Compared to the bustling town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, Puerto Villamil strikes a remarkable contrast, with quiet streets and a serene atmosphere. While there are several excellent hotels and restaurants in town, Villamil really hasn't changed much since it was originally established as a small fishing village on the southern shores of Isabela Island. A beach is a great place for surfers to try to catch a wave. It's also close to attractions like the Wetlands, the tortoise breeding center, the Wall of Tears, Tintoreras, Concha de Perla Beach, and the mighty Sierra Negra Volcano. However, since Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands, sites on the western and northern coasts and on neighboring Fernandina have access usually restricted to cruises. Contact us to get started planning your trip today!
What to do in Puerto Villamil
The quiet town of Villamil is the westernmost village in the Galapagos Islands. More than a century after it was founded, it still maintains its original charm as a small fishing village, but has grown just enough to feature luxurious boutique hotels and a number of local attractions that can be easily accessed from the town, including:
The Tortoise Breeding Center – A breeding center where tortoises are raised from egg to maturity and kept in pens where they can be easily seen and cared for.
Flamingo Lagoon – A brackish lagoon where flamingos and other landbirds frequently feed.
The Wall of Tears – A harrowing reminder of the time when Isabela was used as a penal colony and the prisoners were forced to labor building a wall of lava rock.
The Wetlands – A network of lagoons and mangroves that form a fascinating biosphere between the land and sea.
Las Tintoreras – A great place for a panga ride where reef sharks patrol the turquoise waters.
Concha de Perla Beach – A relaxing, sun-kissed beach great for soaking in the sun or catching a wave on a surfboard.
Sierra Negra Volcano – The active volcano that features a phenomenal caldera that stretches 10-km across.
Volcan Chico – A neighboring volcano to the Sierra Negra where sulfur fields make for an other-worldly landscape.
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