Housed in a modern building that looks like it was plucked from the shores of Miami Beach, Iguana Crossing is certainly Isabela’s most upscale hotel. With 14 airy rooms, a sleek pool, a massive rooftop lounge, and an excellent location across the street from the beach, Iguana Crossing looks and feels a lot more sophisticated than its neighbors. But despite its dazzling appearances, the hotel has a few lackluster qualities. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, but no cable. The Wi-Fi is free, but it’s impossibly slow. Bathrooms have large walk-in showers, but hot water is hard to come by. Plus, in a sleepy, old-timey town like Puerto Villamil, something so sleek and modern looks a little out of place. Travelers seeking something a bit more authentic should check out La Casa de Marita. It’s not as ritzy as Iguana Crossing, but feels more like it belongs on the island of Isabela.
Housed in a modern building that looks like it was plucked from the shores of Miami Beach, Iguana Crossing is certainly Isabela’s most upscale hotel. With 14 airy rooms, a sleek pool, a massive rooftop lounge, and an excellent location across the street from the beach, Iguana Crossing looks and feels a lot more sophisticated than its neighbors. But despite its dazzling appearances, the hotel has a few lackluster qualities. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, but no cable. The Wi-Fi is free, but it’s impossibly slow. Bathrooms have large walk-in showers, but hot water is hard to come by. Plus, in a sleepy, old-timey town like Puerto Villamil, something so sleek and modern looks a little out of place. Travelers seeking something a bit more authentic should check out La Casa de Marita. It’s not as ritzy as Iguana Crossing, but feels more like it belongs on the island of Isabela.
La Gran Tortuga is a 10-room budget property that feels like a cross between a hotel and a hostel. Like a hostel, La Gran Tortuga has simple, unfussy accommodations and affordable nightly rates that attract backpackers, school groups, and other budget travelers. However, like a hotel, the property has private, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and hot water. Whatever you want to call it, La Gran Tortuga offers excellent value. It’s located within walking distance of downtown Puerto Villamil and the beach, has free Wi-Fi, serves a tasty daily breakfast buffet, and has on-site laundry services. La Gran Tortuga’s owners are incredibly hospitable and are always willing to drive guests around the island or help them arrange tours and excursions. Just note that they don’t speak much English. Travelers looking for a more conventional hostel with shared rooms and bathrooms might prefer Caleta Iguana, while those looking for something a bit for upscale should check out La Casa de Marita — both of which are beachfront.
La Gran Tortuga is a 10-room budget property that feels like a cross between a hotel and a hostel. Like a hostel, La Gran Tortuga has simple, unfussy accommodations and affordable nightly rates that attract backpackers, school groups, and other budget travelers. However, like a hotel, the property has private, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and hot water. Whatever you want to call it, La Gran Tortuga offers excellent value. It’s located within walking distance of downtown Puerto Villamil and the beach, has free Wi-Fi, serves a tasty daily breakfast buffet, and has on-site laundry services. La Gran Tortuga’s owners are incredibly hospitable and are always willing to drive guests around the island or help them arrange tours and excursions. Just note that they don’t speak much English. Travelers looking for a more conventional hostel with shared rooms and bathrooms might prefer Caleta Iguana, while those looking for something a bit for upscale should check out La Casa de Marita — both of which are beachfront.
La Casa de Marita is a charming mid-range hotel with 20 individually decorated rooms and a beautiful beachfront. The hotel has multiple room types and is a five-minute walk from downtown Puerto Villamil, which makes it an attractive option for all kinds of travelers. Plus, free daily breakfast and free Wi-Fi are definite perks. On-site amenities include a popular restaurant and an awesome beach deck with hammocks and lounge chairs. It’s not the most upscale lodging option on Isabela, but La Casa de Marita has a charming authenticity that can’t be replicated. Travelers looking for something a bit fancier might prefer Iguana Crossing, which has a pool and more luxurious amenities, but it feels out of place on the low-key island of Isabela, and tends to be pricey.
La Casa de Marita is a charming mid-range hotel with 20 individually decorated rooms and a beautiful beachfront. The hotel has multiple room types and is a five-minute walk from downtown Puerto Villamil, which makes it an attractive option for all kinds of travelers. Plus, free daily breakfast and free Wi-Fi are definite perks. On-site amenities include a popular restaurant and an awesome beach deck with hammocks and lounge chairs. It’s not the most upscale lodging option on Isabela, but La Casa de Marita has a charming authenticity that can’t be replicated. Travelers looking for something a bit fancier might prefer Iguana Crossing, which has a pool and more luxurious amenities, but it feels out of place on the low-key island of Isabela, and tends to be pricey.
If Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge was priced like a mid-range hotel, and marketed as a place with simple accommodations and minimal amenities, we’d say it was a fairly decent option for Isabela travelers. However, Red Mangrove is often portrayed (and priced) as one of the island’s most upscale hotels, leading many guests to expect beautiful decor, a quality restaurant, and nice features — which the hotel doesn’t exactly have. Herein lies the problem; the hotel sets high expectations, but doesn’t deliver. The 14 rooms are drab and forgettable, meals are lackluster, Wi-Fi is spotty, and there aren’t any knockout amenities besides a beautiful beach. Plus, anyone traveling from Santa Cruz sister property, Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, will surely be disappointed. Red Mangrove’s Isabela outpost is far inferior to its sister. Next door, La Casa de Marita has nicer amenities and better on-site dining for cheaper nightly rates. Travelers looking for something more upscale might prefer Iguana Crossing, even though its ultra-modern decor feels a bit out of place on Isabela.
If Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge was priced like a mid-range hotel, and marketed as a place with simple accommodations and minimal amenities, we’d say it was a fairly decent option for Isabela travelers. However, Red Mangrove is often portrayed (and priced) as one of the island’s most upscale hotels, leading many guests to expect beautiful decor, a quality restaurant, and nice features — which the hotel doesn’t exactly have. Herein lies the problem; the hotel sets high expectations, but doesn’t deliver. The 14 rooms are drab and forgettable, meals are lackluster, Wi-Fi is spotty, and there aren’t any knockout amenities besides a beautiful beach. Plus, anyone traveling from Santa Cruz sister property, Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge, will surely be disappointed. Red Mangrove’s Isabela outpost is far inferior to its sister. Next door, La Casa de Marita has nicer amenities and better on-site dining for cheaper nightly rates. Travelers looking for something more upscale might prefer Iguana Crossing, even though its ultra-modern decor feels a bit out of place on Isabela.