Things to do in  Punta Arenas

Situated just north of the tip of South America, Punta Arenas lures eager young travelers, rugged backpackers, and laidback cruise-goers for adventure, sightseeing, and the Patagonian wilderness awaiting outside city limits. The capital of Chile’s Magallanes region, Punta Arenas often serves as a convenient jumping-off point for adventure, offering travelers easy access to services such as ATMs and Wi-Fi before they hit the road to Puerto Natales (three hours away), Tierra del Fuego, and Torres del Paine National Park. Shore excursions and transfers accommodate travelers who want to remain on the move, but for those who wish to linger nearby, local attractions abound. Hop on a boat to watch for whales, or take a ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Marta Island and Magdalena Island to see a penguin colony along with thousands of Cormorants, Austral seagulls, Antarctic pigeons, dolphins, and more. Or, stick around the city to explore the collection of 19th-century Victorian mansions and humble abodes that paint the town red—and just about every other color. A handful of museums catalogue local natural and maritime history, while another chapter of Chile’s colonial history is on display at Fort Bulnes (Fuerte Bulnes), where visitors can see an accurate replica of the original 19th-century village.