95km (59 miles) SE of Puerto Montt; 146km (91 miles) N of Castro
Ancud, home to 27,000 residents, was founded in 1767 as a fort to monitor passing sea traffic to and from Cape Horn. It was for many years the capital of Chiloé until the provincial government pulled up stakes and moved to Castro in 1982. Ancud is a bustling, rambling port town with much to see, but Castro is a more convenient base if you want to reach the island's outlying areas. This was the last Spanish outpost in Chile, and visitors can view the fort ruins here; there's also a good museum depicting Chilote history and culture.
