Planning a Trip

Getting There & Around

By Bus -- You'll find the bus terminal at the corner of Esmeralda and Sotomayor. For buses to Dalcahue and Isla Quinchao, take Buses Arriagada, San Martín 681; for Dalcahue and Chonchi, take Colectivos from the Terminal Municipal; for Isla Lemuy, take Buses Gallardo from its office at San Martín 681; and for transportation to the national park, take Buses Arroyo or Buses Ojeda from the Terminal Municipal. The majority of these bus companies are independently owned and operated, so it's difficult to obtain reliable information about schedules and fares in advance. I recommend showing up at the terminal or checking at the tourist information kiosk to ask questions or book a tour.

By Car -- To get to Castro from Ancud, head south on the island's only highway for 146km (91 miles), and from Quellón, north on the highway for 99km (61 miles).

Visitor Information

A tiny privately run tourism kiosk on the main plaza offers a fairly poor selection of information. During the summer, the kiosk is open all day, but during the winter it can close unexpectedly. A better source for information is Sernatur in Ancud.

Special Events -- A weeklong gastronomic celebration takes place the third week in February, known as the Festival Costumbrista Chilote. If you like to eat, this enormous feast could very well be the highlight of your trip to Chiloé. The festival centers on traditional food and Chilote culture and mythological folklore, with men roasting meat over open fires and curanto simmering in grand cauldrons. Come hungry. For more information, call tel. 65/633760.

Fast Facts: Castro

Currency Exchange -- Julio Barrientos, Chacabuco 286 (tel. 65/635079), is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm and 3 to 7pm, Saturday from 9am to 1pm; from December to March, they do not close for lunch. There are several ATMs in the downtown area.

Hospital -- Castro's hospital is Augusta Rifat, Freire 852 (tel. 65/632444).

Internet Access -- Hostería Castro offers Internet access for its guests free of charge. If you're not staying there, try Café de la Brújula, O'Higgins 308 (tel. 65/633229), open daily from 9am to 2am, or even better, the Entel office at Bernardo O'Higgins 480 (tel. 65/620271), open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Laundry -- Clean Center is located at Balmaceda 230 (tel. 65/633132).

Travel Agency -- LANChile's representative is Turismo Pehuén, Blanco 299 (tel. 65/635254; www.turismopehuen.cl), open Monday through Friday from 9am to 1:30pm and 3 to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 1pm, closed Sunday.