About
Castro is the main city of Chiloé Island, in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile. It sits on the island's eastern shore, and for many travellers it serves as the natural base for exploring Chiloé's distinctive culture and landscape.
What makes Castro distinctive
The city is known for its colourful stilt houses, known locally as palafitos, which rise above the water along the shoreline. Their bright facades and wooden construction give the waterfront a character that is unlike most other Chilean towns. The architecture reflects the island's long tradition of building with local timber, and walking along the water is one of the most pleasant ways to see it.
What a visit offers
- Strolling the waterfront to see the stilt houses up close
- Exploring the town's streets and its unusual wooden architecture
- Using Castro as a starting point for trips around Chiloé Island
Because Castro is the island's principal city, it has the services and connections that make it a practical place to stay while you explore. Visitors often combine a few days here with excursions to nearby villages and coastal areas, where Chiloé's rural life and landscapes continue at a slower pace.
If you are drawn to architecture, coastal scenery and a sense of a place with its own identity, Castro is a good reason to make the journey to Chiloé. Plan your time around the waterfront and the surrounding island to get the most from the visit.