Chiloé Island

Chiloé is the third largest island in South America, and although it's only a short ferry ride from the mainland it offers a dramatically different spectacle to the rest of Chile. The island was first settled by the Huillipiche, an offshoot of the Mapuche people. The Spanish arrived in the 16th century, and made it their stronghold while attempting the conquest of the rest of the region. The island remained a relative backwater until the founding of nearby Puerto Montt and the arrival of German immigrants from the 1850s boosted the local economy. Today, the island fishing and salmon farming are mainstays of the economy, though much of Chiloé’s landscape remains relatively wild and untouched, making it perfect for travellers looking to escape to the natural world.

Chiloé’s long history outside the mainstream of Chilean life has allowed it to maintain a strong cultural identity that’s unique in the country, blending together indigenous Mapuche, colonial Spanish and Germanic influences.
The Jesuits left one of the most visible marks on the island through their construction of Chiloé’s iconic wooden churches – 16 of which have been collectively listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The vernacular architecture is just as notable: in coastal towns and villages, brightly painted stilt houses called palafitos were built over the water, a smart design that allowed fishermen to tie up their boats below and walk out of their front door onto the street above. Some of the best can be found in Chiloé’s capital, Castro.
The influence of the sea also looms large in Chilote cuisine. All visitors should try a bowl of curanto, a rich stew of meat, fish and potatoes traditionally prepared in an underground oven. Stones are heated in a firepit and then overlaid with the ingredients and covered with thick layers of leaves and then earth to allow the meal to slowly steam for several hours. A bowl of curanto is the particularly enjoyable after a long day exploring the coast and country, or souvenir shopping at Chiloé's most famous Sunday market at Dalcahue.