Home › Destinations › Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas, Chile - Things to Do in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas

guide to Punta Arenas, Chile - Complete Travel Guide

guide to Punta Arenas, the southernmost continental city in Chile, serves as the gateway to the city and Antarctica. Located on the shores of the Strait of Magellan, this windswept city of 130,000 inhabitants offers a fascinating blend of maritime history, stunning natural landscapes, and unique cultural experiences. The city's strategic position has made it a crucial stop for explorers, sailors, and adventurers for over a century. Today, guide to Punta Arenas captivates visitors with its colorful corrugated iron houses, excellent museums showcasing regional history, and proximity to incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. The city serves as a launching point for expeditions to the city, penguin colonies, and Antarctic cruises, while offering its own attractions including historic cemeteries, local craft breweries, and some of Chile's best lamb cuisine.

Top Punta Arenas

Penguin Colony Tour at Isla Magdalena

Take a boat trip across the Strait of Magellan to witness thousands of Magellanic penguins during their breeding season. The island hosts one of the largest penguin colonies in South America, with designated walking paths allowing close observation of these charismatic birds. The round-trip journey includes scenic views of the strait and opportunities to spot dolphins and sea lions.

Booking Tip: Tours run from October to March only, with best viewing in December-January. Book 2-3 days in advance through local operators like Comapa or Solo Expediciones. Prices range from $35-50 USD per person. Choose morning departures for calmer seas and better wildlife activity.

Torres del Paine Day Trip

Experience Chile's most famous national park on a full-day excursion from guide to Punta Arenas. The tour includes transportation through the Patagonian steppe, visits to key viewpoints like Laguna Amarga and the city Grande waterfall, and opportunities to spot guanacos, rheas, and condors. The dramatic granite towers and turquoise lakes provide incredible photography opportunities.

Booking Tip: Full-day tours cost $80-120 USD including transportation and lunch. Book with established operators like Fantástico Sur or Turismo Comapa. Tours run year-round but weather can be unpredictable - bring layers and waterproof clothing. Small group tours offer better experience than large buses.

Historic City Walking Tour

Explore guide to Punta Arenas' rich maritime heritage through its historic downtown, including the ornate Palacio Sara Braun, the Regional Museum, and the famous Municipal Cemetery with elaborate mausoleums of early settlers. The tour covers the city's boom period during the wool and gold rush eras, showcasing beautiful architecture and fascinating stories of European immigrants.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours are free using city maps from the tourist office. Guided tours cost $15-25 USD and can be booked at hotels or the the city. The cemetery and museum have small entrance fees ($3-5 USD). Allow 3-4 hours to see all major sites comfortably.

Strait of Magellan Boat Excursion

Navigate the historic waters of the Strait of Magellan on a scenic boat tour that follows the routes of famous explorers like Magellan and Darwin. The excursion offers spectacular views of the city from the water, opportunities to spot marine wildlife including dolphins and cormorants, and visits to small islands with lighthouse ruins and sea lion colonies.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours cost $40-60 USD per person and run year-round, weather permitting. Book through Turismo Yamana or local operators at the port. Morning tours typically have better weather conditions. Bring warm, windproof clothing as it gets cold on the water even in summer.

Fort Bulnes and Fuerte San Pedro Historical Sites

Visit the reconstructed Fort Bulnes, the first Chilean settlement in the region established in 1843, located 60km south of the city. The site includes a replica of the original fort, museum displays about early colonial life, and panoramic views over the Strait of Magellan. The tour often includes nearby Fuerte San Pedro with its scenic coastal location.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours cost $30-45 USD including transportation. Can be combined with penguin tours for better value. Independent visits possible by rental car ($40-60 USD per day). Entry fee is minimal ($2-3 USD). Tours run year-round but check weather conditions in winter months.

Getting There

guide to Punta Arenas is accessible primarily by air through Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport (PUQ), located 20km north of the city center. LATAM and Sky Airlines operate regular flights from the city (3.5 hours), with some seasonal connections to other Chilean cities. Bus travel from mainland Chile requires crossing into Argentina, taking 12-15 hours from Puerto Natales or 28+ hours from the city. Ferry connections exist from Porvenir on Tierra del Fuego island. Many visitors arrive as part of the city tour packages or Antarctic cruise itineraries.

Getting Around

guide to Punta Arenas is a compact city easily explored on foot, with most attractions within walking distance of the the city (Plaza Muñoz Gamero). Local buses (colectivos) provide inexpensive transportation ($0.50-1 USD) to outer neighborhoods and the airport. Taxis are readily available and affordable for short distances ($3-8 USD for most city trips). Car rental is recommended for visiting surrounding attractions like Fort Bulnes or penguin colonies, with several international and local agencies available. Many tour operators provide transportation to major attractions as part of organized excursions.

Where to Stay

Centro Histórico (Historic Center)
Zona Franca area
Costanera (Waterfront)
Barrio guide to Punta Arenas Norte
Puerto area
Residential neighborhoods near Plaza

Food & Dining

guide to Punta Arenas offers excellent dining centered around Patagonian specialties, particularly renowned for its lamb (cordero) preparations and fresh seafood from the Strait of Magellan. Local restaurants serve king crab, sea bass, and mussels alongside traditional Chilean dishes. The city center features upscale establishments like Sotito's and La Tasca, while local parrillas (grillhouses) offer authentic asado experiences. Don't miss trying calafate berry desserts, a regional specialty. The duty-free zone provides access to imported goods and international cuisine, while local breweries like Austral offer regional beer varieties perfect for the cool climate.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Chile

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Golfo di Napoli Trattoria e Pizzeria

4.6 /5
(22792 reviews) 1

Pizzería Tiramisú

4.6 /5
(12938 reviews) 2

Don Vito e Zanoni

4.7 /5
(3439 reviews) 2

Piegari Chile

4.7 /5
(2687 reviews) 3

Le Due Torri Isidora

4.6 /5
(2573 reviews) 3

Pastas Nenetta Chile

4.6 /5
(1588 reviews) 2

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The best time to visit guide to Punta Arenas is during the Southern Hemisphere summer (December to March) when temperatures are mildest (10-18°C/50-64°F) and wildlife is most active, particularly for penguin viewing. This period offers the longest daylight hours (up to 17 hours) and best weather for outdoor activities, though it's also the busiest and most expensive season. Shoulder seasons (October-November and March-April) provide fewer crowds and reasonable weather, while winter months (June-August) are harsh with strong winds, short days, and many tour operators closed, though accommodation prices drop significantly.

Insider Tips

Touch the toe of the Magellan statue in Plaza Muñoz Gamero for good luck and to ensure your return to guide to Punta Arenas - a beloved local tradition
Visit the duty-free zone (Zona Franca) for tax-free shopping on electronics, alcohol, and outdoor gear, but remember the customs limits when leaving Chile
Pack layers and windproof clothing regardless of season - guide to Punta Arenas is famous for its unpredictable weather and strong Patagonian winds that can change conditions within hours

Activities in Punta Arenas