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Iguana Crossing

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Iguana Crossing is a beautifully appointed luxury hotel on a white-sand beach, combining a lean, contemporary mood with a remarkable natural setting.

The isle of Isabela is the largest and most rugged in the archipelago, comprised of six fused volcanoes. A large giant tortoise population roams wild amidst its scrub and grasslands. 

This beautifully appointed small luxury Iguana Crossing hotel lies on a delightful stretch of powdery white sand at the edge of Puerto Villamil – Isabela’s only significant settlement but still little more than a fishing village. 

The hotel’s design is uncompromisingly contemporary, built using local materials including impeccably crafted polished wood. Features and furnishings are decidedly angular; the clean unfussy lines look striking against the back drop of an elemental, almost minimalist natural environment. 

All guestrooms have sweeping views of the beach or out towards Sierra Negra volcano from their balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. There is a small but attractive pool surrounded by smart wooden decking close to the sand, as well as a rooftop Jacuzzi and bar. The restaurant is very good though there are cheaper (if simpler) options in town.

The hotel owes its name to the marine iguanas that cross the beach right in front of it, heading from the wetlands into the sea. Watching them from the al fresco deck can be a great source of entertainment.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • The Galápagos Islands were out of this world.

    DJ, Chesterfield Aug 2010
  • The sealions were brilliant fun and the pups so cute, and so close. All the wildlife was great and seeing it all up close as nothing is afraid of humans,…

    KH, Weybridge May 2014
  • The Galapagos Islands are spectacular and we are so glad we had the time to visit.  After a busy four days onboard La Pinta it was good to have a…

    EK, Saltash Jan 2013
  • The Galápagos were above expectation – the best thing we have done.

    DL, Dulwich Feb 2010
  • I had wanted to travel to the Galápagos for many years.  My husband did not want to go, so I arranged the trip by myself and had a memorable time,…

    JG Apr 2011
  • The Galápagos trip was very sympathetic to the environment and local habitat.

    AD, Dublin Sep 2011
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Our Expert's Opinion

Ben
Ben Line - Travel Expert

Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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