Things to Do in Punta Arenas in 24 Hours

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Chances are high if you’re planning a visit to Patagonia that you’ll fly from Santiago into Punta Arenas, Chile – a seaside city known as the “end of the world.” It certainly has that sense about it. It’s both bigger, windier and more colourful than I imagined it to be with an overriding sense of loneliness about it, largely because I hardly saw a soul, except on the boardwalk late in the afternoon. Despite its location near the tip of South America, it’s still another 2,000 km from Punta Arenas Chile to Antarctica!

We only had two nights and a day in Punta Arenas before hopping on a bus to Puerto Natales – the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park.

I’m glad we had the time, not only to recuperate from 24 hours of travel but to explore the city itself.

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Things to do in Punta Arenas — Punta Arenas is bigger and more colourful than I initially thought

Where is Punta Arenas, Chile?

Punta Arenas is located 3,100 kilometres south of Santiago via a three hour flight that only costs about $Cdn 150 per person. The city itself is on a peninsula overlooking the Strait of Magellan. Tierra del Fuego is on the far side of the strait.

From the modern airport it’s only a 20-kilometre ride to get to downtown Punta Arenas, and our lodging, Hotel Lacolet, located in a residential neighbourhood. From the hotel it was just five minutes on foot to get to a major bus company depot and a 12-minute walk to restaurants in the downtown area.

Things to do in Punta Arenas, Chile

You’ll find that there’s a lot more to do in Punta Arenas, Chile than first meets the eye.

According to a guide we met on the O Circuit, I understand that there is a vibrant cultural scene, especially with regards to music. So should we ever return – perhaps on a trip to Antarctica as this city is the staging area for a trip south, we’ll check in advance to see what’s happening.

If you’re heading to Patagonia, I recommend allowing a full day to check out all the things to do in Punta Arenas. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. But do go prepared to be blown around.

1. Take a boat tour to see the penguins

After one of those deep, drugged like sleeps you slip into after several long flights we were ready to explore Punta Arenas. Right off the bat we had a change in plans. The boat tour to the penguin sanctuary off of Isla Magdalena we had booked was cancelled due to gale force winds. It happens a lot so even if you’ve paid in advance you should have no problem getting a refund.

I’m sorry we missed it though as it’s supposed to be a real highlight of a visit to Punta Arenas.

2. Check out the Nao Victoria Museum

In chatting with another guest in our hotel over breakfast it was recommended to us that we visit the Nao Victoria Museum overlooking the Strait of Magellan. And so that’s what we did. The museum is home to replicas of famous ships including a full size replica of one of Ferdinand Magellan’s ships – the Nao Victoria.

You’ll also see Darwin’s HMS Beagle and Shackleton’s James Caird. Allow a solid hour as its fun to explore the insides of all the boats.

A visit will also get you thinking about how tough life would have been as a sailor, both in their spartan quarters and out on some of the most dangerous seas on the planet. No thank you!

The Nao Victoria Museum overlooks the Strait of Magellan in Punta Arenas

Replica of the Nao Victoria — The Nao Victoria – the first ship to complete a circumnavigation of the globe

Replica of Darwin's HMS Beagle — Replica of Darwin’s HMS Beagle

A replica of Shackleton's James Caird — Can you ever picture yourself in this boat – a replica of Shackleton’s James Caird? It made the treacherous crossing from Elephant Island to South Georgia Island though one day it nearly sank from the weight of 15 inches of ice

Ancud - a ship that, claimed the Strait of Magellan — Ancud – a ship that, claimed the Strait of Magellan on behalf of Chile’s under an 1843 mandate of the President of Chile, Manuel Bulnes

Being blown about by the wind at the boat museum in Punta Arenas — Hard to keep your balance with the wind – and the boat isn’t even moving

3. Visit Reserva Forestal Magallanes

Our next stop was at the Reserva Forestal Magallanes – a short taxi ride away from Punta Arenas. A visit here offers some lovely hiking through native forest filled with coigüe, lenga and ñire trees.

We planned a loop hike but ended up doing an out and back one as we found a side trail with lovely views back over the city and across the Magellan Strait, towards Tierra del Fuego.

Allow at least two hours – more if you want to complete the loop. We had our taxi driver wait for us for a reasonable fee.

Walking through native forest in the Reserva Forestral Magallanes

Wildflowers in the Reserva Forestal Magallanes — It’s a treat to see wildflowers in January

4. Watch the portion sizes at restaurants

We were famished after visiting the museum and the park, so we had the taxi driver drop us off on a downtown street filled with restaurants. We wandered into one where all the chairs were covered with sheepskin. After battling wind for hours it was a treat to be warm and cozy again.

Sheepskin covered chairs at a restaurant in Punta Arenas — We loved the sheepskin covered chairs at a restaurant in Punta Arenas

It was apparent when we got our food that we had incorrectly divined what we were ordering.

Portion sizes were monstrous (we found that on several occasions) so order half of what you think you need. John ordered empanadas and got a plate that belonged in a buffet line. Don’t forget to order the local drink – the pisco sour.

After our monster meal we decided it was time to walk again. This time we made for the promenade along the ocean and spent the next few hours watching birds, getting our photos taken in front of the Punta Arenas sign and just taking in what life looks like on a summer Sunday in Punta Arenas.

Massive portion sizes in many Chilean restaurants — Our friend Scot a tad overwhelmed with his stew that could feed a family of five

Looks like 2 potatoes and half a sheep in this soup bowl!

5. Walk the promenade in Punta Arenas

One of the top things to do in Punta Arenas is to walk along the city’s waterfront promenade that stretches from one end of town to the other.

As you’ll see in the photos, there will be lots of birds to watch – especially cormorants, eclectic murals along a section of its length but across the street, the Punta Arenas city sign (great photo op), a monument to immigration and even basketball courts.

Allow at least an hour and more if it’s a fine day. On clear days try to pinpoint the island of Tierra del Fuego across the Strait of Magellan.

By the time we’d finished walking the promenade we were ready to head back to the hotel. We’d had a very enjoyable day in Punta Arenas and I think we all came away with at least a sense of the city at the end of the world.