There are a total of 4 routes, all of which can be enjoyed as day trips from the Terminal Municipal Castro:
1️⃣ One-day tour of three charming mini-towns and their iconic wooden churches: Dalcahue, Curaco de Vélez, and Achao.
– Dalcahue, the largest of the three, boasts the longest seaside path. You’ll find seals basking by the port, a bustling craft market, and delightful seaside restaurants, making it a lively and vibrant destination.
– In Curaco de Vélez, free telescopes on the wooden walkway offer breathtaking views of seabirds, providing a serene and picturesque experience.
– Achao, with its shortest walkway, still manages to charm visitors with a quaint mini seafood market right at the bus stop, perfect for a quick snack or souvenir.
🚌 Route: The minibus from Dalcahue to Curaco de Vélez includes a scenic ferry ride. It’s recommended to follow the route Castro-Achao-Curaco de Vélez-Dalcahue-Castro, allowing you to disembark the bus during the return ferry trip. The ferry offers free toilets, and you can enjoy the fresh air and stunning views as you cross the river.
Multiple bus companies provide frequent minibuses between these towns, running every 15 minutes on weekdays from around 6:00 to 19:00, with fewer schedules on weekends and holidays. The fare is 3000 pesos from Castro to Achao, and 1500 pesos for intermediate sections, payable in cash with change available.
2️⃣ National Park + Soul Pier
At the bus station, head to BUSES OJEDA to purchase a round-trip ticket for 10000 pesos, covering both attractions. Inform them of your intention to visit these two places. Follow the schedule, departing at 8:30 and returning to the Castro bus station at 19:10. For more detailed strategies, refer to other articles.
3️⃣ Tepuhueico Park (Zona Bosque forest line)
This untouched forest is a tranquil escape with very few visitors. While it can be tiring to explore purely by public transport, the natural beauty is worth the effort. Spotting pudu (deer) can be a rare treat. The journey begins at 8:30 and lasts about 7 hours.
Buy tickets at the BUSES OJEDA counter at the Castro main bus station (Terminal Municipal Castro), with a single trip costing 2000 pesos. The ticket will state “zona bosque.” For more detailed strategies, see other articles.
4️⃣ Isla Lemuy
Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit due to a bout of diarrhea, but it’s said to be similar to the one-day three-town tour, also featuring beautiful wooden churches. The buses on this route can be quite strenuous, allowing a maximum of three towns to be visited in a day. Example:
– 7:25 castro➡️detif
– Then, a 3-hour walk to Marico and Liucura
– 13:20 liucura➡️puqueldon
– 16:40 puqueldon➡️castro
(A friendly local recommends hitchhiking, which allows you to explore more places; see comments for more details.
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