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Collecting life experiences

Agora Tours Isabela

Our Mission - Collecting life experiences

We feel very blessed that we got the opportunity to collect wonderful and unforgettable experiences while traveling. We want to take you on your once in a lifetime adventure on Isabela and share all these emotions with you. As a truly local company we genuinely know the most authentic places and things to see around Isabela. To us your satisfaction and safety in accordance with the environmental conversation of Galapagos is crucial. In a nutshell: We want you to fall in love with this island as much as we do.

Our Story of Connection & Heritage

As a family deeply rooted in the history of Isabela Island, we are more than just tour operators – we are storytellers. Our legacy stretches back generations, beginning when our father arrived here as a child, following his own father, one of the original police officers at the island’s penal colony. Over the years, we have witnessed and lived through Isabela’s transformation from a small village without electricity to the vibrant, conservation-focused national park it is today.

Puerto Villamil became our home, a hidden treasure teeming with nature and wildlife. Our connection to this land has instilled in us an immense passion and deep environmental responsibility, a love we strive to pass on to every visitor.

This island has shaped who we are, and we invite you to explore it through the eyes of locals who care deeply about its future. Our dedicated guides, crew, and captains are the true stars of our story. Their knowledge extends far beyond the touristic sites, sharing untold stories of survival, change, and evolution that make Isabela Island so unique.

Join us for an unforgettable journey, and collect some incredible life experiences along the way!

Our Commitment to the Galapagos Islands

At Agora Tours, we are deeply committed to preserving the unique beauty and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands. As proud members of this extraordinary ecosystem, we believe it is our responsibility to promote sustainable tourism practices that protect our fragile environment and support the local community.

Our efforts are focused on creating meaningful, low-impact travel experiences that leave a positive legacy for future generations. Here’s how we’re working to safeguard our islands:

PROMOTING LONGER STAYS AT LOWER VOLUMES

Rather than contributing to the mass influx of short-term visitors, we advocate for longer, more immersive stays with fewer tourists at any given time. This approach reduces the strain on our islands’ resources while offering visitors deeper, more personal connections to the Galapagos’ diverse wildlife, landscapes, and local culture.

Our operations reflect this ethos by maintaining small group sizes and offering private, personalized tours. With a boat capacity of just 12 people and a kayaking limit of 8 participants, we ensure that our presence in the islands remains unobtrusive. This careful management of visitor numbers not only protects the natural processes at play but also provides our guests with a richer and more personal understanding of what makes the Galapagos so special.

By extending the length of your stay, you minimize the environmental footprint of frequent travel and experience a more relaxed, in-depth exploration of the islands. This also allows local communities to thrive by creating more sustainable economic opportunities.

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION


We’ve broken down our sustainability efforts into four key areas. By focusing on reducing emissions, cutting down on plastic use, supporting local communities, and sourcing local ingredients, we aim to create a tourism model that not only sustains but also enhances the Galapagos ecosystem. Despite our extensive efforts, we recognize that there will always be more steps to take in our journey toward fully sustainable tourism.

We are deeply committed to supporting the local community by exclusively hiring local guides, crew members and taxi drivers who have lived on the islands for years and have well-established family lives here. By offering fair compensation and consistent work, we help reinforce a critical mindset shift toward sustainability.

What many visitors don’t realize is that just a few years ago, unsustainable practices like sea cucumber fishing, shark finning, and even using bleach to increase fishing yields were very common on Isabela Island. Illegal fishing persists, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, some residents reverted to hunting giant tortoises. These activities were born out of economic necessity, but they pose an enormous risk to the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos.

By showcasing the benefits of tourism and providing alternative livelihoods, we encourage the local population to support rather than harm the environment. Sustainable tourism offers a path where the community can thrive in harmony with nature, ensuring the long-term preservation of the Galapagos.

Blue Solar Panel Board

We prioritize reducing emissions in every aspect of our operations. Our office operates almost entirely paperless, and most of our electricity comes from solar energy, minimizing waste and reliance on non-renewable resources.

Our boat is equipped with a fuel-efficient four-stroke engine, providing more power with less fuel consumption. This helps reduce the environmental impact of our marine tours while maintaining top performance.

Additionally, nearly all our tours offer carbon offset options, and and encourage travelers to choose eco-friendly options such as biking, kayaking or walking when available. By embracing sustainable practices, we are committed to protecting the Galapagos for our future generations.

Plastic pollution is a significant threat to the Galapagos Islands, and at Agora Tours, we are committed to reducing our plastic footprint. We’ve implemented a strict plastic reduction policy across all our tours, avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible. Our guests receive reusable cups and cutlery on boat trips as well as reusable lunch boxes on hikes.

Whenever we visit less frequented areas or come across plastic pollution, we take the opportunity to collect as much as we can and bring it back to town for proper disposal. While it may be a small step, it allows us to protect a few animals from ingesting harmful plastics and helps keep our beautiful bays and beaches clean. By involving our kids into these practices, we teach the newest generation actively the importance of keeping our island end environment clean.

With our family own store, we are an essential part of the recycling system of the Galapagos (Glass Recycling).

Our culinary philosophy centers on the use of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. By collaborating with local farmers and fishermen, we reduce the environmental costs of importing goods while supporting sustainable agriculture and fishing practices on the islands.

This not only ensures that our guests enjoy the freshest meals possible but also promotes the use of seasonal ingredients that respect the natural cycles of the Galapagos ecosystem.

CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE & HABITAT

Protecting the extraordinary wildlife and habitats of the Galapagos is at the heart of everything we do. Our tours are carefully crafted to minimize any disturbance to the islands’ fragile ecosystems, ensuring that the natural behavior of wildlife is respected. Our guides are extensively trained to educate guests on responsible wildlife interactions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe distance and preserving the integrity of their natural habitats.

By fostering a deeper understanding of conservation issues among our visitors, we aim to inspire stewardship and a shared sense of responsibility for the protection of these incredible islands. We believe that educating travelers is key to ensuring that future generations can experience the Galapagos in the same pristine condition.

Our captains have also participated in multiple scientific expeditions with the Galapagos National Park, assisting in the monitoring of key species such as the Land Iguanas, Galapagos Penguins, and Flightless Cormorants. This hands-on involvement in conservation efforts deepens our connection to the islands and reinforces our commitment to their preservation.

One of the Wizards behind the magic

Hi, my name is Carlos and I am the co-owner of Agora Tours on Isabela. I am very exited to show you around my beloved Island with all it’s beautiful secrets. Though that is not just the one thing I love about my job. It’s the content smile on your face after an eventful day and the stories you are experiencing that makes me passionate about guiding. I can’t wait to met you soon.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

Only 3 Spots Left!

Join us on November 22nd for a rare journey to Cormorant Beach on Isabela’s west coast! Immerse yourself in pristine landscapes and encounter the island’s incredible wildlife.

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