Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Punta Arenas

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Key Info

Southern Chilean Patagonia
Patagonia, Chile
Tours & Tickets

Details

Neighborhood/Area Type
More than Full Day Time to Spend

4.3

Overall

Scorecard

Value

5.0
Food Scene

4.0
Atmosphere

4.5

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

Skirting the Strait of Magellan, this bustling city serves as the central base for exploring Southern Chilean Patagonia's premier attractions. Here, you'll spot throngs of intrepid hikers gearing up for exploring Torres del Paine and wildlife-enthusiasts flocking to Isla Magdalena to mingle with Magellanic penguins.

If you have time to explore around town, head to the main square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero. You'll discover bright, newly developed residential homes next to ornate 19th- and early 20th-century mansions that arose from the prosperous wool industry. According to one TripAdvisor user, "A visit to Punta Arenas wouldn't be complete without stopping at the Memorial to Ferdinand Magellan and rubbing the foot on the statue (a local custom)." A short but fun walk is from the Plaza Muñoz Gamero to the Mirador Cerro la Cruz, a steep lookout that boasts breathtaking vistas of the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego.

The best way to reach Puntas Arenas is by plane. The flight from Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez airport (SCL) to Puntas Arenas' Pres Ibáñez Airport (PUQ) takes roughly three and a half hours, and direct flights can be booked through local carriers, such as LAN and Sky Airline. For more information, consult our guide to Getting Around Chilean Patagonia.

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#1 Southern Chilean Patagonia Occupying the southernmost area of the country, Southern Chilean Patagonia (SCP) draws visitors looking to admire the breathtaking landscape. Most visitors flock to Chile's southernmost province—also known as ... Read more » Evelyn Proimos / Flickr

#2 Torres del Paine National Park Exulted as one of the most scenic hiking venues on the planet, Torres del Paine National Park draws admirers from far and wide. You'll marvel at jaw-dropping vistas at ... Read more » Evelyn Proimos / Flickr

#3 Tierra del Fuego This enchanting triangular archipelago is separated from the southernmost tip of Chilean Patagonia by the Strait of Magellan and has captivated the minds of explorers, scientists, and curious wanderers. Portuguese ... Read more » Thierry Dupradou / Sernatur

#4 Cape Horn Notorious for welcoming guests with strong gusts of wind, icebergs, and rocky waters, Cape Horn's dark black cliff (known as the "Horn") has enchanted travelers since the 1600s. This ... Read more » JorgeBRAZIL / Flickr

#5 Punta Arenas Skirting the Strait of Magellan, this bustling city serves as the central base for exploring Southern Chilean Patagonia's premier attractions. Here, you'll spot throngs of intrepid hikers gearing ... Read more » john_voorhees / Flickr

#6 Coyhaique Perched below an immense basalt cliff and enclosed by rolling hills and emerald lakes, Coyhaique boasts dramatic vistas from almost every angle. From November through May, fly-fishermen congregate here to ... Read more » pellaea / Flickr

#7 Porvenir Porvenir (meaning "future") is a beautiful settlement in Southern Chilean Patagonia, located on Chile's sliver of Tierra del Fuego. As a former port for European immigrants during the 1800s ... Read more » Luis Bertea / Sernatur

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