Cerro Castillo is a village in Magallanes and the closest settlement to Chile's most-visited national park, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. The village serves the Paso Río Don Guillermo border crossing, where Chilean border patrol agents require incoming visitors to declare all fruits, veggies and animal products. The frontier community is at the northern terminus of Chile's famous Ruta 9 (la ruta fin del mundo) which snakes its way through Magallanes to its southern terminus, a dead-end on the Brunswick Peninsula near Cabo Froward (the southernmost point of continental South America). From Cerro Castillo, most southbound travelers will detour northwest and travel through Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. The detour loops within the park and reconnects with Ruta 9 just north of Puerto Natales.
Cerro Castillo shares a name with Aysén's highest peak, Cerro Castillo. It is also commonly confused with Villa Cerro Castillo (a village in Aysén).
Best in Cerro Castillo
Eat
El Ovejero
Restaurant/souvenir shop serving coffee & tea, baked goods, and typical Chilean restaurant meals. The staff are friendly and, while we were there, the music was on-point. Wander the attached souvenir shop or admire the eclectic decor. Located immediately west of the Rio Paso Don Guillermo border crossing station on Y-205.
Stay
Cerro Castillo Bus Station
The town has designated this bus station and the immediately surrounding area as an official zona acampar (camping area) for passers through. The station was recently renovated and includes large (typically clean) bathrooms, shelter for 2-4 tents, (cold) showers, (temperamental) wifi and an indoor area with a TV and a wood-burning stove.
Bike route from Cerro Castillo to Puerto Natales