Isla Grande Chiloe Chile

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The Isla Grande Chiloe, off the coast of Chile, is South America’s biggest island and one of the least visited by tourists. It has not yet seen the number of tourists that flock to the coasts of Mexico and the Caribbean, although its rugged beauty and magnificent landscape is at par, if not better, than its neighboring islands. What separates Isla Grande Chiloe from the rest of South American destinations is the fusion of religion and legend that have continuously shaped the culture and identity of its people. Only on the island of Chiloe will you find more than 200 church structures cloaked with a rich folklore of trolls, monsters and ghosts. These stories at their best are eerie and spine-chilling. But, behind each narrative is an insightful glimpse of the islanders’ attempts to explain their untamed surroundings. The island has two peculiar faces divided by the towering peaks of the Coastal Range. These are two entirely diverse parts from seemingly two different parts of the world. Strewn to the east are the islands that make up Chiloe’s archipelago. It is wholly cultivated with an abundance of elegant buildings and structures and populated by a thriving community of farmers, fishermen and craftsmen and populated. To the west is the untamed wilderness of vast rainforests, ever-changing dune landscape and exotic beaches. These two sides of Isla Grande Chiloe make the island a fascinating destination to discover. The island’s visitors will not want for things to do! The options are countless and the island’s rich diversity begs to be explored. The four towns of Ancud, Castro, Chonchi and Quellon have a wide array of interesting treats to the curious visitor. The town of Ancud, located in the northern tip of the island, is famous for its houses and churches made entirely from wood. They are as elegant and imposing as any structure made out of stone and mortar. The architect in every visitor will marvel at these striking edifices.  The town’s promenade is also a perfect location to view the splendid panorama of the Quetalmahue Gulf and Lacuy Peninsula. The town of Castro, located on the estuary of the Gamboa River, feature a village on stilts. The houses stand on wooden columns as a precaution to the rising tides. It is also home to several museums such as the Regional Museum and the Museum of Modern Art of Chiloe. It is also where the San Francisco Church, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, is located. The town of Chonchi features more museums, magnificent wooden churches and charming parks. It is also a good base to access the island of Lemuy where the beaches are simply stunning and a sprinkling of islets can be seen in the distance. Just 75 kilometers south of Chonchi is the town of Quellon where visitors can catch a glimpse of the indigenous peoples of the Chiloe. They are the Compu, Chadmo Central and Hauipulli. Finally, every visitor to the island should experience the thriving wilderness in Chiloe National Park. It has a total area of 43,957 hectares of thick rainforests with a rich population of diverse flora and fauna. You will not only find exotic species of plants and wildlife but also plenty of the most beautiful beaches inhabited by several penguin species.
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