Discover the best things to do in Puerto Natales Chile, from Torres del Paine adventures and glacier tours to local culture, food, and scenic waterfront views. Puerto Natales is a charming gateway city to southern Patagonia that captivates travelers with its dramatic landscapes, outdoor adventures, and authentic local culture. Located on the shores of Ultima Esperanza Sound, this small but vibrant destination is best known as a base for exploring Torres del Paine National Park, but things to do in Puerto Natales Chile extend beyond mountain trekking. From scenic waterfront walks and colorful street art to historic sites and cozy cafes, the city offers a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly balances adventure and comfort.
Things to Do in Puerto Natales
Travelers looking for unforgettable experiences will find that things to do in Puerto Natales Chile include glacier tours, wildlife watching, kayaking, and cultural tours that highlight the region’s rich heritage. Foodies can enjoy Patagonian lamb, fresh seafood, and local wines, which add a delicious layer to the trip.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a photographer, or a leisurely traveler, the variety of things to do in Puerto Natales Chile ensures there’s something for everyone. When planning your Patagonian itinerary, understanding the best things to do in Puerto Natales Chile will help you make the most of your time in this captivating corner of the world. With its unspoiled natural beauty and welcoming charm, the things to do in Puerto Natales Chile promise an experience that’s adventurous and deeply memorable.
1. Take the Torres del Paine Highlights Tour.
While I love a good, easy day hike, I’m not an avid hiker at all. I was happy to see that there were tours from Puerto Natales for people like me!
I had a stomach bug a few days ago and was bedridden, so this was my first foray into Puerto Natales.
I don’t remember the names of many of the places I saw (I was still a bit disappointed), but I did get to see many of the main highlights of the park, such as the Torres (below – you have to hike to see them up close), Lago Peho, Lago Grey, and more.
The tour was a small group tour with accommodations for about 15 people, and the guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
At the end of the day, we stopped at Rio Pingo, a restaurant and minimarket inside the park near the Grey Glacier. We had an hour to eat, take a short walk to see the icebergs from the Grey Glacier, and more.
We ended the day at Cueva del Milodon (Milodon Cave), which I thought would be a bad tourist trap but ended up being pretty cool because we got to see the place where they found and excavated many of the extinct animals from the area.
2. Start your morning at Hollast! Specialty Coffee.
I’ve had some amazing coffees around the world, and this small and unassuming cafe is one of my favorites! Hollast! is a coffee shop in Puerto Natales that locals love as much as tourists.
I had a flat white coffee there multiple times during my trip and it was never exceptional.
The cafe has a few outside seats as well as a few inside, so it might be a good idea to take them if the place is crowded.
The interior is green and the place is pet-friendly (good to know if your dog is missing out)!
Inside, you’ll find options ranging from V60 to Chemex to Cold Brews. There are also chai lattes and teas. Espresso and milk drinks range from 2600 CLP to around 3000 CLP.
If you want to check out another coffee shop in Puerto Natales, head to Nomad for a second coffee!
3. Go on a glacier tour from Puerto Natales.
One day I was looking for something extra to do when my partner suggested we book a glacier boat tour from Puerto Natales.
It was New Year’s Eve, and it was going to be an epic way to end the year! We booked our tour through Viator and met up at the office meeting point before taking the bus to the port with the others. The boat can seat up to 150 people, which is quite a lot, and our tour was fully booked as it was the end of the holiday.
However, you are given the freedom to go out and walk around the deck, which is large and spacious, so I never felt trapped inside the boat.
This tour will take you through the fjords around Puerto Natales to a few waterfalls, then visit the two glaciers on the tour, the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers.
After the first glacier, you will arrive at Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins, where you will disembark from the boat for over an hour. There is a 20-30 minute hike to reach the glacier.
However, there is also a wooden boardwalk that will take you to a panorama of the glacier in 5 minutes. I had injured my knee (torn ACL) a few days ago, so I was unable to hike and had the entire wooden boardwalk to myself. The path was short and beautiful, with ferns and canelo trees chirping overhead.
I took a look around, saw the crew trying to collect glacier ice to make cocktails, and enjoyed the natural beauty of the place (and the trees that are somewhat rare in this part of Chile)!
After this stop, we headed back to Puerto Natales, but without a long break for lunch. We got off the boat again and were served a sumptuous barbecue meal.
I think this was the best meal I had on my trip! Fresh lamb and potatoes were hot off the grill at our table, and we were also served a glass of Chilean wine as part of the trip. Vegetarian options are available.
This trip lasted about 10 hours and can be canceled in case of bad weather (with a full refund if applicable). I highly recommend this trip! Click here to check glacier tour rates and availability.
4. Eat local food at Afrigonia Restaurant.
Afrigonia is actually an African-inspired restaurant located in the heart of Puerto Natales. But the food is made with local ingredients, and it was easily one of the best meals I had in Puerto Natales.
My partner and I ordered salmon (it had a curry-like sauce) and rack of lamb with a delicious mint sauce. We also chose a side of spicy rice with roasted vegetables and guanaco carpaccio. Every bit of it was delicious!
This is another place that gets pretty crowded in high season, so you might want to book a table in advance (I stopped by to do this).
5. Go on a day hike to the base of the towers.
I didn’t even bother signing up for this because I knew it was a failed cause. But Ed (my partner) did it so he could report it to me! To be honest, I tore my ACL on this trip, so this turned out to be the better of the two excuses.
This 20km (or 12 mile) hike is one of the main reasons to come to Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park!
This hike will take you to the base of the tower for that famous viewpoint (and the one in this photo). There were 27 people on his hike, along with three skilled guides.
I would say Ed’s hiking ability is moderate to average, and he said it was a very tough and strenuous hike (he exercises but is not a regular hiker).
This tour includes transportation, but not food and water… and apart from a few streams along the way, there really isn’t anywhere to refuel.
The tour leaves at 7am and you return at 8pm. Be prepared for wind and dress in layers as it goes from hot to cold throughout the hike!
Trekking poles are provided. The first part of the hike is tough, and then it gets a bit easier before the last kilometer, where it gets brutal. This is a must for all adventurers (and those in better shape than me)! Click here to book your trip to the base of the tower.
6. Eat Gaucho Stew at La DiscerÃa.
When I finally discovered La DiscerÃa, I had almost given up on eating Chilean food because of my string of bad restaurant experiences. This place was so bad that I went there two nights in a row!
La DiscerÃa gets busy and it can be hard to find a table, so try to book a table in advance if possible (the best way to book for later is to stop by).
The Puerto Natales restaurant specializes in gaucho stew (cowboy stew) and the menu is always changing, but it always has some seafood options, as well as lamb or beef.
I chose lamb both times because Patagonians are fantastic at preparing meat.
One night, I had a lamb stew with peas, potatoes, and a hearty broth. The next night, the lamb was more 'Portuguese' inspired (as the menu says) and had tomatoes and a few other ingredients.
For an appetizer, we ordered the guanaco pastrami, which was quite delicious. They also offer some Chilean wines with whatever dish you order. Definitely a must-see for foodies!
7. Enjoy ice cream at Helados La Dorotea.
Ordering ice cream is something I do wherever I go, and I was so happy to find this artisan gelato place in the heart of Puerto Natales!
On the menu at Helados La Dorotea, you’ll find everything from a variety of gelato flavors (including dulce de leche, the flavor I ordered) to delicious Patagonia Blend coffee. Be warned that the portions are huge!
I ordered two scoops of ice cream in a cup and couldn’t even finish half of a scoop! Still, you’ll find quite a few menu options, even though there’s no seating inside!
8. Visit Last Hope Distillery.
In 2015, two Australians came to Puerto Natales for a W-Trek and have been making a living there ever since!
Their distillery and bar, Last Hope, offers delicious cocktails and the largest range of whiskeys and gins in Patagonia - and is a must-visit when visiting Puerto Natales!
Sadly, they were closed when I visited (wrong day of the week for me), but they are open all year round (except September) with varying hours, so definitely stop by.
Last Hope Distillery even offers free tours to guests every day at 5:30pm during high season. Don’t worry, if you’re there when the bar is closed, you can still buy Last Hope around Puerto Natales (and even in Santiago)!
9. Eat a burger at Wild Café.
One of the most popular restaurants and cafes in Puerto Natales is Wild, which is especially famous for its burgers.
Although I've been there for coffee multiple times and never managed to order one of their famous burgers, I did see one of the burgers others ordered and have been regretting it ever since!
Wild is also a hostel, so you'll see people of all ages coming and going. They also have several resident puppies, and after a while the cafe became a place for me to relax.
10. Puma Tracking with Onteiken Patagonia.
One of the tours I was most excited about was this Puma Tracking Tour with Onteiken Patagonia. Unfortunately, on the day I was supposed to go, I had a terrible stomach ache and my partner had to go alone without me.
This tour starts pretty early and returns around 8pm. There is no guarantee that you will see a Puma, but since it is a private tour, if you tell the guide that you want the best chance of seeing a Puma, they will take you to the northern part of the park where you have the best chance of finding one.
This tour also includes a 10km trek (easy level) where you will search for wildlife (and some cave petroglyphs) along the way.
It was not prime Puma season when we were there, but my partner did see three that day - including a fresh guanaco kill and a baby Puma waiting for its mother to feed.
I'm so sorry I had to miss this tour, but I'm glad he was able to take some pictures for me to encourage you to take it!
This tour was a bit of a personal one - Ed gave the tour guide and driver the itinerary for the highlights tour he was taking the next day and they tried to avoid most of the areas so he could see new scenery each day.
Unfortunately, I gave him the same stomach bug, so he missed the highlights tour! Please note that this tour was about $600 for a private tour for 2 people. Click here to check rates and availability for Puma Tracking Tours.
11. Eat seafood at Restaurant Bahia Mansa.
On our last night, we were craving seafood, so we went to Restaurant Bahia Mansa, a local spot that gets pretty good ratings and good reviews.
Despite our seafood cravings, we still decided to order the lamb and beef and both were quite delicious. We also had a delicious ceviche appetizer.
Our service was the real highlight as the staff was very friendly. The menu was only in Spanish when I was there, so be careful if your Spanish skills are substandard.
12. Support local artisans at Venture Patagonia’s Shop.
I was so happy to find Venture Patagonia, a Chilean handicraft shop (owned by a local tour company!), which specializes in handicrafts, books/maps, gourmet products, and souvenirs.
You can find everything from hand-knitted Patagonian wool gloves to local blueberry jam… and so much more!
This is an epic place to take family and friends home, helping the locals in the process. Their tour offerings are also exciting and keep the local guides and community in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions – Things to Do in Puerto Natales, Chile
Question 1: What is Puerto Natales best known for?
Puerto Natales is best known as the main gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, one of Chile’s most famous natural attractions, offering hiking, wildlife viewing, and stunning mountain views.
Question 2: What are the best things to do in Puerto Natales, Chile?
Popular activities include visiting Torres del Paine, taking a glacier cruise to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, walking along the waterfront, exploring local museums, and enjoying Patagonian cuisine.
Question 3: How many days is enough in Puerto Natales?
Most travelers spend 2 to 4 days in Puerto Natales, depending on whether they are planning a day trip to Torres del Paine or a multi-day trekking adventure.
Question 4: When is the best time to visit Puerto Natales?
The best time to visit is from October to April (spring to early fall), when the weather is mild and most outdoor activities are accessible.
Question 5: Is Puerto Natales suitable for non-hikers?
Yes, Puerto Natales offers plenty of activities for non-hikers, such as boat trips, cultural experiences, scenic views, and visiting cozy cafes along the coast.
Question 6: Is Puerto Natales affordable to visit?
Yes, budget travelers can find affordable hostels, local eateries, and shared tours, which make Puerto Natales accessible without the high cost.
Conclusion: Puerto Natales is a destination that offers the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and breathtaking Patagonian scenery. From its role as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park to its peaceful waterfront, rich history, and welcoming local atmosphere, the city offers experiences for every type of traveler. Whether your attraction is outdoor exploration, scenic cruises, or simply enjoying the local cuisine and scenery, the variety of activities makes every moment memorable. With thoughtful planning and ample time to explore the city and its surrounding wonders, Puerto Natales promises a rewarding and unforgettable trip to southern Chile.
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