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| Juan Fernández Islands | ||
| region | Región de Valparaíso | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 420 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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The Juan Fernández Islands are in the South Pacific and belong to Chile. They are only very sparsely populated, but due to their remoteness they have retained a certain cultural independence, even if they have been known as luxury travel destinations since the 1980s.
On the most famous island in the archipelago, the Isla Robinson Crusoe, the Scotsman Alexander Selkirk stranded in the 18th century. His struggle for survival led to the famous adventure novel. As the Easter island the Juan Fernández Islands also have the status of an autonomous region within Chile.
Regions
- Isla Robinson Crusoe, also Isla Más a Tierra, the only inhabited island. There are still two uninhabited small islands in their vicinity Juananga and Santa Clara.
- Isla Alejandro Selkirk, also Isla Más Afuera, 180 km west. Whether it's the island further west Podestá really exists is controversial, even if it appears on Chilean military maps.
places
- 1 San Juan Bautista - the only place on the island of Robinson Crusoe, approx. 840 inhabitants
Other goals
- Juan Fernández Islas National Park. More than half of the archipelago is under nature protection. The national park is chargeable, the fee can be paid in the office of CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) in San Juan Bautista.
- 1 Cerro El Yunque, the highest mountain (910 m high)
background
The islands were discovered in the mid-16th century by the Spanish captain Juan Fernández, after whom they are named. Between 1703 and 1709 the Scot Alexander Selkirk lived here, the historical model of the Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. He had voluntarily gone ashore because of doubts about the safety of his ship, but regretted it shortly afterwards. In 1709 he was rescued by another ship. It was not until 1877 that the islands were specifically settled from Chile.
The islands are interesting for nature lovers, as their own rare species have developed here and the flora and fauna are unique. For example, there are no native mammals, reptiles or amphibians; the only vertebrates are fish and birds.
According to numerous reports, visiting the islands is very expensive. So there are no cheap accommodation options, apart from wild camping during organized expeditions into the hinterland.
language
The language is spanish.
getting there
By plane
Aerocardal, LASSA (Línea de Aero Servicios S.A.) and ATA connect several times a week in the season (until April) Santiago de Chile with the airport on Crusoe Island. Only 10 kg of luggage are allowed! Because of the mountainous topography of Crusoe Island, the airport is on the opposite side of the town of San Juan Bautista, and you can get there by boat.
By boat
About every two weeks there is the possibility with the Cargo ship Antonio of Valparaíso Cross over to Crusoe Island (approx. 30-48 h). There is space for 12 passengers on the ship.
In the meantime, Robinson Crusoe Island is also a popular daily destination for cruise ships, which, however, are usually unable to dock due to their size. The passengers then come ashore in tender boats.
mobility
Apart from the boats between San Juan Bautista and the airport, you have to rely on muscle power.
Tourist Attractions
- Ruins of an old penal colony, on the island of Alejandro Selkirk.
- Treasure of Juan Fernández. According to other sources, the discoverer of the islands, a Spanish navigator around 1715, is rumored to have left barrels of gold coins and jewelry on the island, which today would be worth 10 billion US dollars. This story has lured some treasure hunters to the island of Robinson Crusoe in the last few decades, including a millionaire in 1998 who dug several tunnels with a budget of several million dollars. In 2005 the story was reopened when a radar device (the robot "Arturito") allegedly found clues for the treasure. However, the treasure has not yet been found. There is one on the subject Report in New Scientist magazine.
activities
kitchen
accommodation
- 1 Crusoe Island Lodge. E-mail: [email protected]. Lies a little east of the village San Juan Bautista directly on the coast, 15 rooms.
nightlife
Practical advice
On the Isla Robinsón Crusoe there is no ATM, so you need to bring enough cash with you for your stay.
security
climate
The climate is oceanic and humid. Slight temperature fluctuations, temperatures around 15 ° C are normal.
literature
Web links
- Tourist website of Isla Robinsón Crusoe (Spanish / English)
- http://www.comunajuanfernandez.cl - Official website of the Juan Fernández Islands
