Tourism in the City of Punta Arenas - Sandy Point

Distance: 3.090 Kilometers away from Santiago
Main Activity: Tourism, Mining, Cattle - Bearing and Fishing

This is the Capital of the region of Magallanes. The city is located on the banks of the straight of Magallanes on the Brunswick peninsula. Anciently, it was called Punta Arenosa, a literal translation from the English "Sandy Point", named by J. Byron in the 17th Century. Its climate is cold with an annual temperature of 6, 5º Celsius.

In the surroundings of the city, there are agreeable places and beautiful hotels, restaurants and tea saloons. It has good tourist infrastructure.

Punta Arenas has a great variety of species: ostriches, owls, mandolas, lake and sea birds, wild ducks, swallows, sea - gulls, among others.

Tourist Attractions:

· Salesians Church
· Salesians and Regional Museums
· Chabunco Park
· Pali-Aike Parks
· Magdalena Island (a penguin stronghold)
· Dungenes Point
· Cruz and Mirador Hills
· Sarmiento Mount
· Muñoz Gamero Square
· Sara Braun Palace
· Braun Menendez Palace
· Institute of Patagonia

Tours and Visits:

· Magdalena Penguin Island
· Marino Francisco Park
· Beagle Glacier Channel
· Bulnes Fort

You can also visit:

The Bulnes and the Starvation Ports which are located 60 Kilometers to the south of Punta Arenas. Both forts were part of the first Spanish Colony on the coast of the Straight of Magallanes.

The Bulnes Fort is a historic reconstruction of the ancient small fort where Chile settled the first Patagonian town.

On the coast, there are remains of old ships.

The Starvation Port or Puerto de Hambre is located on the banks of the coast of Buena Bay. According to the history of the place, its inhabitants died by starvation during the Spanish attempt to take the location. Some years later, the English corsair Thomas Cavendish arrived here and he found the remains of the ancient colony. He re-named the place as "Port Famine".

Isla Magdalena is a redoubt of penguins, cormorants, birds and seals. The population of penguins is approximately 50.000 couples.

The Estrecho de Magallanes is an inter-oceanic channel that possesses 583 kilometers in its narrowest part and 35 to 40 kilometers in its widest part. The route, which traverses it, presents incomparable landscapes and beautiful marine fauna.

General Information:

Commerce Schedule: From Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 Saturday, 9:00 to 12:30

Fishing Permits. Sernapesca, 21 de Mayo, Nº 1490 - Telephone: 241142
Tourist Information. Sernatur - Telephone: 241330
Sea Transport. Punta Arenas, Turismo Comapa Magallanes Nº 990 - Telephone: 200200

Hotels in Punta Arenas

Plaza Punta Arenas Hotel
It is located in front of Plaza de Armas within the commercial and financial heart of Punta Arenas. The hotel is open the whole year. It offers qualified services.