Anyone traveling through South America’s southernmost tip is likely to pass through Puerto Natales. The closest town to Torres del Paine National Park, the once-sleepy Puerto Natales is Patagonia’s undisputed capital of adventure. Those who aren’t in a hurry should linger a while to enjoy some of the best things to do in Puerto Natales, including diving into history at the local Municipal Historical Museum, exploring the nearby Milodón Cave Natural Monument, and wandering the port town’s colorful streets.
If you are headed to Puerto Natales to explore the outdoors and go hiking in Torres del Paine National Park, November through early March promises the most favorable conditions. Late December and early January are the busiest months in and around Puerto Natales; plan your trip for October, November, or February to enjoy temperate weather while beating the biggest crowds.
The majority of Puerto Natales’ attractions, restaurants, and bars are clustered around the Plaza de Armas Arturo Prat, so you will likely be able to get around on foot. For attractions just outside of town, such as the Milódon Cave (Cueva del Milódon), you can book a taxi, rent a bicycle, or visit as part of a guided tour around the area.
A 10-minute drive outside of town, Cerro Dorotea may lack the grandeur of Torres del Paine’s soaring peaks, but it’s well worth making the short but steep hike up to the summit where a lookout (known locally as a mirador) provides views across Puerto Natales and the surrounding mountains—if you’re lucky, and it’s not too windy, you might spot a condor in flight.
