Puerto Lopez Tour: Beach Time, 5 Days

This 5-day Puerto Lopez tour is the relaxed cousin of the shorter Pacific-coast itinerary — the same Galapagos-alternative day trip to Silver Island, but with an extra unscheduled day to slow down and enjoy the beach on your own terms. The trip opens with the long road from Quito to the coast, a scenic transition from the Andes Mountains through green jungle and down to the warm Pacific shoreline. Once in Puerto Lopez, your first afternoon is for unwinding — beach, hotel, or the lively evening scene of restaurants and bars along the seafront. Day two takes you by boat to Silver Island (Isla de la Plata in Spanish), where a local guide walks you through the history and wildlife of this small, rugged island. Hike to viewpoints where birds nest and rest in the trees, including blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds with their huge red inflatable throats, and smaller seabirds in colonies. Watch crabs and lizards along the trail, then jump in to swim with schools of colorful fish — sea turtles, stingrays and whales sometimes appear as well. Day three is yours: there's no schedule. Spend it on the beach, in the sea (the water temperature here is gentle), or at the local fish market and town center. Day four is a guided hike through the humid forest behind town — a stretch of green jungle that locals describe as a smaller version of the Amazon Rainforest, with monkeys, exotic colorful birds and shaded trails. Enjoy a final warm evening in Puerto Lopez, then day five returns you to Quito.