Puerto Natales, located in the Magallanes Region and the Chilean Antarctic, is much more than a simple southern city: it is the cultural, historical and natural heart of Chilean Patagonia. Located on the banks of the Sendoret Canal, between the Gulf Admiral Montt and the Seine Ulta Esperanza, this city is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and to a world of indomitable landscapes, livestock tradition and endless exploration.
A History Forged by Wind and Work
The history of Puerto Natales is as deep as its fjords. Originally inhabited by the Kawésqar and Aónikenk, nomadic peoples who were experts in sailing and touring these lands, the area was explored by Juan Ladrilero in 1557, who named it “Last Hope” in his attempt to find the Strait of Magellan. In the 19th century, explorers such as Santiago Zamora and Captain Ramón Serrano Montaner rediscovered the potential of the region, driving its population.
The city was officially founded on May 31, 1911, in a context of livestock boom. The Puerto Bories fridge, now the iconic Hotel The Singular, was the economic engine of the area for decades, processing sheep products for export to Europe. Puerto Natales also experienced complex moments, such as the labour conflicts of the early 20th century, which marked the combative and resilient identity of its inhabitants.
From Livestock Capital to World Tourism Destination
From the 1960s, with the creation of the Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales began to reinvent. Tourism was replacing livestock as an economic engine, attracting visitors from all over the world fascinated by glaciers, mountains, fjords and wild life in the region.
Today, the city has a strong tourist infrastructure: boutique hotels, Patagonian cuisine restaurants, tour agencies, specialized guides and an airport with regular flights to Santiago and Puerto Montt. All this, without losing its essence of a Patagonian people, marked by wind, human warmth and authenticity.
What to see and do in Puerto Natales
In the city:
- Costanera Pedro Montt: a scenic walk with fjord views and emblematic sculptures.
- Municipal Historical Museum: shows indigenous, colonial and livestock history.
- Braun & Blanchard Pier: vestige of the age of the lamb and point of observation of birds.
- Etherh Aike Artesanal Village: ideal for finding local products in wool, leather and wood.
In nature:
- Torres del Paine National Park: the imperable of the region with its towers, horns, lakes and glaciers.
- Cerro Dorotea and Cerro Benitez: walks with amazing panorama.
- Cave of the Milk: archaeological site that recalls the existence of this prehistoric herbivore.
- Fields and glaciers: boat trips to the Balqueda Glacier and Serrano, kayak on the Eberhard Fiordo or several days of journey.
Rural experiences:
- Patagonic conditions: like the Peninsula, Cerro Guido, El Galpón del Glaciar or Third Baranca. Here you can participate in horseback riding, sheep’s skiing, lamb roast and accommodation in old employers’ houses. It is a unique opportunity to live deep Patagonia.
Emblematic Hotels in Puerto Natales
- The Singular Patagonia: luxury hotel in the old Bories fridge.
- Withdrawal: avant-garde design and integration with the landscape.
- Kau Lodge, Costaustralis, Noi Indigo and Weskar Lodge: cozy and with spectacular views of the fjord.
- Hotel Las Torres, Explora Patagonia and Tierra Patagonia: high-level accommodation in the vicinity of Torres del Paine.
Estancia Laguna Sofia, Pingo Salvaje y Cerro Benitez
Just 30 kilometres north of Puerto Natales is Laguna Sofia, a corner surrounded by hills, cliffs and forests that invite rest and contemplation. This lake of quiet waters is perfect for bird observation, geological observation, photography of landscapes and walks in the middle of the steppe.
From here, it is possible to ascend to Cerro Benitez, one of the most recommended routes for its accessibility and panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding mountains. On its hillsides is the Cave of the Milk.
Very close, Pingo Salvaje offers rustic accommodation and the best rides.
Puerto Consuelo and Puerto Prat
Two key milestones in the colonization of the Last Hope were Puerto Consuelo and Puerto Prat, considered the first settlements of the area. Puerto Consuelo was founded by Hermann Eberhard in 1893, a German pioneer who received a land concession and discovered the Cave of Milk, contributing to the scientific and geographical interest in the region.
Shortly after, Puerto Prat emerged, founded by another group of European settlers and Chilotes who began to population the area for livestock purposes. Both places not only marked the beginning of the organized population, but also served as logistical bases for expansion to the interior, laying the foundations for what would then be Puerto Natales.
Today, both sites can visit and maintain their rural character, offering a window to the pioneering past of Chilean Patagonia.
Climate and Accessibility
The climate in Puerto Natales is cold, windy and steppe-like. The average temperatures are around 6-7 ° C and the rainfall is distributed throughout the year. Despite latitude, winters are not too hard, and summers offer long hours of light to explore.
The city is connected by land via Route 9 and by air through the Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airfield. It also receives weekly shipping from Puerto Montt through Navimag and the Crux Australis ferry.
Discover the properties Produncan Lands has to offer you in Puerto Natales
Estance Laguna Sofia
Investing in Laguna Sofia is not just acquiring land: it is part of a territory where the landscape still rules, where history and adventure are lived every day, and where value is in the intangible. This is the most exclusive and outstanding project in the vicinity of Puerto Natales, recognized for its privileged natural environment, its tourist projection and its harmony with the Patagonian landscape. Today very few units remain available, making it a unique and limited opportunity for those who seek to secure an unrepeatable place in Patagonia.
Las Caturras - Lotes by the Rubens River
One hour from Puerto Natales and two from Punta Arenas, Las Caturras offers 25 magical lots on the banks of the Rubens River. It is an ideal project for those who seek coastal landscapes, tranquility and proximity to two key cities of Patagonia. The plots enjoy excellent connectivity, charming natural environment and a more accessible environment, without losing the Patagonian touch that characterizes our best properties.
Antonio Varas Peninsula - The most affordable opportunity across the channel
We also offer an extraordinarily attractive project on the Antonio Varas Peninsula, just across the channel from Puerto Natales. These are land available at very competitive prices, in a strategic location that combines the proximity to the city with the privacy of the Patagonian steppe.
Kruger Island (or Island of the Dead) - Port Prat
Kruger is an island located on the fjord of Eberhard, 300mts from Puerto Prat and 19kms from Puerto Natales. The place is full of history dating back to the late 19th century, when the territory of the Last Hope was explored and colonized for the first time.
Puerto Natales: More than a Destiny
Those who visit Puerto Natales not only contemplate overwhelming landscapes, but also find a living history, an identity forged by pioneers and a natural environment that invites you to reconnect with the essential. In its streets the wind of Patagonia blows, but also the emotion of a journey that transforms.
Puerto Natales is more than a destination: it is an experience that leaves a mark.
