Magallanes: Puerto Natales & Punta Arenas

Magallanes: Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales

Magallanes, the territory south of Aysen, was named in memory of the great Portuguese navigator. This windswept land was first developed by British sheep companies in the late 1800s. Here, the Andes crumble into steppe, and penguin colonies crowd the shores.

Punta Arenas, the regional capital, is a busy port town on the Strait of Magellan, where ships depart for Ushuaia, Argentina, and flights head south to the sub-Antarctic.

Puerto Natales, located 153 miles northwest of Punta Arenas, offers a frontier town feel and fantastic views. Puerto Natales is the gateway to  Torres del Paine National Park, and a small town on the Última Esperanza Sound in Chilean Patagonia. Once a fishing and ranching hub, it now serves as a base for travelers exploring the region’s fjords, glaciers, and mountains.

Our Favorite Hotels

What to do in the Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales

Punta Arenas provides great access for guests to visit the King Penguin Park. Day trips to Magdalena Island and Marta Island can also be arranged. Here you can observe a large Magellanic penguin colony in the Strait of Magellan. City highlights include the Salesian Museum, the Cemetery of Punta Arenas, and the Palacio Sara Braun.

Day-trips from Puerto Natales can be arranged to the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers, the Milodon Cave, and the iceberg-filled Lago Grey. Puerto Natales also serves as a base for exploring the Torres del Paine National Park.

Other activity highlights include:

• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Horseback Riding
• Exploring Blue Lagoons and Caves
• Birdwatching

What is the Weather Like?

Chilean Patagonia experiences a dynamic climate with significant seasonal variations. Summer months, from December to January, bring the warmest temperatures, with daytime highs reaching 65°F and nighttime lows around 40°F. During the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, temperatures range from 60°F to below 40°F. Winter, from May through August, is marked by fleeting daylight, daytime highs near 40°F, and freezing nights. Precipitation is light year-round, but Patagonia is known for its powerful winds, which are strongest from late November to mid-March. Visitors should be prepared for rapidly changing weather and dress in layers to ensure comfort throughout their journey.

No matter when you visit, the weather in this area can surprise you. These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.

Getting There

Punta Arenas is most commonly reached by air from Santiago, a flight of about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Flights are also available from Puerto Montt, in the Chilean Lake District, with a typical duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Punta Arenas is also a major departure point for visitors headed to Torres Del Paine National Park or to Antarctica by air.

Start your journey today