Bus companies are: Cruz del Sur & Queilen

The best way to get around is to rent a car for a day. You can then explore either the nice beaches to the west of ancud, or drive to Castro. Ask at the local gas station for car rentals.

There is an artisan market in the same place where you take the Penguin tours that has very cheap crafts. Hand woven hats for 2 American dollars, thats a steal!

• retro's pub at Maipú 615 is the best place for completos (sandwiches, try the ones with palta = guacamole), lunch, pizza, tea/coffee, dinner (tasty meat and fish, and great desserts and kuchen made by Marcela) and a drink with friends. Very frequented by the local population of all ages. Open from 11AM until 2AM The owners also organize curanto (native chilote meal baked under the earth) for groups on weekends at the beach (ask for englisch-speaking Claudia).

• La Candela across from the Plaza de Armas at Libertad 599 is a fantastic restaurant. Don't visit Ancud without stopping in for either lunch or dinner or dessert (or all three). Lunch special when we were there was a salad, pastel de mariscos, and coffee/tea for 2,200 pesos (2/06).

• Pedersen Salon de Te Down the road from La Candela there is a small cafe which also serves sandwiches and desserts. The native dessert derived from European influences called "Kuchen" (also the word for cake in german) can be sampled at its best here. Inexpensive.

• Kuranton At the port, nice and inexpensive local where you can eat the famous Curanto meal.

• retro's pub, +56 (0)65 626410, retrocafeisla@hotmail.com. is the place for Pisco Sour or other cocktails at night. And for the next morning a good address for black coffee. Open from 11AM-2PM. Good music and TV screen.
• CasaMar, +56 (0)65 655670, casamar@hotmail. A local restaurant, pub and event center (dance floor). It's the place to celebrate weddings or New Year's Eve. At the corner between Errazuriz and Costanera.