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City and Commune in Los Lagos, Chile
Photo: Kevin Gabbert - User: (WT-shared) Kevin James at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Ancud is the first town most people hit when visiting Chiloé Island from Puerto Montt. It's a relatively nice town of 41,000 people (2012) with a port and the usual small town attractions.
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A small Spanish fort with a nice lookout over the Bay of Ancud. The fort system of Ancud and nearby the forts of Agüi are one of the four fort systems of colonial Chiloé. The fort system of Ancud is made up of two forts and four batteries. Fuerte Real de San Carlos was built as late as 1824 by orders of Antonio de Quintanilla, the last Spanish governor of Chiloé. The arsenal (polvorín) of this can still be seen at the centre of a small plaza. The battery of San Antonio is the best preserved part of the fort system.
A small museum introducing Chiloé's churches. There are displays demonstrating the various joins used in building the wood churches without nails, as well as cutaway models of many of the island's churches.
Museo Historico Regional
Informative displays about the history of Chiloé. Relatively small but worth a visit.
The most popular excursion from Ancud is a visit to the nearby penguin colony, where in the right time of year it is possible to see Magellanic and Humboldt penguins nesting side by side. They begin returning to the islands to nest around September, with numbers peaking in December-January. They begin to leave once the chicks are hatched in late fall. The colony is 28 km from the town and can be reached by the public bus (Mar Brava). It leaves from the garage at 06:45 and 11:45, returning at 13:00 and 17:00. From there you can hire a boat to take you to the islands just offshore where the penguins nest. There are many tour agencies and hostels offering tours from Ancud. These tours generally include only transport and the boat trip, but sometimes add in hikes and other scenic stops. Make sure you know what you're getting.
Eco Tourism Chepu Adventures. Kayak while visiting the charming Valley of the Dead Trees at Chepu Wetlands, an overwhelming landscape of sunken dead logs and nature. Kayak at dawn. Trek to penguin colony. Eco-camping with alternative energy (wind) and solar hot showers. Hosting in suites for 2 persons (cabin type) with private bathroom and bathroom included. Adults only. Ecofriendly activities as kayak at dawn, trekking, bird & mammal watching.
Decent Chilean food and drink.
The place for Pisco Sour or other cocktails at night. And for the next morning a good address for black coffee. Open from 11:00-02:00. Good music and TV screen.
A local restaurant, pub and event center (dance floor). It's the place to celebrate weddings or New Year's Eve. At the corner between Errazuriz and Costanera.
Cosy and arty coffeeshop/bar with balcony on the second floor of a wooden gallery in the centre of town. Wifi is available and the owners, a Chilean/Belgian couple speak a variety of languages. The cafe has a permanent art exhibition. Specialities are the delicious pisco sour and several other cocktails, sandwiches and cakes. The atmosphere is very intimate and romantic at night.
Near the docks at 458 Lord Cochrane Ave. Sits high from the road to provide wonderful views of the quaint city and harbor. Breakfast included. There is internet and a sitting room with a grand piano and traditional decoration. Many lodging options. Inexpensive.
Costanera (S. Allende) 748. A very nice and clean hostel with a views at the sea. they speak English, German and Spanish.
Cabin-esque single/double rooms with simple breakfast and kitchen is available at request in the owner’s place downstairs. The owners are really lovely (and Lorenzo the dog is quite friendly), and can recommend you good places to visit. Wifi included. From 7,000 pesos pp (July 2012). It's a bit removed from the center but it’s only 3 houses down from the bus terminal Municipal (ask the driver).
Family run; no WiFi.
Run by a lady, friendly, clean, with breakfast. Price for a single room 8000 pesos. With TV, no WiFi. (Feb 2012)
Backpacker hostel across the street from the Cruz del Sur bus station. Clean dorms with comfortable beds and shared bathrooms, free WiFi, breakfast included, laundry service (1500 pesos per kilo), friendly English-speaking staff.
A women's cooperative that sells local handicrafts. Mostly knitwear and yarn, but somewhat different than what you'll find at the local markets.
Ancud has several different bus terminals and is served by several bus companies, including Tur-bus, Pullman, Cruz del Sur/Transchiloé, and Queilen.
Read in the guideThe best way to get around is to rent a car for a day. You can then explore either the nice beaches to the west of ancud, or drive to Castro. Ask at the local gas station for car rentals.
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Puerto Montt · International · PMC
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Articles and travel topics about Ancud and Chile.
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Travel tipsDriving a car gives a traveller more independence and flexibility than scheduled transportation, such as air travel, rail travel, or bus travel, and may be faster or more comfortable than cycling.
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