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Puerto Villamil

Puerto Villamil is a small port village located on the southeastern edge of Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands. Of the 2,200 people who live on Isabela, the majority live in Puerto Villamil. The harbor is frequently full with sailboats, as Villamil is a popular stop for private yachts making their way to the Marquesas Islands as it is the westernmost town in the Galapagos Islands.

Traditionally residents of Puerto Villamil have earned a living either through agriculture or fishing. Over the years the government has made moves to move the population away from fishing and into tourist-based activities. However this move has been hotly debated and has created political incidents including in 2000 when a group of sea cucumber fishermen kidnapped baby tortoises in order to have the government extend their fishing limits.

On the southwestern edge of town a boardwalk was created by the park with assistance of US Aid. It leads through mangrove environments passing along saltwater lagoons filled with flamingo, common stilts, whimbrels, Bahama pintails, and gaiollinules that come here to sweep the mud in search of brine. At the end of the walkway is the Tortoise Breeding Center which was built in order to help preserve the many species of Isabela Tortoises.

On the northern edge of town near the dock are a series of small islets including one known as Las Tintoreras where a colony of white tip sharks can often be seen resting in the lava canal.

Coordinates: 0°57′24.52″S 90°58′02.09″W / 0.9568111°S 90.9672472°W / -0.9568111; -90.9672472

From Wikitravel

Puerto Villamil is a town on Isabela, one of the Galapagos Islands. Most of the inhabitants live in agriculture and fishing, but also tourism is growing. It's a nice place to hang out on the beach for a few days or do some snorkeling.

Get in

There is a daily boat leaving to Puerto Ayora at 6:00am and leaving from Puerto Ayora back to Puerto Villamil at 2:00pm. It's a rough and noisy two hour boatride and cost $30 one-way. Emetebe has irregular flights to Baltra airport or San Cristobal if there enough passengers.

Get around

Most streets lack adequate street signs, but a civic improvement project is changing this, at least in the center of town. New sidewalks with lava pavers are also being added. The town is small enough to explore in an hour. Local children are glad to help you find your destination.

See

For things to see around Puerto Villamil see Isabela.

• Snorkeling - snorkeling around Las tintoreras or Concha de Perla is excellent. You might also ask a local panga owner to take you out to "Los Tuneles", or "The Tunnels", a wonderful area of eroded lava islets filled with sea life.
• Hiking - there's a nice 2,5-3 hours (return trip) hike to the wall of tears. On the way there are lots of things to see; lakes with flamingo's and other wildlife, beaches with hundreds of (really big) iguana's, beaches with sea lions, giant turtoises and there are some view points. Take plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat.
• Visit the turtoise breeding center - A nice half hour walk from town through mangroves to the breeding center. Some information and lots of giant turtoises (free)

Money

There are no ATMs in Puerto Villamil or banks. Very few locations accept credit cards, make sure to bring plenty of cash.

Buy

Shops in Puerto Villamil sell food, supplies, and souvenirs.

Eat

There are several restaurants and bakeries in Puerto Villamil. Most restaurants serve rice, beans and a piece of meat for around 2 dollars.

• Encantado de Pepa is a wonderful little cafe serving good food on a clean and charming patio adjacent to the town's main square. La Pepa is one of the most entertaining characters in the Galapagos.

Drink

The nightlive is pretty sedate in Puerto Villamil.

• Bar de Beto is a beachfront bar popular with locals and travelers, good to grab a beer and chill out.

Sleep

There are a dozen places to stay, most charge $10 a night.

• Plaucio lodging house in between the village and the harbour is this quiet friendly budget hostel run by the very friendly artist Plaucio Alvarez. There are 3 simple cottages costing $10,- per person set in a nice cactus garden. Rooms have electricity, toilet and hot shower. Use of kitchen facilities. tel: (593) 097 733 083
• Hostal Flamencos is probably the best deal in town. The clean spacious rooms have airco, television, fridge, private bathroom with hot shower and a view on poza salinas, where sometimes flamingos can be seen. It's run by a friendly family who also serve meals. The price is only $20 per person per night.
• Hotel San Vincente [1] is popular by travelers. It has a restaurant they also organize tours. There's room for 48 guests distributed in singles, doubles, and triples rooms. All rooms have air conditioners, hot water, private bathroom, and TV. The price is around $30 per person per night plus taxes and include the breakfast.
• La Casa de Marita is the first upmarket place in town.
• Hotel Albermarle the newest and most upscale hotel in town.