Puerto Natales Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cueva del Milodon which includes a garden and caves
Breathtaking national parks, adventure sports and millennia-old caves welcome visitors to this town in the heart of the Patagonian wilderness.

Once a fishing village and a center for Chile’s 20th-century cattle-ranching industry, today Puerto Natales is the gateway to outdoor adventures in southern Patagonia. The town is on the east bank of the Señoret Channel and faces the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountain range. Vacation in Puerto Natales to visit ancient caves, walk to scenic lookouts, kayak on vast lakes and tour the awe-inspiring landscapes of national parks.

The town’s colorful streets reflect a past of European immigrants and indigenous settlers from Chiloé Island. Start your visit at Plaza de Armas, the pretty central square home to an antique steam locomotive. Learn about the town’s colonial years and Patagonian tribes at the Museo Histórico Municpalidad Natales. Go to the waterfront, gaze across the channel’s icy waters toward Andean peaks and watch picturesque sunsets.

Enjoy a day hike to Mirador Cerro Dorotea, a lookout with uninterrupted views of the town, bay and surrounding glacial landscapes. Walk or bike north along the coastline and investigate the town’s meat-processing heritage at the Museo Histórico e Industrial Puerto Bories.

Just a 30-minute drive from the town is Cueva del Milodón, a series of huge caves and prehistoric relics. Discover the stories of the region’s earliest settlers and animals, such as the giant mylodon, a sloth that lived over 10,000 years ago.

Puerto Natales is a great starting point for two of Chile’s most famous national parks. Relive the travels of Charles Darwin as you sail past fjords to Parque Nacional Bernardo O’Higgins. Catch a glimpse of the soaring Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Marvel at the granite peaks and icebergs of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, the setting for superb bird-watching, hiking and kayaking.

Reach Puerto Natales by flying to Punta Arenas and then renting a car or catching a public bus. Alternatively, take a fascinating multiday cruise from Puerto Montt. Stay at a cozy guesthouse, hotel or estancia, a traditional working farmstead set amid rural surroundings.

Weskar Patagonian Lodge
Weskar Patagonian Lodge
3.5 out of 5
Ruta 9 - Km 5 Cno Torres Del Paine, Natales, Magallanes
The price is AU$156 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$156
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star lodge in Puerto Natales. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (207 reviews)
"This was our last night of the trip. We got a complimentary drink each. The cafe and breakfast are had many large windows showing the amazing views of Torres del Paine national park."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Weskar Patagonian Lodge
Hotel Costaustralis
Hotel Costaustralis
3.5 out of 5
Pedro Montt 262, Natales, Magallanes
The price is AU$159 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$159
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Puerto Natales. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (377 reviews)
Beautiful and comfortable property
"Nice clean, cosy and comfortable hotel. The room we had was a bit small. The standard rooms have parking lot views. However, the Mountain View rooms have stunning snow capped Andes views. The hotel is overlooking the lake and Andes mountains. Location is very close to the central Plaza the Armas, ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Hotel Costaustralis
Remota Hotel
Remota Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Ruta 9 Norte, km 1.5, Huerto 279, Natales, Magallanes
The price is AU$214 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
AU$214
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Natales. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and WiFi. Popular attractions Mirador Cerro Dorotea and Cueva del Milodon ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (90 reviews)
"There are a lot of good things about Remota. The rooms are beautifully designed and thought about. Some reviews mention staff not being friendly, but everyone I met was really helpful. The communal spaces are great for lounging around. The food was tasty and the bar is very good. There are things ..."

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2024

Remota Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Trotamundos Patagonia
Trotamundos Patagonia
3.5 out of 5
847 Galvarino, Natales, Región de Magallanes
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Natales. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Lago Nordenskjold and Plaza de Armas ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (34 reviews)
"Fantastic place, spacious, everything you need, nice beds, great breakfast, indoor parking"

Reviewed on 8 Jan. 2024

Trotamundos Patagonia
Alto Balmaceda Apartamentos
Alto Balmaceda Apartamentos
3 out of 5
456 Manuel Balmaceda, Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Natales. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private yards. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and History Museum are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
"Nice apartment with views of the water and mountains in the distance. Very clean and comfortable. Put hand over lock mechanism to lock it. Some reviews seemed confused by this."

Reviewed on 12 Feb. 2024

Alto Balmaceda Apartamentos
Geodesic Dome with Stunning Glacier and Fjord views
Geodesic Dome with Stunning Glacier and Fjord views
Puerto Natales
Stay at this apartment in Natales. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Mirador Cerro Dorotea and Cueva del Milodon are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Unique experience to live in a off the grid dome with a nice overlook. Natasha proactively communicated and kept us informed. They also provided nice tips for our stay."

Reviewed on 5 Nov. 2023

Geodesic Dome with Stunning Glacier and Fjord views
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Puerto Natales

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
4 Dec 2019

A great place to base yourself to do day trips to Torres del Paine National park. Probably 3 days is adequate if you dont intend to stay in the park over night.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Feb 2019

Cute town with some good dining options. Good base to explore Torres del Paine