Experience Puerto Natales

Overview

The small port town of Puerto Natales is a pleasant picturesque place to visit in the Chilean Patagonia, nestled on the edge of the Ultima Esperanza Sound. It is the gateway to the famous stunning Torres del Paine National Park and is the port city for boats touring the Patagonia fjords. The enchanting remote town is blessed with stunning scenic surroundings including majestic snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring wilderness, and natural wonders. An action-packed destination offering outdoor adventurous and nature lovers endless possibilities with hiking, sailing, trekking, mountaineering, sport fishing, and exploring.

Things to see and do

Check out Museo Historico located along the picturesque waterfront featuring the remnants of a historic dock which provides a popular photo spot with incredible views of the Ultima Esperanza Sound, and the snow-capped mountains in the background. Browse the small museum to discover the complex and diverse cultural life of the town and learn the interesting local history of the indigenous populations, and early settlers of the region. The museum features preserved artifacts from the Kaweskar and Tehuelche tribes, as well as lots of informative boards including photographs, and objects that document the colonization of the area.

Climb Cerro Dorotea or Dorotea Hill which rises to 2,624 feet above sea level, this popular hill and hike are just 10 minutes outside of town. This small mountain overlooks Puerto Natales, the Ultima Esperanza fjord, and the Admiral Montt Gulf which are all spectacular sights to photograph from the lookout spot at the top. The walking/hiking trail winds up the hill for a few hours to reach the summit resulting in the phenomenal panoramic views of the spectacular scenic surroundings including the mountains of Tierra del Fuego in the distance.

Visit the historic Cueva del Milodon or Mylodon Cave just outside of town where the remains of an ancient giant sloth were discovered in 1895. A great destination for paleontological interest and insight into Patagonia’s history dating back 10,000 years ago, the cave possesses some of the earliest human evidence in the region. The cave was formed by three caverns which all preserve their remains intact, there is a life-size replica of the famous mammal which gives the cave its name. Hermann Eberhard found a piece of the ancient mammal's skin, and the discovery was immortalized by writer Bruce Chatwin who wrote about the cave and the giant sloth-type animal.

Check out Laguna Sofia set amongst awe-inspiring landscapes, this stunning scenic area is surrounded by dramatic cliffs like “Tenerife” which resembles a volcano. This is a serene place to visit and get a glimpse of the area’s natural beauty and various bird species like the Andean Condor, and Chilean flamingos. There are natural caves, and cascading waterfalls in the vicinity, and the area around the lagoon itself is a great spot for a peaceful walk, a relaxing picnic, and being among nature.

There are many options to go horseback riding in the area, this is one of the best activities to explore the area. There are many horseback riding tours through the surrounding pampas (plains), forests, and mountains in Patagonia. Local cowboys, gauchos, or baqueanos provide a great experience meandering through the varied landscapes. A popular tour takes riders to the Condor Viewpoint where condors can frequently be seen flying overhead.

Torres del Paine National Park

Visiting the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. The main feature of the park is the most beautifully shaped mountainous known as “towers” (torres) which are an impressive, and unique rock formation known as “Torres del Paine”. The towers make up the Torre Central which stands tall at 9,186 feet; The South Tower or Torre Sur measures 9,350 feet tall, and the North Tower or Torre Norte is 7,375 feet tall. This spectacular scenic park is listed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and is home to hundreds of different species of birds, and many mammals. The epic scenery of the park is made up of massive rock formations, gigantic glaciers, and raging waterfalls. Some of the best hikes in Patagonia are found within the park, there are options for multiple days of hiking and trekking one of the most popular being the iconic W Trek.

Dining

There’s a wide variety of great restaurants to choose from when visiting Puerto Natales. The menus here vary greatly depending on what suits your palate with traditional Patagonian dishes, fresh seafood, regional roasted lamb dishes, pizzas, burgers, pastries, and desserts. Puerto Natales offers fine dining establishments and casual eateries. The small town is not lacking when it comes to good restaurants. Visitors can expect to find both local and international cuisine made with fresh local ingridients. There are several good cafes and bars dotted around. Savoring some delicious fresh team-crafted barbecue in Puerto Natales is possible with delicious mouth-watering meats like guanco, and lamb served hot off the grill. Santolla the giant Magellan king crab produces some of the most delicious tender meat, it's a staple of Patagonian cuisine. There are so many scrumptious dishes served in town that are centered around this delicious delicacy, try a hearty bowl of classic chupe de centolla (king crab pie) heaping with chunks of crab meat and cheese, or enjoy a spectacular crab boil.

Some authentic Chilean dishes include caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesan (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, then topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche.

Nightlife

Puerto Natales offers a vibrant nightlife scene with a mixture of great bars, clubs, breweries, and other nighttime entertainment. Live music and traditional Chilean dances can be found at most local bars throughout the town along with unique electronic beats and traditional Latin music. Many establishments feature talented musicians playing everything from folk to rock. Puerto Natales town transforms at night into a lively hub boasting vibrant bars, cozy pubs,, and a lively welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can sip on drinks by the waterfront or go dancing all night in a bustling club. There are some excellent sunset views to soak up in Puerto Natales, head to the seaside bars for the best spot to soak up the mesmerizing colors with a delicious cocktail in hand. Sitting by the water and soaking in the sights and sounds of the water and waves provides a tranquil relaxing atmosphere. Many visitors enjoy these moments to reflect on Puerto Natales’s rich scenic beauty and its enchanting surroundings. Lively Pub Crawls are popular in Puerto Natales, tour guides take partygoers to the best local bars and hidden gems in town with a range of drinks and experiences.

The town is popular for craft beer enthusiasts as it is home to several great breweries that provide unique tasting experiences with local flavorful brews. Popular spots in Puerto Natales for beer tasting include Austral and Wiken, many breweries in town often host special events offering a great opportunity to meet locals and other travelers. Visitors can take a free tour of the Last Hope Distillery in town Wednesday through Sunday in the high season at 5:30 pm. Visitors can also check out the southernmost mini-liquor factory in the world, located in the heart of downtown Puerto Natales. Take a free tour of the distillery and get a drink at the little bar which serves the widest variety of gins and whiskeys in Patagonia.

A very unique evening experience in Puerto Natales is midnight hiking which allows visitors to traverse the stunning surroundings and landscapes under the sparkling night sky. The walking trails are illuminated by the moonlight which allows visitors a different perspective of the region's beauty. One of the best options and trails is the Torres del Paine National Park offering a truly memorable experience at night. The popular park is renowned for its majestic mountains, and diverse wildlife along with stories and knowledge from an expert guide.