Isabela is one of only 4 inhabited islands that you can stay on during a trip to the Galapagos. Of those, it is the best option for beach vacations and, besides Floreana, the quietest option as well.
Puerto Villamil is the only major town on Isabela island. Accordingly, this is where you will find most of the restaurants, bars, shops, tour operators, and accommodation.
Notably, the town has been built along a pristine expanse of tropical white sand beach known appropriately as Playa Puerto Villamil. This proximity to the beach is the reason some vacationers prefer Isabela Island to the more popular options.
In this ultimate guide to Isabela Island, you will learn everything you need to know for your first visit to the island. This includes information on how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, what to see and do, and so much more.
All prices and information are accurate as of our recent visit in April 2023.
Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. So a HUGE thank you to you if you click one of these links 🙂
🦎 Isabela Island Tips & Overview
Before you dive into the specific details of where to go and what to do in Isabela, you may want to familiarize yourself with some of the basics.
Below is a quick snapshot of what to expect from the island and our top tips to know before visiting.
Isabela Island Overview
| Population | ~2000 |
| Main Town | Puerto Villamil |
| Airport | Isabela Galapagos Airport (JBQ) *inter-island flights only, no mainland service |
| Get There | Inter-island flights and ferry from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal. |
| Known For | Best Galapagos island for beach vacations. Quiet island with sufficient tourist services. |
| Highlights | Playa Isabela, Concha de Perla, Las Tintoreras, Volcan Sierra Negra |
Map of the Galapagos Islands
The map of the Galapagos Islands above shows the archipelago in its entirety.
It has been color-coded to indicate the islands that are inhabited and can be stayed on, those accessible by day tour, and those that are accessible via cruise ship only.
In addition, ferry services and airports are indicated by the appropriate symbols.
🏝️ DISCOVER MORE:
BEST GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TO VISIT
Map of Isabela Galapagos
We’ve put together a Google Map of all the places mentioned in this Isabela Island blog post. You can click here to open the map of Isabela, or click on the image above.
Top Tips for Visiting Isabela Island
| Bring Cash | Most businesses only accept cash and ATMs are unreliable in Galapagos. |
| Internet & WiFi | Free WiFi is available in many places but is very slow in Galapagos. |
| Cell Service | Cell service is patchy, but data can be more reliable than WiFi in main towns. Claro provides the best coverage on the islands and SIM cards are cheaper to buy on mainland Ecuador prior to flying out. |
| Sunscreen | Sunscreen on the islands is very expensive and the sun is strong, so be sure to bring plenty with you. Ensure you are using reef-safe sunscreen to protect the incredible marine life. |
| Tours | You can save some money by booking tours when you arrive on the islands. However, you risk the most popular tours being sold out. Consider booking online, or at least arrange your tours as soon as you arrive. |
| Ferries | You will likely be traveling between islands using the inter-island ferry. These often sell out in advance, so you will want to consider booking tickets online in advance. Tickets cost $30 on island or $35 online in advance. |
🙂 Our Experience Visiting Galapagos in 2023
In April 2023, we (Adam, Sophie & Adam’s 70-year-old mom) spent three weeks in Ecuador, two of which were on the Galapagos Islands.
The highlight of our visit was a guided hybrid tour of mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with Adventure Journeys.
If you’re interested in a trip that combines culture, nature, and even a touch of luxury, we highly recommend their upcoming Thanksgiving Special: Discover the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador Cruise.
Over 7 days, you’ll discover the best that the Galapagos and Ecuador have to offer with expert guides and all of the planning done for you. This is very similar to the tour we took and absolutely loved, but includes a luxury cruise as well!
✈️ How to Get to Isabela
There are no direct flights to Isabela Island from outside of the Galapagos archipelago.
Accordingly, the only way to get to Isabela island is to first fly into Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, then take an inter-island flight or ferry the rest of the way.
Getting to Isabela From Mainland Ecuador
There are only two cities in the world with direct flights to the Galapagos islands, and both are located on mainland Ecuador. Those cities are Quito and Guayaquil.
You do not need any reservations, guides, or permits to fly to the Galapagos, but you will need to purchase an INGALA Tourist Control Card (TCT) from a dedicated desk at the airport prior to departing from the mainland. This costs just $20 and takes about 15 minutes.
You will also want to have cash ready upon arrival in the Galapagos to pay the $100 per person entry fee. These fees are both important to factor into your Galapagos trip cost.
From Quito or Guayaquil, you can fly into San Cristobal (SCY) or Santa Cruz / Baltra (GPS) in the Galapagos. The best way to get to Isabela from here depends on which island you are traveling from:
- From Santa Cruz: Take the short inter-island ferry.
- From San Cristobal: Take an inter-island flight.
✈️ FIND OUT MORE:
HOW TO GET TO GALAPAGOS
Getting to Isabela By Plane
There is a small airport on Isabela island, but it is only available for inter-island flights from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal.
From San Cristobal
We recommend flying as the alternative is to take two separate ferries and lose an entire day.
The plane costs a bit more, but is reasonably priced and comes with the benefit of having a scenic flight over the beautiful Galapagos archipelago.
From Santa Cruz
We recommend taking the ferry.
The ferry is cheaper than a flight, requires a similar overall time commitment, and departs from town rather than from the distant island of Baltra (where the Santa Cruz airport resides). Flights are an option, however, for those interested.
🏝 FIND OUT MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO GALAPAGOS ISLAND HOPPING
Getting to Isabela By Ferry
The most common way to get to Isabela Island is to take the ferry from Puerto Ayora, which is the main town on Santa Cruz. From here, the ferry is only about 2-2.5 hours and costs only $30 locally, or $35 online in advance.
You will find ferry tickets available from San Cristobal to Isabela, but there are actually two separate journeys required for this trip. The first is the morning ferry ride from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz, and the second is the afternoon ferry from Santa Cruz to Isabela.
There is no direct ferry between San Cristobal and Isabela that does not stop at Santa Cruz.
Ferrying from San Cristobal to Isabela will consume an entire day, so our recommendation is to avoid this in favor of the inter-island flight, if possible.
🚕 How to Get Around Isabela Island
The best way to get around Isabela Island is by walking! All of the accommodation and tourist services for the island are located in the town of Puerto Villamil, which is located directly adjacent to the beach.
From where you will be staying in Puerto Villamil, all of the major attractions and the starting point for tours will be within easy walking distance.
For some of the remote destinations you may wish to visit, there are buses and affordable taxis available, as well as bicycle rentals for the truly adventurous.
There are no car rentals available in the Galapagos islands.
🏠 Where to Stay in Isabela
Best Areas to Stay in Isabela (Galapagos)
The area of Puerto Villamil is the best and only option you have for staying on Isabela Island.
Even if it were not the only option, it would still be where you would want to stay.
Puerto Villamil is built up directly along a lengthy expanse of white sand beach that runs for 2.5 miles (4km). This means that you can find affordable hotel rooms that literally open up onto the sand.
In addition to the beautiful beach, Puerto Villamil is also where you will find the Main Pier and most attractions including the flamingo lagoon and several popular snorkeling spots.
Best Hotels in Isabela (Galapagos)
| Approximate Hostel Price (bed in a dorm room) | Starting at $15 |
| Approximate Budget Price (basic private room in a hotel, hostel, or homestay) | Starting at $30 |
| Average Midrange Price (3+ star hotel rooms and apartments) | Starting at $70 |
| Average Luxury Price (5-star hotels, entire homes, and villas) | N/A |
Accommodation on Isabela island is far more limited than on the more popular Galapagos islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.
There are no luxury or 5-star hotels on Isabela island, but you will find a sufficient number of budget and mid-range options with upside.
For example, there are plenty of excellent and affordable beach-front options, such as Cormorant Beach House or Sandy Feet Beach House, as well as boutique options such as Chez Manany Galapagos Eco Lodge that will have a semi-luxurious feel.
Below are our recommendations for top-rated hotels on Isabela Island:
- Budget: Posada del Caminante 8.8/10 ⭐️
- Mid-range: Cormorant Beach House 9.3/10 ⭐️
- Higher end: N/A
🏡 DISCOVER MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO WHERE TO STAY IN GALAPAGOS
📸 Best Things to Do in Isabela
Isabela island is best known for the pristine white sand beach that runs parallel to town, and for the numerous volcanoes you will see while exploring the island.
There are limited activities and destinations available that do not require booking a tour, but below are all of the best things you can do on Isabela on your own.
Following this section, you will discover the best beaches, tours, and day trips to consider in addition to these self-guided options.
1. Snorkel at Concha de Perla
Concha de Perla is an incredible snorkeling site located next to the Main Pier on Isabela Island.
This natural pool is set amidst the mangroves. It is home to a diverse population of marine life including eagle rays and sea turtles, and even the occasional Galapagos penguin.
The platform is also typically littered with sea lions and marine iguanas, making for a uniquely Galapagos wildlife experience.
As you can snorkel at Concha de Perla for free and have the chance of some epic wildlife encounters, this rates as one of the best things to do for anyone visiting Isabela Island.
2. Walk to Flamingo Lagoon
Known locally as Posada De Flamengos, this small lagoon is home to a small population of flamingos.
You are not able to get very close to them, but it is pretty neat to see flamingos if you never have before.
You will likely stop here on the way to Sierra Negra if you plan on hiking the volcano.
If not, consider just walking to Sendero de los Flamencos near town instead.
3. See Baby Tortoises at Centro de Crianza Breeding Center
The Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center (Centro de Crianza Tortugas Gigantes Arnaldo Tupiza) on Isabela Island is home to all 5 different subspecies of giant Galapagos tortoise that are native to Isabela.
Here, they are hatched and incubated as part of a breeding program to increase the population of wild tortoises being threatened by newly introduced species and volcanic activity.
You will have the opportunity to see lots of baby tortoises as well as a few adults.
4. Walk or Bike to the Wall of Tears
The Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas) is a 1-hour bike ride (or 2-hour walk) each way from Puerto Villamil.
The site itself is just a wall of lava rock in the middle of nowhere. As far as Galapagos attractions go, it isn’t the most interesting.
However, it is worth a visit if you’re physically able and interested in human history.
Additionally, the cycle itself is fun! Along the way, it is common to spot wild Galapagos tortoises and other wildlife, plus you will have some beautiful viewpoints over the coast.
5. Walk the Sendero de los Flamencos Boardwalk
The Sendero de los Flamencos is a short boardwalk that you can walk to from town which traces a lagoon habitat where flamingos typically congregate.
You can continue your walk through the wetlands (humedales in Spanish) to find mangroves and Opuntia cacti.
This area is a great place for bird watchers and you can see a variety of avian life, including pintail ducks and the critically endangered mangrove finch.
If you continue on to El Estero, you can even spot the occasional Galapagos penguin!
🦎 DISCOVER MORE:
TOP 50 THINGS TO DO IN GALAPAGOS
🏝 Best Beaches in Isabela
1. Playa Puerto Villamil (Playa Isabela)
Playa Puerto Villamil, informally known as Playa Isabela or Isabela Beach, is a beautiful stretch of coastline that extends 2.5 miles (4km) westward from the main pier at Puerto Villamil.
This is the most accessible beach in all of the Galapagos islands and is the primary reason for choosing to stay on Isabela Island over Santa Cruz or San Cristobal.
Shade is quite limited, as are services once you get past the town limits, but there are basic toilets at the far end of the beach as well.
2. La Playita
Appropriately named, La Playita (which translates to “Little Beach”) is a small sandy shoreline located just beyond the expansive, aforementioned Puerto Villamil Beach.
The main appeal of visiting La Playita is the seclusion. While Playa Isabela will typically be abuzz with tourists, those who venture just 1.5 miles further will likely discover their own little piece of Galapagos paradise.
There are basic toilets available near the beach, but be sure to bring your own toilet paper!
3. Playa del Amor
Even further along the shoreline, you’ll find Playa del Amor.
This small beach is not quite as good for relaxing or swimming due to the volume of lava rock here.
However, it is a great place for spotting marine iguanas and for solitude.
You can also occasionally spot sea turtles here.
4. Playa del Embarcadero
Playa del Embarcadero is really just a small patch of sand near the pier. However, it is a good place to spot both sea lions and marine iguanas.
You will typically find large numbers of each laying in the shade of the trees around the beach, as well as on their way to and from the water.
It is best visited before or after a day tour that leaves from here, or on your way to Concha de Perla. Otherwise, you will see it as you arrive or depart by ferry from Isabela.
🏝️ FIND MORE:
BEST BEACHES IN GALAPAGOS
⛵️ Best Day Tours from Isabela
One of the best things to do in Galapagos is to simply enjoy a beach day, and Isabela is the best island for this. Unfortunately, most other activity requires an official national park guide and/or day tours.
The following are the best things to do on Isabela that require you to arrange a tour (meaning they cannot be done on your own).
1. Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa) Tour
Assuming you have an interest in snorkeling, taking a tour of Los Tuneles is one of the best things to do in Galapagos and our top choice of things to do on Isabela Island.
On this tour, you will explore an underwater world surrounding ancient lava tunnels.
On the land, this is the best place in Galapagos for seeing the iconic blue-footed boobies up close and personal.
A host of interesting submarine landscapes and tons of marine life await you underwater.
In particular, the sea turtles here are incredibly plentiful and it is one of the few places to reliably encounter sea horses.
2. Sierra Negra Volcano Hike
The Sierra Negra volcano hike takes you to the rim of the great caldera of a still-active volcano.
From the rim, visitors will gaze across a black, baron landscape that abuts a lush green mountainside.
The length of the hike varies from 4-10+ miles (6-16+ km). This depends on the tour you select as some stop at the first viewpoint, whereas others continue on to Volcan Chico.
For those that prefer, there is also the option to ride horseback to Sierra Negra.
3. Las Tintoreras Tour
There are a number of different tours that you can take to Tintoreras, so be sure to select the one that sounds best to you.
These can include kayaking only, snorkeling and kayaking, or a boat ride and snorkeling. Some even include landing on Tintoreras islet.
We highly recommend booking a tour that includes snorkeling and kayaking. Reaching Tintoreras by kayak is a much more fun way of getting there.
However, you will also want to get in the water as it’s harder to make out the marine life from your kayak.
During the cold season, Tintoreras is a common spot to see Galapagos penguins. Year-round you have a good chance of seeing sea lions, turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and rays, as well as various birds.
4. Sulfur Mine Tour (Minas de Azufre)
| Highlights | • Dramatic volcanic landscapes |
| Cost | $80+ locally, $100+ online |
| Duration | Half Day |
For many years sulfur was mined here for use as sulfuric acid in many chemical and pharmaceutical processes.
Today, the mines are no longer in use but provide a unique otherworldly scenery of green and yellow rock.
A tour to the sulfur mines starts with a 45-minute drive to the Galapagos National Park checkpoint.
From here, you will hike for around 2 miles (3km) to the mines where you can spot sulfur emissions rising up out of fumaroles.
There is also the option to reach the mines by bicycle or horseback for those who prefer not to hike.
5. Isla Tortuga Day Tour
Just a short boat ride from Isabela Island is the small islet known as Isla Tortuga or Turtle Island, supposedly named for its shape rather than inhabitants.
The snorkeling is excellent for spotting hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, blacktip reef sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, and starfish!
It is also a great place to spot a lot of seabirds, including blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, and lava gulls.
6. Los 4 Hermanos & Cartago Bay
One hour by speed boat from Isabela are four island rock formations known as Los 4 Hermanos (The 4 Brothers).
This is one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Galapagos. The deep sea site offers a high chance of seeing pelagic fish as well as hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, and manta rays.
A day tour will also include a stop at Cartago Bay, which offers a sheltered area for shallow-water snorkeling. Here you are likely to swim with sea turtles, rays, sharks, and a variety of fish.
⛵️ PLAN YOUR PERFECT VACATION:
ULTIMATE 10-DAY GALAPAGOS ITINERARY
🛳️ Best Cruise Stops on Isabela
Isabela Island is the largest of the Galapagos islands but the infrastructure outside of Puerto Villamil is severely lacking. As such, some of the best things to do on the island can only be done as part of a cruise.
The cold currents of the Bolivar Channel between Isabela and Fernandina bring some of the richest waters in the area. This, in turn, attracts a wealth of marine life, including whales, dolphins, and mola-mola (sunfish).
Isabela Island is one of the few islands in the Galapagos that is home to penguins and flightless cormorants. These are most populous on the west coast of the island, in areas that visitors can only get to via cruise ship.
The best cruise stops on Isabela Island include:
- Punta Vicente Roca
- Tagus Cove
- Bahia Urbina (Urbina Bay)
- Punto Albermarle (Albermarle Point)
- Punta Moreno (Moreno Point)
- Elizabeth Bay
🍽 Where to Eat & Drink in Isabela
While the dining options are more limited on Isabela Island than on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz, you will still find a reasonable number of places for eating and drinking to fit all budgets and preferences.
As you might expect, local food comes with a local price tag (typically about $5 per meal), while European, Asian, and American fare is available at a similar price to what you’d pay back home.
Best Ambiance: Royal Rock
While much of our time in the Galapagos was spent on a self-guided adventure, we joined Inspiring Ecuador for a group tour for our time on Isabela.
Our first meal together was at Royal Rock Grill, which provides the best views and ambiance on the island.
The food was fairly average, but the experience is worth the walk and the prices are reasonable.
Best Local Food: Albita Grill
The set dinner options at Albita Grill are an excellent option for anyone wanting to try Ecuadorian food and/or enjoy a cheap meal.
We ate at local restaurants for most meals during our two weeks in Ecuador, and this was on our top 3 favorites for local fare. We both had the grilled fish which comes with rice, beans, plantain, salad, and juice for $7.
Our Favorite Meal: Shawarma
We were recommended to try Shawarma by a local in Santa Cruz and it did not disappoint. In fact, we ended up eating here on multiple occasions!
The food was great and very cheap and offered some much-needed alternative flavors to the usual options. We tried both their burgers and shawarma and enjoyed both.
🙋♀️ FAQs About Isabela
In this section, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Isabela Island in the Galapagos that first-time visitors have.
Simply click the drop-down arrows to reveal answers.
What is Isabela island in Galapagos known for?
Isabela island is one of only 4 Galapagos islands that you can stay on, and is best known for the pristine white sand beach that runs alongside town, making it the top choice of islands for beach vacations.
Other popular attractions on Isabela island include Sierra Negra Volcano, Los Tuneles, Concha de Perla, the Wall of Tears, Centro de Crianza Tortoise Breeding Center, and Las Tintoreras (seasonal nesting site for Galapagos penguins).
Is Isabela the best Galapagos island?
Isabela island is the best Galapagos island for beach vacations specifically, but should otherwise only be considered as a secondary or tertiary option.
Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands are much easier to get to, are more centrally located within the Galapagos archipelago, and offer more of the necessary tourist amenities.
Is Isabela Island in Galapagos worth visiting?
If you are already planning to stay on Santa Cruz island and have more than a week in Galapagos, Isabela is absolutely worth visiting and staying on for 2-3 nights.
Isabela Island boasts a more peaceful and local experience than the other inhabited islands, and offers some unique opportunities for hiking, day tours, and wildlife encounters.
How many days do you need for Isabela Galapagos?
You only need about 2 days to explore Puerto Villamil and the local attractions on Isabela island, but you will also want to add an additional day for each day tour you wish to add to your itinerary.
Some of the most popular day tours include hikes up Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling throughout Los Tuneles, and visits to nearby Isla Tortuga.
Can you stay on Isabela Island in Galapagos?
Isabela is one of the four Galapagos islands you can stay on overnight, but can only be reached by taking an inter-island flight or ferry from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal.
Services and accommodations are more limited on Isabela than on other islands and should only be considered as a secondary or tertiary option for a Galapagos vacation.
The islands you can stay on, in order of popularity and population, are:
- Santa Cruz
- San Cristobal
- Isabela
- Floreana
What is the best way to get around Isabela Island in the Galapagos?
Walking or renting a bike is the best way to get around Isabela Island. All of the major services such as hotels, bars, and restaurants on Isabela are located in the town of Puerto Villamil, many of which are built right onto the beach!
For some of the remote destinations you may wish to visit, there are buses and affordable taxis available, as well as bicycle rentals.
Car rentals are not available in any of the Galapagos islands.
Can you walk around Isabela Galapagos?
Puerto Villamil is the only major town on Isabela island and can be easily explored by walking or cycling.
Most of the popular attractions on Isabela that are not within walking distance of Puerto Villamil require a boat/tour to reach.
📚 More Galapagos Islands Travel Guides
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
Hopefully, this guide has answered all of your questions, now it’s time for the rest of your planning!
These guides will help you through the process step-by-step, providing insight on everything from finding flights to top activities and so much more.
Planning Guides
- Where to Stay in Galapagos
- How to Travel to Galapagos in 10 Easy Steps
- Galapagos 5-Day Itinerary
- Galapagos 7-Day Itinerary
- Galapagos 10-Day Itinerary
- Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
- How to Island Hop the Galapagos
- Galapagos Packing List
- Galapagos Trip Cost & How to Budget
- How to Visit the Galapagos on a Budget
Local Guides
- Santa Cruz Island Ultimate Guide
- San Cristobal Ultimate Guide
- Isabela Island Ultimate Guide
- Bartolome Island Ultimate Guide
- Pinzon Island Ultimate Guide
Things to Do Guides
- Top 50 Things to Do in Galapagos
- Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos
- Best Galapagos Day Tours
- Galapagos Photography Guide
- Best Beaches in the Galapagos Islands
- Why You NEED to Visit the Galapagos Islands
- Best Galapagos Snorkeling Spots
- Iconic Galapagos Animals & Where to See Them
💬 Final Thoughts
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
We truly hope you have found this complete guide to visiting Isabela island in Galapagos useful as you plan the Ecuadorian vacation of a lifetime!
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Or perhaps this is the best guide you’ve found on the topic and had all of your questions answered?
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