Achao is the main town on the island of Quinchao, off the main Chiloé Island. It is a small quaint town on the sea.

Understand

Church of Santa María de Loreto, built in the 18th century

Achao is frequented by inhabitants of the smaller islands making up the archipelago, who go to Achao for school or commercial activities.

Lying on level ground, Achao has a shallow sandy beach and is surrounded by hills. Opposite the town are the islands of Llingua and Linlín. The surrounding hills have a number of lookouts, such as the Alto de la Paloma lookout.

The architecture in Achao is known for the wide variety of larch tiling used on the roofs of its houses.

• Tourist information. (updated May 2021)

Get in

A bus from Castro goes there.

Get around

Port of Achao

Road W-589 connecting villages on the island

See

The wooden chapel in the center of town. Especially large for being made of only wood.

• 1 Church of Santa María de Loreto (Iglesia de Santa María de Loreto de Achao), Progreso, 4 (in front of the Achao plaza). One of the 16 Churches of Chiloé that were declared Chilean National Monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Church of Achao is the oldest wooden church in Chile, and one of two churches that remain of those built by the Jesuits. Construction was completed in 1770 by Franciscan missionaries. (updated Apr 2019)

Do

In the summer, Achao is host to the Chiloé folklore festival (Encuentro de las Islas del Archipiélago), celebrating traditional culture on the Chiloé archipelago with customs, music and food.[1]

Buy

To the side of the church in the center of town there are vendors of hand woven crafts that sell for very cheap!

Eat

Eat out, it's very cheap.

Sleep

There are a few hostels that are very economical.

Go next

Early in the morning there is a bus that leaves from the bus station to leave.