Isla de la plata: The Galapagos of the poor!

For nature and diving enthusiasts, Ecuador is world-renowned for its marvellous Galapagos Islands! Unfortunately, for many of us, visiting them will remain just a dream due to the high prices of this destination. 

There is, however, a small island 44 km off the coast of the small Ecuadorian village of Puerto Lopez that might just amaze you with its many similarities. You can reach this island by boat, and it only takes about an hour to get there with the local boats. Of course, you'll need to get to Puerto Lopez first, either via Guayaquil airport or the much closer Manta airport. Several flights are available from all over America via Copa airlines with a stopover in Panama.

What makes the Puerto Lopez and Isla de la Plata region truly unique is the meeting of two great ocean currents. The warm Panama from the north, and the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt from Peru from the south. A little further offshore, towards the Galapagos, other currents join in. With the first two combining and heading towards isla de la plata, we find conditions conducive to abundant marine life and a variety of superb birds.    

The area between Puerto Lopez and Isla is partly protected by the rules of Machalilla National Park. However, fishing is still very much alive, as you can see in the small village, which lives mainly from this activity, as well as from ecotourism. Those wishing to visit Isla normally deal with tour operators who offer comfortable boats and a variety of excursions. These include whale watching, which is simply breathtaking. In season, from June to October, it's very common to see splendid acrobatic jumps.

Guided hiking is another popular activity, offering breathtaking scenery and, above all, close-up views of a large colony of nesting blue-footed birds. This is a medium-level trek, and you'll need a good hat and plenty of water. The birds are often extremely close to us. They are unique and magnificent! As this type of excursion doesn't take all day, it's often combined with a snorkeling section, where you'll discover large schools of multicolored fish, very healthy coral and numerous turtles. 

Divers like me will want to come back to isla more than once, as there are several magnificent sites available on the quiet side of the island. You never know what surprises await you underwater. I've had the privilege of being amazed by huge turtles, harlequin shrimps, sea horses, gigantic schools of fish of all kinds, the sound of whalesong ... and also by a whale shark, a manta ray and sea lions! Some good diving centers are available, such as Mares Ecuador and Explorama, and they visit the island regularly. It's a bit more expensive because of the distance and the permit fees for the island. The island is now privately owned and there are many unconfirmed hypotheses about its history, including a possible treasure trove!

As you'll probably have your feet up in one of the village's small hotels, here are a few unmissable suggestions. Café madame, a restaurant with a unique and succulent menu, not to mention its incredible cocktails. Chocolaterie PACHA, where you'll get a complete overview of the artisanal production process, including a tasting as you go, with a wide variety of delicious and surprising products!

This corner of South America is a wonderful discovery for those who like their travels different from the ordinary. Next destination, Peru!