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A ferry-ride away from the Chilean coast, it's safe to say Chiloé Island is as pretty as a picture, especially when your first view of it comes in the form of brightly-painted stilted houses (palafitos) reflected in the breaking water. One of the oldest towns in Chile, Castro is a feast of history, traditional crafts and cuisine - including its specialty, curanto, a delicious mix of veggies, seafood and meats. The second largest island in South America, Chiloé is protected by its own National Park, and the marine life is - dare we say - more incredible than anything you'll see on land. On tranquil boat trips round the channels and coves, you can spy colonies of Magallenic and the rare Humboldt penguin, otters popping up from the water, and their larger counterparts, bottlenose and Risso's dolphins, fin and blue whales.
Unique and charming, remote and enveloped by the wonders of nature, the island is a window into a completely different side of Chile.
Lying between Chiloé Island and Chile's mainland, there is a collection of far smaller isles where you can hike amidst misty waterfalls and along the craggy coastline, visit ancient villages, and meander down quiet waterways in a kayak.
While the natural beauty will likely pull focus on a trip to Chiloe Island, give yourself time to learn all about its history, architecture and customs.