Iguana Crossing

a great way to access this fascinating island

Set in Puerto Villamil on the island of Isla Isabela in Galápagos, Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel is a relatively reliable modern property.

The lodge is set just across the road from the main beach, at the western end of the port.

It is centred on a large modern building, containing the main lounge, bar and dining areas, leading out to an elevated garden with extensive decking areas, a large swimming pool and a jacuzzi.

Rooms

Guest accommodation is in around 18 reasonably stylish modern rooms, each with air-conditioning, a large bathroom and views out over the ocean or the mountain behind.

The rooms come in four specifications …

• Master Suites : 55 sqm : king bed : private balcony
• Junior Suites : 47 sqm : king bed : private balcony
• Ocean View Rooms : 41 sqm : queen bed : small balcony
• Volcano View Rooms : 32 sqm : king or twin beds

Activities

Iguana crossing provides access to a good range of activities, including some excellent hiking on the volcanoes inland, plus diving and snorkelling offshore.

We almost always include a private guide when visiting this property, in order to substantially upgrade the overall experience.

The Galapagos islands can be visited in isolation, you do not necessarily need to combine with mainland South America, although you will need to fly in via Ecuador.

The islands are most commonly combined with the Yasuni Amazon in Ecuador, with a night or two in Quito in between.

It is also possible to combine with the Inca Highlands and Iquitos Amazon in Peru, although the flight connections can be a little more arduous.

Getting there

Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel is usually accessed by means of a small plane flight from Seymour Airport (GPS) on Isla Baltra (adjacent to Isla Santa Cruz), landing at Isabela Airport close to Puerto Villamil.

Please note that there is a baggage allowance of just 11kg per person on these flights and extra luggage is charged at around USD5 per kilogram (if there is space on the plane). It’s usually possible to leave additional baggage at Seymour Airport.

It’s also possible to travel by speedboat (either a private charter or using the scheduled service) from Puerto Ayora on the south of Isla Santa Cruz to Puerto Villamil, a potentially rough and unpleasant crossing of around two hours.

Although many of the cruise boats around the Galápagos call at Isla Isabela, they rarely stop at Puerto Villamil and their itineraries do not work well for joining or leaving a cruise here.

usually combined by air with a lodge on Santa Cruz