Is Castro expensive to visit?
Castro is a smaller destination that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Castro can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $53 (CL$47,748) per day, mid-range travelers spend $121 (CL$108,913) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $230 (CL$206,665) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Castro.
Within South America, Castro is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in South America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Castro is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Castro Expensive?
Castro, Isla Chiloe, Chile
How much money do I need for a trip to Castro?
The average Castro trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Castro travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Castro cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people assume they can visit Castro on a minimal budget, but most find that style of travel to be uncomfortable. Think about what makes a vacation enjoyable for you. Do you like staying in budget hostels, regular hotels, or high-end resorts? Do you want to experience the local attractions? Do you enjoy dining out? Your budget and itinerary will be determined by your answers to these questions.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $53 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Thankfully, Castro features plenty of hostels, such as La Minga Hostel. At hostels like this, you can find economical dorm beds and a great social atmosphere, although amenities might be quite sparse.
So, are you average?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most tourists in Castro are inclined to explore its main attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $121 per person, per day.
Castro offers a diverse selection of hotels and vacation rentals. If you're traveling with companions, you can share a hotel room with a partner, friend, or your kids, making it easier on your wallet. Families should look for hotels and restaurants that are family-friendly. Palafito 1326 Hotel Boutique is an excellent option for kids, and OCIO Territorial Hotel is another fantastic choice. For more family and couple-friendly accommodations, check out our hotel guide for Castro here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $230 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Castro
The cost of hotels in Castro can be quite surprising. Luxury accommodations come with higher prices and more amenities, especially during peak season. Off-season rates average $86, but peak season () average prices jump to $160. Overall, prices range from $64 to $284. Hostels are often the cheaper option, especially in dorms. You can save by booking early, traveling in the off-season, or taking advantage of promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Castro for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $75 (CL$70,688). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $37 (CL$35,344) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Castro? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Castro include:
- Hotel Parque Quilquico starting at $148
- Palafito 1326 Hotel Boutique starting at $74
- OCIO Territorial Hotel starting at $155
- Hotel Esmeralda Castro starting at $63
By avoiding the peak season and traveling in the low or shoulder seasons, you will be rewarded with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.
Food Budget in Castro
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Castro can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Castro is $63 (CL$59,069) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$63
CL$59,069
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Castro is around $66 (CL$59069) per person, with previous travelers spending from $29 to $126. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Castro are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $20
- Lunch: $10 to $26
- Dinner: $20 to $46
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $10
Like Chile as a whole, a gourmet scene has recently taken off in Castro. When it comes to food, the residents of Chiloe developed a cuisine based on local ingredients. That's why you'll see an endless variety of ways to turn potatoes, seafood and pork into an array of delicious and unmistakably 'Chilote' dishes. Try a curanto, probably Chiloe's most famous dish, which is composed of shellfish, pork sausage, potatoes and different kinds of potato bread and dumplings simply seasoned and slow-cooked. Go for a tasty tortilla de rescoldo, which is a kind of dense unleavened bread that's made throughout Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. The uncooked dough is flattened and buried in the embers of a wood fire that has almost died away but maintains enough heat to cook the bread. Or for those sweet-tooth, taste the succulent apple empanadas.
Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.
Bring a water bottle instead of buying beverages everywhere. It helps the environment, too.
If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Castro
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Castro typically cost an average of $21 (CL$19,715) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
CL$19,715
Visit the Iglesia San Francisco de Castro, opened from 9h30 to 20h in January and February and from 9h30 to 12h30 and 15h30 to 20h30 from March to December. Neo-Gothic and Classic styles are combined in the architecture of the famous Iglesia San Francisco de Castro, designed by Italian architect Eduardo Provasoli and completed in 1912. Just 4km south of Castro is another of Chiloe's Unesco-recognized churches, restored in 2012. The Iglesia Nuestra Senora de Gracia de Nercon was built from cypress and larch wood between 1887 and 1888, its prominent 25 m tower can be viewed from Ruta 5. In Castro, check out the Feria Alcalde Jose Sandoval Gomez, a well-conceived fresh market, new in 2016. While it is located a bit off the beaten path, it is worth the trip for its colorful architecture and wide range of island treats (fresh cheeses, local potatoes, fish etc) arranged in a very pleasant and orderly fashion. Walk to the Puente Gamboa Mirador. The east side of the bridge into town offers the best viewpoint for Palafitos Gamboa.
The small Museo Regional de Castro near the Plaza de Armas offers a collection of huilliches relic, music instruments, traditional farming tools as well as black and white photographs of the 1960's earthquake to recount the history of Chiloe. For those who plan an excursion to visit the penguin colonies of Monumento Natural Islotes de Punihuil (USD$27), Ancud forms a great starting point. You can also do whale watching, bird watching and trekking or kayak along the bay around Ancud. The Centro de Visitantes Immaculada Concepcion is a fabulous museum located in an old convent, which informs you on the 16 churches classified by the UNESCO and their complex wood structures. The entrance fee is only USD$1 and the museum opens from 10h to 19h from December to February and from 10h to 18h from March to November. You may also appreciate the Museo Regional Aurelio Borquez Canobra also called Museo Chilote (USD$1 for adults and USD$0.50 for children), which will inform you about the history of the island. North-west of the city, the remains of the XIX century fortress, the Fuerte San Antonio, opened from 8h30 to 21h from Monday to Friday and from 9h to 20h from Saturday to Sunday, are also worth visiting. If you decide to travel to Isla Quinchao, local buses leave every day to Dalcahue and to Achao with a stop in Curaco de Velez for only USD$2.50. You can spend a few hours wandering around the famous Artisan Market of Dalcahue, a small town 20 km north of Castro. You can also visit the XIX century church, Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores, also classified as UNESCO World Heritage. Then, after jumping on the ferry to reach the Isla Quinchao, you can make a stop in Curaco de Velez, a town founded in 1660 in typical Chilean architecture. A final stop in the island's largest city, Achao to visit Chiloe's oldest church, Iglesia Santa Maria de Loreto. Finally, head to the Parque Nacional Chiloe (USD$2.30 entry fee), where a great variety of bird species, Darwin's foxes, and a good amount of pudĂș, the smallest deer of the world are found. You can access the park via Cucao, a small village an hour away from Castro. The most visited trek is the Sendero Chanquin-Cole Cole, a 25 km path along the Lago Huelde, the Rio Cole Cole and the Rio Anay. The Sendero Interpretivo El Tepual will bring you 1 km into the heart of the forest and the Sendero Dunas de Cucao is a 2 km long path will bring you to a long white sanded beach.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Castro. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro for $178 details
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour for $206 details
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour for $198 details