There are two airports located close to Puerto Natales where visitors can arrive. The Presidente Carlos Ibanez del Campo International Airport in Punta Arenas or the smaller Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport located 6 miles away from Puerto Natales. 

There are options to rent cars at both airports. There are buses at the Presidente Carlos Ibanez del Campo International Airport. There are also taxis available. 

Most of the bus services in town are run by Bus Sur, a company that serves the city and its nearby attractions. Buses run between Perto Natales and Punta Arenas with some buses stopping at the airport. The bus station or Terminal Rodoviario in town is located at Avda. Espana #1455. 

A rental car is not needed to get around Puerto Natales but can be a good idea for traveling longer distances and making trips to attractions like Torres del Paine more convenient.   

Puerto Natales is a port town, so there are ferry services that travel here. You can reach Puerto Natales by a popular 3-night Navimag ferry trip from Puerto Montt. The cruise travels through Chile’s southern fjords passing through breathtaking scenery. The cruise leaves Puerto Montt every Saturday and returns every Wednesday to Puerto Natales. 

There are plenty of taxis widely available around town. A taxi can be hailed off the street or found around the main plazas. Uber X is also available on the Uber app. 

The town is small and compact and built on a grid-like pattern. It is easily accessible on foot with many places of interest located within walking distance. The majority of the restaurants, hotels, and bars can be found centered around Plaza de Armas in the city center. La Costanera is a seafront walk that runs along the shores of Puerto Natales to Pedro Montt, it travels along the bay of the evocatively named Last Hope Sound along a paved walkway and gravel tracks.  

Yes, riding a bike around Puerto Natales is possible and a pleasant way to get around town. There are plenty of opportunities to rent bicycles either from your accommodation or bike rentals in town. There are also bike tours available that travel along the coast and through the many plazas. Visitors can also take bike trips around Torres del Paine National Park.   

Puerto Natales is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years crimes against tourists are becoming more common with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night and don’t walk outside the main center of town. 

Puerto Natales has a good selection of shops dotted around town, many located near the popular Plaza de Armas. The town boasts quirky souvenir shops, local shops selling authentic items, colorful markets, outerwear, and outdoor clothing and equipment stores, as well as some outlets. Wander around town and down the main street stopping into different shops and picking up items like clothing, accessories, and unique souvenirs handmade from local wool, and local boutiques selling local wines and cheeses. 

Spanish is the official language of Chile. You will most likely find English speakers in Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia, and other tourist-centered enclaves across the country. There is not a high percentage of English speakers in Chile, but if you are to find someone who does speak English, they are most likely younger and/or work in the service industry. Take some time to learn key phrases in Spanish, like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it?, where is the bathroom?, and numbers from 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `¿Habla inglés?`

Visiting Puerto Natales between November and March when it is summertime in the southern hemisphere is the best time to visit. This time of year offers visitors some of the most ideal weather with warm temperatures and longer daylight hours which are ideal for exploring the many outdoor activities in the region. It can be crowded during the summer months, and prices go up tremendously, as the area is packed with tourists. The daily average temperatures during the summer here hover around 60F degrees, and it is always windy in this part of Patagonia. Puerto Natales features an oceanic climate with short, somewhat warm summers and wet, chilly winters. The springtime and fall months are a lot less crowded with cheaper accommodations. Springtime welcomes colorful blooms and the falls ushers in autumnal hues, both with milder temperatures. Most attractions in the area will close during the winter months between June and August.  What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Puerto Natales is the Chilean Peso. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Argentine pesos upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

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 parmesana (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 which are 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, and topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche. 

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 town 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 go on 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. 

In case of an emergency dial 911 or 107

Hospital:

Hospital de Puerto Natales tel. 56-61-245-2000