Hotel La Isla is a compact central hotel at the corner of Indefatigable and Charles Darwin, and guests rate it highly for its welcome and its comfort. It sits about a minute on foot from Academy Bay and the fishing piers, and a few minutes from the ferry terminal, the malecón and Las Ninfas Lagoon, so almost everything in Puerto Ayora is within walking distance. The rooms are modern and comfortable, with air conditioning, a flat-screen television, a safe, a desk and blackout drapes, and range from a larger double with a king or queen bed to a smaller city-view double. A free buffet breakfast is served each morning, and the rooftop terrace and garden are good places to relax. A spa offers treatments in couples rooms. The hotel is a good fit for couples and independent travellers who want a calm, well-kept place close to the action and are happy with a modest property rather than a resort.
Location and getting around
The best thing about La Isla is how easy it makes the day. Walk a minute to the harbour for your boat trip, five minutes to the ferry terminal for Isabela or San Cristóbal, and a short distance to restaurants, cafes and the pedestrian promenade. A taxi to the Tortuga Bay trailhead takes only minutes, and the Darwin Research Station is a pleasant walk. The airport transfer is available on request for a per-vehicle fee, with a journey of roughly an hour and a half including the channel crossing.
Rooms and who it suits
Double rooms sleep two, with a choice of bed type, and there is a compact city-view room with a king bed. All rooms have a television, a safe and a hair dryer. It suits couples, solo travellers and friends who want a quiet base with a roof terrace. The spa is a nice way to recover after a long boat day, and staff can help with tours and tickets. It is smoke-free, and the buffet breakfast starts early, which is handy for morning departures.
Good to know
There is no elevator and the upper floors are reached by stairs, so it may not suit guests with limited mobility, and there is no on-site parking. The front desk is open limited hours, so send your arrival details in advance. Payment is by card at the property, and Ecuador's value-added tax is payable at check-in, with an exemption for non-resident tourists who show a passport and tourist visa.
Check-in is from noon and check-out is in the morning. Rates are in the lower-middle part of the Puerto Ayora range, so book ahead in high season when the best rooms go early.
Why stay here
- ✓Free buffet breakfast
- ✓Rooftop terrace and garden
- ✓Spa with couples treatment rooms
- ✓Free WiFi in rooms
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Tour and ticket assistance
- ✓Luggage storage and safe
- ✓Airport transfer on request
Good questions
How close is Hotel La Isla to the harbour?+
About a minute on foot from Academy Bay and the fishing piers, and a few minutes from the ferry terminal.
Is breakfast included?+
Yes, a free buffet breakfast is served each morning.
Is there an elevator?+
No, upper floors are reached by stairs, and there is no on-site parking.
