Best of Chiloé Island

Chiloé Island's Essential Wonders

Chiloé Island is defined by its distinct Chilote architecture, particularly the UNESCO-listed wooden churches and iconic palafitos (stilt houses) in Castro. The archipelago's landscape features rugged Pacific cliffs at Muelle de las Almas and the unique ecological site of Puñihuil, where Humboldt and Magellanic penguins nest together. These locations showcase the island's maritime heritage, from the ferry gateway at Chacao to the artisan tradition found in Dalcahue’s town squares and remote island chapels.

Chiloé Island's Essential Wonders — Map

A

Chacao isla de Chiloé

The primary entry point for vehicles and passengers arriving by ferry from Pargua on the Chilean mainland.

Marcosbastias / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Muelle de las Almas

A wooden cliffside installation overlooking the Pacific Ocean, inspired by the Chilote legend of the boatman Tempilkawe who carries souls to their rest.

MarcelaPazF / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Monumento Natural Islotes de Puñihuil

A protected area consisting of three islets where Humboldt and Magellanic penguins co-exist and nest during the summer months.

Sarah and Iain from London, UK / CC BY 2.0

D

Iglesia San Antonio

One of the sixteen wooden churches of Chiloé designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing traditional Chilote carpentry and larch wood shingles.

Lin linao / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

Church of San Francisco, Castro

The Church of San Francisco, located on one side of the Plaza de Armas of Castro, Chile, is the main Catholic church of Chiloé’s capital.

F

Plaza Dalcahue

The central public square of Dalcahue, located adjacent to the town's historic wooden church and the traditional craft market.

G

Stilt Houses viewpoint (Gamboa)

An observation point providing views of the colorful traditional palafitos built on stilts over the Gamboa River in Castro.

H

Isla Aucar

A small island connected to the mainland by a 500-meter wooden bridge, containing a chapel, a cemetery, and a botanical garden.

Draceane / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Chacao Channel Bridge

The Chacao Channel bridge, also known as Chiloé Bicentennial Bridge, is a bridge currently under construction to link the island of Chiloé…

Draceane / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Chacao Channel Bridge

The Chacao Channel bridge, also known as Chiloé Bicentennial Bridge, is a bridge currently under construction to link the island of Chiloé…

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