Land-Based Galapagos Islands Itinerary (Part 2), Puerto Villamil, Ecuador

Today we move on to our next Galapagos Island : Isla Isabela. I recommend you to take the first ferry at 07:30AM. That way, you’ll have the whole afternoon to get a feel for Isabela’s atmosphere. The ferry ride takes around 2 hours 20 minutes depending on the weather. It can be quite a bumpy ride. If you are prone to seasickness, consider some motion medication.

Now that we’ve left the Isle of Santa Cruz behind and moved on to lively Isla Isabela, it’s time to find a new place to call home (at least for the next few days). Though there are more than a few quaint hotels and BnB’s on this island, I cannot recommend Hotel Albermarle highly enough. This boutique offers mainland accommodations while keeping true to the island feel. If you can, book a room facing the ocean. The beach is just meters away, and the calming noise of crashing surf will lull you to sleep each night. A few other touches make this place a great choice: free wifi (not a guarantee in the Galapagos!), unlimited purified water, a delicious breakfast, and even laundry service.

Few know that the Galapagos Islands also once held one of Ecuador’s most infamous prisons. “Muro de las Lágrimas, which translates to English as “The Wall of Tears” rises above Isla Isabela as a monument to that dark history. The wall earned its name because it was erected by the prisoners themselves. The sharp volcanic stone used in its construction cut deep into their bare hands, causing immense pain. Thankfully the prison was shutdown back in 1960. Today, visitors can reach the wall by a pleasant bike or hike along a well-marked trail. This trail has several other attractions along the way worth stopping at, including a few beaches and viewpoints. Once you arrive, you can also climb a nearby small hill to explore an abandoned satellite station. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).