Punta Arenas

Travel Guide
Punta Arenas featuring a statue or sculpture, general coastal views and outdoor art
Home to colonial mansions, tree-lined squares and national parks, this remote Chilean city is also a gateway to the fascinating Tierra del Fuego.

The isolated city of Punta Arenas faces the icy waters of the Strait of Magellan. Discover colonial palaces, superb museums, discounted shopping and curious sights, including an architecturally impressive cemetery. Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes province in Chile’s remote southern Patagonia region. It started as a 19th-century pioneer city and today is a relaxed, windswept destination popular with adventurer seekers. 

Start your visit at the tree-shaded central square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero. Browse the stalls of a handicraft market and admire the elegant Cathedral of Punta Arenas. Framing the plaza are ostentatious mansions, including Palacio Sara Braun and Casa Braun-Menéndez, built by wealthy immigrants. The well-preserved rooms of these mansions offer a glimpse into the life of the city’s aristocracy. 

Discover the area’s pioneer past and sheep-farming heritage at the Museo Regional de Magallanes. Spot historical naval artifacts at Museo Naval y Maritimo. 

Visit Punta Arenas Cemetery, a short walk from the main square. Note the elaborate tombs of former city residents as you stroll along leafy paths. Nearby is the Monumento al Ovejero, a sculpture dedicated to sheep and cattle farming. 

Punta Arenas is a Free Trade Zone, great for finding bargain prices. Shop for tax-free clothes, electronics, perfumes, shoes and souvenirs at Zona Franca shopping complex. 

Explore the breathtaking Patagonia landscapes on daytrips. Go hiking and mountain biking through the forests of Reserva Forestal Magallanes. Camp, fish and trek in Reserva Nacional Laguna Parrillar. Visit Seno Otway Penguin Colony between September and April to spot thousands of Magellanic penguins. 

Reach Punta Arenas by flying from Santiago or take a multiday cruise from Puerto Montt, passing spectacular channels and fjords. Visit from October to April to benefit from sunnier days and limited rain. Enjoy a walk along the waterfront when the sun shines. From here, boats cross the Strait of Magellan to the barren wilderness of Tierra del Fuego. 

Hotel Almasur Punta Arenas
Hotel Almasur Punta Arenas
4 out of 5
Armando Sanhueza 965, Punta Arenas, Magallanes
The price is CA $89 per night from May 11 to May 12
CA $89
CA $89 total
includes taxes & fees
May 11 - May 12
Stay at this 4-star ski hotel in Punta Arenas. Enjoy room service, a health club, and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (563 reviews)
Excelente hotel
"Me encantó el hotel, realmente cómodo y confortable. La atención del personal, excepcional. La comodidad de la cama y el confort vale la pena. Las habitaciones cuentan con escritorio, perchero, pequeña nevera y tv. El baño es algo angosto, pero tiene jabón y lociones, también cuenta con secador de ..."

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Hotel Almasur Punta Arenas
Hotel Cabo De Hornos
Hotel Cabo De Hornos
3.5 out of 5
Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1025, Punta Arenas, Magallanes
The price is CA $156 per night from May 22 to May 23
CA $156
CA $156 total
includes taxes & fees
May 22 - May 23
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Punta Arenas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (356 reviews)
".....................no review"

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Hotel Cabo De Hornos
Diego De Almagro Punta Arenas
Diego De Almagro Punta Arenas
3 out of 5
Avenida Colón 1290, Punta Arenas, Magallanes
The price is CA $124 per night from May 11 to May 12
CA $124
CA $124 total
includes taxes & fees
May 11 - May 12
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Punta Arenas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (342 reviews)
"Nice hotel with a great view of the water. Within walking distance of downtown area. Staff helpful with taxi arrangements to airport."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Diego De Almagro Punta Arenas
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.
Apart Hotel Quillango
Apart Hotel Quillango
3 out of 5
Avenida Republica 363, Punta Arenas, Magallanes
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Punta Arenas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Maggiorino Borgatello Museum and Santuario ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (108 reviews)
"Alvaro nos atendió excelentemente, nos hizo unas recomendaciones muy asertivas."

Reviewed on Jan. 10, 2024

Apart Hotel Quillango
Apart Hotel Endurance
Apart Hotel Endurance
3 out of 5
21 de Mayo 1299, Punta Arenas, Magallanes y la antartica chilena
Stay at this aparthotel in Punta Arenas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Cathedral of Punta Arenas and Plaza Munoz Gamero ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (79 reviews)
Great
"Great central location. Walking distance, one block from Solo Excursions. Hotel was new and very clean. Very quiet. Great central location."

Reviewed on Apr. 6, 2024

Apart Hotel Endurance
Magellanicus Rustic Suites
Magellanicus Rustic Suites
3.5 out of 5
1020 Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, Punta Arenas, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena
Stay at this aparthotel in Punta Arenas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Santuario Maria Auxiliadora and Maggiorino ...
10/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Great Stay with the Family!
"Great stay! Host are super helpful and kind. Space was very comfortable."

Reviewed on Mar. 29, 2024

Magellanicus Rustic Suites
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.

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Reviews of Punta Arenas

3.6
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 4.761904761904762%
4 - Good
10
" "4 - Good 47.61904761904762%
3 - Okay
10
" "3 - Okay 47.61904761904762%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

GM
Mar. 24, 2019

Not really memorable.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Feb. 21, 2019

We couldn’t really say Punta Arenas was great. Ok. Only here for flights to and from Santiago to begin/end our trip to Puerto Natales and glaciers. Isla de Magdalena sounded good to see penguins but we ran out of time for this excursion.

3/5 - Okay

Sam
Jan. 9, 2019

The hotel is far from the street where all the restaurants and souvenir shops are. Punta Arenas is the point where we take boats to Magdalena Island, but not much to see in Punta Arenas, except for the view of the Magellan strait from the park.

Cities near Punta Arenas