Visit Isla de la Plata
Take a trip to the marine reserve of Isla de la Plata, offering a close-up wildlife experience reminiscent of the Galápagos Islands at a fraction of the cost.
A visit to Isla de la Plata, which translates as 'Silver Island', is certainly a precious one for wildlife lovers. Lying 40km off the coast of Ecuador, this small rocky territory is seen as a cheaper and easier alternative to the Galápagos and is home to a number of the species found on Darwin’s ‘Enchanted Isles’.
A 3-hour visit gives you the chance to walk among wild sea birds, whose huge colonies blanket the island, and even snorkel with sea lions and turtles. If your timing is right you can also see blue-footed boobies perform their comical mating dance and the distinctive frigatebird inflating its bright red neck pouch to attract females.
