Puerto Villamil Travel Guide
Off the beaten track town with palm fringed beaches
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Puerto Villamil is a small town located on the southern shores of Isabela Island. Sandy palm fringed beaches line its shores and it is one of the few settlements in the Galapagos Archipelago. With daily flights from Baltra (subject to demand), several hotels and a wealth of things to do and see nearby, this is an excellent place to spend a couple of days on land as an extension to a Galapagos visit, or a great destination for those who would prefer not to see the islands by boat.
Named after the general who annexed the Galapagos Islands for Ecuador in 1832, Puerto Villamil remains an off-the-beaten-track town of less than 3,000 inhabitants. This small friendly community of fishermen and farmers, serves as a base for the few scattered settlements that exist between here and the tiny hamlet of Santo Tomas on the slopes of Sierra Negra.
Nearby bays, lagoons and islands teem with wildlife, including herons, waters, flamingos, iguanas, turtles, tortoise, sea lions and a marvellous range of fish to snorkel amongst. Beaches are popular with surfers, several vibrant local bars and some outstanding local seafood restaurants.
Attractions in Puerto Villamil
There are plenty of attractions a short distance from Puerto Villamil that will keep visitors occupied for several days.
Apart from the attractions listed below, trips out to Isla Tortuga (Brattle Island), the Cuatro Hermanos islets (Four Brothers) and Playa Ballena (Whale Beach) are each rich in wildlife and offer excellent snorkelling.
Activities in Puerto Villamil
Puerto Villamil offers some of the best options for activities in Galapagos. Besides the standard landings and snorkelling, you can also hike, horse ride or hire some bikes. In recent years camping and kayaking have also been options, but current restrictions by the Galapagos Park Service mean you should check locally before planning your trip around this.
Relaxing
Try Beto’s Bar, on the beach. On a lively night, crowded round an open fire, the atmosphere can be magical.
Getting Around
Daily flights serve Puerto Villamil from Baltra (subject to demand) and there is also a daily boat shuttle to and from Puerto Ayora. Once there, it is easy to get out and about from Puerto Villamil, including taxi, hired boat, foot, horseback, bus and bike – all of which can be pre arranged through your hotel or Travel Expert.
Buses depart the town twice daily for the highlands (usually 0700 and 1200, but check locally), leaving from the market for the villages of Marianitas, Santo Tomás, La Cura and La Esperanza. It is possible to hire a truck from La Cura for further exploration, as well as hiring a horse or hiking to the Sierra Negra Volcano.
If visiting sites away from land, small boats are available for hire at the port.
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