Empanada
Empanadas are a beloved Chilean snack, featuring a flavorful filling of meat, onions, olives, and hard-boiled egg, all...
Introduction
Puerto Natales, nestled on the shores of the Señoret Channel in southern Chile, is a gateway to Patagonia’s stunning landscapes. Founded in 1911 as a port for the thriving sheep farming industry, the town retains its rugged charm, with colorful buildings and friendly locals.
Visiting in mid-October means experiencing the lively spring, with cool temperatures and frequent, brisk winds. The town’s vibrant culinary scene, unique boutique hotels, and coworking cafes make it an ideal spot for business travelers seeking inspiration. Engage with local entrepreneurs, enjoy world-class seafood, and explore the bustling waterfront before your next meeting.
Customized for these preferences:
Travel StyleBusiness
Dates10-17 October 2025
BudgetAverage budget
AccommodationHotel, apartment or house
Interests and Activities:
festivals and eventsgastronomynightlife and entertainmentoutdoor adventuresarts and culturesightseeing and toursvolunteering
Not what you're looking for? Create Your Own Guide!
Key Facts
Location
Magallanes Region
Currency
Chilean Peso (CLP)
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Population
21,500
Language
Spanish, English
Electricity
220V, 50Hz, Type C/L
Time zone
UTCCLT (UTC-3)
Country code
+56
Internet access
Available, moderate speed, reasonable cost
Climate
Cool, windy, and rainy
Language:
Spanish
hello
hola (oh-lah)
goodbye
adiós (ah-dyohs)
yes
sí (see)
no
no (noh)
how much
¿cuánto cuesta esto? (kwan-to kwes-tah es-to)
please
por favor (por fah-vor)
thank you
gracias (grah-see-as)
excuse me
perdón (pehr-dohn)
Logistics
To reach Puerto Natales, most travelers fly into Santiago and then connect to Punta Arenas (PUQ), the nearest major airport, about three hours away by road. Buses from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales run several times a day and are affordable; pre-booking is wise, especially in peak season.
There are no train lines to Puerto Natales, but ferries operate from Puerto Montt, offering scenic but much longer journeys. In October, weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable, so allow extra travel time and dress in layers. Roads are generally accessible, but occasional spring winds may cause minor delays for buses or flights, so flexibility in schedules is helpful.
Weather
Puerto Natales has a cool, windy, and often unpredictable climate due to its southern Patagonian location. The weather is generally chilly year-round, with average highs ranging from 10°C (50°F) in summer to 3°C (37°F) in winter. Strong winds and sudden rain can occur at any time, so layered clothing is recommended.
During mid-October, including October 10 to 17, spring begins to emerge but temperatures remain cool, typically between 4°C (39°F) and 11°C (52°F). Expect blustery winds and occasional rain showers; extreme weather is rare, but be prepared for rapid weather changes. It's a great time for outdoor adventures, sightseeing, and sampling local gastronomy as tourism starts to pick up.
Food & Drink
Puerto Natales offers delicious Patagonian cuisine, featuring specialties like grilled lamb (cordero al palo), king crab (centolla), and hearty stews. Local beers, Chilean wines, and mate tea are also popular. For a business-style, mid-range meal, try restaurants like Mesita Grande (famed for pizza and fresh pasta), Santolla (noted for seafood), or La Guanaca for casual dining.
Cafés such as Café Kaikén provide relaxing atmospheres for coffee meetings, while Bar Baguales offers a good craft beer selection. Vegetarian options are increasingly available, but it’s best to check ahead for specific dietary needs. Tipping is customary—10% is typical and often included but can be adjusted for service.
Reservations are recommended during peak tourist season (October–March), especially for dinner. Most restaurants accept credit cards, but carrying some cash is useful, and dress is casual-smart, suitable for combining business with local exploration.
Cazuela
Cazuela is a delightful Chilean stew that typically includes chunks of meat, corn, rice, potatoes, and vegetables, all...
Chorrillana
Chorrillana is a hearty and indulgent Chilean dish composed of French fries topped with pan-fried beef, onions, and...
Pastel de Choclo
Pastel de Choclo is a traditional Chilean dish that features a savory pie made with a sweet corn...
Curanto
Curanto is a unique Chilean dish that originated in the Chiloé Archipelago, showcasing a blend of seafood, meat,...
Accommodation
Puerto Natales offers comfortable hotels like Hotel Costaustralis and NOI Indigo Patagonia, both centrally located with great amenities for business travelers. For apartment-style stays, consider Natales Apart or Patagonia Apartments, which provide home-like comforts and easy access to dining and services in the downtown area.
Booking.com and Airbnb are the top platforms for reserving hotels or apartments. The town center is ideal for convenience, with most business services, ATMs, and reliable WiFi available. October is high season due to spring and increased Patagonia tourism, so it’s best to book accommodations well in advance to ensure availability and good rates.
Itinerary
Ease into your arrival in Puerto Natales by acclimating to the town, preparing for business activities, and getting a feel for the local surroundings and amenities.
Stroll Along the Costanera Waterfront
Ease into your stay with a relaxing walk along the scenic Costanera, the waterfront promenade of Puerto Natales. Enjoy mountain and fjord views, spot local birdlife, and get oriented with the heart of the town. Perfect for unwinding after travel and taking in the Patagonian atmosphere.
Coffee Break at Café Kaikén
Stop for a revitalizing coffee and pastry at Café Kaikén, a local favorite. This is a great spot to check Wi-Fi, catch up on emails, or review your business schedule in a comfortable environment frequented by locals and travelers alike.
Visit the Municipal Market for Local Goods
Browse the Mercado Municipal to get a sense of local Patagonian products, handicrafts, and fresh foods. This is ideal for scouting regional delicacies and souvenirs while practicing your Spanish and mingling with residents.
Torres del Paine & Milodon cave day tour from Puerto Natales
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
The most comprehensive all-day tour (12 hours) of Torres del Paine Park with a little bit of hiking. Join our tour in a shuttle bus (15 seats) and discover Torres del Paine with Howlanders! The full-day tour of Torres del Paine provides the best opportunity to explore several sectors of the park. During the tour we’ll stop at the main attractions, so you won’t have to get too physical with this tour, making it suitable for all travelers :) The highlights of this all-day tour: -Views of Macizo Paine -Lake Sarmiento Viewpoint -Laguna Amarga Viewpoint -Lake Noderhold Viewpoint - Lunch at Pehoé Sector: views of Lake Pehoé and the Cuernos del Paine. - Grey Glacier 1-hour hike: we’ll cross the old Lenga forest until we reach the shore of Lake Grey. - Milodon Cave Natural Monument
Related Experiences
volunteering
volunteering
teaching
Attractions
4.7 (140 reviews)
Torres del Paine & Milodon cave day tour from Puerto Natales
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
The most comprehensive all-day tour (12 hours) of Torres del Paine Park with a little bit of hiking. Join our tour in a shuttle bus (15 seats) and discover Torres del Paine with Howlanders! The full-day tour of Torres del Paine provides the best opportunity to explore several sectors of the park. During the tour we’ll stop at the main attractions, so you won’t have to get too physical with this tour, making it suitable for all travelers :) The highlights of this all-day tour: -Views of Macizo Paine -Lake Sarmiento Viewpoint -Laguna Amarga Viewpoint -Lake Noderhold Viewpoint - Lunch at Pehoé Sector: views of Lake Pehoé and the Cuernos del Paine. - Grey Glacier 1-hour hike: we’ll cross the old Lenga forest until we reach the shore of Lake Grey. - Milodon Cave Natural Monument
From $95 USD
4.6 (214 reviews)
Full-Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales(First Class)
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
Depart from your hotel in Puerto Natales to discover the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park. This full-day tour brings visitors to the most scenic panoramas of the park that are accessible by vehicle. Visit its most famous attractions while learning about flora and fauna of the mountains that characterize the area. As you ride through the park, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy its amazing views, to discover a beautiful waterfall, to gaze at its beautiful lakes and lagoons from the lookout points, and to explore further as you go on short hikes for some even better perspectives.
From $129 USD
4.4 (59 reviews)
Trekking Base Torres - Torres del Paine trek from Puerto Natales
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
The Base Torres trek is one of the most popular group-guided tours available in Puerto Natales, a perfect alternative for travelers who only have one day to tour Torres del Paine but don’t want to miss the incredible views of the Mirador Base Torres. This tour is offered all year round. Even in winter, many travelers are encouraged to hike to the viewpoint (for winter tours, crampons are used to ensure the safety of the group of up to 15 people). In addition to transportation and mountain equipment, the tour includes a professional guide and an assistant, so all travelers will be accompanied, regardless of the speed at which you walk.
From $105 USD
4.6 (36 reviews)
Puerto Natales: Full day tour Torres del Paine
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
Torres del Paine is a unique place where you can explore this beautiful National Park. You will enjoy a full day with the most beutiful views in the world.
From $86 USD
4.7 (3 reviews)
City Bike Tour in Puerto Natales
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
Seek adventure exploring Puerto Natales, on a 3-hour afternoon bike tour through the most famous attractions. As you follow a guide, cycle through the history of the southernmost part of the city. Beautiful views, like the Waterfront of Puerto Natales, and a peace of mind at the Braun Blanchard pier, including the craft village of Ether Aike. Find yourself at the main square of Arturo Prat, concluding this unique cycling experience.
From $64 USD
5.0 (2 reviews)
Full Day Patagonia Tour from Puerto Natales
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
This Experience will allow you to get to know the steppes and pampas of Patagonia, stopping at different viewpoints observing the flora and fauna of the area so that you can take the most beautiful photographs and contemplate this wonderful Patagonian Landscape.
From $95 USD
4.6 (28 reviews)
FULL DAY Torres del Payne from Puerto Natales
INSTANT
Free Cancellation
An exceptional day trip to know Torres del Payne and Cueva del Milodón, departing from Puerto Natales! We take Route N°9 , walking the route between Patagonian stays you enter Torres del Paine National Park a real show where guanacos, condors and ñandú usually accompany the beautiful views of the park. We visit all the attractions and viewpoints of the park, visit Nordenskjold Lake, Pehoe and the Big Jump, where we will do a small walk of about 30 minutes to approach and contemplate it, we also observe lakes, rivers and the great variety of flora and fauna. Afterwards we head to Lake Grey which is part of the South Ice Field, here we will make a beautiful hike between lenga forests to the beach of this amazing lake, where we will appreciate the icebergs that come off Grey Glacier , leave the Park to go to Milodon Cave and resume the way to Puerto Natales End excursion 17:00 hrs approx.
From $90 USD
FAQ
Find quick answers to your Puerto Natales travel questions with our travel guide chatbot. Your questions will be added to this section to help other travellers.
Related Guides
View Guide
PeruCusco
5 days
Plan an unforgettable family getaway to Cusco with our family-friendly travel guide!
View Guide
View Guide
ArgentinaBuenos Aires
7 days
Get the intel on living, working, and playing in Buenos Aires for your spring 2025 digital nomad adventure!
spring
View Guide
View Guide
PhilippinesManila
7 days
Get the most out of your summer 2025 business trip to Manila with our 7-day travel guide!
summer
View Guide
Ready to plan your trip?
Share your travel insights or create a new guide for fellow adventurers!