//
City and Commune in Los Lagos, Chile
Photo: Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Castro is the capital of Chiloé Island. It is a city of 42,000 people (2012) on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the island of Chiloe.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Castro is known for its collection of wooden houses on stilts. There can be found in several places. There is a long line of them along the eastern coast, north of the Plazuela del Tren (just north of the Mirador Costanera). These are the Palafitos Montt, and are best seen from the water; you can find tour boats near the port. There is another viewing point at the northern end of the Palafitos Montt which does not require you to take a boat. Finally, you can see a different row of palafitos from the Plazuela Henriquez at the southwest corner of Castro.
A small plaza right by the waterfront with an odd collection of old trains. There are also a few of these trains by the Feria Artesanal Lillo.
Some of the tombs here are quite grand and ornately decorated. It is a pleasant place for a stroll.
A bustling fruits and vegetables market. There are also household goods and fish stalls here.
The central town square with its well-kept park, the town hall, and the church has always been the middle of Castro. The square is surrounded by many shops, banks, bars and restaurants.
Museo Regional de Castro
It exhibits many objects made in Chiloé, samples of ethnography and archaeology.
Museo de Arte Moderno de Chiloé
It houses an important collection of contemporary art.
A cozy little French café with a tremendous selection of coffees and teas. Generous portions of delicious cakes, sandwiches and small meals are served. Locals come here for their afternoon once (snack). Wine and liquors also available.
The hostel is in one of the traditional quarters, the “Palafitos de Gamboa”, where the houses have a typical construction of wood on the waterline.
An excellent collection of hand-knitted woolen goods and handicrafts.
By ferry
The Naviera Austral ferry makes trips to Chaitén, albeit only in summer. Check their website for current schedule and pricing.
By car
You can also enter with a rental car. There is a fee for the ferry, but having your own transport is a very convenient way to explore Chiloe.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Puerto Montt · International · PMC
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Castro (Chile) and Chile.
Nature & adventureChile is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world – no other country is as elongated but narrow as Chile.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsBecause only Santiago has a good public transport network, and there is only very little of the passenger rail network, driving is a must if you want to see the beauty of Chile.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureFjords or fiords are long narrow inlets of the ocean often with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. The two countries that are most known for their fjords are Norway and Canada, with New Zealand, Chile,…
Wikivoyage
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.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.