La Gran Tortuga

La Gran Tortuga’s street-side appearance resembles many of its neighbors on Isabela — a simple stucco facade crisscrossed by telephone wires and palm fronds. Hand-painted lettering spells outs “Hostal Gran Tortuga” above its entryway and a well-kept wood picket fence delineates the property. Inside, the lobby is equally simple, with a small front desk, two well-worn but tirelessly kept sofas, and a straightforward sign that lists all of the hotel’s services. A large framed photo of a red-breasted frigate alludes to the hotel’s otherwise unaddressed locality. La Gran Tortuga’s unadorned entryway signals what’s to come — simple, unfussy rooms with charming, if sparse, decor. 

The majority of guests at La Gran Tortuga are international backpackers and solo travelers, though the hotel also welcomes its fair share of teenage school groups from all over the world. A few budget-conscious couples also make their way into the mix. But despite its clientele, La Gran Tortuga doesn’t have a rowdy hostel-like atmosphere. Instead, the property remains quiet throughout the day and night. La Gran Tortuga’s hospitable owners are happy to drive guests around the island and arrange tours and excursions for travelers. However, it might be difficult to communicate without some basic Spanish skills. 

La Gran Tortuga is located on a quiet side street in Puerto Villamil, the tiny port town on the island of Isabela. The hotel is a three-minute walk from the beach and center of town — a dusty intersection surrounded by a church, a park, and about a dozen tourist-oriented restaurants.  

Isabela is a can’t-miss destination for Galapagos travelers. Geographically, it’s the largest island in the archipelago, but with only 2,200 residents, it has one of the smallest populations of the inhabited islands. The volcanic island is a geologic wonder and has some of the world’s most diverse flora and fauna. Top attractions include La Concha de Perla, Urbina Bay, and Volcan Alcedo. But perhaps one of the most charming aspects of visiting Isabela is Puerto Villamil itself. The tiny town, with its sandy streets, humble restaurants, and friendly locals, has a utopian sort of feel. It’s the kind of place where couples dance in the streets, kids run through town with abandon, and old men nap on park benches in the afternoon sunlight. It’s a place where Friday night excitement consists of watching a pick-up game at the local soccer field and Monday morning traffic means getting off your bicycle to let an iguana cross the road. It’s simple. It’s relaxed. And it feels like taking a step back in time. 

It should be noted that there are no banks, ATMs, or money conversion services anywhere on Isabela. While most hotels accept major credit cards, many restaurants and local shops only accept cash. Ecuador’s currency is the U.S. Dollar. 

There are multiple room types at La Gran Tortuga, including double, triple, and quadruple varieties. No matter the type, however, all rooms have private bathrooms with simple shower stalls, pedestal sinks, and hot water. Rooms feature white walls, white tile floors, white bedding, and white drapery. The monotony is broken up by simple wood furniture and pops of color from bright blue, orange, and pink bed runners. Beds are arranged helter-skelter — filling any available space in the room — and lopsided framed photos of Galapagos wildlife hang on the walls. Rooms aren’t the most aesthetically inspiring spaces we’ve ever seen, but they’re clean and neatly kept, and have amenities like air-conditioning, TVs, and mini-fridges. One pitfall is that some rooms lack functional windows. Some windows open up to a nearby wall, while others overlook the interior breakfast room — rendering them useless. 

La Gran Tortuga doesn’t have any big-ticket amenities like a pool, spa, fitness center, or on-site restaurant, but it does have on-site laundry service, and offers daily breakfast and Wi-Fi. The hotel’s on-site laundry service is popular with backpackers who have been traveling for a while. The service is inexpensive by American standards, and usually has a quick turnaround time. 

The hotel serves breakfast each morning in its cheery breakfast room. It’s served buffet style, and includes eggs, toast, cereal, homemade yogurt, fresh fruit and freshly squeezed juices, as well as coffee and tea. Breakfast is included in most room rates, but not all. Travelers can pay a minimal fee for breakfast if it is not included in their room rate. Wi-Fi is free for all guests, but tends to be slow and spotty. Slow internet connection is common throughout the Galapagos, especially on Isabela.