I get the impression from talking to other travelers I have met that most people come to Chiloé Island to visit the National Park. I am done trekking and camping for a while, so that is not on my itinerary.
I found that Chiloé is a pleasant place to relax and enjoy something a little different.
The day passes a little slower.
Entertainment is a simple walk around town.
Ancud
While in Puerto Varas, Tim and I did a small bit of research and decided that Ancud would be our first stop in Chiloé. It is described as a small fishing town, and that’s exactly what we got.
It rained nearly every day. And when it rained, it was a torrential downpour.
So we had an easy excuse to hang out in our hostel, reading, writing, or catching up with friends online.
Between the storms, we took 1 or 2 walks around town every day. A walk around town only takes about 20 minutes. We stretched this out by actually paying attention to our surroundings.
Chilote Architecture
We got distracted taking photos of all the typical Chilote-style homes.
The Fort
We really stretched ourselves and walked an extra 7 minutes up a hill to the historic fort.
Curanto
We wandered into a shabby-looking restaurant filled with local workers and had one of the best (and cheapest) seafood meals of my life.
This is a traditional dish of shellfish, meat, potatoes, and something similar to dumplings. It used to be prepared in a hole in the ground, but obviously, is now prepared in a pot in restaurants.
Our Big Day in Castro
After a couple days of doing very little in Ancud, we decided we should challenge ourselves.
We took a day trip a whole 1.5 hours away to Castro.
Castro is the capital and largest city on the island. And we did the same thing we did in Ancud. We walked around and took photos.
Wooden Church
One of the famous wooden churches of Chiloé. These churches are Unesco World Heritage sites. I am not big on touring churches, but I was very impressed with this one.
Graffiti Art
I was surprised to find so much graffiti art on the island.
Palafitos
Castro is known for these picturesque houses on stilts.
Random Sightings
We randomly came across this interesting building. They are putting up a facade made up of plants.
Crafts Market
Although I am never looking to buy anything, it was enjoyable to wander the crafts market. They actually had some unique quality items.
Ceviche
Just before heading back, I found a tasty snack at the fish market.
My first ceviche in Chile! And it was delicious!
Check out more photos from Castro and Ancud!
Sure, there are lots of other things to do in Chiloé.
There are penguin tours, kayaking tours, trekking and camping in the national park. But I enjoyed the simplicity of walking around the towns and taking things slow.
I went to Chiloé on a whim and had a great time.
I later found out that Chiloé made the New York Times list of 45 Places to Go in 2012.
Check!
Have you ever gone somewhere on a whim and really enjoyed it?
Strange place. I had to look it up on a map, cause it looks a little like northern Scandinavia. Maybe it’s the light.
Italian Notes recently posted..Milan for men
Isn’t is strange how different parts of the world can look exactly like another so far away.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Great pick to do Chiloe! I’m looking forward to go to Chiloe in 3 weeks! Already booked a hostel in a palafito, looks so cozy :)) Did you find out something about the potatoes? Chiloe is said to be the origin of patatas… 300 different sorts growing over the island…
claudiRTW recently posted..Hunting High And Low
You’re going to love it! People told me the National Park is wonderful. Wasn’t up for any hiking or camping this time due to my recent near-death experience, but you should definitely look into if you enjoy that stuff.
I didn’t know about the potatoes. Who knew there were so many different types… all in one place too.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
looks like a nice place to stay put for awhile in this place… great pictures of the houses on stilts, makes me want to go there…
flipnomad recently posted..Meet the Nomads – Gregory Rodgers
It actually took us a while to figure out what part of the coastline we needed to walk to for the best views of the houses. After a couple of hours, we finally figured it out
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Despite having lived in Chile for 5 years, I still haven’t made it to Chiloe! It’s definitely on my list though.
Emily in Chile recently posted..Saturday in Santiago: Parque Bicentenario
You HAVE TO go this year because the New York Times said so!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
I think you went to Chiloe on a brighter day than I did. When I went it was gray, cold, misty and everyone seemed bummed out. I do admit, though, that photo ops abound and it’s a nice quiet place to relax.
Sara, it actually rained almost every day we were in Chiloe. And I mean torrential downpour. But it cleared up for at least a few hours between the rains every day. The day we did our trip to Castro, it didn’t rain at all. We got lucky.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Great pictures. Sounds like you had a fun and relaxed time there.
rashmi recently posted..Are You the Leader of the Expats? Part 1
Thanks, Rashmi. It was a much needed bit of fun (thanks to my friend Tim) and relaxation (thanks to the nature of the small fishing village) after my miserable experience trekking to Cabo Froward.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Thanks for sharing us the life style of Chiloé.. Such a very interesting place! I love the architecture there.. Very unique style.. Hope I can visit that beautiful place someday too!
Cathy35 recently posted..Dating Jokes
I love that they have their own style of architecture on this island. It made a slow, small town interesting and enjoyable to walk around.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Beautiful photos. That shellfish meal looks absolutely delicious.
John recently posted..Southern Hospitality at The Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana – Mercy, I Do Declare!
John, it was INCREDIBLE! It was definitely big enough for two people, and I think it only cost about US$7. I considered staying another day just to go back there for another lunch
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
We LOVED curanto! Didn’t make it to Chiloe but I really wish we had set aside some time to. It looks pretty different from the rest of Chile.
In my experience so far, I would agree that it is completely different than the rest of Chile. It’s a fairly big island, too, with different areas to explore. I think you could spend 7-14 days there. One thing I really wanted to do was a sunrise kayaking trip. There is a place not too far from Ancud that has cabins and offers the trip. Next time!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
I find that there’s something in the air in Chiloe that just makes it magical.
And they do still do Curanto in the ground! Anywhere you saw advertised, “curanto al hoyo” means that they prepare it in a hole in the ground.
When we shot the wedding in Chiloe, they did a curanto al hoyo the next day and it was AMAZING: http://www.kylehepp.com/2010/02/curanto-en-chiloe/
Kyle recently posted..Cafe Tisa
Ooohh! Clicking over to check out the curanto al hoyo now!
I didn’t see any places advertising it “al hoy” just “a la olla.” Then again, my feet hurt, and I didn’t walk very far
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
I love the diversity of your pictures! Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Eugenie. Chiloe is such an interesting place to visit. I had my camera out all the time
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Thanks for the photos you have posted here…I wanted to travel in a place like these too…
Ruthy recently posted..Suntec City
These photos are lovely- this is such a quaint an beautiful area. I really love this area, it seems like a nice place to stay a while.
Elise Walsh recently posted..Your Vacation is Whatever & Wherever You Want it to Be
Thanks, Elise. I was only in Chiloe for a few days, but I could have definitely stayed longer.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Awesome collection/variety of photos!
Amanda recently posted..Up Close With Dinosaurs in the Everglades
I try to have my posts be more specific to a theme, but I decided to just share all of the cool stuff I took photos of in Chiloe
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Oooh, the ceviche looks wonderful–I know what I’m making for dinner tomorrow night! Thanks for the inspiration.
50+ and on the Run recently posted..Sunday Haiku XIX
You know how to make ceviche?!! Muy impresionante!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Hi Stephanie,
I was surprised to see the graffiti art and I liked the wooden church pic. You are a great photographer, I liked every pic in this post. Didn’t you go for fishing?
Thank you! I was surprised by the graffiti art on this island too.
I’m not that into fishing, but I will gladly eat whatever someone else catches
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
I love the variety of photos you have shared us and I am sure a lot of people are interested with this one…
Devhonn recently posted..cars for sale in stroud
Oh my god, I LOVE ceviche. If first had it in Peru and was a little hesitant, but…yum! I have tried making it myself a couple of times. Castro looks like a gorgeous little town. Lovely photos, Stephanie.
Cherina recently posted..The World On Show: Travel Shows and Why You Should Give Them a Chance
I think Chile has turned me into a ceviche addict, and I cannot wait to try Peruvian ceviche!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Ceviche has become one of my favorite foods… worldwide. Love that picture!!
Katherina recently posted..I Eat Patagonia.
It is certainly at the top of my list, although I have a lot more places to visit around the world
Few things beat a dish that is based on fresh, healthy ingredients.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Looks like an interesting place – everything seems so varied and almost random, unlike many places I’ve visited in South America.
Audrey recently posted..Eel on the Grill
Yes, I think being an island, Chiloe has adapted a unique personality.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Celebrating Summer in Valdivia
I love how you went there on a whim and allowed yourself to just relax and hang out…. and take photos, which is SO much fun
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted..Meet a Local: Eyal from Israel
I need to do things like this more often
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Celebrating Summer in Valdivia
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Halogen Claudia Zipper Trim Leather Bootie (Women) recently posted..Halogen Claudia Zipper Trim Leather Bootie (Women)