In the Chile Lakes Region on the south-central coast just under two hours by air from capital Santiago, lies the Chiloé Archipelago, its largest island one of this fascinating country's most fascinating destinations - a mix of wild nature and mountainous interior, pristine beaches, and distinctive architecture (including more than 150 historic wood churches) that's like taking a time machine back a century. And while cattle ranching, farming, and fishing still form the backbone of many chilotes' (locals') livelihoods, tourism is on the rise and more and more visitors are discovering these islands' rough-hewn charm.

The archipelago's main island, Isla Grande de Chiloé, is home to the largest of the archipelago's ten towns, Castro (pop. 40,000) on its east coast, and it like all of theme exudes a jumbled, faded charisma, with their low-slung houses of wood and various other materials - colourfully and cheerfully painted to counter the often grey, dreary weather hereabouts. These are particularly noticeable in the palafitos of Castro, houses on stilts over the water; other landmarks include the 18th-century Spanish colonial fortress of San Antonio in the town of Ancud.

Read more in our post Chiloé, Chile´s Magical, Mystical Island.

Jose Luis Stephens