They call Isla de la Plata “The Poor Man’s Galapagos“.

Much like the Galapagos, Isla de la Plata also has blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in droves. You’ll find tortoises (though not the giant kind), humpback whales, and tiny crabs. It’s a rugged, beautiful island; a paradise for mostly forgotten species. And while it’s just one island rather than 15, Isla de la Plata is a pretty good Galapagos alternative for those of us without the budget or time for the thing. This overnight cruise s the perfect alternative.

I’m happy to say Isla de la Plata is pretty great in its own right, and maybe one of the coolest things to do in Ecuador. Here’s everything you need to know about a cruise to Isla de la Plata.

It seems for the last decade, everyone has been buzzing about the Galapagos Islands. Adventure travelers and wildlife watchers once so set on African safaris have shifted their sights to Galapagos cruises. So what’s the big deal anyway?

The Galapagos Islands remain isolated and pristine thanks to their location some 600 miles off of Ecuador’s coast. With 200+ species of wildlife, many of which are endemic to the 15 Galapagos Islands, you’ll spend your days bird watching and spotting creatures by the thousands.

I’ll level with you here. There is probably no true Galapagos alternative. But with weeklong Galapagos cruises ranging from $2,000 – $8,000, this shouldn’t come as a surprise! When you factor in flights and hotels, even the Galapagos on a budget makes for an expensive trip. If you have the budget and time, by all means, go! But if you’re just looking for a glimpse at bizarre wildlife, Isla de la Plata is a pretty awesome cruise and a good Galapagos alternative.

WHY TRAVEL TO ISLA DE LA PLATA?

Wih the same blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, sea turtles, humpbacks, Giant Manta, and angelfish, Isla de Plata is a pretty good Galapagos alternative. And since you can take an Isla de la Plata cruise from Bahia de Caraquez or Salinas (in the future we will offer from salinas), it’s possible to have a Galapagos experience at just a fraction of the cost.
The best time to visit Isla de la Plata is between June-September when the whales are passing through, or December-March when the weather is best.