[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Juan Fernandez Islands (Robinson Crusoe Island)](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/) # Guide to Juan Fernandez Islands (Robinson Crusoe Island) To visit Juan Fernandez Islands (Robinson Crusoe Island), check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references. Juan Fernández is an archipelago of cliffs and distinctive biodiversity. San Juan Bautista offers access to maritime history and island trails. [Places in Juan Fernandez Islands (Robinson Crusoe Island) · 1 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/islas-juan-fernandez/) ## Visa for your trip Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically. Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling. [Destination source](https://www.consulado.gob.cl/autorizacion-previa-o-visa) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm) Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source. ## eSIM and connectivity Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. [Saily ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim?source=guide&lang=en)[Airalo ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim-airalo?source=guide&lang=en) Affiliate links: we may earn a commission on purchases. ## Currency and payments Chilean Peso (CLP) · Chilean Peso (CLP) · Chilean Peso (CLP) ## Embassy Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission. View 73 missions and contacts ### [Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Santiago](https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/missions/UAE-Missions-Abroad/UAE-Missions-Abroad-Details?countryId=5a3e3857-7d3c-43c0-b3b4-a1499c1fd148) Las Condes Apoquindo 3039 - 7 piso - Las Condes, Santiago de Chile[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q81271447) ### [Embassy of Argentina, Santiago](https://ehile.cancilleria.gob.ar/) Santiago Miraflores Nº 285[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16561578) ### [embassy of Austria in Chile](https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-santiago-de-chile) Providencia Alfredo Barros Errázuriz 1968[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104708067) ### [Embassy of Australia, Santiago](http://chile.embassy.gov.au/) Las Condes Isidora Goyenechea 3621[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5575245) ### [Embassy of Belgium, Santiago](https://chile.diplomatie.belgium.be/) Santiago Avenida Providencia 2631[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104530670) ### [embassy of Brazil in Chile](http://santiago.itamaraty.gov.br/) Las Condes Avenida Apoquindo 3039[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105791722) ### [embassy of Canada in Chile](https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/chile-chili/index.aspx) Las Condes Nueva Tajamar 481, Torre Norte[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104370486) ### [embassy of Switzerland in Chile](https://www.eda.admin.ch/santiago) Las Condes Avenida Américo Vespucio Sur 100[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101156336) ### [Iquique](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116055719) Iquique [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116055719) ### [Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Santiago](http://cl.china-embassy.org/) Santiago Avenida Pedro de Valdivia 550[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484455) ### [Embassy of Colombia, Santiago](https://chile.embajada.gov.co/) Las Condes Los Militares 5885[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5369647) ### [embassy of Costa Rica in Chile](https://costarica.cl/) Las Condes Napoleón 3200[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110414940) ### [embassy of Cuba in Chile](http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/es/chile) Providencia Avenida Los Leones 1346[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110415366) ### [embassy of the Czech republic in Chile](https://www.mzv.cz/santiago) Las Condes Avenida El Golf 254[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107033705) ### [Embassy of Germany, Santiago](https://santiago.diplo.de/) Santiago Las Hualtatas 5677[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58492288) ### [Embassy of Denmark, Santiago](http://chile.um.dk/) Vitacura Jacques Cazotte 5531, Vitacura, Santiago[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5369668) ### [embassy of the Dominican Republic in Chile](https://www.embajadadominicana.cl/) Vitacura Candelaria Goyenechea 4153[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484355) ### [Embassy of Algeria, Santiago](https://embajadadeargelia.cl/) Las Condes Málaga 370[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100269332) ### [embassy of Ecuador in Chile](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/chile) Providencia Avenida Andrés Bello 2233[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110415455) ### [embassy of Egypt in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110415631) Providencia Doctor Roberto del Rio 1871[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110415631) ### [embassy of Spain in Chile](http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/SANTIAGODECHILE) Santiago Avenida Andrés Bello 1895[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105104306) ### [embassy of Finland, Santiago de Chile](https://finlandabroad.fi/web/chl) Las Condes Alcántara 200[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83170774) ### [Embassy of France, Santiago](https://cl.ambafrance.org/) Providencia Condell 65[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2841631) ### [British Embassy Santiago](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-chile) Las Condes Avenida El Bosque Norte 0125[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290132) ### [embassy of Greece in Chile](https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/chile) Las Condes Jorge VI 306[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109464338) ### [embassy of Guatemala in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110416070) Las Condes Avenida Apoquindo 4775[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110416070) ### [embassy of Honduras in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110427025) Las Condes Encomenderos 161[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110427025) ### [embassy of Croatia in Chile](http://cl.mvep.hr/) Providencia Ezequias Alliende 2370[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107356692) ### [embassy of Haiti in Chile](https://embajadahaiti.cl/) Santiago Avenida República 590[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109350338) ### [Embassy of Hungary, Santiago de Chile](https://santiago.mfa.gov.hu/) Providencia Avenida Los Leones 2279[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63616745) ### [embassy of Indonesia, Santiago](https://kemlu.go.id/santiago) Providencia Las Urbinas 160[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107529064) ### [embassy of Ireland in Chile](https://www.ireland.ie/en/chile/santiago/) Las Condes Apoquindo 2929[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104842428) ### [embassy of Israel in Chile](https://embassies.gov.il/santiago) Las Condes Alonso de Cordova 5320[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110430853) ### [Embassy of India, Santiago](https://www.indianembassysantiago.gov.in/) Las Condes 971 Alcantara[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73092191) ### [embassy of Iran in Chile](https://chile.mfa.gov.ir/) Las Condes Estoril 755[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110429643) ### [embassy of Italy in Chile](https://ambsantiago.esteri.it/) Providencia Clemente Fabres 1050[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104983784) ### [embassy of Jordan in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463057) Providencia San Pío X 2460[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463057) ### [Embassy of Japan in Chile](https://www.cl.emb-japan.go.jp/) Providencia Avenida Ricardo Lyon 520[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48343627) ### [Embassy of South Korea, Santiago](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734536) Las Condes Alcántara 74[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734536) ### [embassy of Kuwait in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463259) Las Condes San José de la Sierra 479[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463259) ### [embassy of Lebanon in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463854) Las Condes Fray Montalva 292[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463854) ### [embassy of Libya in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463951) Vitacura Tomás de Figueroa 2420[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110463951) ### [embassy of Morocco in Chile](http://www.embamarruecos.cl/) Las Condes Coronel Pereira 62[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110477004) ### [Embassy of Malaysia, Santiago](https://www.kln.gov.my/web/chl_santiago/home) Santiago Callao 3461[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110464182) ### [embassy of Nicaragua in Chile](https://www.embanicch.cl/) Las Condes Zurich 255[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110478168) ### [Embassy of the Netherlands, Santiago de Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38051840) Las Condes [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38051840) ### [Embassy of Norway, Santiago](https://www.norway.no/es/chile/) Las Condes Los Militares 5001[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19383597) ### [Embassy of New Zealand, Santiago](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/chile/new-zealand-embassy/) Las Condes Edificio Isidora 3000, Isidora Goyenechea 3000[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q75983782) ### [embassy of Panama in Chile](https://mire.gob.pa/ministerio/embajada-y-consulado/santiago-embajada-de-panama/) Las Condes Latadía 5930[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110482820) ### [embassy of Peru in Chile](https://www.gob.pe/embajada-del-peru-en-chile) Providencia Avenida Andrés Bello 1751[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110483909) ### [Embassy of the Philippines, Santiago](https://santiagope.dfa.gov.ph/) Las Condes Del Inca 4622[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96377195) ### [Embassy of Poland in Santiago, Chile](https://www.gov.pl/web/chile) Providencia Mar del Plata 2055[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30906480) ### [Embassy of the State of Palestine, Santiago](http://embajadapalestina.cl/site/) Las Condes El Director 5608[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29512276) ### [embassy of Portugal in Chile](https://santiago.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/) Las Condes Torre Costanera, Av. Nueva Tajamar 555[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105492967) ### [embassy of Paraguay in Chile](http://embajadadelparaguay.cl/) Las Condes Avenida Apoquindo 4700[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110483829) ### [embassy of Romania in Chile](http://santiagodechile.mae.ro/) Las Condes Calle Benjamin 2955[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106835393) ### [embassy of Russia in Chile](https://chile.mid.ru/) Vitacura Av. Américo Vespucio Norte 2127[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109925325) ### [Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Santiago](https://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/Chile) Las Condes El Alcalde 15[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857196) ### [Embassy of Sweden, Santiago de Chile](https://www.swedenabroad.se/sv/utlandsmyndigheter/chile-santiago-de-chile/) Providencia [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27588394) ### [Santiago](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12794055) Santiago [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12794055) ### [Embassy of El Salvador in Santiago](http://embajadachile.rree.gob.sv/) Providencia Calle Coronel 2330, 5to. Piso, Oficina 51, Providencia, Santiago de Chile.[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73437401) ### [embassy of Syria in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484295) Las Condes Carmencita 111[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484295) ### [embassy of Thailand in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484786) Las Condes Americo Vespucio Sur 100[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484786) ### [Embassy of Turkey, Santiago](https://santiago-emb.mfa.gov.tr/) Providencia Monseñor Sotero Sanz 55[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109536041) ### [Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chile](http://www.roc-taiwan.org/cl_es/index.html) [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100450208) ### [embassy of Ukraine in Chile](https://chile.mfa.gov.ua/) Las Condes Camino El Alba 9500[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110484954) ### [Embassy of the United States, Santiago](https://cl.usembassy.gov/) Las Condes Avenida Andrés Bello 2800[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20051902) ### [embassy of Uruguay in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110485309) Providencia Avenida Pedro de Valdivia 711[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110485309) ### [Apostolic Nunciature to Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2783373) Providencia Calle Nuncio Sotero Sanz 200, Casilla 16.836, Correo 9, Santiago[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2783373) ### [embassy of Venezuela in Chile](http://chile.embajada.gob.ve/) Providencia Bustos 2021[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110485327) ### [embassy of Vietnam in Chile](https://vnembassy-santiago.mofa.gov.vn/) Vitacura Fátima 1640[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110485345) ### [embassy of South Africa in Chile](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106606195) Las Condes Avenida Apoquindo 2827[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106606195) ### [Embajada de México en Chile](https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/chile) Las Condes [Source](https://portales.sre.gob.mx/directorio/embajadas-de-mexico-en-el-exterior) ## Highlights ### [San Juan Bautista (Juan Fernández)](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-tcc-san-juan-bautista-juan-fernandez/) A settlement on Robinson Crusoe Island, between hills and Cumberland Bay. ## Complete guide · chapter reading [Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-0) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-1) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-2) · [See](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-4) · [Do](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-5) · [Eat and drink](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-7) · [Sleep](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-8) · [Go next](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/islas-juan-fernandez/#full-chapter-9) ## Introduction Juan Fernández Islands is a small archipelago 670 km off the coast of . They are remote islands, home to about 900 people who survive on lobster fishing and several hundred tourists who make the obscure islands a vacation destination each year. The rugged, mountainous islands are quite attractive, but you won't find white sand beaches, and the water is much colder than the weather might indicate, owing to the northerly Humboldt Current. ## Understand The islands consist of Robinson Crusoe Island, Alejandro Selkirk Island and Santa Clara Island, with the entirety of their small population residing on Robinson Crusoe Island. The islands are in the same time zone as mainland Chile. History The archipelago was discovered on 22 November 1574, by the Spanish sailor Juan Fernández. He called the islands Más Afuera, Más a Tierra, and Santa Clara. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the islands were used as a hideout for pirates, were the site of Alexander Selkirk's four-year marooning, and provided a location for a penal colony. In Lord George Anson's book "Voyage Around the World in the Years 1740 - 1744", it is described how, having lost 600 of his 950 seamen to scurvy, what remained of his squadron recuperated on Juan Fernandez for some months. The book has interesting and detailed descriptions of the island as it was at that time. During the maritime fur trade era of the early 19th century, the islands were a source of fur seal skins, and the Juan Fernández fur seal was nearly driven to extinction. In his book, Two Years Before the Mast, Richard Henry Dana, Jr. described the islands as he found them around 1834. At this time the main island was being used as a penal colony. Late in 1914 the islands were the rendezvous for Admiral Maximilian von Spee's East Asiatic Squadron as he gathered his ships together before defeating the British under Admiral Christopher Cradock at the Battle of Coronel. Following the Royal Navy's victory at the Battle of the Falkland Islands a month later, the only surviving German cruiser, SMS Dresden, was hunted down and cornered at Más a Tierra early in 1915, where it was scuttled after a brief battle with British cruisers. In 1966 the Chilean government renamed Más Afuera as Alejandro Selkirk Island and Más a Tierra as Robinson Crusoe Island, in order to promote tourism. Selkirk never set foot on Más Afuera, only on Más a Tierra. On 27 February 2010, a tsunami following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Maule, Chile struck the islands causing at least 8 deaths. Eleven people were reported as missing. The tsunami wave was 3 m (10 ft) high. Most of the town of San Juan Bautista on Robinson Crusoe Island was destroyed. The national park has been on the [UNESCO World Heritage tentative list](https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/84/) since 1994. Climate The islands have a subtropical Mediterranean climate, moderated by the cold Humboldt Current, which flows northward to the east of the islands, and the southeast trade winds. Temperatures range from 3 °C (37 °F) to 34 °C (93 °F), with an annual mean of 15.4 °C (60 °F). Higher elevations are generally cooler, with occasional frosts on Robinson Crusoe. Average annual precipitation is 1,081 mm (42.6 in), varying from 318 mm (12.5 in) to 1,698 mm (66.9 in) year to year. Much of the variability in rainfall depends on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Rainfall is higher in the winter months, and varies with elevation and exposure; elevations above 500 m (1,640 ft) experience almost daily rainfall, while the western, leeward side of Robinson Crusoe and Santa Clara are quite dry. ## Get in By plane Fly from Eulogio Sanchez Airport, also known as Tobalaba Airport, in eastern . 1½ hr. Flights do not go every day, and their frequency may vary by season. Robinson Crusoe AirportThe airport is mainly served by a handful of air-taxi companies flying from Santiago, largely in the January-February timeframe, and seldom outside the November-March period. Rainy and windy conditions which may impact landings or takeoffs can occur anytime on the calendar. Because of a lack of interior roads, transfer between the airport and San Juan Bautista, the main town on Robinson Crusoe, requires a 1.5-hour ride by motor launch. Local nameAeródromo Robinson Crusoe (ICAO: SCIR) [Aerolineas ATA](https://aerolineasata.cl/). ATA offers flight and lodging packages for 4 days, 3 nights for 685,000-1,045,000 pesos per person (May 2021), with accommodation at the Crusoe Island Lodge. As of 2025 it doesn't seem to be possible to make a reservation online, but you can try calling them at +56 962 260 231. [Aerocardal](https://aerocardal.com/archipielago-juan-fernandez/). Flat rate of 1,360,000 pesos round trip (2025). [Aerolassa](https://www.aerolassa.cl/servicios/juan-fernandez/). Reservations appear to be via an email form, and prices and schedules are not disclosed. Google and Google Flights searches provide incorrect results for flights to the island, confusing it with the city of on the mainland. By boat TransmarkoA 40- to 45-hr journey. From Valparaíso, the Antonio ship of the Transmarko company leaves twice a month, it supplies the island and also has capacity for passengers. On each trip there are 6 places for tourists. The transfer includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. The return trip is 2-4 days later, but can be further delayed by weather, meaning a minimum round-trip itinerary of 7-10 days. Advance reservations required. Phone+56 95858 4667 Emailoperaciones.valparaiso@transmarko.cl Price139,940 pesos one-way or CLP 237,700 pesos round trip, according to an [undated document](https://transmarko.cl/assets/reservaDePasaje.pdf) accessed in March 2025. Seniors (age not specified), people with disabilities, and island residents get roughly half-price fares. Student discounts apply only to residents Listing reviewed2025-03-24 [Official website](https://www.transmarko.cl/) ## See San Juan de Bautista townThis is where almost all of the archipelago’s inhabitants live. It was built roughly where the shipwrecked sailor Alexander Selkirk spent his enforced leisure time. It has a few unpaved streets, a small museum-library, and a soccer field. Listing reviewed2017-12-28 Cliff north of San Juan de BautistaHere you can see gun shells embedded in the cliff side. These shells were fired by the British warships Glasgow and Kent at the German cruiser Dresden when it sought shelter here to undertake repairs in 1915, during World War I. The captain blew up the ship rather than surrender. Directionsfollow the path running north from the town Listing reviewed2017-12-28 El Mirador de Selkirk and the Cuevas de los PatriotasThis hike from San Juan de Bautista follows Selkirk’s path to El Mirador de Selkirk, where everyday he scanned the horizon on both sides of the island. Start early, at about 08:00, to arrive before the mists roll in. The path runs through crops of introduced eucalyptus into higher forests of indigenous trees. It passes the remains of the Fuerte Santa Bárbara, a Spanish fort built in the 18th century to ward off pirates, and a turning leading to a rock with carvings on it from 1866 – sailor’s graffiti showing a ship and giant fish. The trail becomes a corridor through rainforest before revealing a knife-shaped peak. The saddle of the mountain is the only place from which to view both sides of the island: the green San Juan Bautista side to the east, and the dry brown terrain and jagged peaks on the northern side of the mountain. A plaque commemorating Selkirk’s ordeal was erected here by the crew of a British warship in the 19th century. There is a small memorial built by one of the mariner’s descendants from Largo in Scotland. On the return journey, call in at the Cuevas de los Patriotas (Caves of the Patriots), where 300 pro-Spanish soldiers fled in 1814 after Chile’s declaration of independence. Unlike Selkirk, they couldn’t stand the wind and rain in their huge but damp caves, so gave themselves up. Back on the shore, a number of other caves vie for the title of Selkirk’s home – although for most of the time the mariner lived in his own handmade huts. Listing reviewed2017-12-28 Flora and fauna The Juan Fernández islands are home to a high percentage of rare and endemic plants and animals, and are recognized as a distinct ecoregion. The volcanic origin and remote location of the islands meant that the islands' flora and fauna had to reach the archipelago from far across the sea; as a result, the island is home to relatively few plant species and very few animal species. The closest relatives of the archipelago's plants and animals are found in the Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregions of southern South America, including the Valdivian temperate rain forests, Magellanic subpolar forests, and Desventuradas Islands. ## Do Trekking Horseback riding Diving Birdwatching Snorkeling Sport fishing ## Eat and drink There are a few restaurants and bars in San Juan de Bautista town. ## Sleep Crusoe Island LodgeA comfortable 15-room resort hotel overlooking Pangal Bay. There is an outdoor swimming pool, hot tubs and a spa, a restaurant (lobster and crab are specialities of the island) and bar. The hotel is ringed by rugged scenery and wild coastline and offers a range of activities including trekking, riding, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing. Book 1 month in advance at least. Phone+56 229461636 ext 209 Emailreservas@crusoeislandlodge.com PriceUS370-470 USD for a standard room Listing reviewed2017-12-28 [Official website](https://www.crusoeislandlodge.com/) [View location on map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-33.6434&mlon=-78.815#map=16/-33.6434/-78.815) ## Go next Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-06-12T17:41:26Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5291594) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Juan%20Fern%C3%A1ndez%20Islands&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ## Local food ### Atún de Juan Fernández Island product depending on the available catch. ## Local drinks ### Cerveza artesanal isleña Robinson Crusoe has documented craft brewing, including blonde, amber and dark styles. Confirm which brands and varieties are available. Contains alcohol Plan your itinerary ### Getting around Coordinate flight, boat and lodging as one travel chain. ### Plan ahead Allow for weather changes and confirm excursions locally. ### Travel respectfully Clean footwear and equipment and follow authorized routes to protect endemic species. Local reading and routesIsolation limits services and menus. Confirm meals and transport with your hosts before travelling. ### [San Juan de Bautista town](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Juan_Fern%C3%A1ndez_Islands#see) This is where almost all of the archipelago’s inhabitants live. It was built roughly where the shipwrecked sailor Alexander Selkirk spent his enforced leisure time. It has a few unpaved streets, a small museum-library, and a soccer field. ### [Cliff north of San Juan de Bautista](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Juan_Fern%C3%A1ndez_Islands#see) Here you can see gun shells embedded in the cliff side. These shells were fired by the British warships Glasgow and Kent at the German cruiser Dresden when it sought shelter here to undertake repairs in 1915, during World War I. The captain blew up the ship rather than surrender. ### [El Mirador de Selkirk and the Cuevas de los Patriotas](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Juan_Fern%C3%A1ndez_Islands#see) This hike from San Juan de Bautista follows Selkirk’s path to El Mirador de Selkirk, where everyday he scanned the horizon on both sides of the island. Start early, at about 08:00, to arrive before the mists roll in. The path runs through crops of introduced eucalyptus into higher forests of indigenous trees. ## Sources [Chile Travel · Acceso](https://chile.travel/blog/como-llegar-a-juan-fernandez-desde-santiago-descubre-este-santuario-ecologico/) · [Chile Travel · Cocina](https://chile.travel/blog/alta-gastronomia-los-imperdibles-de-la-cocina-chilena-por-pilar-rodriguez/) · [Diario Financiero, reportaje sobre producción cervecera en Juan Fernández](https://www.df.cl/empresas/actualidad/el-rearme-del-archipielago-juan-fernandez-tras-el-impacto-del-tsunami)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0 [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Juan Fernández Islands](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5291594) [Guides by topic](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/?view=topics)