Things to do in Castro
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MAM Chiloé
Castro’s spacious MAM, features innovative works by contemporary Chilean artists, many of them Chilotes. It’s a fair hike from town, but worth it if you’re an art buff.
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Años Luz
For a country that doesn’t exactly bowl foodies over with its culinary arts, this sophisticated refuge built around a centerpiece bar made out of an old fishing boat is an exception. Stylistically and gastronomically, it’s worth all the pesos in your wallet. The salmon ceviche is gorgeous; the filet del pueblo (filet with onions, bacon and a fried egg) is perfectly cooked; the house pisco sour (with honey and a cinnamon rim) is a welcomed twist on a classic; and the ice-cold Kunstmann drafts are served in proper beer mugs. Service isn’t exactly swift, but you’ll soon forget. As long as the naysayers claim it’s ‘not Chilota enough,’ there’ll be more for the rest of us.…
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Iglesia San Francisco
Italian Eduardo Provasoli chose a marriage of neo-Gothic and Classical architecture in his design for the elaborate Iglesia San Francisco, finished in 1912 to replace an earlier church that burned down (which had replaced an even earlier church that had burned down). One of Chiloé’s Unesco gems, the church once assaulted the vision with its exterior paint job – salmon with violet trim – but it’s in bad need of a touch up these days. Inside, the varnished-wood interior is stunning. It is best to visit on a sunny day – if you are lucky enough – as the interior is more charming illuminated by the rows of stained-glass windows.
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Museo Regional de Castro
Eternally in the process of moving to a surprisingly post-modern, cutting-edge hunk of architecture along the waterfront (on which construction has stalled due to lack of funds), this museum, half a block from Plaza de Armas, houses a well-organized collection of Huilliche relics, musical instruments, traditional farm implements and Chilota wooden boat models, and exhibits on the evolution of Chiloé’s towns. Its B&W photographs of the 1960 earthquake help you to understand the impact of the tragic event. The museum’s new waterfront home will be in the Museo y Archivo Municipal building.
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Don Octavio
You can practically dine on top of the fishing boats at this atmospheric palafito restaurant. There’s way too much mayonnaise on the menu, but in addition to the usual suspects, there’s also king crab and octopus. The curious signature dish, featuring your choice of fish, smothered in a sauce of onions, tomatoes, green peppers and sausage, then buried under a bound of thinly cut fried potatoes, is excellent.
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Chilo's
This affordable haunt is on the second floor on the corner of Sotomayor and San Martín. The tablecloths may have holes and the service may disappear at times, but it has great local flavor and a menagerie of Castro characters. Get a seat next to the window, watch people strolling along San Martín, have a caldillo de mariscos and chase it with a frosty oversized beer.
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Museo Regional de Castro
In the process of moving to a more attractive location along the waterfront, this museum, half a block from Plaza de Armas, houses a well-organized collection of Huilliche relics, musical instruments, traditional farm implements and exhibits on the evolution of Chiloé's towns. Its B&W photographs of the 1960 earthquake help you to understand the impact of the tragic event.
reviewed
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Kaweshkar Lounge
This newcomer prides itself on indie cool: the retro furniture and industrial vogue vibe would be right at home in New York’s East Village. Music is one-part Blur, one part Velvet Underground (DJs visit from Santiago in summer). There’s food, too. The menu features several vegetarian choices and some edgy entrees for Chiloé (salmon crepes with béchamel!).
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Sacho
The languages flying through the air at this well-regarded seafood spot evoke the breakroom at the UN, but the food is all Chilota, served in a semi-refined atmosphere (whimsical tablecloths, linen napkins). The specialty is pulmay, a curanto-like shellfish dish featuring clams and mussels, but a little less meat and potatoes.
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Feria Artesanal
Castro's waterfront Feria Artesanal has a fine selection of woolen ponchos and sweaters, caps, gloves and basketry. Note the bundles of dried seaweed and the rhubarb-like nalca, both part of the local diet, and the blocks of peat used for fuel. The market contains several inexpensive seafood restaurants which are worth a try.
reviewed
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La Tavolata
So you heard all about Chiloé's famous seafood and after a few days of nonstop mussels, fish and crab, all you can think about is some good old-fashioned pizza. La Tavolata has not only a variety of good pizzas and homemade pastas, but a few vegetarian choices too.
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Turismo Pehuén
Turismo Pehuén is a highly regarded agency that organizes tours to nearby islands such as Mechuque (CH$20,000), Parque Nacional Chiloé (CH$10,000) and whale-watching in March and April (CH$60,000). It was said to be opening an outlet in Ancud as well.
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Brújula del Cuerpo
A godsend for those tired of seafood, this Chilota-style diner does pizza, fajitas, American-style breakfast and other comida rapida. The burger, fries and drink combo meal (CH$1590) is pretty much heaven after days of mussels and clams.
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Terminal de Buses Rurales
- Castro, Chile
- Activities › Bus
The municipal bus station, Terminal de Buses Rurales, has the most services to rural destinations around the island and some long-distance services. Find the second bus station at San Martín 486.
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Camahueto
If you’d rather get sauced with Chilotes than turistas, your hangover will be the same, but your journey starts here. The live music on weekends is worth a good laugh.
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Pub Mister Ed
Despite the random 1960s TV reference, Pub Mister Ed is known to play reasonably contemporary music and get energetic on the weekends. It is next to Hostería de Castro.
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Public
The top nightclub in town only opens on weekends, so you can imagine locals and tourists alike are clamoring to get in. Show up around 1am.
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El Tren Libros
Specializes in cultural books and has a very limited English section.
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