Visit Puerto Natales

All roads to Torres del Paine pass through Puerto Natales, and the countless hikers and adventurers that stop off here are served well by numerous hiking and camping shops and a variety of hotels and dining options. Spend a day here preparing for your trek in Torres del Paine, or stop a while on your way back after you've finished your adventures. 

Where to stay

Soak in a spa at a remote luxury hotel, gaze upon views of the Last Hope Sound from your boutique hotel bedroom, meet fellow travellers at a lodge that doubles as a community hub, or immerse yourself in gaucho culture on an estancia. Puerto Natales has it all, and we've put together a selection of our favourites to help you to find the accommodation that suits you. 

Getting there

How you get to Puerto Natales largely depends on where you are travelling from. Crossing the border from Argentina is either time-consuming or very expensive, so travelling from Chile is by far the better option. There are no direct flights from Buenos Aires to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales – you would have to take a connecting flight via Santiago.

From Santiago

Flights from Santiago operate twice a week during the peak season (December - February), offering easier access to Torres del Paine during the summer months. You'll save about three hours on the road, but it's important to be aware that the flights are somewhat unreliable.

Puerto Natales

Santiago, Chile

From Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas has more regular flights than Puerto Natales, so is often a better bet to fly into. From the airport you can then take the bus to Puerto Natales, a journey of approximately 3 hours which departs regularly and costs around USD $7.

From the airport we recommend Buses Pacheco and from the town centre Bus-Sur or Buses Fernandez. We suggest you ask your tour operator to book the bus in advance for you, we'd be happy to help.

PuntaArenas

Punta Arenas & the Strait of Magellan

From El Calafate

From El Calafate you can catch a bus that will take you over the Chilean border, the bus takes around 6/7 hours (depending on how long it takes to cross the border) and costs approximately USD $55. You could also take a private transfer. Some of our luxury lodges in El Calafate include a transfer to Puerto Natales.

Puerto Natales

From Puerto Montt

Navimag operate a ferry service between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales. It is a 4 day journey for which you can book a private or shared cabin. Ticket prices start from USD $450 and include all meals.

Puerto Montt, Patagonia, Chile

Things to do

The hiking, fishing, horse riding, condor spotting and kayaking opportunities in this area are outstanding. Experience the full choice of activities with daily excursions from one of Puerto Natales's luxury all-inclusive spa hotels.

In 1896, remains of a giant ground sloth were found in a cave just outside Puerto Natales. The Milodon Cave is now a popular tourist attraction, and you can explore some of the 30 metre high, 200 metre deep cave on a day trip from the town.

Explore some of the off-the-beaten-track wilderness with a boat trip to Peninsula Antonio Varas, where plenty of trails, forests, beaches and glaciers offer spectacular hiking and wildlife watching opportunities.

Experience traditional gaucho culture by spending a few days living and riding from a local estancia, where families have lived off the land for generations.

Puerto Natales

Getting to Torres del Paine

Buses operate from Puerto Natales town centre to Torres del Paine, taking 2.5 hours. Book well in advance as availability can be tight.

If you'd like a like a little more flexibility you can take a private transfer, however these are considerably more expensive. By far the most adventurous option is taking a boat from the Last Hope Sound up the Serrano river, straight into the heart of the national park.

Almost all guided trips and tour itineraries include the journey from Puerto Natales. If you're staying at a hotel or luxury lodge in the national park, it's likely you'll enter the park on one of their shared transfers from Punta Arenas or El Calafate which often stop at Puerto Natales for lunch.

Cerro Paine towers, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Las Torres, Torres del Paine

Customer review background image

What our customers think of Puerto Natales

Fly direct to Puerto Natales and skip Punta Arenas if you can, it’s a more interesting town especially in off season. Read the full review

Travelled: April 2022

Maddie Emberson - Canada

Review:

How do I get to Torres del Paine?

Illustrated Guide
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Swoop says

Taking a boat into Torres del Paine brings a whole different perspective to the park, cuts out a few hours on a bus, and brings a real sense of adventure to your journey.

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Puma in Torres del Paine

Wildlife in Torres del Paine

As dusk falls and the hikers retreat from the trails, the national park belongs to some of it's most elusive residents. Pumas pad silently down the mountainside, endangered Huemul …

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Hiking in Torres del Paine

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Stay on an Estancia near to Puerto Natales

Estancia Mercedes

Estancia Mercedes

A warm welcome awaits you at Estancia Mercedes. Both a family home and estancia; it is cosy, with home cooked food and no internet or phone signal. There are lots of cats, …

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landscape around estancia la peninsula

Estancia La Peninsula

Cross the Última Esperanza Fjord to relax and explore the remote Antonio Veras Peninsula. Hike and horseback ride through lush forests and along rocky beaches to surrounding …

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Estancia Mercedes

Estancia Mercedes is a family home and estancia; it is cosy, with home cooked food and no internet or phone signal. There are lots of cats, dogs and horses allowing you to enjoy a true Patagonian gaucho experience.

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Ready to plan your Patagonia adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

Reserve

We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.

Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.

1-855-369-7866