Chacao

Chacao is a settlement positioned along the Chacao Channel, the body of water separating Chiloé Island from mainland Chile. A ferry service runs regularly across this waterway, making this location the main entry point to reach the island from the north.

The settlement was founded in 1567 as San Antonio de Chacao and served as an administrative center during the Spanish colonial period. Military and governmental personnel relocated here in 1655, establishing it as a fortified location guarding the strait.

The wooden church near the central plaza serves as the spiritual heart of the settlement and reflects the religious traditions that shaped daily life here for centuries. Locals and travelers pass through this space to connect with the spiritual and social identity of the place.

Year-round ferry services operate from this location, so visitors should prepare for possible wait times, especially during peak travel periods. The settlement itself is small and easy to explore on foot, with key sites near the waterfront.

Colonial-era cannons from the Remolinos Battery stand on the central plaza as physical reminders of the settlement's military role. These bronze pieces remain visible tokens of when this place served as a defensive outpost protecting the channel.