10 Things to do in Chilean Patagonia That You Shouldn't Miss

June 9, 2021 Christa Meece

Dazzling fjords and vertiginous Andean peaks cover Chile's best-known region, turning this slim swath of land into a playground for skiing, whitewater rafting and trekking. To the north lies San Rafael Lagoon National Park with its impressive ice fields. In Patagonia's southern stretch, the city of Punta Arenas is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, which attracts serious climbers and casual day hikers to its granite peaks, glaciers and waterfalls.
Restaurants in Chilean Patagonia

1. Torres del Paine National Park

Torres Del Paine National Park, Torres del Paine National Park Chile +56 61 236 0014 http://www.conaf.cl/parques/parque-nacional-torres-del-paine/
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 6,038 reviews

Torres del Paine National Park

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 TEBlaise - Ilion, United States

I have been to many beautiful places from Alaska to Iceland, but this place is a world apart. It's label as the 8th wonder of the world is spot on. I drove around this park with my wife and son and had to stop around every corner to take a photo, and the views just kept getting better. The best view by far was from the top of Mirador Condor (which is where the photo was taken), The air is the freshest I have ever breathed and the views are something out of a painting. We rented a car and winged it, enabling us to go wherever we wanted.This place should be on everyone's bucket list.

2. Capillas de Marmol

Carretera Austral, Puerto Rio Tranquilo Chile
Excellent
85%
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13%
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5.0 based on 522 reviews

Capillas de Marmol

Reviewed By Farmlabourer - Dumfries, United Kingdom

A wet and fast boat trip to the caves followed by a gentle tour in an out of the caves. A lot of explanation but all in Spanish but the main point is what you see. The longer trip is probably worth the extra cash for a more relaxed time in the caves.

3. Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo

Coyhaique Chile +56 9 4272 5813 http://www.conaf.cl/parques/reserva-nacional-cerro-castillo/
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
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5.0 based on 282 reviews

Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo

4. Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael

Carr Austral, Puerto Rio Tranquilo Chile +56 67 221 2225 http://www.conaf.cl/parques/parque-nacional-laguna-san-rafael/
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
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5.0 based on 81 reviews

Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael

Reviewed By KristenT316 - Baltimore, United States

We really enjoyed getting to be this close to a glacier (at 1km away it felt in our face!). The knowledgeable, happy, and friendly guides were great. It was a long van ride from Tranquilo, with nice views along the way but for fog, then we got reshuffled at the pier, then the boatride was not short either but also good views despite fog. No bathroom on boat - use one before getting on and at the park with the short walk near the glacier. They fed us (and I am vegetarian) very well (starting on the boatride) - eating a hot meal while sitting on the top of the boat looking at the glacier calve was incredible. Wear full rain/wind gear and gloves and have a strap on your camera. Wear waterproof walking shoes/boots or take a change of good socks.

5. Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes

Ruta Y-621, s/n 52 Km South From Punta Arenas, Punta Arenas 6200000 Chile +56 9 9679 6644 [email protected] http://www.parquedelestrecho.cl
Excellent
52%
Good
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4.5 based on 839 reviews

Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes

The Magallan's Strait Park is a protected area of almost 250 hectares. The primary objective is the conservation and divulgation of the natural and historical heritage within it. The places of interest within the Park are: - Museum 'Of the Strait' (Interpretation Center): The landscape’s centinel, with its 1.600 square meters which include cafeteria, souvenir shop, panoramic terrace and an interpretive-multimedial display. - Fort Bulnes NHM Site: Two kilometers beyond the Interpretation Center and covering an area of 4 hectares, lies the reconstruction of the first chilean settlement of the territory. - Coastal Trail: Low to medium difficulty pedestrian-only trail extending for about one mile that runs through the woods and rocky parts around the Fort. - Wind Forest Trail: Low difficulty pedestrian-only trail extending almost 300 meters (330 yards) leads to the famous Del Estrecho lookout.

Reviewed By manuelaE3038WG - Montevideo, Uruguay

Great experience: high quality museum, picturesque fort and nice walk. It is also very well managed. We went with our rented motorhome and got assistance all the way to make sure we could drive smoothly

6. Glacier Grey

Puerto Natales Chile +56 61 271 2196 http://www.turismolagogrey.com/en/navigation-to-grey-glacier/departures-rates-to-grey-glacier.html
Excellent
75%
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4.5 based on 1,955 reviews

Glacier Grey

Whether hiking to it or simply viewing it from afar, this massive glacier is truly extraordinary.

Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States

Viewed Grey Glacier from a distance during a moderate hike within Torres Del Paine National Park. It was simply awesome and to view and hold some of the broken small icebergs of the glacier from up close in the lake was memorable. There are several other options of viewing the grey glacier including boat navigation. Certainly would very highly recommend viewing the Grey Glacier to any tourist.

7. Cementerio Municipal

Punta Arenas Chile 029612212777
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
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4.5 based on 2,556 reviews

Cementerio Municipal

Reviewed By Mahal2013 - Berwick, Australia

this without doubt is one of the best cemetery I have been too. I really enjoyed exploring graves and mausoleums walking along the manicured cypress trees. Wide variety of tombs and lots of history as well as great photo opportunities. Well worth spending an hour or so wandering around. In fact, I have a spare 30mins now, I think I will go back!

8. Nao Victoria Museo

km 7,5 norte sitio 2A,, Punta Arenas Chile +56 9 9640 0772 [email protected] http://www.naovictoria.cl
Excellent
62%
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4.5 based on 1,040 reviews

Nao Victoria Museo

The Nao Victoria Museum is a private museum. fee cost $ 4000 It aims to provide a real experience in replicas of the most important ships in the Magallanes Region. There are four open replicas to visit in the Museum: Nao Victoria, the only fleet commanded by Ferdinand Magellan completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. James Caird, originally a lifeboat Endurance that sailed from Elephant Island to South Georgia during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton 1916. Goleta Ancud, the ship, under the command of Manuel Bulnes, President of Chile, took the sovereignty of the Magellan Strait to Chile with the construction of Fuerte Bulnes. HMS Beagle, the famous British Navy brig, under the command of Captain Fitz Roy raised cartography work of Magallanes Region. Aboard the boat mythical young Charles Darwin began writing his theory of evolution. surround sound, and many replicas of ancient weapons that can be used by visitors to take pictures

Reviewed By RMJ42 - Santa Rosa, United States

We were on a tour in the rain and did not have enough time to visit this very interesting site. They have a Magellan vessel, a Darwin vessel and Shackleton vessel, all full size with interesting descriptions in Spanish and English. You could spend a lot of time just exploring the ships and getting a history lesson as you read.

9. Isla Magdalena

Jose Nogueira 1255, Punta Arenas 6200000 Chile +56 61 271 0219 [email protected] http://soloexpediciones.com/
Excellent
67%
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4.5 based on 337 reviews

Isla Magdalena

We are specialists in navigating the Strait of Magellan and the Sub-Antartic insular area. Nature and adventure are put at your reach by exploring places of great interest due to their diversity of sea wildlife and landscapes. Enjoy the millenary glaciers and Cape Froward, the most southern place of the American continent. Hear the sound of the wind and the humpback whales, and walk among thousands of Magellan penguins.

Reviewed By BillPNo1 - Friendswood, United States

Our visit to the Magdalena Island Pengiun Reserve was one of the best tours of our entire South American Cruise. We were able to walk among the penguins and their burrows all over the small island while thousands of Magellanic Penguins kept us company, walking nearby or standing and watching us watch them. Solitary and in pairs, the penguins clustered and scampered about while some rested in the entrances to their burrows. Down at the shore, the penguins can be seen in the water and frolicking in the shallow water adjacent to our boat and dock.The Island Reserve is also home to three species of sea-birds: skuas, kelp gulls, and cormorants. who live and nest near and adjacent to the penguins on the island. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve. It's Great!

10. Mirador Cerro De La Cruz

Punta Arenas Chile
Excellent
45%
Good
41%
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4.5 based on 365 reviews

Mirador Cerro De La Cruz

Reviewed By 863SueM - Williamsburg, United States

As part of our walking tour of Punta Arenas, we climbed the hill to get to this spot to overlook the city and surrounding body of water. A great view if it’s a clear day.

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