Puerto Natales★★
Puerto Natales — The Gateway to Torres del Paine
Puerto Natales is a small town (20,000 inhabitants) on the Última Esperanza Fjord (Last Hope Fjord) and the starting point for all Torres del Paine adventures. The town itself is unpretentious but charming: colorful wooden houses, cozy restaurants with lamb and Pisco Sour, and a view over the fjord that becomes spectacular at sunset.
What to Do in Puerto Natales
- Get Equipment: Several outdoor stores rent tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, and gas stoves for the W-Trek. Cheaper than in Santiago.
- Cueva del Milodón: 24 km north lies the cave where in 1895 a huge, perfectly preserved hide of a giant sloth (Milodón) was found — an animal that went extinct 10,000 years ago. A life-size replica stands in front of the cave. The cave entrance itself is massive (30 m high, 200 m deep).
- Kayak Tours on the Fjord: Paddle through the fjord landscape with views of glaciers, condors, and sea lions.
- Patagonian Lamb: Puerto Natales is the best place to try Cordero al Palo — a whole lamb roasted on a spit over an open fire for hours. The parrillas (grill restaurants) in town are legendary.
Getting There
From Santiago: Flight to Punta Arenas (3.5h), then bus to Puerto Natales (3h, buses from Buses Fernández, about 8,000 CLP). Or flight directly to Puerto Natales (Aeródromo Teniente Julio Gallardo) — seasonally served by Sky Airline.
💡 Tipp
Plan at least one day in Puerto Natales before and after the trek: Before the trek, rent equipment and buy supplies, after the trek, rejuvenate tired bones with Cordero al Palo and Chilean red wine. Cervecería Baguales brews excellent craft beer.