Isla Mechuque

Mechuque is one of the Chauques group off the eastern coast of Chiloe, a small island with a village built partly on palafitos over a tidal channel, joined by a footbridge. It is quiet, has a few dozen families, and its visitors mostly come for one thing: curanto cooked properly in a pit, which households here prepare for groups by arrangement - which is why day trips from Dalcahue and Castro sell it. There is a small private museum of island life. Getting there depends on boats that run to their own schedule and are cancelled by weather, and the tide governs when they can come alongside.

The main sights

• Palafitos over a tidal channel - joined by a footbridge.
• Pit curanto by arrangement - cooked by households for groups.
• A small private museum - of island life and objects.
• Boats on their own schedule - and the tide deciding the landing.

When to go

December to March. A full day.

What to expect

Transport is the difficulty - services are irregular, cancelled by weather, and getting stranded is possible. Accommodation is a couple of family houses. Curanto must be arranged in advance. Rain is frequent.

Nearby

Tenaun and Dalcahue are on the main island; the other Chauques islands are close.

Key facts