Planning

Puerto Natales travel guide 2025: Our best travel tips

09/04/2025

4 min

Puerto Natales is the gateway city to Torres del Paine National Park. This peaceful coastal town has grown in popularity among international travelers looking for stunning and unforgettable adventures while enjoying the eclectic, laid-back local lifestyle, diverse history, and unique culture of Southern Patagonia.

We have gathered our best travel tips on the best places to eat, stay, and explore in Puerto Natales in 2025. We want to help you enhance your experience during your stay in our beloved and colorful coastal town. Discover even more travel tips in the Puerto Natales Travel Guide on KAYAK!

Enjoy this 2025 Puerto Natales Tourist Guide.

How to get there

To travel to the end of the world, you need to plan your arrival in Chile’s capital, Santiago, at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). From there, guests can take a 3-hour flight to Punta Arenas to Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), followed by a public bus or private transfer to Puerto Natales. Crossing the pampas under the vast skies of Patagonia, this relaxing 3-hour transfer offers travelers a wonderful opportunity to spot flocks of iconic Patagonian sheep, Chilean flamingos, and rheas, among other incredible bird and animal species along the way.

Guests can also fly directly to Puerto Natales from Santiago to Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) on a 3-hour flight. A taxi can be taken from the small airport to the city center, where most of the hotels and accommodations in Natales are located, just 10 minutes away.

Be sure to choose a window seat if you choose this route! On a clear day in Patagonia, you’ll see the intense beauty of the “eighth wonder of the world” right beneath you… vast fields of glacial ice, enormous granite peaks, and an incredible mix of valleys and rivers.

If traveling within South America, you can reach Santiago on a 3.5-hour flight from São Paulo Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU), or a 2-hour flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE). The Calafate, Argentina route is a very popular option for many travelers, as it offers a convenient connection to Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE). From Calafate, regular bus departures directly to Puerto Natales are available, or private transfers are also offered.

Check flight schedules for the following Chilean airlines:

TRAVEL TIP: Skip the flight and take it slow! Ask a travel specialist about the Patagonia Fjords route, which takes 4 days and 3 nights along Chile’s fascinating coast from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales.

Where to eat:

After traveling here, the first thing many people do is head out to try the local food. Fresh seafood, delicate roast lamb, delicious pizzas and burgers, craft beers and fine wines, amazing cakes and desserts. So what are our top local dining choices?

Santolla: A modern restaurant in shipping containers offering excellent top-quality seafood @santolla.rest
Café Artimaña: Original in its name and menu; our pick is the Artimaña Lemonade @artimagnacafe
El Puesto Restobar: Contemporary bar & grill with an excellent variety of appetizers @elpuesto_restobar
La Forastera: OK, we’ll call this the BEST burgers and fries in Natales! @hamburgueserialaforastera
Pampa Restrobar: Popular bar and grill with a lovely outdoor patio and great music @pampa.restobar
Go Bar de Hielo Natales: An ice bar with exquisite drinks and music. A unique concept replicating the interior of a glacier. @gobardehielo
Afrigonia: Africa meets Patagonia in one of the best restaurants in town! @afrigoniapuertonatales
La Mesita Grande: Delicious wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and craft beer @mesitagrande_puertonatales
Cormorán de las Rocas: Luxury restaurant with an incredible panoramic view of the coast and fjords. After dinner, you can visit the next door wine market: @wmpatagonia to enjoy an exceptional selection and tastings of fine Chilean wines. @cormoran_de_las_rocas
El Asador Patagónico: Local specialists in delicious meats and authentic dishes prepared in typical Patagonian style al palo ‘on a stick’. A great place for meat and wine lovers! @asadorpatagonico
Restaurante Bahía Mansa: Award-winning fine dining recognized for its culinary standards, using sustainable raw materials directly from our beautiful region. @restaurantbahiamansa
Café Kaiken: Exquisite dishes like ravioli, empanadas, picarones, and more prepared with the finest Patagonia products cafekaiken.cl
Café Cacique Mulato: Right on the coast with fabulous views! Fresh prepared coffee and some very popular dishes like fish & chips and classic Chilean cuisine @cafe.cacique.mulato.costanera
Patagonia Dulce: @chocolateria_patagoniadulce Handmade artisan chocolates, cakes, cookies, grilled sandwiches, and a coffee selection. A great place to enjoy something sweet. They also sell freshly made bread by @lafamilia.panaderia
Factoria: Conveniently located inside the Factoria Boutique Hostal, this small restaurant offers freshly made pasta, perfect for a delicious lunch or dinner! @factoriapatagoniachile
El Pibe: For those with a sweet tooth, this is the ideal place. Fresh pastries, cookies, cakes, and sandwiches prepared every morning. @elpibenatales.cl

TRAVEL TIP: A standard 10% tip is automatically included in restaurant bills, so there’s no need to worry about tips (unless you want to give a little extra, which is ok too!).

Where to stay

Whether you’re in the planning stages of your trip and haven’t chosen your accommodation yet or have just arrived and need a place to rest, we provide a dynamic list of some of the best hotels and accommodations in the city!

Hotel Vendaval: Old Patagonian architecture, quiet rooms with excellent views, natural light, and an amazing rooftop patio @hotelvendaval
Hotel The Veat: A centrally located pet-friendly hotel powered by plant energy, the perfect setting for your next Patagonia adventure. Beautiful atmosphere and on-site café. @hoteltheveat
Vinnhaus: A great boutique hotel in the center, with a restaurant and bar, blending beautiful Berlin touches with unique Patagonian styles. @vinnhausnatales
The Singular Hotel: A 5-star hotel with a significant history tied to the development and story of Natales. One of the best restaurants in Chile, with a premium spa. @thesingularhotels
Altiplanico: An exceptional design hotel showcasing the natural elements of Patagonia from its location, cozy rooms with sea views, rustic jacuzzis, and an excellent bar and restaurant at the hotel @hoteles_altiplanico
Hotel Simple Patagonia: Reminiscent of traditional Patagonian farmhouses, spectacular views of the Last Hope Strait, and just 5 minutes from the city @simplepatagoniahotel
NOI Indigo: A trendy hotel on the coast, centrally located, with an excellent restaurant and a rooftop spa with stunning views @noiindigopatagonia
Kau Patagonia: A trendy hostel with sea views. Excellent shops and café on the first floor. @kau_cafe
Riverside Camp Patagonia: Located near the Serrano River and Torres del Paine, Riverside Camp is Chile’s first campsite built with eco-wood, transforming 20 tons of waste into an ecological space with zero-waste cooking @riverside.patagonia

TRAVEL TIP: Be sure to book your accommodation in advance, as many hotels fill up quickly during peak season. And as a great alternative, check out some of the wonderful hidden gems on Airbnb in the city!

What to do

With so many active travel experiences at your fingertips in Puerto Natales, and perhaps limited travel time, many of our guests ask the golden question: What can you do in Puerto Natales? In addition to visiting Torres del Paine National Park and its surroundings, here are our top local activities!

Walk along the costanera: Enjoy the best views of Last Hope Strait, spectacular fjords, snow-covered mountains, and landmarks along the coastal promenade.
Visit the El Galpon Cultural Center @elgalponlab: Check out cultural events like art exhibitions and community gatherings in this historic warehouse along the coast.
Kayak in the Eberhard Fjord: Enjoy a full-day kayaking tour in the calm waters protected by this beautiful historical fjord.
Explore the Municipal Historic Museum @muni_natales: A journey through the fascinating history of Southern Patagonia and Puerto Natales.
Shop at the Etherh Aike Artisan Village @etheraike: Support local artists selling their beautiful handmade products at this indoor artisan gallery.
Visit Laguna Sofía: Just 30 minutes from Natales, you’ll find an incredible lagoon with lots of adventure opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing.
City Bike Tour: Ride through the city, along the coast, and around Puerto Natales’ squares in the perfect bike tour.
Enjoy a local estancia experience: There’s no better way to experience the culture, food, customs, and heart of Southern Patagonia than visiting one of the region’s many estancias (ranches).
Visit the Last Hope Distillery @lasthope_distillery: Free guided tours are available Wednesday to Sunday during high season (October to April). Tours are in English at 5:30 p.m. and in Spanish at 6:30 p.m. No need to book in advance – just arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts!

TRAVEL TIP: Regardless of the activity you decide to do, always be prepared for Patagonia’s changing weather. Be sure to carry a waterproof jacket and windbreaker at all times!

With so many amazing things to do in this unique place, you’ll surely leave with some of the best experiences and unforgettable memories!

For more information about the destination, travel tips, and planning in Puerto Natales and its surroundings, make sure to contact one of our travel specialists at [email protected] or discover more tips presented in the KAYAK Puerto Natales Travel Guide.