 |
Isla de la Plata —The Poor Man’s
Galapagos
Isla de la Plata, one of the hidden places in Ecuador, is a small
island off the coast northwest of Puerto Lopez. Although
currently known as the poor man’s Galapagos, it has long been called
“Silver Island.” Some say the name derived from the fact that Sir Francis Drake buried his treasure there centuries ago. Others say the silver refers to the large amounts of guano, or bird droppings, that shine in the sun! Isla de la Plata can be reached by boat from the Puerto Lopez area. Puerto Lopez is a small town located on the north coast of Ecuador in Manabi province. The trip can be choppy and usually takes more than an hour. It’s best to have motion-sickness medication handy—just in case! You can book a tour by a licensed company that uses boats with outboard motors and supplies life jackets and toilets. Other agencies offer tours on fishing boats at a cheaper price, but these are very slow and getting seasick is practically guaranteed. They may not charge you the park-entry fee because they may not actually stop at the island, so these tours are best avoided. Once on the island, the visitor can enjoy many species similar to those found in the Galapagos — blue- and red-footed boobies, pelicans, petrals, frigatebirds, terns and albatrosses. |
| The
tours usually provide lunch, a guided hike and time for a little
snorkeling. One of the main attractions of this special place in Ecuador is the humpback whales. They mate near the island from the middle of June until October. We’ve been told that it is not uncommon to see groups of up to ten whales at one time, frolicking in the ocean. Dolphins are plentiful and there are good coral reefs for snorkeling. |
|
| There is no shade on the small island and the
trails are rough, so good shoes, wind or rain gear and a hat are very
important. Isla de la Plata is one of those places in Ecuador where you
can lose yourself in a landscape uniquely different from any on earth. |
| Back to top
» Return to Places in Ecuador from Isla de la Plata |
| Pro-Ecuador Insider Information This page allows you to browse recently added insider information, new website articles, newsletter mailings, and important updates. |
| Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers. |
| Information on Ecuador Information on Ecuador: some of the best websites available will help you make informed decisions about your visit, move or investment in Ecuador. |
| Living in Ecuador Living in Ecuador: Insider's Tips. Make your Ecuador move problem free with travel facts, living advice. Learn about Ecuador culture from U.S. Expats. |
| Retirement in Ecuador Retirement in Ecuador: newest hot-spot for retirees and expats wanting the good life without the financial stress. |
| Moving to Ecuador: An Idea Whose Time has Come Moving to Ecuador and living in Ecuador may be the very best choice you can make right now. Important information on Ecuador that you need is right here. |
| Moving to Ecuador Tour Moving to Ecuador course and tour takes the stress and worry out of moving to Ecuador and helps you realize your dreams. |
| Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour – Capture the majesty of Ecuador’s scenic wonders with a ten-day tour in photographic paradise. |
| Travel Safety Travel safety information for your trip to Ecuador with details about immunizations, food and water, and personal security. |
| Life in Ecuador Life in Ecuador: Personal accounts of obstacles and triumphs encountered while living in Ecuador. |
| Real Estate in Ecuador Real estate in Ecuador is booming because prices are low and values are high. International real estate investors can build a foundation of wealth before the usual rush of discovery takes place |
| Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process |
| Cotacachi: A Pastoral Ecuador Village Cotacachi: A pastoral Ecuador village is enticing foreigners from many shores with its vibrant hills and quaint colonial charm. |
| Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats, Cotacachi, Ecuador Several Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats are available, with a variety of prices, locations and amenities, from clean and economical to the most elegant settings you can imagine. |
| Cotacachi Real Estate For Sale: Real Estate listings in Cotacachi and surrounding areas Cotacachi Real Estate For sale, Cotacachi, Ecuador and the surrounding area offers great value for new Ecuador Residents. |
| Learn Spanish In Ecuador Learn Spanish In Ecuador shows how anyone can learn Spanish just by living in Ecuador. |
| Hidden Places in Ecuador Where to find those hidden places in Ecuador, those secret places in Ecuador that the locals keep to themselves, secret beaches, jungle hideaways, rare birds, orchids, wildlife. |
| Ecuador Economy Ecuador Economy explained in plain language and compared to the United States. |
| Responsible Global Citizen Responsible global citizen top 7 tips for global living |
| Move to Ecuador: Q and A’s Answers to many of your questions about you move to Ecuador. |
| Condos in Ecuador, Condos for sale in Ecuador Condos in Ecuador offer a wonderful bargain for the full-time resident or the part-time vacationer. Mountain Condominiums or Beachfront Condominiums offer great value. |
| Pictures of Ecuador A tour of Ecuador via pictures of Ecuador. Pictures and descriptions that tell a story |
| Spanish Phrases and Spanish Words Learning useful Spanish phrases, Spanish words and Spanish sayings is easy and makes navigating Ecuador so much more enjoyable. |
| Ecuador laws are Fair and Easy and Provide Protection
for Foreign Investors Following Ecuador laws is easy and provides protection for foreigners. Ecuador laws are favorable, visa requirements not complicated. |
| About Pro-Ecuador Staff Bios Staff bios and the story behind Pro-Ecuador.com |
| Contact Information for Pro-Ecuador.com Contact Pro-Ecuador Staff by Email, Fax, or Postal Mail |
| Pro-Ecuador Site Map Browse a map of all the pages on Pro-Ecuador.com |
| Ecuador Beaches Ecuador Beaches from Pedernales to Manta are stunning, both the water and the weather is warm and it’s neither well developed nor heavily populated. |
| Healthy Living in Ecuador: A Country Where It’s Hard Not to Be Healthy Healthy Living in Ecuador, a country where good health is the norm, not the exception |
| Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers. |
|
|
