May 10, 2025

The Tortoise Breeding Center on Isabela Island—officially known as Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza-Chamaidan—is a vital conservation facility dedicated to protecting and repopulating the island’s unique species of giant tortoises. Located just outside Puerto Villamil, the center houses dozens of tortoises at various life stages, from tiny hatchlings to hulking adults.  We chose to ride bikes there which took about 20 minutes.  You do need a guide and are supposed to purchase the tickets in advance although we didn't and just picked up a guide when we got there.  

The Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas) is a haunting historical site located about 6 km from Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. Built by prisoners in the 1940s and ’50s during the island’s time as a penal colony, the wall was constructed from sharp, heavy volcanic rocks—stacked without mortar in brutal conditions.

Its name comes from the suffering endured by those forced to build it, and legend has it that eerie cries can still be heard near the site. Today, the wall stands as a somber reminder of a dark chapter in the Galápagos’ history, surrounded by scenic trails, lava fields, and sweeping coastal views.