Visit Chiloé Island, Chile

Half an hour’s ferry ride from Puerto Montt lie a series of islands famous for their folklore, legend and handicraft traditions.

Chiloé, covered by undulating hills and evergreen forest, boasts diverse and abundant birdlife, over 150 wooden churches, and Castro’s much photographed ‘palafitos’: picturesque but precarious timber houses perching over the water on stilts.

Exploring Chiloé

It is possible to stay overnight on this remote archipelago, and over recent years several charming boutique properties have opened up. Travel with your local guide or rent a car to explore the island, perhaps visiting a penguin colony and stopping for lunch to try some of Chiloé’s renowned oysters. One thing you can be fairly sure of where Chiloé is concerned; it will very likely be raining, so bring your waterproofs!