Isla de la Plata ("Silver Island") is an island full of natural wildlife, located 25 mi (40 km) offshore. Isla de la Plata is part of Machalilla National Park and part of the Manabi Province, Ecuador. This natural reserve is home to many animals some of which migrate from Galapagos Islands, it includes blue-footed boodies, albatrosses, frigate birds, seals, iguanas, dolphins, stingrays, and reef fishes.
Isla de la Plata is uninhabited, locals often call it "the Poor Man's Galápagos" because it is most accessible and less expensive than visiting the actual Galápagos Islands. Isla de la Plata is the nesting ground for Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca Boobies as well as the Magnificent Frigate Bird. It is possible to hike several different trails on this very dry and often hot island. Isla de la Plata has a long trail and the only one in the Ecuadorian mainland that reaches the nesting grounds of the red-footed booby requires a day time visit of at least five hours.
