Castro is the capital of Chiloé Island. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the island of Chiloe.
The tourist office in the main plaza is quite helpful and can furnish you with a map of Castro which has a suggested walking tour on it. The tour takes 2–3 hours depending on your pace. The tourist office is open daily 09:00-28:00.
- Palafitos. Castro is known for its collection of wooden houses on stilts. There can be found in several places. There is a long line of them along the eastern coast, north of the Plazuela del Tren (just north of the Mirador Costanera). These are the Palafitos Montt, and are best seen from the water; you can find tour boats near the port. There is another viewing point at the northern end of the Palafitos Montt which does not require you to take a boat. Finally, you can see a different row of palafitos from the Plazuela Henriquez at the southwest corner of Castro.
- Iglesia San Francisco. free.
- Plazuela del Tren. A small plaza right by the waterfront with an odd collection of old trains. There are also a few of these trains by the Feria Artesanal Lillo.
- Cementerio Parroquial. Some of the tombs here are quite grand and ornately decorated. It is a pleasant place for a stroll. Free.
- Feria Campesina Yumbel. A bustling fruits and vegetables market. There are also household goods and fish stalls here.
Palafitos. Castro is known for its collection of wooden houses on stilts. There can be found in several places. There is a long line of them along the eastern coast, north of the Plazuela del Tren (just north of the Mirador Costanera). These are the Palafitos Montt, and are best seen from the water; you can find tour boats near the port. There is another viewing point at the northern end of the Palafitos Montt which does not require you to take a boat. Finally, you can see a different row of palafitos from the Plazuela Henriquez at the southwest corner of Castro.
Iglesia San Francisco. free.
Plazuela del Tren. A small plaza right by the waterfront with an odd collection of old trains. There are also a few of these trains by the Feria Artesanal Lillo.
Cementerio Parroquial. Some of the tombs here are quite grand and ornately decorated. It is a pleasant place for a stroll. Free.
Feria Campesina Yumbel. A bustling fruits and vegetables market. There are also household goods and fish stalls here.
- Feria Artesanal Lillo. An excellent collection of hand-knitted woolen goods and handicrafts.
Feria Artesanal Lillo. An excellent collection of hand-knitted woolen goods and handicrafts.
Most of the restaurants and cafes in Castro are concentrated along the Calle Blanco, running from the southern end of the plaza down to the waterfront.
- Café Blanco, Blanco 268 (half a block east on the southern side of Plaza de Armas, +56 65 2534636. A cozy little French café with a tremendous selection of coffees and teas. Generous portions of delicious cakes, sandwiches and small meals are served. Locals come here for their afternoon once (snack). Wine and liquors also available. Coffee from CLP$1,000-2,000, cakes CLP$2,000, sandwiches CLP$4,000.
Café Blanco, Blanco 268 (half a block east on the southern side of Plaza de Armas, +56 65 2534636. A cozy little French café with a tremendous selection of coffees and teas. Generous portions of delicious cakes, sandwiches and small meals are served. Locals come here for their afternoon once (snack). Wine and liquors also available. Coffee from CLP$1,000-2,000, cakes CLP$2,000, sandwiches CLP$4,000.
Castro is a good base for visiting some of the smaller islands off the eastern coast of Chiloe, such as Quinchao Island (where the towns of Curaco de Velez and Achao are located).
From Castro it is easy to reach Quellon at the southern end of Chiloe, where ferries depart for Chaitén and Puerto Chacabuco on the mainland.