Puerto Natales Travel Guide 2023-2024: Our Best Travel Tips

Puerto Natales – the gateway city to Torres del Paine National Park – this quiet coastal pueblo has grown in popularity among international travelers looking for stunning & unforgettable adventures while enjoying the slow-paced eclectic local lifestyle, diverse history and unique culture of Southern Patagonia.

We’ve narrowed down our top travel tips for the best local eats, top places to stay and things to do in Puerto Natales in 2023-2024 to help you enjoy the best experience during your time in this beloved, colorful coastal town. Discover even more travel tips on the KAYAK Puerto Natales Travel Guide!

Enjoy this 2023 – 2024 Puerto Natales Travel Guide

HOW TO GET HERE

To travel to the end of the world, you should plan on arriving to Chile’s capital, Santiago, at the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). From there, guests may take a 3 hour flight to Punta Arenas to the 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 Patagonia skies, this relaxing 3 hour transfer gives travelers a wonderful opportunity to spot herds of iconic Patagonian sheep, Chilean flamingos, and ñandús among other incredible species of birds along the way.

Guests can now fly directly to Puerto Natales from Santiago to the Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) via a 3 hour flight. A 10 minute taxi ride can be taken from the small airport to the downtown area where the majority of hotels and accommodations are located in Natales.

Be sure to choose a window seat if you go this route! On a clear Patagonia day, you will see the intense beauty of the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ right below you….far-stretching glacial ice fields, massive granite peaks, and an incredible medley of valleys and rivers.

If traveling within South America, connections to Santiago are available via 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 the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Combining trips in Calafate, Argentina is quite popular for many travelers which offers a convenient connection to the Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE). From Calafate, regular bus departures are offered directly to Puerto Natales or private transfers are also available!

 

Check the following Chilean Airlines for flight schedules:

TRAVEL TIP: Skip the plane ride and take it slow! Ask a Trip Specialist about the Patagonia Fjord Route navigating 4 Days & 3 Nights along Chile’s mesmerizing coast from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales! 

Window seat views of Southern Patagonia
Torres del Paine from a bird's-eye view

WHERE TO DINE

After working up an appetite traveling all this way, the first thing for many is getting out to try the local food! Fresh seafoods, delicate roasted lamb, delicious pizzas & burgers, craft beers and fine wines, and incredible pastries & desserts. So what’s our top choices for local cuisine?

Santolla – trendy shipping container restaurant with great upscale seafood @santolla.rest

Cafe Artimaña – original to it’s name & menu – our pick is the Artimaña Limonada @artimagnacafe

El Puesto Restobar – contemporary bar & grill, excellent variety of appetizers @elpuesto_restobar

La Forastera – Ok, we’re callin’ this one – THE BEST burgers & fries in Natales! @hamburgueserialaforastera

Pampa Restrobar – popular bar & grill with nice 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 inside 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 pastas, and craft beer @mesitagrande_puertonatales 

Masay –  local sandwicheria iconic to Natales and a favorite joint among locals!

Cormorán de las Rocas @cormoranpuertonatales – upscale dining with an incredible overlooking view of the waterfront and fjords. After dinner, you might as well check out the next door Wine Market @wine_and_market for some exceptional selections and tastings of fine Chilean wine!

El Asador Patagonico –  local specialists in delicious meats and authentic plates prepared in typical Patagonia style al palo ‘on a stick’. A great place for meat and wine lovers! @asadorpatagonico

Restaurant Bahía Mansa – signature cuisine recognized for its gastronomic standards, using sustainable raw materials direct from our beautiful region @restaurantbahiamansa

Café Kaiken – exquisite dishes like ravioli, empanadas, picarones, & more  prepared with the best products from Patagonia @cafekaiken.cl

Café Cacique Mulato – right along the coast with terrific views! Fresh prepared coffees and some beloved dishes like fish & chips and classic Chilean cuisine @cafe.cacique.mulato.costanera

Patagonia Dulce@chocolateria_patagoniadulce locally, handmade artisanal chocolates, cakes, cookies, grilled sandwiches, and a selection of coffee! Great atmosphere to enjoy something sweet. Bonus – they sell fresh made bread made from the hands of @lafamilia.panaderia

La Calderamodern cafe with bits of Patagonia’s past. Located right on the coast, this is one of the top spots for grilled sandwiches & bagels, excellent coffee selections, hand dipped ice cream, and an assortment of sweet treats! @la_caldera_

Factoriaconveniently located inside the Factoria Boutique Hostal, this small restaurant has freshmade pastas perfect for a delicious lunch or dinner! @factoriapatagoniachile

El Pibe – For those who have a sweet tooth, then this is the place to go! Fresh facturas (pastries), cookies, cakes, and deli sandwiches made each and every morning. @elpibenatales.cl

TRAVEL TIP: A standard 10% gratuity is automatically included on meal checks at restaurants so no need to worry about tipping! (Unless you want to give a little more which is ok too!)

WHERE TO STAY

Whether you’re in the planning stages of your trip and have yet to choose your accommodation or if you have just arrived and need a great place to rest, we’ve provided a dynamic list of some of the best hotel and overnight accommodations in town!

Hotel Vendaval – old Patagonian architecture, quiet rooms with great views, natural light, & an incredible rooftop patio @hotelvendaval

Hotel The Veat A downtown plant powered & pet friendly hotel setting the stage for your next Patagonian adventure. Beautiful atmosphere and on-site cafe.  @hoteltheveat

Vinnhauscentrally located grand boutique hotel with restaurant & bar that shares a beautiful touch of Berlin mixed with unique Patagonian styles @vinnhausnatales

The Singular – 5 star hotel that shares an important history with the development and history of Natales! One of the best restaurants in Chile, has a premium spa and only 10 minutes from Natales @thesingularhotels

Altiplanico – exceptionally designed hotel exhibiting the natural Patagonia elements of its location, cozy rooms with waterfront views, rustic hot tubs, and a great bar & restaurant in house @hoteles_altiplanico

Hotel Simple Patagonia reminiscent of the traditional farmsteads of Patagonia countryside, spectacular views of the Last Hope Sound and only 5 minutes from town @simplepatagoniahotel

NOI Indigo – trendy hotel on the coast, centrally located, great restaurant, spa on the last floor with amazing views @noiindigopatagonia

Kau Patagonia – trendy hostel with waterfront views! Great shopping & coffee bar on the first floor @kaupatagonia

Hotel Factorialocated near the heart of Puerto Natales, estancia inspired architecture highlighting native wood and light-filled rooms with a small restaurant offering great food @factoriapatagoniachile

TRAVEL TIP: Be sure to make your accommodation reservations in advance since many hotels fill up quickly during high season. And as a great alternative, check out some wonderful hidden AirBnB gems in town!

The beautiful coast of Puerto Natales provides an excellent outdoor space for tourists & locals.
Ether Aike Handcrafted Village. A wonderful place to purchase local artisan goods & crafts.

WHAT TO DO

With so many active travel experiences within reach in Puerto Natales and perhaps limited travel time, many of our guests ask the golden question – what is there to do while in Puerto Natales? Aside from visiting Torres del Paine National Park and its surroundings, here are our top local what-to-dos!

Walk La Costanera  – enjoy the best views of the Last Hope Sound, dramatic fjords, snow-capped mountains & iconic sights along the waterfront walkway

Visit El Galpon Cultural Center @elgalponlab – check for cultural events such as art showings and community events at this historic warehouse along the coast

Kayak Eberhard Fjordenjoy a full day kayak excursion on quiet waters protected by this beautiful historical fjord

Explore the Municipal Historic Museum @muni_natales – journey along the immersive and fascinating history of Southern Patagonia & Puerto Natales

Shop the Pueblo Artesenal Etherh Aike @puebloartesanaletherh – support local artists who sell their beautiful handcrafted products at this indoor artisan gallery

Visit Laguna Sofía30 minutes outside of Natales lies an incredible lagoon with plenty of hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing adventures

City Bike Tour – cruise around town, along the coast, and through the plazas of Puerto Natales on the perfect bike tour

Enjoy a local Estancia Experience – no better way to experience the culture, food, customs, and heart of Southern Patagonia than by visiting one of the many estancias (ranches) of the region

Tour the Last Hope Distillery @lasthope_distillery –  free tours are offered from Wednesday to Sunday during the high season (October – April). Tours are offered in English at 17:30 and a tour in Spanish at 18:30. No need to book, just arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour starts!

TRAVEL TIP: No matter what activity you decide to enjoy – always be prepared for Patagonia’s notorious changing weather. Always be sure to carry a waterproof & windproof jacket!

Kayaking the Eberhard Fjord is a fantastic half-day option

With so many wonderful things to do in this one-of-a-kind place, you are sure to be able to leave with some of the best experiences and unforgettable memories!

 

For more destination information, travel tips & planning in Puerto Natales and its surroundings, be sure to contact one of our Trip Specialist info@chilenativo.travel or discover more tips featured in the KAYAK Puerto Natales Travel Guide!

SY Joyce Kan
SY Joyce Kan
2023-03-07
Amazing trip! We joined the Torres Del Paine 7 day O trek tour - note that this tour is not a complete O Trek but skipping the part from Camp Frances to Las Torres, which worked in our favour as our holiday is limited and we won’t miss much. Our guide, Debbie was knowledgeable and amicable, and very passionate about hiking. Unfortunately I fell sick during the hike and wished to leave a day earlier than planned. Debbie and Chile Nativo quickly rearranged transportation for us and was very helpful. Throughout the whole process Chile Nativo was very responsive. We had a memorable journey and I would highly recommend Chile Nativo.
Jim Garvin
Jim Garvin
2023-03-02
Fantastic experience! We were booked with Chile Nativo via Swoop and had a wonderful experience. Our guides, Tim & Lucile, were awesome. We really enjoyed their company. They were very knowledgeable about the region (the history, animals, landscape, etc). Highly recommend.
Olivia Evans
Olivia Evans
2023-02-15
I booked the independent, self-guided Torres Del Paine trek with Chile Nativo’s help and was so glad I did. When I looked to book on my own, everything was all reserved in Torres Del Paine and Chile Nativo was the only agency that could help me find a spot still. To still be able to go on the trip when I wanted to go, to not have to spend so much time planning all the logistics, to get a local’s recommendations on the best way to do the trek…but STILL get to do the trek on my own was amazing and worth every penny. In particular Paolina at the agency was incredibly helpful. I would recommend this agency to anyone looking to hike in Torres del Paine.
Chiloe Natural (chiloenatural)
Chiloe Natural (chiloenatural)
2023-02-10
Serious, professional, and friendly Tour Agency in Puerto Natales that will cater your needs in Patagonia and Torres del Paine.
Kevin Jobst
Kevin Jobst
2023-01-27
Hiking in Torres with Pepa is like walking with your smartest and wisest friend. She has an incredible depth of knowledge in everything from mycology to government, from geology to history. She is fiercely passionate about conservation and our planet and has dedicated her life to making our world a better place. Our two porters Filipe and Bastian were both incredibly strong and highly professional. Always in the know on where to set up the tent, they picked the best spot in every site we were at. Also, they were an absolute blast to hang out with after the long days hiking. I cannot recommend this particular team highly enough and if you are passionate about the environment, making the world a better place, learning everything there is to know about glaciers, mushrooms, Patagonia, the history of Chile, magma intrusions and edible berries request them by name. Thank you to all three of you for making our experience so special and I hope our paths cross again.
Brad Smith
Brad Smith
2023-01-15
Our Torres Del Paine Plus trip was fantastic! A great crew of newly-made friends, guided by Izabella “La Professora”, on a journey beyond expectations. What a great time, a balance of hiking and touring. DO NOT miss the pumas!!! I will definitely go with the Chile Nativo team again, and thanks to Nestor & Juan too!
Senga Simpson
Senga Simpson
2023-01-09
Excellent service. Thank you Vicky
Lukas Winegarner
Lukas Winegarner
2022-11-28
Camilo is ledged! Chile Nativo is extremely experienced and knowledgeable - I would highly recommend booking directly through them. We were a group of 8 doing the O 7 day hike and everything was great! Thanks to Camilo & Tomas and all of our porters!

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