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Juan Fernández Archipelago

The Juan Fernandez Archipelago is made up of two main islands, Isla Robinson Crusoe (the only inhabited island) and Isla Alejandro Selkirk, and a smattering of smaller ones. The archipelago is named after Joao Fernándes, a Portugese sailor who discovered it in 1574. Arica-city

Alejandro Selkirk made the place famous when, in 1704, he was marooned there for four years and four months with only goats and his bible for company. Author Daniel Defoe fictionalized Selkirk's adventure in his novel Robinson Crusoe. The island was colonized by Spain in 1742. In the middle of the 19th Century, a mixture of Chileans and Europeans became the first people to settle permanently, and finally, Chile became the archipelago's final owner. Isla Robinson Crusoe has only five hundred permanent inhabitants, all living in the small town of San Juan Bautista. There is plenty to explore on this island, which you can do means of various hikes. The island also has a considerable amount of rainforest, that is home to 101 plant species unique to the island. You will enjoy being taken out by a local fisherman to catch lobster.

Hotels


		Residencial Villa Green

	General Info A fine choice.

	Prices US$35-50.


		Aldae Daniel Defoe

	General Info Roomy, well-equipped cabanas.

	Prices US$35-50.


		Hotel Carpentier

	General Info On the shore, nice views.

	Prices US$35-50.


		Hosteria El Pangal

	General Info Best accomodations on the island, run by LASSA.

	Prices US$70-105 for half-board.


		Camping Lord Anson

	General Info Free municipal campsite.

	Prices Please contact our travel agency for detailed information.

Activities


		Sightseeing, swimming

	Isla Robinson Crusoe's only town, San Juan Bautista is small and simple. There is not much to do; rather, the village serves as a base from which to explore the rest of the island. However, there are a few sites of historical interest. The Fuerte Santa Barbara is a tiny stone fort located on the main plaza. Next to the fort are the Cuevas de los Patriotas, a clump of seven caves, once inhabited by 42 independence fighters during the Battle of Rancagua. You can also visit the cliffs of Punta San Carlos, where unexploded shells lie from a British-German stand-off during World War I. A cemetary lies closeby, where many of the naval battle's casualities are buried. And five minutes' walk from the village is El Palillo, a nice place to swim and picnic.


		Hiking

	Mirador Alejandro Selkirk: This is the famous overlook from which Selkirk lit torches and kept watch for passing ships. You can hike here from town, all in all a hike of about 90 minutes. You get to walk through ldense, verdant forest and at the top you get spectacular views of almost the whole island. Plazoleta El Yunque: This hike also leads from the village, and is also roughly three kilometers. You arrive finally at a lookout point (also a picnic site). The ruins there are what remains of the house of Hugo Weber, a German who took refuge on the island for twelve years after escaping the Dresden in 1915.


		Tour

	Puerto Ingles: You can hire a fisherman to take you here--about fifteen minutes by boat. Here you'll find a model of Selkirk's cave. This is also an ideal spot for camping.


		Tour to Beach

	Playa Arenal: This sandy beach, with its warm and crystal clear waters, is an excellent place to spend some time. It takes two and a half hours by boat, but is also acessible on foot.


		Scuba diving, snorkeling

	The practicing of sports like scuba diving and submarine hunting are ideal opportunities to explore a side more hidden than the natural magic perceived at 1st sight. The island has instructional services and all equipment needed for diving, we invite you to submerge yourself in the warm, transparent waters of the island, offering you the opportunity to see the rich underwater flora and fauna.