Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas sits at the tip of the Brunswick Peninsula, making it one of the world’s most southerly ports and a key departure point for Antarctic voyages. The Chilean city lies on the north‑eastern shore of the peninsula, faces the Strait of Magellan and serves as the capital of the Magallanes and Antarctica Chilena region. With a population of about 127,000 in 2012, it is the largest settlement south of the 46th parallel and the most populous southernmost city in the Americas.
The municipality stretches across the entire peninsula and includes a chain of islands such as Santa Inés, Desolación, Dawson, Aracena, Clarence, Carlos, and Wickham. From the harbor, visitors can glimpse the rugged outlines of these largely uninhabited lands, while the city’s downtown streets are threaded with ropes that help pedestrians navigate the strong summer downdrafts that can reach 130 km/h. The climate is subpolar oceanic, with average July lows near –1 °C and January highs around 14 °C; rainfall remains low at 380 mm annually because the Andes cast a rain shadow.
Founded in 1848 as a penal colony to assert Chilean sovereignty over the Strait, Punta Arenas grew during a 19th‑century gold rush and a sheep‑farming boom that produced a company controlling 10,000 km² across Chile and Argentina. Since 1977 it has operated as one of only two Chilean free ports, and since 2017 the city observes a year‑round UTC‑3 time zone. The community was the first significantly populated area to experience direct effects of the thinning ozone layer after 1986.
Its claim as the southernmost city with more than 100,000 residents keeps Punta Arenas on the map for travelers seeking the edge of the inhabited world.
Experiences in Punta Arenas
Explore hand-picked Punta Arenas tours and experiences led by local insiders, from wildlife encounters to cultural deep-dives.
Punta Arenas City Tour
Magdalena and Marta Island Excursion
Where to stay in Punta Arenas
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Punta Arenas accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Hotel Almasur
Hotel Almasur in Punta Arenas, Chile is a cozy retreat nestled in the heart of the city, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere to travelers seeking a comfortable and friendly place to stay. Located on a quiet street just a short walk from the city's main square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero, the hotel provides easy access to Punta Arenas' historic center and its many attractions.
Hotel Almasur Punta Arenas
Hotel Almasur Punta Arenas, is located just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas of the city of Punta Arenas, close to banking services, post office, pharmacies and historical palaces, museums, port and other sites of tourist interest. Our hotel, with four star service, is a modern building with an architectural design inspired by the traditions and history of the Province of Magallanes, with cozy and comfortable interior spaces, where the guest will find, besides charm, varied services, technology and small details that makes it an ideal hotel for executives and families who visit the city for business and / or tourism.
Deigo de Almagro Punta Arenas
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Punta Arenas, look no further than Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Punta Arenas, Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas is located a short distance from Memorial to Ferdinand Magellan (0.5 mi) and Santuario Maria Auxiliadora (0.6 mi). Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas offers guests an array of room amenities including a minibar, and getting online is possible, as free wifi is available. The hotel offers a concierge and room service, to make your visit even more pleasant. The property also features a pool and free breakfast. Guests arriving by vehicle have access to free parking. When you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out El Fogón de Lalo, Restaurant El Arriero, and San Telmo, which are some barbeque restaurants that are popular with locals and out-of-towners alike. If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Solo Expediciones (0.6 mi), Cementerio Municipal (0.7 mi), or Mirador Cerro De La Cruz (0.8 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance.
La Yegua Loca Boutique Hotel
La Yegua Loca Boutique Hotel is nestled in the heart of Punta Arenas, Chile, a charming coastal city surrounded by the majestic beauty of Patagonia. This intimate boutique hotel offers a peaceful retreat for travelers seeking a unique and authentic experience in one of South America's most breathtaking regions.
Insider-led Chile Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
