Puerto Natales, on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound, is the base for almost every trip to Torres del Paine. But the town and its surroundings offer more than a bed before the trek: a cave where the remains of a giant sloth were found, glaciers reachable only by boat and a waterfront with some of the widest views in Patagonia. This guide sums up things to do in Puerto Natales and how to plan for the 2026-2027 season.
Things to do in Puerto Natales: the essentials
| Place | What it is | Distance from downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfront and Monument to the Wind | Promenade along the Última Esperanza Sound with sculptures | In town |
| Historic pier | Pilings of the old pier from the sheep-farming era | In town |
| Municipal Historical Museum | Archaeology, settlement photos and Indigenous peoples | In town |
| Cerro Dorotea | Easy hike with panoramic views | On the outskirts |
| Milodón Cave Natural Monument | Cave with finds of an extinct giant sloth | About 25 km |
| Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers | Boat trip along the Última Esperanza Sound | Full-day excursion |
| Torres del Paine National Park | Paine massif, lakes and Grey Glacier | About 80 km to the entrance |
The distance to Torres del Paine is the one given by Chile Travel; the distance to Milodón Cave is approximate. Check opening hours and prices before you go, as they change by season.
The waterfront, the historic pier and the Puerto Natales museum
The waterfront runs along the Última Esperanza Sound, with snowy peaks across the water. Here you will find the Monument to the Wind, a sculpture honouring the element that defines life in Magallanes, and the pilings of the historic pier, a relic of the days when the town lived off sheep farming. It is the best place to watch the sunset, which in midsummer comes around 10 p.m.
The Municipal Historical Museum, created in 1990, holds archaeological pieces, photographs of the settlement period and objects of Indigenous peoples, such as canoes and Tehuelche bolas, according to Torres del Paine. To understand who lived in the area, our basic guide to Chile's Indigenous peoples is a good complement.
Milodón Cave, Puerto Natales' natural monument
The huge cave where skin and bones of a mylodon, an extinct giant sloth, were found in the late 19th century is the most visited attraction in the area. Milodón Cave Natural Monument received 137,508 visits in 2025, fourth among all Conaf protected areas, as our ranking of Chile's most visited national parks shows.
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Managed by | Conaf | Conaf |
| 2025 visits | 137,508 | Conaf, 2025 visitor spreadsheet |
| Published hours | Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Pases Parques |
| Admission | From CLP 3,000, bought online | Pases Parques |
| Booking | pasesparques.cl, with QR code | Pases Parques |
Prices and opening hours are those published on Pases Parques, Conaf's booking system; rates differ for residents and foreigners and by season. The cave is on the way to Torres del Paine, so many people visit it en route.
Does your hostel, agency or restaurant in Puerto Natales want to reach people planning their trip to Torres del Paine?
See advertising optionsSailing to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers
Boat trips leave the port along the Última Esperanza Sound towards Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, where you see Balmaceda Glacier from the boat and walk to the lagoon facing Serrano Glacier. It is the most accessible way to see a glacier without trekking, and it usually includes stops at ranches. Departures depend on the weather and are fewer outside summer.
Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales
Torres del Paine received 337,224 visits in 2025, according to Conaf. Regular buses and full-day tours leave from Natales; hikers doing the W trek or the O circuit usually sleep here before and after. For the O circuit, check the reopening scheduled for November.
How to get to Puerto Natales in 2026 and 2027
- Flying to Puerto Natales: the airport will have works between January and March 2027 and only some days with commercial flights; check the Puerto Natales airport calendar.
- Flying to Punta Arenas: it operates year-round; from there it is about three hours by bus or car. Make time for things to do in Punta Arenas.
- By sea from Puerto Montt: the Navimag ferry sails through the channels on a trip operators sell as 4 days and 3 nights; confirm the season's schedule with the shipping company. See things to do in Puerto Montt.
- Overland from Argentina: El Calafate is relatively close via the border crossings of Última Esperanza.
For the rest of the far south, our guide on what to see in Chilean Patagonia helps you combine destinations.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should you spend in Puerto Natales?
Two days are enough for the town, Milodón Cave and a glacier boat trip. If you are going to Torres del Paine, add your park days: one full day on a tour, or four to eight if you do the W or the O.
How far is Puerto Natales from Torres del Paine?
About 80 kilometres to the park entrance, according to Chile Travel.
Do you need to book Milodón Cave?
Conaf sells tickets online at pasesparques.cl, with a QR code. It is best to buy them in advance, especially in summer.
