From Wikitravel

Ancud is the first town most people hit when visiting Chiloe Island from Puerto Montt. It's a relatively nice town with a port and the usual small town attractions.

[edit] Get in

The bus from Puerto Montt that crosses over to Chiloe by a ferry is quite economical.

Bus companies are: Cruz del Sur & Queilen

[edit] Get around

The best way to get around is to rent a car for a day. You can then explore either the nice beaches to the west of ancud, or drive to Castro. Ask at the local gas station for car rentals.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Be sure to take the Penguin tour (one in the morning at 10AM and another in the afternoon at 3PM). Excellent 3-4 hour expedition that includes historical information, scenic stops, and 30 minutes in a zodiac cruising between penguin islands and seeing sea otters, cormorants, and other wildlife with a German volunteer guide. From the Penguin Station ask your guide to show your the way to Pummillahue, an hour or so trek to the beautiful Pumillahue bay. It is part of the caldera of an ancient volcano. On the southern side of the bay petrified carbonized trunks can be seen. Also the sea washes a myriad of pebbles of all kinds and colors onto the shore, brought by the glaciers that one time covered the Island. You wont resist collecting some! Worth the visit, bring a picnic.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There is an artisan market in the same place where you take the Penguin tours that has very cheap crafts. Hand woven hats for 2 American dollars, thats a steal!

[edit][add listing] Eat

• retro's pub at Maipú 615 is the best place for completos (sandwiches, try the ones with palta = guacamole), lunch, pizza, tea/coffee, dinner (tasty meat and fish, and great desserts and kuchen made by Marcela) and a drink with friends. Very frequented by the local population of all ages. Open from 11AM until 2AM The owners also organize curanto (native chilote meal baked under the earth) for groups on weekends at the beach (ask for englisch-speaking Claudia).

• La Candela across from the Plaza de Armas at Libertad 599 is a fantastic restaurant. Don't visit Ancud without stopping in for either lunch or dinner or dessert (or all three). Lunch special when we were there was a salad, pastel de mariscos, and coffee/tea for 2,200 pesos (2/06).

• Pedersen Salon de Te Down the road from La Candela there is a small cafe which also serves sandwiches and desserts. The native dessert derived from European influences called "Kuchen" (also the word for cake in german) can be sampled at its best here. Inexpensive.

• Kuranton At the port, nice and inexpensive local where you can eat the famous Curanto meal.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• retro's pub, +56 (0)65 626410, retrocafeisla@hotmail.com. is the place for Pisco Sour or other cocktails at night. And for the next morning a good address for black coffee. Open from 11AM-2PM. Good music and TV screen.
• CasaMar, +56 (0)65 655670, casamar@hotmail. A local restaurant, pub and event center (dance floor). It's the place to celebrate weddings or New Year's Eve. At the corner between Errazuriz and Costanera.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hostel TerraMar, downtown and up a steep hill. Check the bed before accepting a room - ours was horrendous, sinking in the middle almost to the floor. 5,000 pesos per person (2/06). No breakfast.
• Hostal Lluhay, near the docks at 458 Lord Cochrane Ave. Sits high from the road to provide wonderful views of the quaint city and harbor. Breakfast included. There is internet and a sitting room with a grand piano and traditional decoration. Many lodging options. Inexpensive.
• Hostal Mundo Nuevo, Costanera (S. Allende) 748, [1]. A very nice and clean hostel with a views at the sea. they speak english, german and spanish.

[edit] Get out

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