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Iguana Crossing

Customer Ratings
This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback

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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.

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

  • The trip around the Galápagos was spectacular and I have never experienced anything like it before.

    LB, Enfield

  • The cabin upgrade was definitely worth the extra money, much more space and good sized windows!
     

    LF, Alderley Edge

  • How close we could get to the wildlife in the Galápagos.

    DG, Neston

  • No-one should consider a Galápagos cruise of less then 8 days. We both had a holiday of a lifetime.

    LF

  • The Galápagos Islands were something else- quite outstanding for the wonderful wildlife and abundant sea life while snorkelling.

    CP

  • 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, whilst feeling very well looked after by JLA.

    JG

  • Galapagos was incredible. We loved it. The guides were all excellent and we especially enjoyed having guides with a naturalist qualification.

    LE, Poole

  • The Galapagos tour was our highlight because of the proximity and abundance of the wildlife.

    AB, St Neots

  • The most memorable experiences were walking in woodland with wild giant tortoise grazing in clearings, watching wild land iguanas amble through long grasses, peering at eye level into the nests of red footed boobies, watching penguins and sea lions hunting fish whilst snorkelling, and as a finale, watching huge sharks circling in the boat lights during our final evening meal.

    JW, Newcastle

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

    AD, Dublin

  • Everything came up to expectations but the highlight was the Galápagos Islands

    SC, London, SW11

  • Highlights?: Snorkelling with green turtles sea lions and penguins

    PW, Twickenham

  • Highlight of your trip?: Snorkeling in the Galapagos


  • Most Memorable Moment?: The obvious answer is the whole thing!  If I had to choose, I'd say the experience of arriving at the top of the Prince Phillip Steps on Genovesa to be confronted by a sea of roosting and nesting seabirds completely unfazed by our presence. Of course I'd read about it in advance but nothing really prepares you for experiencing it for yourself.  Another key moment was going snorkelling for the first time at the age of 70 and immediately having underwater encounters with a sea lion and a green sea turtle. My prescience in investing in a GoPro camera ahead of the trip paid huge dividends in terms of lasting memories.

    DM, Nottingham

  • Most Memorable Moment: Swimming with sea lions, following hundreds of dolphins on the boat, diving with penguins

    KH, London

  • Galapagos Islands wildlife, guide and boat. To be so close to birds and animals is a privilege and to see such pristine beaches and scenery is lovely.

    SJ, Winchelsea

  • The Galápagos Islands were fantastic and beyond our wildest expectations.

    AC

  • The wildlife on the islands (obviously the major reason for the trip) was spectacular and wonderful to experience. I’m please to have made the trip and would certainly recommend the Galápagos to anyone with similar interests and sufficient money.

    PM, Chesterfield

  • The range of wildlife to be seen in the Galapagos stood out but there were so many highlights.

    TH, Colchester

  • Truly a unique lifetime experience, especially snorkelling for the first time with playful sea lions, sea turtles, penguins, rays and ‘tame’ wildlife.

    SD, Rochester

  • Being able to visit the Galápagos with a reputable company was a highlight - the boat was fantastic and everything about the holiday was first rate.

    KF, Norfolk

  • This was our holiday of a lifetime fulfilling a long held desire to visit the Galápagos Islands, and it lived up to all our expectations.

    SH, Aylesbury

  • A truly wonderful and privileged experience!

    RD, Ashford

  • "The Galápagos Islands and the amazing Machu Picchu ruins.  A real once in a lifetime experience."

    MCP Richmond

  • The Galápagos Islands are a wonderland. If I say that of all places I have visited in the world only the Grand Canyon is their equal in impact and living up to expectation you will have an idea of how they affected both of us.

    DW Lingfield

  • The close proximity of the wildlife in the Galapagos is amazing.

    DW, Stevenage

  • Breathtaking

    The Galápagos - just breathtaking - walking in woodland with wild giant tortoise grazing in clearings, watching wild land iguanas amble through long grasses, peering at eye level into the nests of red footed boobies, watching penguins and sea lions hunting fish whilst snorkelling, and as a finale, watching huge sharks circling in the boat lights during our final evening meal.

    JW, Newcastle

  • One of us had not snorkelled for a very long time and was hesitant in deep water. Martin the Naturalist on MV Eclipse helped her overcome her fears and enabled her to accompany him resulting in amazing underwater views that she would not have had. The whole trip was memorable for both of us... We just loved the Galapagos.

    AL

  • The trip to to the Galapagos was the highlight undoubtedly - and the memories will remain with us for a long time -along with the huge photographic archive taken!

    CG, Stratchcarron

  • The Galápagos were above expectation – the best thing we have done.

    DL, Dulwich
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Lina Fuller
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

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