Downtown, near the Plaza Muñoz Gamero
4 places to stay
The Plaza Muñoz Gamero, with its Magellan monument, is the center of Punta Arenas. Around it are the oldest hotels, the mansions from the wool era, restaurants, exchange offices and the offices of the buses to Puerto Natales. Everything is a few blocks away.
Hotel
Best Western Hotel Finis Terrae
Downtown, near the Plaza Muñoz Gamero
6 min Plaza11 min Waterfront
Near the Strait waterfront
2 places to stay
The waterfront runs along the Strait of Magellan, with the Muelle Prat pier, where boat trips to see penguins leave from. Wind and water views, a few blocks on foot from the plaza.
A few blocks from downtown
5 places to stay
Residential streets a short walk from the plaza, with many family-run guesthouses. Quieter than downtown, and you can still do everything on foot.
Punta Arenas neighborhoods
2 places to stay
Neighborhoods farther from downtown, to the north or up the hills. To get downtown, a taxi, shared taxi (colectivo) or car is the better choice.
Outside the city
2 places to stay
Cabins, motels and estancias along the road north, toward the airport, or south along the coast. More space and quiet; to get around you need a car or a transfer.
Questions
What is the best area to stay in Punta Arenas?
Without a car, downtown: there are 4 lodgings 6 minutes or less on foot from the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, with restaurants, the waterfront and the offices of the buses to Puerto Natales a few blocks away.
How far is the airport from downtown?
Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo airport is about 20 km north of downtown. You get there by taxi, transfer or the buses heading to Puerto Natales.
How do you get from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine?
By bus, about 3 hours on Route 9. The bus companies have their own offices and stops downtown; there is no single terminal. Buses to Torres del Paine leave from Natales.
Where can you see penguins near Punta Arenas?
On Magdalena Island, with boat trips in season (roughly October to March), and at the king penguin colony in Tierra del Fuego, across the Strait.
Is it worth booking direct with the lodging?
When you book on the lodging's own website, the place pays no commission to a platform, and you deal directly with the people who host you about changes, a late flight arrival or leaving your luggage before the bus.