Presidente Carlos Ibanez del Campo International Airport is located around 13 miles outside of the city of Punta Arenas. Due to the island’s remoteness, a plane is one of the main ways of reaching the island. 

There are several cruises (during the summer December to March) and ferries that transport visitors to Punta Arenas. This can be an expensive option.  

There are rental car companies at the airport. There are taxis available outside the airport and a ride to the city center will take about 15 minutes and cost between CLP7,000-14,000. Taxis are not always readily available at the airport when you land, it is recommended to arrange for a radio taxi ahead of time. Uber is readily available at the airport. 

Public transportation in Punta Arenas consists of buses and taxis. The public bus system consists of four lines that start from the downtown station and travel out to the suburbs. They are not useful for getting around the city center or the main attractions. Bus schedules are tracked using the Moovit app.   

Cruise ships visit the Punta Arenas port quite frequently during the summer, many start their journey in Ushuaia, while others travel from as far away as Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo.  Ferries travel across the Magellan Strait from Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego a few times a week. The ferry takes cars and passengers and the journey takes about 2.5 hours. The ferry is operated by Transbordadora Austral Broom. 

There are many opportunities for epic boat trips in Punta Arenas (all dependent on the weather).

The roads in Punta Arenas are not that easy to navigate. It is not advisable to have a car when visiting you can walk around town or get a taxi. If you plan to travel outside the area then renting a car to do so is a good idea. 

There are plenty of taxis readily available in town. There are regular metered taxis and collective taxis (route taxis). Taxis can be hailed from the street or called and ordered over the phone. There are quite a few taxis found around the main Plaza Munoz Gamero and a flat rate of around CLP350 is charged for a ride anywhere within the city limits. 

Yes, the town of Punta Arenas is relatively small and easily accessible on foot. The streets are set out in a grid-like layout and many things are located around the main Plaza Munoz Gamero so visitors can walk to shops, restaurants, bars, and major attractions. The promenade is a good place to begin your exploration of the city, a refreshing (sometimes very windy) stroll along the waterfront will take you from one end of town to the next. 

There are some places in and around town to take a bike ride. Puntas Arenas features many hills and some excellent trails for mountain biking and a thrilling, unique experience. The scenery here is magnificent and exploring by bicycle is a great way to do it. There are some tours available. 

Punta Arenas 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.

In the small compact center of town is where most of the shopping is located in Punta Arenas. Plaza Munoz Gamero is the busy heart of town with a great offering of stores, handicraft stores, cute cafes, and art galleries. Plaza de Armas the Bories, and Magallanes Streets are other locations of some good shopping with many souvenir shops. There are quite a bit of unique shopping opportunities and different kinds of stores to explore as well as vibrant local markets like Mercado Municipal and Feria Artesanal where visitors can pick out that special souvenir. High-end shopping options in the city center are located around Zona Franca. The city’s famed tax-free zone; Zona Austral in Bulens Avenue and one of the most important shopping centers in Patagonia featuring over 100 stores. These markets are fun with many offerings like clothing, authentic Chilean goods, fresh produce, fish, and seafood. The Mall Espacio Urbano Pionero is a busy shopping mall with a wide variety of stores that range from local to international brands, along with fast food and sit-down restaurants, and movie theatres.

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?`

Punta Arenas features a subpolar oceanic climate with cold temperatures and some rain due to its southern latitude and proximity to the ocean. The average temperature lows are 30 F, and highs are 57 F degrees with pretty stable constant temperatures that vary just slightly with the seasons. April and May see the highest rainfall of the year, and snow is possible anytime during the Chilean winter (June to September). The city is well known for its strong winds of up to 81 mph which are at their strongest in the summer months. Summer is one of the best times to visit, despite the wind, the average temperature is around 50 F degrees.  What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Punta Arenas 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.

Punta Arenas has some delicious cuisine and plenty of excellent restaurants to dine at when visiting the coastal port city. Seafood lovers will rejoice at the endless opportunities to enjoy delicious fresh fish and seafood like Centolla (king crab), shellfish, and Casuela (seafood stews). Local Patagonia lamb is another popular menu item in Punta Arenas. The downtown area is where diners will find the most options when it comes to restaurants, cafes, and pubs especially the strip along O’Higgins. Major hotels also offer restaurants with decent food options without traveling outside your accommodations. There’s a lot of traditional Chilean Cuisine and dishes to try in the city as well as a great variety of international cuisine. 

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. 

There is a vibrant nightlife scene to choose from in Punta Arenas offering night-goers a good variety of bars, trendy lounges, Chilean pubs, and bustling nightclubs to explore. There is quite a lively local music scene in the city where many establishments offer entertainment with live bands and DJs that play a mixture of traditional and contemporary music. The city’s historic center and the popular Cerro La Cruz neighborhood are where many of the evening establishments are located offering guests tasty cocktail menus, great music, and dancing opportunities in a festive, welcoming atmosphere. There are some great cozy local pubs to sit back and enjoy a nice pint of local beer after a busy day and upscale lounges with posh cocktails and luxurious settings. Punta Arenas also boasts a popular casino where guests can choose from a wide variety of games including slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker. There is a bar, restaurant, and live entertainment offered onsite. 

In case of an emergency dial 911 or 107

Hospital:

Hospital Clinico de Magallanes tel. 56-61-229-3000