Pargua, Coastal village in Calbuco, Chile.

Pargua is a village in the commune of Calbuco, Los Lagos Region, on the northeast side of the Chacao Channel, about 56 km south of Puerto Montt. Route 5 (Ruta 5 Sur) ends its mainland run here, where the channel narrows to roughly 3 km before Chacao on Chiloé Island. The village has a school teaching from preschool to 4th year of secondary, a rural clinic and a Carabineros post.

Pargua lies at the end of Chile's "costa pareja" on the north bank of the Chacao Channel, which here is about 3 km wide, facing Chacao on Chiloé Island. The 1992 census recorded 466 inhabitants, over half under fourteen; by 2002 the population had risen to 787. A ferry service links the two shores, and a bridge over the channel is under construction.

Pargua is best known as the departure point for the ferry that links the mainland to Chiloé, and daily life in the village revolves around this crossing. At the dock, vendors, travelers, and locals mix together while waiting for the next departure.

Travelers heading to Chiloé go straight to the ferry terminal, which sits right on the main road through the village. Queues can build up on weekends and during summer, so arriving early in the day is a good idea.

The Chacao Channel that the ferry crosses is known for its strong tidal currents, which can make the crossing noticeably rougher depending on the time of day. Ferry operators time their departures carefully around the tides to navigate safely.