Pacific Ocean washes Chiloe island, where Ancud is influenced by its canals and islets inhabited by penguins and marine life. From the earliest settlements on the Chiloe island, Ancud took advantage of its prime location. It was spanish port and fort; the consolidation of trade with the rest of Chile became known as the best naval communication way between island and mainland. Timber trade had its biggest boost in late nineteenth century, which attracted settlers from Europe.

In Ancud, and throughout Chiloe island, can enjoy the sea. So there's no better place to taste the best seafood in Chile, large and exotic. Two captive dishes are pulmay and oysters. There is a complete gastronomic offer including restaurants that have their own farms.

Chiloe is known for its curanto and people, simple and friendly. It is a trully ancestral  and culinary ritual  in which seafood and meat are cooked on underground hot stones, all accompanied by milcao and chapalele, a potato mass.

How to get there

By plane. There are daily flights from Santiago to Puerto Montt (little over an hour). There are city transfers from Tepual airport to Ancud and Castro.

By Bus. From Santiago there are daily departures to Ancud (16 hours). From Puerto Montt there are buses that cross Chacao channel via a ferry to arrive Ancud, where can be made connections to other areas of the island.

By Car. From Santiago, on route 5 Sur to Puerto Montt (1,025 km), then head southwest to the town of Pargua (65 km), where you take ferry service to cross Chacao channel in almost 40 minutes. Ferry Departures start at about six o'clock and end at midnight. Chacao is 33 km from Ancud and then 82 km to Castro.

Activities and Attractions

If you want to know the history of Ancud and Chiloe, the best approach is the Ancud Regional Museum , which exhibits a heritage that speaks of the identity of Chiloe archipelago. It also displays objects used by Chonos  anda Huilliche natives and photographs of the 1960 earthquake that devastated this city. You can also find local crafts and mythology that gives a touch of mystery to Chiloe, formerly land of witches and warlocks.

An interesting place of Ancud is San Antonio fort, built by spanish in the early 19 th century, and includes beautiful harbor views.

Among other attractions, are Lacuy peninsula with Corona lighthouse, the picturesque Dona Sebastiana island and Carelmapu coast. On this postcard dream background are Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes.

Chiloe National Park, 38 km from Ancud is the ideal place to enjoy Chiloe nature, trekking, kayaking and great beaches. His best scenery is from Chepu viewpoint.

In Punihuil, 27 km south of Ancud, tours depart waterways (September to April) to see how the shelter and nesting penguins of Humboldt and Magellan in the nearby islets.

In almost 60 km south of Ancud, Quemchi is a quiet and picturesque village with a beautiful coastline. You can visit Francisco Coloane museum, a noted Chilean writer who was born here and many of his adventures novles take place in seas of southern Chile.