Location: Puerto Natales
Top Things to do in Puerto Natales
- 1. Torres del Paine National Park
- 2. Glacier Grey
- 3. Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza)
- 4. Estancia Puerto Consuelo
- 5. Muelle Historico
- 6. Monumento al viento
- 7. Museo Historico e Industrial Puerto Bories
- 8. Cueva del Milodon
- 9. Historical Museum,Municipality of Puerto Natales
- 10. Mirador Cerro Dorotea
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto Natales, Chile
Proximity to the stunning Torres del Paine National Park makes Puerto Natales a gateway to adventure. It’s the best place to stock up on supplies and get your gear in order before you hop a two-hour bus ride to the park. This is an area for nature lovers, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, sailing and exploring.
Restaurants in Puerto Natales
1. Torres del Paine National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
A hiker's dream, this national park contains huge granite Mountains surrounded by clear lakes and a series of well-maintained trails that vary in degree of difficulty.
Reviewed By Jim K
The scenery of the towers is undeniably breathtaking and if you're in this part of the world then it would seem silly not to visit. So why the 1-star review?
The entire area has gone cash-happy. Prices for even the simplest dorm accomodation are higher than top-end hotels in other parts of the country and a decent hotel in the park would run to thousands of US dollars a night. Food is equally expensive. None of it is down to difficulty or shortage, it's just the name and reputation of the park being squeezed dry.
This year a new rule means that all campsites on the trek must be pre-booked to avoid overpopulation and rough camping. Great idea - except that the campsites are run by different companies and bookings are done by email. Most of them take many weeks to reply - website forms, if they work at all, just send mails - and if one night is booked out, you need to email all the others to cancel and re-book, and then wait a few more weeks to see if the new dates are available. A regular campsite with a non-optional meal and no other facilities can run to over USD100 per night, if you can book it at all. Or you could pay several times that to have a trek company book it for you.
A private room with kitchen we booked just outside the park turned out to be bunks in a dorm with no cooking facilities available except as a basic fixed-price set meal at city-center restaurant prices - and no other option within an hour's drive.
In short, as glorious as the scenery is, I'd recommend avoiding the entire area until the locals back off a bit, both on the prices and the "Pay up or get lost" attitude. Do what they suggest and get lost, by going to Fitzroy in Argentina to get a place which is almost as beautiful but actually wants you to be there.
2. Glacier Grey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Whether hiking to it or simply viewing it from afar, this massive glacier is truly extraordinary.
Reviewed By Ken P - Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Great end to our 'W Trek' around Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park. If you have time, walk up the track to the right for some great views over the glacier from the foot Bridges on the route. I thing you need to go a good couple of miles for the best views.
3. Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
A sail through this beautiful Sound offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Mountains, and the setting is particularly gorgeous at sunset.
Reviewed By Mary K - Carmel, Indiana, United States
This glacier is gorgeous and a moderate hike to get to. Even touched a piece of floating ice! Worth the trip to see this.
4. Estancia Puerto Consuelo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By jgregb - Scottsdale, Arizona
We did a horseback riding trip here as an excursion from The Singular. The ride was pretty close to incredible for the views and scenery. The duration was perfect. The horses seemed well mannered and made for a great ride. Our only issue, the facilities were a bit rough.
5. Muelle Historico
Overall Ratings
4 based on 415 reviews
Reviewed By JamesKMTan
This is one of the most relaxing spots in Puerto Natales. It is a run down broken pier just outside the town. There are some benches for you to sit. It is an excellent place to take photographs during sunset. Must go when you are in Puerto Natales.
6. Monumento al viento
Overall Ratings
4 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By Wanda71 - Summerfield, Florida
After leaving Torres del Paine, these sculptures were especially relevant. We had endured hurricane force winds! These sculptures with the Mountains in the background so perfectly represented our experience. The entire waterfront walk with kids roller boarding, couples strolling, sculptures and scenery made this area a highlight. We wouldn't have found it without Trip Advisor!
7. Museo Historico e Industrial Puerto Bories
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By PSchicke - Livermore, California
At first we were not sure about this tour in what is now the Singular Hotel. However, the experience was memorable. We walked into a turn of the century cold storage plant facility that has now been transformed into a 5-star hotel. It was just incredible to see what they had done with the place, combining luxury and comfort with the historical preservation of this national landmark.
Puerto Bories cold storage plant is where around 8,000 head of sheep where processed and exported to Europe every day. This was the main economic activity that allowed Puerto Natales to grow and thrive between early 1900 to mid-1970´s.
The museum can be self-guided and is a great way to get to know the origins of the industry. The machinery was brought in from England, by the same manufacturers of those found on the Titanic. This machinery is very well preserved and gave us a deep glance into what this place would look like when fully operational.
I recommend an hour visit to the museum, coupled with a drink at the Singular Bar. This is an activity that will immerse you into another time and setting, the architecture and decor will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on anybody who walks in.
8. Cueva del Milodon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By buffaloman69 - Ignacio, Colorado
After spending the day at Torres de Paine we stopped at the caves was a nice way to end the day, the cave has a very large opening and is neat to walk init.
9. Historical Museum,Municipality of Puerto Natales
Overall Ratings
4 based on 137 reviews
Reviewed By Ashton S - Mashpee, Massachusetts
This was one of my favorite activities in Puerto Natales. The museum offers a bit of geologic history of the area (you'll soon discover why the local population boasts of the megalodon!) and of the native people who inhabited the area prior to European encroachment.
The museum contains plenty of artifacts, and the information boards/presentations are written both in Spanish and in English. At 1000 pesos per person...this is definitely a must-see!
10. Mirador Cerro Dorotea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Lesly D - Vancouver, Canada
This is a short two or three hour hike climbing an escarpment overlooking Puerto Natales and its surrounding magnificent Mountains and waterways. I took a taxi for 7,000 pesos from town and paid 5,000 to the family through whose land you have to cross to do the hike. They were hospitable and don't speak English. When I returned from the hike they provided me lwith tea and cake. When I wanted to take a taxi back they emphatically said "No" but I couldn't understand why. Eventually I understood that the man was going to town and would take me, which he did for free. While the air was cool at the start of the hike, at the top of the escarpment there was a fierce, cold wind that almost blew me over. If one desires, the escarpment can be followed for some distance, with some ups and downs. Thus is a fine hike to do if you have some down time.
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