Punta Arenas is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Punta Arenas works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Punta Arenas, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 2 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Punta Arenas, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Punta Arenas starts at around €56 per night, with a typical rate near €81 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Hostal Ventisqueros, 3-star, guest rating 9.2 from 535 reviews, from €56 per night; Hotel Cabo De Hornos, 4-star, guest rating 9 from 769 reviews, from €113 per night; Hotel Plaza, 3-star, guest rating 8.5 from 1737 reviews, from €95 per night; Hotel José Nogueira, 4-star, guest rating 8.5 from 910 reviews, from €118 per night; Almasur Express Punta Arenas, 4-star, guest rating 8.4 from 3218 reviews, from €56 per night.
Day trips & routes: Puerto Natales — about 248 km, 2h 59m drive; Rio Gallegos (Argentina, cross-border) — about 262 km, 3h 15m drive. 1 of 2 routes cross a border — check the rental company's terms before you go.
Punta Arenas: what to know
Things to see: "Punta Arenas : Chilean cooking class. Relax and learn!", rated 5 from 22 reviews, from €107.19; "Punta Arenas Antarctic History Private City Tour", rated 5 from 7 reviews, from €312.63; "Torres del Paine & Glacier Grey Navigation Private Tour", rated 5 from 7 reviews, from €663.54; "Premium Electric Segway Rentals in Punta Arenas", rated 5 from 6 reviews, from €51.76; "Private Full-Day Patagonian Forest Hike", rated 5 from 5 reviews, from €312.63.
Punta Arenas has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 2 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Punta Arenas is around €81, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Punta Arenas you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 2 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Chile, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
