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Chiloé - Castro

The city of Castro on the Island of Chiloé, about an hour south of Ancud by an excellent paved highway, features the largest remaining concentrations of palafitos, the stilted houses for which the island's architecture is famous. Another architectural feature the town is known for is the uniqueness of its beautiful wooden church, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Castro

Like Ancud, it has a wealth of seafood restaurants, an excellent crafts market, and is a short bus or taxi ride from the crafts center of Dalcahue, whose Sunday market is known throughout the country. For unique experiences "off the beaten track" in Chiloé, contact Austral Adventures. In addition to activities such as sea kayaking, penguin tours & coastal hikes, the company also specializes in multi-day, bilingually guided tours throughout the archipelago for small groups (minimum 2) wishing to be immersed in the natural beauty and cultural charm of the archipelago.

Hotels


		Hotel Alerce Nativo

	General Info Three star hotel centrally located only 4 blocks from Plaza de Armas. Comfortable rooms, sauna and parking.

	Accomodation Service Conference room, restaurant, bar, laundry, TV, sauna, parking.

	Prices High season: Single US$42, Double twin US$53, Double one bed US$59, Quadruple US$90, Suite US$94 Rates valid until March 2005


		Hotel Unicornio Azul

	General Info Central location.

	Accomodation Service Restaurant, bar, cable TV, laundry.

	Prices Low Season: Single US$58, Double US$67, Triple US$79, Quadruple US$95 High Season: Single US$72, Double US$86, Triple US$105, Quadruple US$127 Low Season: March 16 to November 30, 2004. High Season: December 1 to March 30, 2005.

Activities


		Museums, Culture, Historic Buildings

	Museo Regional de Castro: (Esmeralda at Blanco). Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; extended hours in summer. Admission free.) Regional history museum with good collections of artifacts. Museo de Arte Moderno: (Parque Municipal, Calle Galvarino Riveros. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; extended hours in summer. Admission free.) Contemporary Chilean art, primarily by island residents, housed in several renovated wooden barns. Iglesia San Francisco de Castro: (Calle Gamboa at San Martin). Impressive turn-of-the-century ecclesiastical architectural landmark. It miraculously survived numerous earthquakes and fires, making it one of the last remaining buildings of Old Castro. Feria Artesenal: (Calle Eusebio Lillo). Waterfront crafts market with good though modest seafood restaurants. Festival Costumbrista: Usually occuring the third week of February, this annual event celebrates traditional life on Chiloe. In the Parque Municipal, this enormous feast is known for traditional food, dancing and juggling. Dalcahue: Dalcahue, 20 kilometers northeast of Castro, is one of Chiloé's most traditional market towns and a particularly popular Sunday destination. Woollen goods, other crafts and good, varied seafood are the attractions of the market. Where to Stay: Pensión La Playa (Rodríguez 009. tel 641397. US$12 double with shared bath; excellent restaurant.)


		National Park, Hiking

	PARQUE NACIONAL CHILOÉ: On the west coast of the island, Chiloé National Park is a reserve of wild beaches and dense rain forests with campgrounds and an network of hiking trails. There is basic but good accommodation at the village of Cucao, along with decent restaurants and a selection of supplies. Park admission costs US$1.50. Most of the hospedajes in Cucao charge around US$6 with breakfast, while the slightly more spacious and comfortable Posada Cucao charges around US$10. (Information Offices: Centro de Visitantes de Conaf, Sector Chanquín, near Cucao.Open daily, 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.)