Choose from 124 Fun Things to Do in Chile
La Iglesia San Vicente Ferrer
Practical Info
Puna Pau
Practical Info
Punta Arenas Cruise Port
How to Get to Punta Arenas
Cruise ships dock at either Arturo Prat or Mardones/Bahia Catalina Pier. If you arrive at Arturo Prat, the center of town is an easy 10- to 15-minute walk from the port or a short taxi ride. Coming from Bahia Catalina, a taxi is your best option and should cost $10-$15.
One Day in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is easily walkable and you can see many of the main sights in a few hours – either on your own or with a guide. Your starting point should be the central plaza, Plaza Munoz Gamero, where you can pick up a map from the tourism kiosk. If the weather is good, you may also find locals selling their crafts in the plaza. Browse the stands and snap a few pictures of the statue of explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Then, pay a visit to two museums near the plaza: the 19th-century Palacio Sara Braun and the Museo Regional de Magellanes, which features interesting displays about the history of Punta Arenas.
Next, check out the municipal cemetery, located about nine blocks north of Plaza Munoz Gamero. Crypts and mausoleums belonging to English, Portuguese, Spanish, Croatian and other colonial settlers reflect the vast cultural diversity of the city. From there, make your way to the Nao Victoria Museum, a new interactive museum that includes a full-size replica of the ship that Ferdinand Magellan used to circumnavigate the globe.
Finally, spend some time wandering around the streets surrounding the main plaza, including Avenida Bories, the city’s main shopping street. Pick up an alpaca sweater, lapis lazuli (gemstones) or some wooden handicrafts before heading back to the port.
If you’re interested in visiting penguins, a half-day excursion will take you to Otway Sound, about an hour from Punta Arenas, while a slightly longer trip might head to Isla Magdalena in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. If you are looking for a more active adventure, you can book a guided kayak tour into the Strait.
Port Information
The official language is Spanish and very little English is spoken. The local currency is the Chilean peso, but US dollars, and even Euros, are widely accepted at tourist-oriented establishments. Credit cards are also commonly accepted and several ATM's are located around the city’s main plaza. The cruise terminal has restrooms and an internet café, but not much else.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is popular as the smaller, less accessible port town just 15 minutes from Puerto Montt, overlooking beautiful Lago Llanquihue and the snowcapped peak of Osorno Volcano.
The pretty city attracts active travelers with wonderful hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing opportunities; you could arrange to scale that magnificent volcano if you have the time. But Puerto Varas is a cultural gem as well, with its wonderful German architecture exemplified by the red, wooden spires of the hilltop cathedral. The city is also well known for its German-accented cuisine, in particular the tasty kuechen, or cakes, just desserts after a busy day exploring the countryside.
Practical Info
Isolated from the ocean, Puerto Varas lies on the shores of Lago Llanquihue. It is accessible by land from the larger city of Puerto Montt, with flights to Santiago and other Chilean cities, regular ferry connections up and down the coast, and buses throughout the region. Minibuses make the 15-minute trip between Puerto Montt's main terminal and central Puerto Varas throughout the day.
You can also cross to Bariloche, Argentina via Lago Todos los Santos, from Puerto Varas.
Lake Todos los Santos
Practical Info
Punta Arenas Municipal Cemetery
Practical Info
Moon Valley
- Moon Valley and the Atacama Desert are must-visits for nature lovers.
- Pack sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water as there’s little shade in the desert, but bring warm clothing for the evening hours too, as temperatures can drop quickly, even in summer.
- Most of the desert roads are unpaved and the terrain uneven, so a 4WD is advisable, and comfortable walking shoes are a must.
- Cell phone service is scarce throughout the desert, and Wi-Fi is only available at a few hotels in San Pedro de Atacama.
La Parva Ski Resort
Practical Info
La Vega Central
Practical Info
Osorno Volcano
Practical Info
Puerto Montt Cruise Port
How to Get to Puerto Montt
Puerto Montt is a tender port – you will actually get to shore via large, flat-bottomed tender boats that dock at the Puerto Angelmo fishing cove. From there, you can walk into the city. Buses for shore excursions usually pick up in the parking lot adjacent to the dock.
One Day in Puerto Montt
Like many smaller South American ports, visiting Puerto Montt is about enjoying the natural surroundings – there isn’t much to keep you in the city itself.
Go water skiing on Lake Llanquihue or try your hand at fly fishing on the Maullin River. Soar 125 feet above ground on the Osorno Canopy Zipline while enjoying views of Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Experience the thrill of rafting on class III and IV rapids on the Petrohue River. Canoeing, hiking and biking are all great options as well.
For those who prefer to relax, you can spend the day simply checking out the Feria Artesenal Angelmo arts and crafts market (one of the best places in Chile to pick up knitted sweaters and leather goods), picnicking on Pelluco Beach or exploring the nearby German village, Frutillar.
Port Information
The official language is Spanish, but limited English may be spoken by those working in the tourism industry. The local currency is the Chilean peso. ATM's are available throughout the city or you can look for a “casa de cambio” to change US dollars to pesos or cash traveler’s checks. Credit cards are widely accepted.
La Campana National Park (Parque Nacional La Campana)
Naturalist and explorer Charles Darwin himself paid the spot a visit in 1834, hiking to the top of the scenic hill that gave the park its name. With various types of hawks, alligators, eagles, snakes, owls, and giant frogs, it´s no wonder UNESCO has recognized the area as a Biosphere Reserve for its high number of unique species.
Those wanting to recreate Darwin's journey can take the El Andinista Trail (Sendero El Andinista), which lasts the average hiker around five hours and is quite a difficult climb. Enthusiasts will be rewarded at the summit by a plaque commemorating Darwin's accomplishment and, more importantly, a panoramic view of the Andes and surrounding coastal valleys – even a sliver of the Pacific Ocean, if the day is particularly clear. Just don´t forget to register at the checkpoint for more detailed advice and important guidelines to follow while trekking.
Orongo Village
Practical Info
Hanga Piko
Practical Info
Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso
Practical Info
Hanga Roa
Practical Info
Puritama Hot Springs
The name "puritama" simply means "hot water" in an ancient, pre-Inca tongue, suggesting that these medicinal springs have been used for millennia. With high concentrations of relaxing lithium and minerals accorded all sorts of health benefits, they are guaranteed to mellow you out. Temperatures hover around 33°C (91°F), so they aren't ridiculously hot, making daytime visits a treat.
Though most pools have been left in a relatively natural state, there are changing rooms, eateries, campsites, trails, handicrafts vendors and other improvements all around.
Practical Info
The Puritama Hot Springs are about 30 km (19 mi) north of of San Pedro de Atacama, which most people use as a base. This popular tourist town tempts travelers with treks to several other amazing destinations, including Moon Valley, Atacama Salt Lake, Licancabur Volcano, El Tatio geysers, and some of Chile's most important archaeological sites.
San Pedro's small airport has regular flights to Santiago and elsewhere in the region, while buses connect the town to Calama, Antofagasta, San Salvador de Jujuy (Argentina), and Uyuni (Bolivia).
You must have private transportation, or book a tour, to visit the hot springs, as there are no public buses. Cars can be hired in San Pedro.
La Sebastiana
Practical Info
La Chascona
Bursting with Neruda´s odd collections and romantic personality, the house serves as unique insight into one of the most important figures in the country´s recent history. Music boxes, exotic artifacts, original chinaware, toys, antiques, and an overwhelming library with thousands of books are only part of the appeal; also on display are a replica of his Nobel Prize (presented in 1971 for literature) and a portrait of Urrutia by the famous artist Diego Rivera, which holds a secret of its own.
Though later vandalized by dictator Pinochet´s men, La Chascona has been restored and is now open to the public via tours (English included). La Sebastiana in Valparaiso and Casa de Isla Negra in Isla Negra, Neruda´s other two homes, are also preserved and maintained as museums revealing his life and obsessions. Although Pinochet outlawed the observance of Neruda´s funeral, thousands of loyal Chileans filled the streets in his honor nonetheless. After a walk through La Chascona´s bizarrely enchanting chambers, visitors will easily understand how the passionate writer and dedicated communist could continue to inspire people for generations.
Photo courtesy of Pekka Parhi via Wikimedia Commons.