Punta Arenas Things to Do Tips by swesn

PUNTA ARENAS - CHILE'S MOST SOUTHERNLY CITY

Punta Arenas is the capital of XII Region, the southern-most city in Chile. The remote XII Region covers 17.5% of Chile's total area but contains less than 1% of Chile's population.

A visit here is required if you want to head to Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine trekking as flights from Santiago fly here and buses from Ushuaia, in Argentina, come here.

It is a pleasant and tranquil town, with a number of beautiful buildings around the main square Plaza Munoz Gamero.

OTWAY SOUND / SENO OTWAY

About 70km north of Punta Arenas, there is a colony of Magellanic penguins at Otway Sound. From November to March, which is summer, visitors are allowed. December or January is the time the baby penguins are beginning to fledge, a wonderful sight.

There are boardwalks, fences and bird-hides to allow visitors to observe the penguins, without disturbing them. Still, one can get quite close to them.

Be forewarned that the wind is terribly terribly STRONG and FREEZING COLD. Bring a really good wind-proof jacket and wear your woollies!

The cheapest way to get there is to take a minivan (3500 Ch Pesos) from a travel agency located within the first block from the Plaza along Calle Pedro Montt. Minivans depart in the late afternoon.

Entrance to reserve is 2500 Ch Pesos.