Making the most of Castro Chiloe Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships anchor offshore and use tenders to bring passengers into the town centre.
A steep road climbs from the landing point into the centre of town.
Long regarded as one of Chile's least developed regions, the storied island of Chiloe now draws visitors with its natural beauty. Castro, its capital, occupies a fjord on the east coast. Sights include the vivid orange-and-lavender cathedral on Plaza de Armas, the waterfront Feria market and its handmade woollens, and palafitos, distinctive homes raised above high tide on tall stilts. Beyond the town, Chiloe's green landscape ranges from conifer woodland to meadows and farms. On the Pacific coast, Parque Nacional Chiloe shelters sea lions, the Chilot fox and Pudoe, the miniature Chilean deer.
Although Castro is not the most architecturally attractive town, its waterfront is distinctive for the fragile-looking stilt houses called palafitos and a main church painted in bright, Easter-egg colours.
Getting around
Taxis are very affordable. Ideally in Spanish, give the driver your list of intended stops and the ship's departure time; the places described below can readily be combined into a single journey.
Nearby places
Few towns in Chile rival the captivating beauty of Dalcahue, Achao and Curaco de Vélez, with the latter two on Isla Quinchao. Together with the countryside between them, these are highlights of Chiloé, combining lush landscapes with an insight into Chilote culture and everyday life.
Food and shopping
At the port on Lillo, Fería Artesanal gathers dozens of craftspeople selling an excellent range of handmade goods and hand-knitted woollens.
Weekday shop hours are generally around 0900-2000, including a lunch closure of one or two hours. Most stores shut on Sundays, although some larger supermarkets and shopping centres remain open.
Money
Small towns and communities accept credit cards far less widely, so carry cash in the local currency, the Chilean peso, when visiting them. The rate is 1 USD = 712 CLP; doing so helps avoid unpleasant surprises.
Staying connected
Chile's official language is Spanish.
Cyber-cafés provide internet access across Chile, with prices varying by town. About 4 dollars buys an hour online in Santiago, compared with approximately 6 dollars in Calama. Major hotels and accommodation frequently give guests internet access, often without an additional charge.
Call the Ambulance service on 131, the Fire Brigade on 132 and Carabineros (Chilean police) on 133. Drug Enforcement uses 135, Andean Mountain Rescue Squad 136 and Sea Rescue 137.
Opening Hours and
Across Chile, businesses and commercial premises generally open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., pausing for a 60-minute lunch at 1 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while shopping malls trade Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Festival Costumbrista Chilote, a week-long celebration of local food, takes place in the third week of February.