Before you go

Your trip to Punta Arenas.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Punta Arenas – Magalhães e Antártica Chilena Destination Torres del Paine Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo (PUQ) 20 km
Terminal Buses Fernández 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo is about 20 km from the center, with transfers and taxis to the city. Confirm before booking. Buses link Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales in about three hours.

How many days

One day is enough for the center, the cemetery and the Museo Nao Victoria. With two days you can add the penguin trip in season and Fuerte Bulnes or the Reserva Nacional Magallanes.

When to go

From October to March boats to Isla Magdalena operate and the days are long. The wind tends to be stronger in spring and summer. In winter the days are short and cold, with snow at times.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

In the center everything is walkable, and taxis and shared shuttles take you to the cemetery and the Museo Nao Victoria. For Fuerte Bulnes, a car or an organized tour are the options. The penguin trip includes the boat from the city.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Punta Arenas

Morning
Plaza Muñoz Gamero and waterfront
Start at the plaza and the monument to Fernão de Magalhães. Walk down to the shore of the strait and climb Cerro de la Cruz for an overview of the city.
Afternoon
Cementerio Municipal Sara Braun
After lunch, walk to the cemetery along Avenida Bulnes and stroll among the cypress-lined avenues and the mausoleums of the pioneering families.
Late afternoon
Museo Nao Victoria
Take a taxi north to the replicas of the historic ships on the strait's shore.
Evening
Dinner with king crab
Return to the center for dinner.

2 days in Punta Arenas

Day 1

Morning
Boat to the penguins
In season, board early for Isla Magdalena and Isla Marta. The return takes place in the early afternoon.
Afternoon
Historic center
In the afternoon, visit Plaza Muñoz Gamero and the cemetery, a few blocks from each other.

Day 2

Morning
Fuerte Bulnes and Puerto del Hambre
Follow the coastal road south to the Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes and visit the reconstructed fort and the site of Puerto del Hambre.
Afternoon
Reserva Nacional Magallanes or Nao Victoria
On the way back, choose a short trail in the Reserva Nacional Magallanes or a visit to the Museo Nao Victoria before heading to Puerto Natales or the airport.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth staying in Punta Arenas before going to Torres del Paine?

It’s worth one or two days, especially in the penguin season. If you have little time you can go directly from the airport to Puerto Natales.

How to get from Punta Arenas airport to the center?

By taxi or transfer in about half an hour. Some buses to Puerto Natales stop at the airport, which avoids going into town.

What is the wind like in Punta Arenas?

Strong and persistent much of the year, especially in spring and summer. Secure your hat well and prefer a windbreaker over an umbrella.

What is the Estreito de Magalhães?

The sea passage between the continent and Tierra del Fuego, linking the Atlantic and the Pacific. Fernão de Magalhães sailed through it in 1520.

Can you see penguins year-round in Punta Arenas?

No. The season usually runs from October or November to March, when the colonies are on the islands in the strait.

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