Top Things to do in Isabela
Top 5 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Isabela, Galapagos Islands
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. Urbina Bay
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Laguna Salinas
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By cymopterus - Salt Lake City, United States
The boardwalk starts next to the Iguana Crossing Hotel and continues 1.5 km to the tortoise breeding complex, also well worth a visit. As you enter the boardwalk, you are greeted by many marine iguanas. There are so many at times it is difficult to avoid them. The boardwalk then continues across several lagoons containing flamingos and other interesting water fowl. A wonderful way to spend a morning and its free!
