Poor Man’s Galapagos Puerto Lopez, Ecuador

Isla de la Plata, Parque National Machalilla, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador

 In Puerto Lopez, a 4 hour bus ride from Guayaquil is a chance to see some of the world famous Galapagos Island animals for a fraction of the price. The posted price is $40, and the trip runs from 10 am to about 5:30 pm that includes a light lunch and coke (without the rum) and two tour guides. The boat held 16 tourist, 2 tour guides, and a two person boat crew. There are about 8 to 10 boats a day that take people to the island so you can get a ride most any day. This also helps keep a control on the number of persons on the island on any one day.

 

Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. We did see a lot of the Blue Footed Boobies (it was nesting season so new babies were just being hatched and birds were guarding their egg), some sea turtles, and got a chance to do some snorkeling only allowed in two spots around the island. Now, that part was not so pleasant, but the swim was crisp and refreshing. The boat supplies face masks and snorkels but no fins. You do need a good pair of walking shoes, sunscreen, hat and water bottle.

 

Isla de Salango

It is a snorkeling trip for about 2 hours to a nearby island at a cost of $25. I went with the acceptation of swimming with the fishes and being able to take some photos. There was a lot of fish but the visibility suck. I do not think that I need to spend $25 just swim and lie on the beach; Puerto Lopez is a beach town. I do know that nature had something to do with the way it turned out. I do think that today was more the typical than the exception.