The biggest island of the Galapagos has a wide range of activities to choose from, whether you be visiting it for just one day or for some more. From all the options available, I have chosen 5 activities which I consider to be a must if you come to Isabela, and here they are:
Sierra Negra volcano
The Sierra Negra volcano hike is one of the preferred activities within the island. It consists of a trail that takes around 6 hours to complete.
You can book this activity with a tour operator, who will normally arrange your pick-up at your hotel or at a central point of city, and then take you to the highlands of the Island, where the trail begins.
You will feel how the weather changes when you go from sea level to the altitude, so take a jacket with you. This is a physically demanding activity, which is why good physical condition is required. In addition, be prepared with the necessary gear for a trail/hike activity: hiking shoes, quick-dry pants and t-shirt, etc.
Although most of the operators will include a box lunch within the tour package, it is a good idea to take your own hydration, since the hike will be demanding. But it will all be worth it, once you reach the top of the 10-m.-wide crater and get the opportunity to appreciate a panoramic view of the volcano crater. Continuing the trail, you will also spot some fumaroles in a part of the volcano knows as “Volcan chico”.
Minas de azufre (Sulfur mines)
This is another tour on the Sierra Negra volcano, which will take you along a different route. Unlike the previously mentioned trail, the sulfur mines trail covers other side of the volcano, where you will get to descend to ancient sulfur mines, some of them still active.
This hike is less physically demanding compared to the Sierra Negra volcano trail, taking around 2 to 3 hours to complete. You will first descend to the sulfur mines and then take the same road, back to the starting point, where you will have to ascend.
As you approach the farthest point of the trail, you will be able to smell the characteristic rotten-egg smell of sulfur. Always respect the signs you see near the mines and ask your guide before touching any part near them, since temperature might be burning high.
Snorkeling at Concha de Perla (Pearl Beach)
Concha de Perla is a little beach, next to the Island’s dock. It is accessible from the main road; you will see signs indicating the path towards this spot.
The walk will take no more than 10 minutes. Be careful when walking, since on this path you might find iguanas or sea lions. Moreover, the mangroves’ branches through which you will be walking could be low, so you might have, from time to time, to lower your head in order to continue.
When you arrive at this beach, you will have to descend along a couple of stairs to enter the water. Some of the animals you could find are sea lions, sea turtles, iguanas, and even Galapagos sharks, depending on how far you swim go from the starting point.
Muro de las lagrimas (Tears wall)
This is historical site. During the 40’s and 50’s Isabela was a prison colony, where prisoners, as a form of punishment, had to build a wall (the tears wall) with lava blocks. The altitude was around 7 meters and the longitude 100 m.
To visit the “Muro de las lagrimas”, the best option is to rent a bicycle. Or you could just walk boarding the coast. Due to the temperature, it is suggested that you do not go there during midday hours.
Just hanging around the city
If you are not on a tight itinerary, reserve one day of your trip to just enjoy random activities on the island. You could go to Puerto Villamil beach and enjoy a food or a drink while watching the sunset.
You could also visit the “Poza de los Flamingos”, a salty estuary where you could find, depending on water and food conditions, various species of native flamingos. If you enjoy walking, you may want to go along the Puerto Villamil Shore, and reach the farthest walking point, where the shore turns rocky. Here, you can spot iguanas.
And these are my top 5 recommended activities within Isabela. Of course there are plenty more you could choose from, depending on your preferences and amount of time to be spent on the island.
If you would like any further tip or recommendation, do not hesitate in contacting us! We will be happy to help.
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