Castro travel guide

Getting around

There are some colectivos and public buses serving the barrios high above the town near the media luna, but it is unlikely that you will need to use these. It is only a half-hour walk up there in any case.

Ins and outs

Getting there

Castro is Chiloé’s transport hub. There are many buses south to Quellón (hourly) and north to Ancud and Puerto Montt. Cruz del Sur have buses continuing north to Valdivia, Temuco and Santiago (several daily). Many buses serve the more isolated Chilote communities from the Municipal Bus Terminal. Although most services leave from Quellón, Castro is occasionally used as a port for passenger services to Chaitén and Puerto Montt.

Castro

Bus

There are 2 bus terminals. Cruz del Sur services depart from Cruz del Sur terminal, San Martín behind the cathedral, T065-632389. Other services, including most buses to rural communities, leave from the Municipal Terminal, San Martín, 600 block (2 blocks further north).

To Quemchi, 1 daily, with Queilen Bus; to Dalcahue, frequent, with Gallardo and Arriagada, also colectivos from San Martín 815; to Tenaún, daily 1200; to Achao via Dalcahue and Curaço de Vélez, 4 daily Mon-Sat, 3 daily Sun, with Arriagada, US$3, last return from Achao 1730. To Chonchi, frequent, with Cruz del Sur, Queilén Bus, minibuses and colectivos (from Ramírez y San Martín and Esmeralda y Chacabuco); to Puqueldón, 4 daily Mon- Sat, with Gallardo, US$2; to Queilen, 6 daily, with Queilén Bus, US$3.50; to Quellón, frequent, with Cruz del Sur/Trans Chiloé, US$3.50. To Cucao for the Parque Nacional Chiloé, 6 daily in summer, 1 daily in winter, with Arroyo and Ocean Bus, US$3, avoid Fri, when the service is crowded with school children.

There are also frequent services to Ancud, 1 hr, US$3 and Puerto Montt, 3 hrs, US$9, with Cruz del Sur, Trans Chiloé and Queilén Bus, US$6. Cruz del Sur also runs to Osorno, Valdivia, Temuco, Concepción and Santiago. Bus Norte serves Ancud, Puerto Montt, Osorno and Santiago daily. Cruz del Sur and Queilén Bus run weekly services to Punta Arenas, 36 hrs, US$70.

Ferry

If for whatever reason the Quellón ferry port is out of action, the Naviera Austral services to Chaitén on the mainland depart from Castro, 4 per week Dec-early Mar, reduced service off season, 5 hrs, passengers US$33, cars US$135, cycles US$13. Some ships continue from Chaitén to Puerto Montt. Schedules are subject to last-minute changes due to inclement weather.

Banks

Banco de Chile, Plaza de Armas, ATM, accepts TCs (at a poor rate); BCI, Plaza de Armas, MasterCard and Visa ATM; Julio Barrientos, Chacabuco 286, cash and TCs, better rates than the banks.

Internet

Throughout the town centre.

Laundry

Clean Centre, Serrano 440 ; Lavandería Adolfo, Blanco Encalada 96, quick, reasonably priced; Lavaseco Unic, Gamboa 594.

Medical services

Muñoz de Las Carreras, near police station, surgery Mon-Fri 1700-2000, recommended.

Post office

West side of Plaza de Armas.

Telephone

Latorre 289; Entel, O’Higgins between Sotomayor and Gamboa; also private centre at Latorre 275.