Puerto Natales is a Chilean city and port on the Canal Señoret, in the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica. It is an important tourist centre as it is the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park. However, apart from its exceptional natural environment, Puerto Natales is an important urban centre, with a history museum on the most important cultural heritage of the area. Puerto Natales has wonderful geography that enables many different tourist activities in the heart of nature. Come and discover the amazing things to do in Puerto Natales.
What are the best places to see in Puerto Natales?
1. Braun & Blanchard Pier
The Braun & Blanchard Pier is one of the most characteristic and representative places in the city. The old pier was built by the Braun & Blanchard company and is located just in front of the Antonio Varas Peninsula.
This wharf was the point where all the products leaving Puerto Natales for Europe were shipped. Nowadays, only its pillars remain from this historic pier, and you will be able to see different animals nesting there.
2. The Hand Monument
This is a sculpture of a hand located in the middle of the city’s promenade, where the five fingers emerge from the cement among the weeds. Trapped in a minimal hole in the street, this is another of Puerto Natales’ most identifiable places. It is also worth mentioning the lamppost in the middle of the sculpture, which completely breaks the view of the sculpture, creating a very unique effect.
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3. Milodón Cave
The Mylodon Cave is a destination of great paleontological interest, made up of three caverns whose preserved remains are almost intact. It is one of the most popular spots in Puerto Natales, where you will also find a life-size replica of the famous mammal that gives it its name. This place also has an amazing natural environment where you can eat in the middle of nature.
4. Plaza de Armas in Puerto Natales Chile
Another must-see is the famous Plaza de Armas. It is a beautiful square full of life that has become a favourite place for the locals, especially on sunny summer days when you can enjoy its garden area and sunbathe. The square also has the Puerto Natales Cathedral on one side, another of the city’s most important buildings.
5. Cerro Dorotea
Just 20 minutes from the city centre, this 800 metre-tall hill invites you to go hiking and discover all its natural charm. It is the ideal place to enjoy a walk. Once at the top you will be able to see the impressive view of the city, the Última Esperanza fjord and the gulf of Admiral Montt, a sight you’ll never forget.
6. Municipal Historical Museum
Among the things to do in Puerto Natales, visiting the Municipal Historical Museum is a must. This museum is home to the city’s past and contains the most important cultural and historical heritage of the whole area. The museum shows the history of the aborigines who inhabited these lands, as well as the western pioneers who conquered it, such as Captain Eberhard.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Puerto Natales?
1. Torres del Paine
Located in the extreme south of Chile, in the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, the Torres del Paine National Park is considered the most important national park in Chile. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978, it covers an extensive geographical area of more than 227,298 hectares and a varied relief ranging from 200 to 3,000 metres.
It is a spectacular natural space, with countless natural attractions, ideal for ecotourism and adventure sports that will give you a unique experience in the Chilean Antarctic.
2. Bernardo O’Higgins National Park
A place with an abundance of wildlife and native forests growing in the middle of a network of fjords. Bernardo O’Higgins National Park is home to the Kawésqar ethnic group. In this park, the glaciers belonging to the Southern Ice Fields dominate the landscape. You can travel around them in boats and admire their grandeur.
The Southern Ice Fields are home to 49 glaciers. Pio XI and O’Higgins are in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, and the Tyndall, Grey and Montt glaciers are found in the Torres del Paine National Park. Walking along its white roads will put your skills to the test.
3. Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier
Located in the Torres del Paine National Park, the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers have become one of the most popular places in Puerto Natales. This area of Chilean Patagonia is characterised by its high mountains and large number of glaciers.
One of the most popular plans in Puerto Natales is to do an excursion that starts in Puerto Natales and runs through high mountains and dreamlike scenery. The Balmaceda glacier can usually be seen from the boat, and to see the Serrano glacier you have to trek for about 20 minutes to the glacier’s viewpoint.
Where to eat in Puerto Natales?
Some of the most typical products you can find in the Magallanes Region is seafood, such as spider crab, lobster, oysters and clams. Meats are also common, with recipes such as the asado al palo (spitroasted lamb) accompanied by boiled potatoes or the Magellanic lamb loin. Here is a list of some of the best restaurants to try in Puerto Natales Chile.
- Cafe Artimaña is one of the best rated restaurants in Puerto Natales, as it has excellent product quality. It serves Chilean recipes and craft beer, and offers vegetarian, vegan as well as gluten-free options. The price range is €3 – €9.
- Santolla is a small eatery serving some of the best seafood in town with some vegan options. You will also find meat and vegetable dishes, all of them with very good quality products. The price range is €25-€40.
- Aldea is a restaurant in the centre of Puerto Natales that serves slow food, i.e. dishes that are made and eaten slowly. It is a rustic and cosy place with only eight tables and a menu that includes only seasonal products. The price range is €17 – €35.
- Restaurante El Asador Pataganico is a steakhouse offering Chilean recipes, mainly meat. Located in Puerto Natales, it has a varied menu with a price range of €15-25.
Where to stay in Puerto Natales?
- Hotel Simple Patagonia is a hotel located 6 km from the bus station in Puerto Natales, and also has a restaurant. The rooms are fully equipped and decorated and are priced at €250 per night for two people.
- Weskar Lodge is a four-star hotel located 1km from Puerto Natales, amidst the stunning Patagonian mountains. The Weskar has a seafood restaurant and is priced at €130 per night for two people.
- Toore Patagonia is a hotel located in the centre of town and offers accommodation in fully equipped bungalows. It is ideally located 200 metres from the Puerto Natales promenade, the main square and the Municipal History Museum. The price per night is around €100 for two people.
- Cabañas Maria Francisca are located near Puerto Natales bus station and Yungay Square. They have free private parking and are priced at around €90 per night for four people.
Map and itinerary of the trip to Puerto Natales
Here we leave you our map with the places we recommend to visit in Puerto Natales so you can organize your trip easily and quickly. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of the itinerary organization. Using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organized way. You have the option of registering on the website or downloading the app to keep everything centralized and in your pocket.
What to do in Puerto Natales Chile in two days?
Day 1:
- Braun & Blanchard Pier
- Hand Monument
- Municipal Historical Museum
- Milodón Cave
- Plaza de Armas in Puerto Natales Chile
- Cerro Dorotea
Day 2:
- Torres del Paine
What to do in Puerto Natales Chile in three days?
During your third day in Puerto Natales, it is well worth spending an extra day in Torres del Paine, getting to know all its spectacular landscapes. However, you can also go on a route or excursion to:
- Bernardo O’Higgins National Park
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier
Tips for your trip to Puerto Natales Chile
- The climate is cool and humid. The average annual temperature is a maximum of 9°C and a minimum of 3°C. Rainfall increases considerably in autumn and winter.
- For those visiting a national park or national reserve, avoid leaving litter on the trails.
- Shops in rural areas are open all day, but close between 13:00 and 15:00.
- It is advisable to carry cash in Chilean pesos as you can’t pay with cards in kiosks and rural shops.
- In Patagonia there is a high probability of rain, so it is important to insulate your personal belongings in plastic bags inside your backpack.
- We recommend taking out travel insurance when you travel to Puerto Natales Chile.
How to organise what to see in Puerto Natales Chile?
Sign up or download the App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions for a trip to Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales can be reached by plane from Santiago de Chile.
The best option for getting around Puerto Natales Chile is by private car, which will allow you to move around freely, as it is an area of large national parks and natural spaces that are well worth seeing.
Puerto Natales is the capital and port of the province of Última Esperanza, located in the Magallanes Region.
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