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Looking for the top things to do in Punta Arenas, Chile? We’ve got you covered!
You might be traveling here to see the adorable penguins Punta Arenas is famous for. But if you’re wondering what else there is to do here, I’m happy to tell you that there are lots of unique activities! We’ve traveled to Punta Arenas three different times now and found new experiences each time.
So whether you’re up for trekking through the Patagonia region, seeing a variety of penguins and wildlife, or want to dive into the history of this old city, it’s all here. All of these activities are easy to book and fit into your schedule, so you can simply enjoy the sights!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do in Punta Arena is visit the penguins on Isla Magdelena! We saw thousands of penguins and learned all about them from our guide. Check out the positive reviews and book his tour here!
Tip: This is a popular experience – book your tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Things to do in Punta Arenas, Chile
1. See Penguins on Isla Magdelena
This has to be first on my list of things to do in Punta Arenas because it is what Punta Arenas is most famous for – penguins! Isla Magdalena is a small island 35 kilometers (22 miles) off the coast of Punta Arenas. This island is said to be home to over 150,000 Small Magellan Penguins!
In such a small space with so many penguins, it is almost impossible not to see any penguins – which makes visiting Isla Magdalena such a popular activity for tourists!
There are a few ways to reach Isla Magdalena, but taking this organized tour is by far the easiest! If you go on your own, the public ferry is slow and very expensive, so I’d recommend taking this tour.
We loved our experience on this tour because our guides were a fountain of information! They knew exactly where to go to find the penguins, and we learned about their behaviors and all the quirks that make these penguins so cute! Our guide led us around for about an hour and we saw hundreds of penguins during that time.
An organized tour is not much more expensive, and to me, it is worth it. Tour company boats will get you to the island faster and they give you much more time to explore. Not only did we see penguins, but also sea lions, cormorants, and more southern gulls than I could count!
This tour takes off early in the morning so you can see the penguins when they are most active. It is $130 USD per person and lasts for about a half day, so you can add other activities to your schedule too.
Check availability and book this tour in advance to get FREE cancellation!
2. Go on a Punta Arenas City Tour
There is no better way to get to know a city than with a local. Going on a city tour with a local guide to the best way to see all of the most popular sights and learn a ton in a short amount of time. Punta Arenas is such an interesting city too, so there’s a lot to learn. That’s why this full-day city tour is one of the top-rated tours in Punta Arenas – check out the 100+ 5-star reviews here!
We started out by exploring Fort Bulnes, which is the first Chilean settlement in the region. This area is simply stunning, and it was really interesting learning about the history here too. There’s a museum and a coffee shop here, but I really enjoyed wandering around and taking in the views.
Our guide led us to more city sights, such as the iconic cemetery and the Plaza Munoz Gamero. We finished up by checking out a lookout above the city, for more of those impressive views! This tour was really comprehensive and we couldn’t believe how much there was to learn about Punta Arenas. I’d say it’s an essential tour for first-time visitors – I was blown away!
Oh, and did I mention this is a private tour? Just the cherry on top! Prices vary by group size, starting at $272 USD per person for a group of two.
Book this top-rated tour in advance here and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
3. See King Penguins
Many people have no idea that there are different penguins you can see from Punta Arenas and they are the king penguins! These penguins are the second-largest penguin species in the world (after the emperor) and let me tell you, they are magnificent to see!
Just like the Magellan Penguins, it’s easiest to see King Penguins on an organized tour. We went on this full-day tour and it fulfilled all of our penguin dreams!
We saw dozens of penguins and watched them for nearly an hour (from a respectful distance of about 20 meters (65 feet) with the help of binoculars.) These rare penguins are so entertaining as they waddle and swim about. I even saw a fluffy brown chick!
It is a little bit of a mission to visit the king penguins from Punta Arenas. You must first take a ferry across to the island of Tierra del Fuego and then drive approximately 1.5 hours to reach Parque Pinguino Rey (where the king penguins are. That’s why we opted to take the organized tour – it made this journey way easier.
We also had a few other stops along the way, such as the Porvenir Museum and the quaint Cerro Sombrero village.
This tour is the best way to see king penguins! You can book it from November through March, and it only operates Thursday through Sunday for $145 USD per person.
Dates are limited – reserve this tour in advance here before it sells out!
4. Day trip to the Torres del Paine National Park
The Torres del Paine is a very famous National Park about a 3-hour drive from Punta Arenas.
I love Torres del Paine National Park! I’ve hiked the “W” and “O” circuits, which are both multi-day hikes. They aren’t for the faint of heart though, so if you’re not up for an 8-day trek or don’t have the time for one – a full-day tour to Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas will be a great alternative!
Just be prepared for a long day, but it was beautiful and totally worth it!
This full-day tour is the best out there, with dozens of positive reviews (see them all here!). Upon arriving in the national park, you’ll see a handful of gorgeous lakes, surrounded by the biggest mountains you’ll ever see! Seriously, it’s hard to describe how astoundingly beautiful this area is – you’ll just have to go see it for yourself. My favorite stop on this day tour is Grey Lake, where you’ll take a short walk to the Grey Glacier, as you can see in the photo above!
I also love that this tour visits the Mylodon Cave for about 40 minutes of exploration. Visiting here is another perk of taking a tour because it makes finding these gorgeous sights a breeze.
It’s important to note that entrance to the Mylodon Cave or Torres del Paine National Park is not included. Be sure to bring money with you and check the exact costs with the tour provider before you go.
Otherwise, this tour makes visiting the beautiful national park simple. You can book this full-day tour for $165 USD per person.
Book this bucket-list tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Go Mountain Biking
There are some great trails for mountain biking near Punta Arenas! From riding downhill through the forest to around the ski club, it is all quite the adventure and a unique experience here. We love mountain biking in really scenic areas because it’s such an immersive way to explore. Plus, you can cover a lot more ground than walking!
In order to go mountain biking, you must book a tour. This tour is a full-day experience that drives you to three different areas where you’ll be about to go downhill mountain biking! I love that this lets you get off the main tourist track and into the wilderness. We saw a lot of wildlife and learned about the history of the area from our local guide.
This small group tour will give you tons of views including the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego Island, and Otway Sound. Snacks, park fees, all equipment and gear, your guide, and transport are included! This experience is $192 USD and lasts all day.
Reserve this tour in advance here and get flexible cancellation and payment options!
6. Go Whale and Dolphin Watching
Getting out on the water to try and spot the local wildlife is always an adventure! From Punta Arenas on this whale-watching tour, you could spot various species of whales including humpback whales and sei whales.
But whale watching tours aren’t just about whales in this part of the world. Expect to see dolphins (like we did!), sea lions, various birds, and even glaciers!
This tour will be a 12-14 hour day and will take you out to visit the Francisco Coloane Marine Park by sailing through the Strait of Magellan. This is one of the southernmost parts of the world so your chances of seeing whales and other marine life in these uninterrupted waters are very likely.
I think that this is one of the most unique places to go whale watching in the world, as you’re so close to Antarctica and on the strait that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – how cool is that!?
Whale watching season runs from early December to the beginning of April. Tours don’t run every day, so be sure to book your tour early to ensure your date. This tour is $390 USD per person, and while that sounds expensive, it takes care of breakfast, lunch, snacks, transportation, and your whale watching experience – and remember it’s a long day!
Book this tour here to access reserve now, pay later options.
7. Hike inside Magallanes National Reserve
You don’t have to travel far to go hiking. On the outskirts of Punta Arenas is the Magallanes National Reserve where you can hike the Lenga Trail! I know you’re probably thinking that most hikes in the Andes mountains are incredibly strenuous, but that’s why I love this trail! The Lenga Trail is a short 2.5 km (1.6 mi) hike that all healthy individuals should be able to easily complete.
To make your day even easier, you can book this private hiking tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll get to explore the Patagonian forest and learn all about this unique ecosystem. Believe me, this place is goregous and I had tons of questions about it!
Your guide will take you through the Andes mountains you’ll see beautiful flowers and plants as you cover all different types of terrain. There may be a few different opportunities to spot wildlife and binoculars are provided to give you optimal viewing capabilities.
I love hiking tours because I don’t have to worry about logistics such as parking, finding the trail, or packing lunch – they take care of it all for you! An included box lunch is provided for you to enjoy halfway through the trek, and then you’ll be refueled to keep going.
Prices vary by group size, starting at $300 USD per person for two people, and getting cheaper with a larger group. It’s a 4-hour tour, so you can easily fit it into your schedule.
This tour is likely to sell out – reserve your spot here for FREE cancellation options.
Where to Stay in Punta Arena, Chile
There are tons of different places to stay in Punta Arenas! Here are a few of the best hotels for every budget based on customer service, location, and value for money!
Luxury – $$$
Hotel Jose Nogueira – One of the most beautiful hotels Punta Arenas inside of a historical old building from 1895 that is within walking distance to many shops and restaurants. Rooms are huge and cozy. The onsite bar and restaurant is the perfect place to relax and enjoy during the evenings and there’s even a comfortable sunroom too. Really, it’s one of the more memorable stays in Punta Arenas if you ask me!
Rooms are about $192 USD per night and can be reserved on Booking.com.
Mid-range $$
Almasur Punta Arenas – This is the hotel for you if you like amenities and being just a couple minutes from the main square! The rooms are modern, comfortable, and very clean. The hotel has a gym and a hot tub to relax in. They provide a buffet breakfast and for dinner a spread of Chilean dishes and wine. All this for just around $139 USD a night!
Check availability and reserve your room on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Haiken Hostel – Haiken Hostek offers private rooms with private external bathrooms which all include a delicious breakfast! There is also a spacious shared kitchen so you can save money on your other meals by cooking here. The hostel is super clean and the 24/7 front desk does everything in their power to help guests whenever possible.
Private rooms start around $55 USD and can be booked on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
I hope our blog has helped you discover what to do in Punta Arenas as well as everything you need to plan your trip! I truly enjoyed Punta Arenas, Chile (way more than I thought I would) and I hope you do too!
If you’re traveling more in Patagonia be sure to check out our range of Patagonia blogs – they are sure to be helpful too! Or easily click from my other recommending guides below:
24 FUN Things to do in Santiago, Chile