall of Tears
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 687 reviews
Reviewed By adrianalP387XP
I highly recommend renting a bike with a lock to ride to the wall of tears. The entire path takes about 3 hours depending on whether or not you stop along the way, and hike up to the lookouts at the end of the trail. This is a great activity, and one of the few on the island that you can do on your own. We saw many iguanas and land tortoises. I recommend hiking up to the lookouts, there are 3, to the left of the wall of tears. The views are amazing and its a nice exercise made up of mostly stairs. I also recommend stopping at Playa del amor, la Playita and El Estuario. Be careful with the horseflies at the beaches and El Estuario. They like to bite when your skin is wet and salty, therefore recommend drying off ASAP to prevent them from biting.
