4 Best Places to Shop in Chiloé, Chile

The city's Feria Artesanal, a lively, often chaotic crafts market, is regarded by most as the best place on the island to pick up the woolen sweaters, woven baskets, and straw figures for which Chiloé is known. Prices are already quite reasonable, but vendors expect some bargaining. The stalls share the place with several food vendors. It's open daily 9 to dusk though the best time to come is Saturday morning, when artisans from all over the island come to sell their wares.

Dalcahue's crafts market, near the waterfront municipal building, draws crowds who come to shop for Chilote handicrafts, woolens, baskets, and woven mythical figures. It's open every day, but the best time to go is on Sunday mornings as more vendors travel from surrounding areas to sell their wares. Don't miss the lively food stalls at the Cocinería behind the market. Bargaining is expected, though the prices are already quite reasonable.

Quellón's market doesn't have the hustle and bustle of similar ones in Castro and Dalcahue, but there are some good buys on woolens and straw folkloric figures. Don't bother to bargain; the prices are already extremely reasonable.

Shopping in Ancud is nothing extraordinary, though there's a fine artisans' market just below the town plaza and a few blocks up from the waterfront. There you’ll find woolen blankets, sweaters, dolls, wooden figurines, and other items by Chiloé artisans.