Punta Arenas
Among South America’s most fascinating cemeteries, with both humble immigrant graves and flashy tombs, like that of wool baron José Menéndez, a scale…
Must-see attractions in Southern Patagonia
Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes
Southern Patagonia
The historic sites of Puerto Hambre (Port Hunger) and Fuerte Bulnes are the centerpiece of this privately managed park, an excellent introduction to…
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
Southern Patagonia
Soaring almost vertically more than 2000m above the Patagonian steppe, the granite pillars of Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) dominate the landscape of…
Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins
Southern Patagonia
Virtually inaccessible, Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins remains an elusive cache of glaciers. It can be entered only by boat. From Puerto Natales, full…
Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos
Southern Patagonia
The thriving Magellanic penguin colonies of Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos on Isla Magdalena and Isla Marta are well worth visiting, particularly if you…
Punta Arenas
A naval and maritime museum with historical exhibits that include a fine account of the Chilean mission that rescued Sir Ernest Shackleton’s crew from…
Southern Patagonia
In the 1890s, German pioneer Hermann Eberhard discovered the partial remains of an enormous ground sloth in a cave 24km northwest of Puerto Natales. The…
Punta Arenas
This opulent mansion testifies to the wealth and power of pioneer sheep farmers in the late 19th century. The well-maintained interior houses a regional…
Punta Arenas
Facing the Plaza Muñoz Gamero’s north side is the Club de la Unión, which houses the former Palacio Sara Braun, now known as the Casa Braun-Menéndez.
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
Take a moderate hike up Río Ascencio to a treeless tarn beneath the eastern face of the Torres del Paine for the closest view of the towers.
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
An easy hour's walk leads to Mirador Nordenskjöld, an overlook with superb views of the lake and mountains.
Punta Arenas
A central plaza of magnificent conifers surrounded by opulent mansions. Facing the plaza’s north side, Casa Braun-Menéndez houses the private Club de la…
Punta Arenas
On display are a collection of antique farm and industrial machinery, a typical pioneer house and shearing shed, and a wooden-wheeled shepherds’ trailer.
Punta Arenas
The pet project of the Caceres brothers, this funky homespun museum is a delightful detour for fans of natural history. Imaginative displays use fine…
Punta Arenas
Pioneer days are made real again at the Patagonian Institute's Museo del Recuerdo, part of the Universidad de Magallanes. The library has historical maps…
Southern Patagonia
Roughly midway between Villa Tehuelches and Puerto Natales on blustery, paved Ruta 9, Río Rubens is a fine trout-fishing area and, for travelers with…
Southern Patagonia
This oddball national park is a desolate landscape of rugged volcanic steppe. Its pocked formations gave it the name 'devil's country' in Tehuelche…
Puerto Natales
Worth a quick visit, this is a crash course in local history, with archaeological artifacts, a Yaghan canoe, Tehuelche bolas (throwing weapon) and…
Southern Patagonia
Great hiking and mountain biking through dense lenga and coihue, 8km from town.
Punta Arenas
Especially influential in settling the region, the Salesian order collected outstanding ethnographic artifacts, but their museum touts their role as…
