At the southernmost tip of the country, you will find Punta Arenas Chile, a lovely city in one of the nation's most beautiful regions to visit. The southern Patagonia region offers everything an outdoorsy traveler might desire, with scenic landscapes, ocean views, hiking, and the lush unspoiled beauty of national parks and serene glaciers.

Punta Arenas travel in and around the city provides diverse sightseeing opportunities, beginning with the Plaza de Armas and its statue honoring Ferdinand Magellan, who first discovered what is now called the Strait of Magellan. Within the city and surrounding area, there are several interesting museums, including the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, Museo Regional de Magallanes, Museo Salesiano, Palacio Braun Menendez Museo, and the Naval and Maritime Museum, with more than 1,600 pieces of nautical equipment and instruments from the past.

Those curious about the history of Chile will also be interested in the city's several monuments, including the Monumento de Magallanes, San Juan Bosco Monumento, Monumento a los Emigrantes, and the Monumento al Ovejero. In addition, to travel to Punta Arenas without visiting the historic Austral Brewery would mean missing a unique tour opportunity. The brewery, founded in 1896, still stands in its original location. Visitors taking a tour of the facilities will see the beer-making process from beginning to end, learn the history of Austral beer, and visit the on-site beer museum.

Chile Map

For adventurers, a visit to the top of Mount Fenton provides visitors a panoramic view of Punta Arenas, the Strait of Magellan, and Tierra del Fuego. While at the top of the mountain, horseback riding is available for touring the area, even during winter when the mountain is covered in snow. The scenery in this area is unparalleled and well worth a visit, even for the less adventurous travelers.

Planning a Punta Arenas vacation, whether arriving at one of the airports in Chile or by selecting one of the many cruises that make their way around Cape Horn and the Strait of Magellan, provides you with ample attractions, national parks, and sightseeing tours as you travel to the city. Punta Arenas travel itineraries via cruise ship take you through fjords and channels with stops in Punta Arenas Chile and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina.

While making your way along the travel route an abundance of wildlife, including penguins, elephant seals, sea wolves, and whales will keep you entertained. Once you arrive in the city of Punta Arenas Chile, there are many opportunities for sightseeing, eco tours, fishing, bird-watching, and wildlife tours, and hiking excursions.

For visitors beginning who plan to to travel to Punta Arenas by car from another Chilean city have the option of using the Pan-American Highway and the Carretera Austral highway along with branches and alternate routes for driving. Depending on the route taken for Punta Arenas travel, motorists may have the opportunity of crossing the border into Argentina and then back again into Chile as you head south.

Not all roads are paved and sections of roadway can be rugged, so plan the route ahead of time and check into road conditions before starting the trip. In addition, when to travel to Punta Arenas is a consideration if driving will be part of the agenda. Heavy snowfall and ice during the winter months can make the roads impassable resulting in closing portions of the highways and alternate routes.