Isla Negra

Tour guides at Pablo Neruda’s Isla Negra home will claim that, of his many houses, this home was the place that most embodied the poet’s spirit. Neruda’s “Isla Negra” home is not on an island at all, but instead perched on the edge of the Pacific coastline. The house, which overlooks the untamable sea that so fascinated and frightened the poet, is almost absurdly full of nautical paraphernalia—including an expansive collection of giant ship’s figureheads, countless antique navigational instruments, and Neruda’s very own sailboat (which he never took out to sea alone).

The house was constructed by members of the Isla Negra community, so it feels much more rustic than his Santiago or Valparaíso homes. The tours of the house, which are obligatory, feel a bit rushed, but the guides are knowledgeable and can field any questions you have about the poet’s life.

The town of Isla Negra is itself very small, with a little beach, a few restaurants, and some shops for tourists. The café inside the museum is notably overpriced, so walk into town a bit to find more reasonable food options. On a nice day, try El Rincón de Florencia—a pleasant mid-range café with an outdoor dining area and a mostly seafood menu del día.

Location:
Valparaíso , Chile

Museum Types:
Cultural, History

Getting There
Buses leave frequently from the Valparaíso terminal to Isla Negra and surrounding towns, making a final stop at the large port city of San Antonio. Let the bus driver know you’ll be getting off at Isla Negra and the bus will drop you along the main

Price Description: General Admission: USD 6.00

Seniors and students: USD 3.00

Relative price: Very cheap

Open Hours from:10:00 AM

Open Hours to:6:00 PM

Days Closed:Monday

Travel Skills: None

Currencies accepted
Chilean Peso

Contact Information:
Phone: (35) 46 12 84

By Lauren Yero

I am a recent liberal arts graduate who travels as a compulsion. I have lived in several regions of the US as well as briefly abroad in England and...

Created: 02 Nov 2008

Updated: 02 Nov 2008

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