The 2026-2027 tourist season in Magallanes got off to a slower start than expected: September, October and November show a marked drop in visitors, especially Chileans, and the main reason is the price of airfares to the far south, according to the Magallanes Association of Tourism Businesses (Austro Chile). "The price of airfares, among other factors, makes it hard for visitors to come, mainly domestic ones," its manager, Daniela Rodríguez, told El Pingüino on October 26, 2026.
Businesses still expect a good high season: "We project that it will be a good, strong season from December to March," Rodríguez added. The association called for more public-private coordination and more resources for promotion in Chile and in foreign markets, with the goal of extending the season beyond summer.
The figures behind the start of the season in Magallanes
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign tourists through the Integración Austral crossing (Jan-Aug 2026) | 54,818 (-27.0%) | Sernatur, via Ladevi |
| Foreign tourists through the Dorotea crossing (Jan-Aug 2026) | 69,791 (-13.2%) | Sernatur, via Ladevi |
| Room occupancy rate in Magallanes (August 2026) | 21.8% | INE, Tourist Accommodation Survey |
| Santiago-Punta Arenas passengers (September 2026) | 48,860 (+6.6%) | Civil Aviation Board (JAC) |
Sources: Sernatur figures based on PDI border police data cited by Ladevi (October 22, 2026); INE, as detailed in hotel occupancy by region; and the JAC September report. Changes are compared with the same period of 2025. The JAC data show that passengers on the main air route grew in September, although Austro Chile points to price rather than the number of flights.
Torres del Paine tickets for 2027: what the Magallanes tourist season is asking for
The other issue is protected areas. Magallanes congressman Alejandro Riquelme met with the director of Conaf and raised the uncertainty over advance ticket sales for the 2027 season, which mainly affects Torres del Paine, according to Radio Polar (October 27, 2026). "We cannot have operators without tickets available, or concessionaires without clarity about their contracts," he said.
- Fees: according to the report, the planned increase in entrance fees for this year is 2.8%. Current fees are in our guide to the Torres del Paine entrance fee.
- Concessions: the congressman asked for certainty for concessionaires during the transfer of protected areas from Conaf to the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP).
- Statistics: according to Riquelme, visitor data have not been complete since August.
- Visitors' nationality: he is concerned that the next tender for the ticket sales system will not record tourists' nationality.
Radio Polar did not publish a response from Conaf. Until there is official information, anyone planning Torres del Paine for the summer should check sales on the Pases Parques website and, for the W and O circuits, campsite bookings, which we explain in trekking in Torres del Paine and in the reopening of the O circuit.
Do you run a hotel, agency or tour in Magallanes? Reach the travelers planning Patagonia in four languages.
See advertising optionsCruise ships have already opened the season in Puerto Natales
Meanwhile, expedition cruise ships have already arrived. HX Expeditions' MS Fridtjof Nansen opened the 2026-2027 season at the Patagonia Sur Maritime Terminal in Puerto Natales: it docked on October 24 and stayed until Monday the 26th, with excursions to Torres del Paine, according to Ladevi and PortalPortuario. The ship is 140 meters long and carries up to 530 passengers.
What it means for travelers to Magallanes
- A quieter spring: October and November have fewer visitors, which can make lodging and tours easier to book, although the weather is more changeable.
- Compare fares early: price is the main obstacle according to businesses; flights to Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales vary a lot depending on when you book.
- Puerto Natales in summer: the airfield will have scheduled closures between January and March 2027, as we explain in the Puerto Natales airfield.
- Plan the region: see things to do in Punta Arenas and things to do in Puerto Natales.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the tourist season slow in Magallanes?
According to Austro Chile, mainly because of high airfares, which especially affect Chilean tourists. Businesses expect a good season from December to March.
Are Torres del Paine tickets for 2027 already on sale?
As of October 27, 2026 there is uncertainty about advance sales, according to congressman Alejandro Riquelme. Conaf had not published a response in that report; check Pases Parques before buying.
When does the cruise season start in Magallanes?
In Puerto Natales it started on October 24, 2026 with the arrival of the MS Fridtjof Nansen at the Patagonia Sur Maritime Terminal.
