Castro Travel Guide

Castro is 91 miles south of Ancud, and is Chiloé's largest city, with about 30,000 people. To many people it typifies the island, of which it is the capital. Castro is set on an extremely steep hill (or set of hills) that rise up and away from the ocean, leaving a relatively narrow stretch of flat land near the coast, and people doubled over with effort at walking up some of the steeper streets (some of which actually have stairs).

What Castro is most known for is the palafitos, which are a series of homes built out over the water on stilts. These were orginally built as the poorest of homes, which did not even require any land, and some, especially near the main area of the coastal road, are not in great repair (but there's a gym in one!). Further afield, some of them have been lovingly restored and rehabbed, and even made into hostels where you can spend the night.

In addition to the palafitos, people come to Castro for the woolen goods (woven and knitted), specialty foods and alcohol, and the churches. Castro's church is very colorful on the outside and wooden on the inside. It's one of many churches on the island that are well-taken-care-of and well-photographed.

Where to Go in Castro